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Committee authorizes Startek fire-alarm work for conflict defenders office; staff calls item a change order amid member concern about project costs
Summary
The committee approved a Startek fire-alarm installation and monitoring agreement for the conflict defenders office remodeling project, which staff described as a change order that may be followed by additional change orders.
The Allegany County Department of Public Works committee authorized staff to prepare a resolution authorizing the chairman to sign an agreement with Startek (Buffalo) for installation of a fire alarm and monitoring system at the new conflict defenders office. Installation was listed at $20,630 and annual monitoring at $670.
Terry (DPW staff) told the committee the expense is effectively a change order for the remodel and that funding is a combination of state court funds and county funds (ARPA or other county sources). Staff said approximately $700,000–$90,000 was referenced as state funding in discussion; final funding reconciliation will follow project completion and staff said they will return to the committee if additional funds are required.
A committee member raised concerns about project oversight and earlier design work. The committee member said Hunt, the project consultant, had already been paid for work on the remodel and questioned whether Hunt should have identified the need for the fire-alarm work and whether contingency funds should be used before asking the county for more money. The committee member asked that staff confirm whether Hunt had recommended the work in earlier project documents.
Staff responded that because this is a remodel, they could not confirm at the meeting whether Hunt had an obligation to recommend the specific work and that additional change orders were possible as the remodel progresses. The motion to authorize the Startek agreement carried by voice vote.
Committee members were told the Startek product was selected to match systems being installed elsewhere on the campus; installation is expected within months as the contractor proceeds with other campus work.
