Commissioners pick Piney for Justice Center HVAC, approve repairs and delay elevator pumping pending contract changes

The Henry County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday took several facility-related actions: they awarded a one-year HVAC service agreement for the Justice Center to Piney, approved a Piney repair quote for $1,132, reviewed window-replacement pricing, and postponed contracting to pump oil-mixed water from an elevator pit pending revisions to the contractor's indemnification clause.

Commissioner (unnamed) led discussion of two service vendors, Piney and ResolveTech, noting Piney—s lower annual price (about $5,400 less per year as discussed in the meeting) and ResolveTech—s potentially quicker local response. Staff said ResolveTech—s emergency-service rates could be higher because it is unionized; Piney offered monthly billing while ResolveTech proposed quarterly billing. After discussion, Commissioner Joe moved (and a colleague seconded) to select Piney for HVAC service at the Justice Center; the motion carried by voice vote.

Separately, the commissioners reviewed a Piney quote of approximately $1,132 to repair an item at the Justice Center; the board approved the repair, recording the vote as "Motion carries 3,0." Staff also presented a quote to stain replacement windows rather than paint them; a referenced stain option added about $6,306 to the window estimate. Commissioners said the window-stain decision could be deferred until documentation is reviewed.

On the elevator inspection, staff reported the elevator pit contained about 200 gallons of water mixed with oil; contractors who responded flagged the oil mixture and provided an hourly mechanics rate ($335.71/hour) and team rate (about $513.90/hour). Staff recommended hiring a contractor to pump and remove the mixture, but the county attorney (Joel) raised concern about an unusually broad indemnification clause in the contractor's proposed agreement (naming TK Elevator in the discussion). Commissioner Joe moved to ask the contractor to tighten indemnification language, request clarifications on hazards and timing, and return in two weeks for a decision. The motion to seek revisions and delay approval was seconded and passed by voice vote (recorded as "Motion passes 3, 0").

The board instructed staff to negotiate narrower indemnity terms with the vendor or seek other options if possible before authorizing the work; staff said several firms had been contacted previously and others declined to handle the oil mixture in the pit.