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County describes complex phasing and inmate relocation plan for adult detention center upgrades
Summary
Staff described 70% design progress and the need for temporary inmate relocation and a temporary kitchen to permit major interior security and kitchen work at the county jail; commissioners pressed for clarified phasing and sheriff buy‑in.
At the Nov. 10 CIP and budget work session, county project managers told commissioners the planned upgrades to the St. Mary—s County Adult Detention Center require complex phasing, a temporary kitchen and temporary inmate relocation that will move roughly 65 inmates at times in order to keep required operations running during construction.
George Erickson said design documents at 70% are in hand, and that the project team needs a finalized phasing plan that the sheriff and warden must "buy off on" before procurement and construction can proceed. "We have to go over the phasing plan and get the sheriff to be bought off on the phasing. It's critical how we move, when we move, how long the corridors are gonna be able to be shut down and not shut down," Erickson said.
Staff told the board they are seeking a general contractor who would act as the construction manager to coordinate three tightly linked elements: the construction contract, food services (temporary and permanent kitchen), and temporary inmate relocation. "We plan to also include in the solicitation for the work, have the contractor act as the GC and pull those two pieces together," Erickson said.
Commissioners asked who will finance inmate relocation costs. Erickson said the sheriff's department already had operating budget money set aside for inmate relocation and that the county was prepared to manage the process and, if necessary, move operating funds or perform budget amendments to cover operational impacts. "That money is in a special reserve account specifically for this project," he said.
Staff stressed the work will be "extremely complicated" and said operational input is required. The next design meeting with the warden would focus on phasing. Staff expect to schedule that meeting during the month (November 2015) to get into "the real nitty gritty" of corridors, control rooms and inmate movement.
Ending: Commissioners directed staff to continue coordination with the sheriff and to return with a finalized phasing plan and clearer cost allocation for inmate relocation and temporary kitchen work.
