County updates courthouse remediation, Brookside generator switch, and Kemper Center assessment

Kenosha County facilities staff told the Public Works Committee June 23 that asbestos discovered under the judge’s elevated platform at the courthouse has been remediated and scaffolding installed to complete related HVAC and plaster work.

Staff said temporary flexible ducts were installed to maintain air conditioning to other courthouse areas while contractors remove and eventually replace the affected plaster with acoustical plaster aimed at improving room sound. “They also put in temporary, flexible ducts so that the air conditioning that ran through there goes to the other parts of the courthouse,” a facilities presenter said.

At Brookside, staff reported a planned generator service change. County staff said We Energies performed a service transfer to accommodate a new generator that will back up the entire facility; the first outage was completed within the planned window and a second switchover is scheduled for July 9. Staff said the outage on the first event lasted less than 12 hours and that meal-service adjustments were anticipated during future construction of the Brookside food-service area.

Facilities staff also said a preconstruction meeting for Brookside carpet and windowsill replacement projects occurred and that work is expected to begin Aug. 1 with a phased approach to reduce disruption to residents. Staff described aiming to complete roughly two resident rooms per week to limit intrusion.

In other facilities work, a kickoff meeting is underway for a facility condition assessment at the Kemper Center; staff said consultants met with the executive director and maintenance staff at Kemper to begin surveying the building.

Committee members asked for staff to provide breakdowns of insurance payments and logged cleanup expenditures for storm response and for timing on upcoming generator work and renovations. Staff agreed to circulate detailed expense and scheduling information by email.