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Rio Blanco commissioners direct limited restroom closures, cameras and RFP for fairgrounds plumbing repairs
Summary
After months of recurring backups at Rangely fairgrounds restrooms, the commissioners directed staff to limit access to some stalls for July 4, install hallway cameras and prepare an RFP for permanent plumbing repairs to be issued after the holiday if work cannot be completed before the fair.
Rio Blanco County commissioners instructed staff to restrict some indoor restroom access at the Rangely fairgrounds for the July 4 events, place a camera in a hallway outside the restrooms for vandalism monitoring and prepare a request for proposals (RFP) for full plumbing repairs.
Commissioners and facilities staff discussed repeated backups caused by numerous T-intersections in the fairgrounds’ drainage, which allow simultaneous flushes to create backflow and to blow a camera downstream during inspections. Facilities staff said the configuration makes repairs more extensive than the original scope and may require jackhammering concrete to reach pipes.
The board’s direction: facilities staff will tape off or block selected stalls so only one or two stalls and urinals remain in each facility for public use during the July 4 events; staff will deploy an off-the-shelf camera in the hallway outside restrooms to record comings and goings (not placed inside stalls); custodial staff will clean restrooms multiple times daily during events; and facilities will prepare an RFP that asks bidders to state their expected time-to-complete so the county can assess whether repairs can be done before the county fair.
Commissioners discussed trade-offs. One commissioner argued for keeping some indoor plumbing open and blocking individual stalls with “out of service” signage; another voiced concern that removing fixtures and sealing at the floor may still allow backups and require messy cleanups. Facilities staff said they have arranged portable toilets and wash stations for the Fourth and that the grandstand restrooms and 4-H building restrooms are not affected by the same drainage layout.
Trevor, county technology staff, said an off-the-shelf camera with onboard storage could be configured quickly and run on cellular service or Wi‑Fi; the camera would point to the hallway outside the restrooms and be accompanied by signage noting surveillance “due to previous vandalism.” County legal counsel advised that hallway surveillance is legally permissible so long as privacy is maintained.
Facilities staff (Nick and Thad) and the commissioner assigned to coordinate with them will draft the RFP; Antina will assist. The RFP should require vendors to state how quickly they can mobilize and complete repairs. Commissioners said if the repair work cannot be done between July 4 and the fair’s main animal events, they will proceed with temporary stall closures and enhanced monitoring for the fair period. Staff will lock or tape off doors where needed and secure more substantial locks for exterior doors if required.
The commissioners did not take a formal vote in the work session; they gave staff direction and asked for the drafted RFP to be circulated to commissioners for review before publishing.
Ending: Staff will implement temporary stall closures and additional cleaning for the Fourth, deploy a hallway camera before the holiday if possible, and circulate a draft RFP for the full plumbing repair that will include timing commitments from bidders.
