Geary County public works orders HVAC part, requests KDOT safety study and approves small CIP amendment

Jeremy Myers, Geary County public works administrator, told the commission the HVAC unit serving the TCA sheriff reception area suffered a compressor failure and the county will replace the compressor rather than the entire 20‑ to 22‑year‑old system. “First option is to replace the compressor at a cost of $4,613. Second option was to replace the entire system to include the furnace … at a cost of $13,294,” Myers said. He said TCA ordered parts and the work will be paid from facility funds.

Myers also briefed commissioners on two transportation‑safety items. He said Geary County has received multiple reports of near misses at the Ritter Road and K‑18 Highway intersection near Junction City High School and asked the commission to sign a Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) request so KDOT’s study team will review the location. “Assistance requested is Geary County has requested requesting the assistance of a team study to identify any possible safety improvements to this intersection to include both county and KDOT right away,” Myers said. He asked that the commission chair sign the application so the request shows county concurrence.

Myers reviewed plans for a joint cleanup with Junction City, tentatively proposed for Aug. 8. Under the draft plan Junction City would place four monitored roll‑off containers in the city; the event would exclude tires and appliances and would note that household hazardous waste (paints and similar items) should be taken to the HHW facility. The commission discussed whether the event should include a Saturday to increase resident access and whether the city and county should split disposal costs 50/50. Myers provided disposal estimates from the county hauler: a typical load is about 21 tons at roughly $1,400 per load; the hauler’s estimate for the county’s portion of several days of service was about $8,400, and an additional day could bring the county’s share to roughly $10,000 (estimates provided by staff). Myers said those disposal fees are separate from roll‑off rental rates and that staff will continue to negotiate logistics with the city.

On county facility and capital items, Myers reported the county received full reimbursement of $2,799 from a driver’s insurance provider to cover materials, public works labor and equipment used to repair a guardrail at Clark’s Creek after a 2024 incident. He said quotes to replace the transfer‑station scale house main entrance door were reviewed and staff selected Interstate Glass at $4,358.50; a competing quote from Dormakaba was $5,322.77. Myers said the door replacement would be charged to solid‑waste capital outlay.

Myers presented a small amendment request tied to a concrete/bridge project packet in the meeting materials. He reported receiving quotes to replace a handrail ($1,504.08) and associated grading ($792.38) and requested a $2,296.46 amendment to the project CIP; his packet listed an original CIP amount and a final project cost, and he asked the commission to approve the amendment and award the project to Marino (packet text uses both “Marina Foundation” and “Marino Foundation”). A commissioner moved and seconded the amendment and award; the commission voted “aye” and the motion carried.

Myers also updated the commission on road work and maintenance: chip seal work on Humboldt and Asher roads will start when the weather allows and the county will provide public notice before crews are on the road; staff identified a sag in the sewer line at the SO C & K (rec yard) and plan bimonthly jetting as preventative maintenance. Myers said the county is considering purchasing a jetter for roughly $5,000 because current monthly jetties cost about $1,560 and equipment purchase could pay for itself if used across county facilities.

Myers closed by thanking HR staff for conducting monthly policy review sessions for public works employees and asked whether the commission had questions. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the KDOT request signature, cleanup scheduling and cost sharing; Myers said he would continue work with city staff and return with final details.