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McPherson County OKs $30,250 in door replacements for health department after security concerns
Summary
The McPherson County commissioners approved two Edelman Lyon bids totaling $30,250 to replace glass and metal doors at the County Health Department. Director Shaylee Shea said the work will address weather-affected latching problems and improve staff safety after threats and repeated access failures.
The McPherson County Board of Commissioners approved two contracts with Edelman Lyon on Dec. 9 to replace two storefront glass doors and two hollow-metal doors at the county health department, a combined cost not to exceed $30,250.
Shaylee Shea, director of the McPherson County Health Department, told commissioners the door replacements respond to ongoing compatibility and mechanical problems between the building's doors and an access-control system installed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shea said the staff door frequently fails to latch in hot or cold weather and that maintenance so far has cost about $1,900 addressing compatibility issues. She also said the security system was originally installed because staff experienced angry visitors and, on two occasions, received personal death threats during the pandemic.
Edelman Lyon provided two separate quotes: $20,700 for the storefront glass doors and $9,550 for the two hollow-metal doors. Shea said Edelman Lyon will replace door framing where required and expects a 12-to-13-week lead time from order to completion; the company said it can perform interim locksmith or adjustment work on the staff door if needed before full installation.
Commissioners discussed whether the health department should remain closed to walk-in public access given the original security rationale for the door-and-badge system. Shea said the system provides controlled access for contractors and partner agencies (for example, WIC staff shared access), and she asked the board to approve the bids to correct the structural and mechanical door issues that prevent reliable locking. One commissioner asked staff to explore non-security-door options; Shea said she had solicited other bids but only Edelman Lyon supplied a full set of quotes that included both the glass and metal door work.
A motion to approve both Edelman Lyon quotes (glass doors not to exceed $20,700; metal doors not to exceed $9,550) was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote. Shea said she will coordinate installation timing to minimize disruption to clinic operations and that the vendor will perform limited work if immediate repairs are needed before the main project.
The board did not set a precise implementation date beyond the vendor's quoted lead time. Shea also said staff are pursuing bids to address a basement stairwell drain and possible sump pump to reduce flooding that has affected the west-side door frame.
The health department presentation and the commissioners' vote took place during the regular meeting on Dec. 9, 2024. The work will be scheduled with the vendor and county staff to maintain clinic security and continuity of services.
