Committee discusses hazmat shed replacement at Fire Station 7; staff, contractor differ on slab approach

Columbia County staff presented Jan. 13 a proposed independent contract with 2 State Construction to replace a hazmat storage building at Fire Station 7 that sustained storm damage. Mr. Prather said the replacement contract is for $99,959 and that staff had been working with insurance, risk management and emergency management on funding and scope.

Committee members questioned whether the existing concrete slab would be demolished and replaced or reused. A contractor who spoke during the discussion said the column grid had shifted and pulled the slab in areas, but after an on-site review with 2 State Construction and the metal building vendor, "So I'd say probably 90% of the slab will remain, and we'll just have to cut out the 6 footers, repore them, and then set the grid for the middle building," the contractor said. Mr. Prather told the committee that the slab decision was a field determination and could be affected by the insurance engineer's recommendations.

Committee members asked whether the county would return for additional funds if reuse proved infeasible. Mr. Prather answered he was "99% sure" the current proposal would suffice but said staff would continue to verify conditions in the field and report back to the committee as needed.

Staff recommended approval and the motion to authorize the contract was moved and seconded on the record; the transcript contains no roll-call vote tally. Mr. Prather said the work will proceed with coordination among facilities, procurement and the county’s insurance team to minimize costs while meeting engineering and safety requirements.

The committee also discussed related county facility repairs and deferred final field determinations to on-site inspection and insurer guidance.