Emery County LBA ratifies change orders for Huntington senior center, schedules ribbon-cutting plans

The Emery County Local Building Authority ratified three change orders for the Huntington senior citizen center during its June 3 meeting, approved the meeting minutes from March 4, 2024, and authorized payment of submitted bills.

Unidentified Speaker 3 moved to approve the March 4, 2024 meeting minutes and Unidentified Speaker 4 seconded; the board recorded 'Aye' votes from Warwood, Leonard and Jensen and the motion passed. Later, the board approved payment of submitted bills, including those tied to the Huntington senior center, after a brief discussion about separating Local Building Authority invoices from county invoices.

The board then ratified change orders 11, 12 and 13 for the Huntington senior citizen center project. According to Unidentified Speaker 2, change order 11 replaced the kitchen rubber base coving with tile "to make it easier to take care of," increasing the contract by just over $2,500 but remaining within the overall project budget because of prior landscaping changes. Change order 12 covered an additional drain for the dishwasher/disposal and represented an additional increase (no exact dollar amount was provided). Change order 13 was described as a landscaping credit — a decrease of just over $20,000 — because the county arranged to provide materials and perform landscaping work differently rather than contracting it out.

During discussion of change order 11 one participant noted, "11 was putting commissioner Jensen's name on the building, I think," a remark that the group clarified later as related to designation of a signer or naming detail rather than the flooring decision.

Unidentified Speaker 3 said Roe Zwolle is handling the landscaping design and that volunteer offers have come from master gardeners and from Jones and DeMille; the county will supply rock. The authority has "some money" available to install irrigation and buy plant materials, and staff are seeking grants for additional plantings. Board members discussed holding a ribbon cutting with the business chamber and agreed that scheduling should consider the county fair and summer availability; the landscaping work is expected later (possibly in the fall) and the building could be used in the meantime.

All three change orders were brought to the board for ratification because they had already been signed; the motion to ratify was moved and seconded and passed on recorded 'Aye' votes from Warwood, Leonard and Jensen.

The board adjourned after asking about the next project and confirming no further regular business for that session.