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County authorizes emergency procurement for Ponderosa Place repairs after life‑safety issues found
Summary
Bernalillo County authorized emergency procurements to make life‑safety, electrical, plumbing, security and laundry upgrades at Ponderosa Place transitional housing after staff found deficiencies following occupancy; commissioners acknowledged process mistakes and asked for improvements.
Bernalillo County commissioners on Feb. 11 authorized emergency procurement and contract awards to repair and renovate Ponderosa Place, a transitional housing property the county purchased to expand housing for families.
Fleet and Facilities Director Jared DeVette told the commission that life-safety systems, electrical and plumbing upgrades and access-control improvements were identified after occupancy; some deficiencies were not apparent during initial inspections. Staff said replacing systems piecemeal would be inefficient and sought an emergency procurement to perform the work comprehensively.
Deputy County Manager Leah Sarcheleppa and the county manager acknowledged shortcomings in the county’s pre-purchase review process and said the administration will institute changes to procurement and property-evaluation procedures. Commissioners praised the goal of serving families in crisis but expressed concern about how the deficiencies were missed before purchase; Vice Chair Frank Baca urged stronger pre-purchase inspections and asset management going forward.
Officials also reported progress on securing adjacent right-of-way access from the state Department of Transportation to erect fencing and improve security while formal transfer arrangements are pursued.
The commission approved the emergency procurement by roll call.
