Churchill County Commissioners recognize employees for years of service at their Wednesday commission meeting. From left arecommissioner Bus Scharmann, Judge Mike Richards, Lynda Short, Deborah Kissick, Maureen Smith, Brenda Ingram, commissioner Carl Erquiaga and commissioner Pete Olsen. Marita Hanifen was also recognized for years of service but not present at the time of the photograph.
The Churchill County Commissioners approved at their Wednesday meeting to move forward with the construction on the Fallon Golf Course bridge.
Ben Shawcroft, deputy aistrict attorney, said the bridge has needed work for awhile.
“This bridge spans across the Carson River,” Shawcroft said. “The bridge is in need of major repairs in order to protect the public who use the it.”
Shawcroft said several discussions have taken place with the golf course advisory committee and management of the golf course to find the best way to move forward with repairs.
“Research was done into the cost of replacing the bridge but it was determined the cost was too high to justify a replacement,” he said. “Contractors were contacted to see if anyone was interested in repairing the bridge but several turned the project down because there are no engineered drawings.”
Dream Builders Construction, owned by Mike Ryle, was the only contractor who expressed willingness to do the work without engineered drawing or plans, Shawcroft said.
He said Ryle is exposed to more liability by not using engineered plans. Ryle expressed the need for the county to execute a hold harmless agreement so Ryle and his company are not held liable should anything happen in the future with the bridge.
“The county will agree to defend and hold harmless Dream Builders Construction should they be sued in the future for the repairs on the bridge,” Shawcroft said. “Cliff Van Woert, the county’s building official, will be working closely with Mike on this project to ensure the repairs are done in a professional and safe manner.”
Other items the commissioners discussed included the following:
Approved the Audit Engagement Letter from Eide Bailly for Churchill County in the amount of $73,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 audit.
Approved the construction method of Design-Bid-Build for the future Senior Citizen facility.
Approved to renew annual bronze level membership with the American Lands Council through April 4, 2016, in the amount of $1,000.
Approved the payment of the third quarterly installment to Churchill Animal Protection Society in the sum of $5,000 for fiscal year 2014-2015.
Approved payment of the yearly membership dues with Western Counties Alliance in the sum of $3,000.
Approved the city of Fallon’s application to acquire property identified as APN 01-536-01 and direct the county treasurer to give notice of intent to sell to the last known owner of the property in the manner provided by law.