William N. Pennington Life Center finish line set

The Churchill County Board of Commissioners met last week to discuss Ferguson Construction’s time extension request to complete the William N. Pennington Life Center by May 31.

The new 15,000-square foot senior center in Fallon is located on South Maine Street, north of the Churchill County Museum. The $4.3 million facility will replace the former center at 310 Court Street.

“I feel that is a very realistic date,” said Raymond Ferguson, owner of Ferguson Construction. “However I do not have control over the equipment that has yet to come.”

Ferguson discussed the kitchen equipment orders as well as the walk-in refrigerator box. He said once those items are installed, the crew could do the tiling, electrical, drywall and ceiling. He added it’s not a large area but there’s not much they can do before the walk-in is installed; that’s their biggest obstacle on the inside, he said.

Cliff Van Woert, the county’s building official, also updated the commission, explaining how coordinating the kitchen equipment will also require certifications and inspections once up and running.

Van Woert added there was some incorrect floor covering due to a color error on the manufacturer’s part, but it shut down progress on that aspect for three weeks. He mentioned parking lot paving is scheduled for April 13-14.

There is also a monument going up in front of the center involving masonry, stucco, earthwork and concrete; Ferguson said it’s not a big item but they can’t just go do it until dirt and paving is coordinated in the parking lot.

“I’m thinking we’re going to be fine as long as the (kitchen) equipment shows up,” Ferguson said.

The commission unanimously approved the time extension.

Robert Getto, Jr., the county’s public administrator, gave his department’s first quarterly report as well as discussed the legislative session regarding public administration, which involves affairs of the deceased.

Getto talked about the department’s policies, stipend, phone inquiries with its now 24/7 answering service (many calls are for a different department) and lengthy-process caseload — in 2015, there were four resolved cases, five in 2015 and none yet in 2017.

Getto explained how of the 17 Nevada public administrators and four different public administration models, it doesn’t appear to be a successful business in Nevada. Assemblywoman Robin Titus has taken this to concern, he said, and inquired with him as to how public administration in small counties runs smoothly.

“And you know, there is no answer on that,” he said.

Getto emphasized keeping everything out in the open and added one has to pay attention to detail and be available.

“I have a level of comfort that you’re doing a great job,” said Commissioner Pete Olsen.

The commission also discussed flood mitigation with county emergency manager Mike Heidemann, who said he thought recouping expenses was possible for many agencies, mentioning an available mitigation grant. He also said a new disaster recovery tool with field recording for real-time communication will help FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funding kick in at the right time.

Heidemann added exercises are being conducted, and 80,000 sandbags had been filled and are available. The commission approved appointment ratification of Bill Lawry as incident commander as well as higher compensatory time accrual for employees involved in flood mitigation efforts.

The human resources adjustment is another way to pay overtime (time and a half) with a soft employer impact as well as give involved employees the ability to garner time off to be used later.

Olsen added he was impressed he hasn’t heard one complaint from any employee or agency including Naval Air Station Fallon.

“I just feel like we have done everything we could do,” Olsen said including partnering agencies.

Olsen said farmers came in so quickly to build a berm that protected their neighbors. He said the mitigation response has been something special that will help protect the community for years to come in addition to forging relationships and goodwill.

The next commission meeting will be April 19 at 1:15 p.m. in the commission chambers on Taylor Street.