Columbiana County commissioners select company to design and build new records storage building

LISBON -- The Columbiana County commissioners agreed Wednesday to authorize negotiations with C. Tucker Cope Design-Build Inc. of Columbiana for the contract to design and build the new county archives/records storage building.

Commissioner Tim Weigle, who's been overseeing the project, read from the resolution to authorize the negations and said C. Tucker Cope's pricing proposal offered the best value for the county.

Seven companies submitted proposals for the design-build contract for the proposed archives/records building in downtown Lisbon, then the number was whittled down to three design-build firms who were interviewed, presented pricing proposals and ranked by Weigle and representatives of the county engineer's office.

Besides C. Tucker Cope, the other two firms that were part of the final three included J Herbert Construction of Salem and Brock Builders Inc. of North Lima. The other four firms who had submitted proposals that were opened in September included Stitle Construction Corp. of Salem, Hively Construction Co. of Canfield, ms consultants of Youngstown and Baker Bednar Snyder & Assoc. Inc. of Warren.

At that time, Weigle explained that the proposals included statements of qualifications and they were scored based on experience and qualifications of the firm and key personnel, understanding the need of the project, past performance and references and proximity of consultant's office to Columbiana County.

The building will be constructed at the former location of the county Department of Job and Family Services, which is now a vacant lot.

The county-owned lot is bordered by East Chestnut Street to the north, North Nelson Avenue to the west and North Jefferson Street to the east.

Referring to the building as a records retention facility, Weigle previously said that any records the county is required by law to keep will be moved to the new building from the various locations where they're currently stored, such as the basement of the county jail and Iron Mountain, an underground secured storage facility in Pennsylvania.

According to Weigle, plans call for construction of a two-story, 24,600-square-foot, climate-controlled, secure block and brick building with a dry chemical fire suppression system, a commercial shredder and office space. He also said it will be designed with a freight elevator. The front of the building will face East Chestnut Street.

Commissioner Mike Halleck commented during the meeting that they even had stuff stored in Columbus. He said they wouldn't be able to do this without American Rescue Plan Act funds.

In other business, commissioners approved more expenses from the ARPA funds, including $100,000 for the city of East Liverpool for a Hazmat garage, $84,000 for Matrix Pointe software for the prosecutor's office for two years and $22,325 for Esterlee Fence Co. for kennels at the county dog pound.

The commissioners also approved the Columbiana County emergency operations plan and the radiological emergency response plan, both which are required by state and federal law and must be updated annually, according to county Emergency Management Agency Director Peggy Clark.

Commissioners approved the hiring of Justin Collins, of Columbiana, as a clerical specialist II in the social services division of the county Department of Job and Family Services. The commissioners also met in executive session with county DJFS Director Rachel Ketterman regarding the pending collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees), with no action taken. The union represents about 70 agency workers in the public assistance, child support and adult protective services divisions.

Commissioners reappointed Judge Thomas Baronzzi to the county law library resources board and acknowledged no hearing was required for a liquor license permit for the Salem Golf Club.

The next meeting of county commissioners has been moved to 9 a.m. Dec. 27 due to Christmas falling on Wednesday.