Contract for Pike bridge awarded (11/19/07)

A contract for engineering services on a bridge replacement in Pike Township was awarded this morning by Jay County Commissioners.

Approval was given to AECON Inc. of Bloomington to conduct preliminary testing and studies and to prepare reports and surveying information for county officials.

Securing bids for the project also is outlined as part of the contract.

The project will completely replace a bridge located on Boundary Pike, north of county road 650 South.

The contract with AECON is worth $29,550, but could end up costing less, said Dan Watson, county engineer.

Mark Klosterkemper, a representative from AECON who attended this morning's meeting with commissioners, said work on the replacement will begin early next year.

"We're trying to keep the project as short as possible," he said.

In other business this morning, Brad Burkett was recognized for his 20 years of service as attorney for Jay County commissioners. He received a plaque for his tenure and thanks for his work.

Burkett announced Nov. 12 that his last day of employment as commissioners' attorney will be Nov. 26. (See photo on page 2).

Commissioners also talked with Greg LeMaster, a Portland attorney who expressed interest in filling the vacancy that will be left by Burkett's departure.

Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. told LeMaster he appreciates his interest in the position and a decision will be made in the near future.

"We put some feelers out and we're going to make a decision in another week or so," Miller said, adding commissioners may seek the services of a law firm to ensure at least one attorney is available at all times.

"It's good to know we've got somebody interested."

Separately, a representative from Phoenix Technologies, the county's computer network support provider, discussed concerns that some elected officials raised with the company's operations.

Ryan Stanley, account executive for Phoenix Technologies, defended company procedures that were utilized during the weekend of Nov. 4. That was when technicians were allowed access to offices at the Jay County Courthouse to install "patches" and make updates to computers.

Some elected officials were unhappy the technicians were allowed to enter their offices and perform work while they were not present, commissioners said.

Commissioner Faron Parr said this morning that Phoenix had alerted the auditor's office of the need for the "patches" and updates, but it was unclear that the work would require access to other county offices.

Stanley apologized for any misunderstanding, but made clear installing the updates was imperative for smooth operation of the county's computer network.

"It was a necessity that had to be performed," he said of the computer work.

Stanley also expressed interest in renewing Phoenix's contract with the county when it expires at the beginning of 2008. He said he would draft a new contract and send it to commissioners for input.

"We want to be here," Stanley said. "We want to be able to support Jay County."

The company's current contract is worth $3,000 a month for unlimited service, said Jay County Auditor Freda Corwin.

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