Jail floor issue resolved with no additional cost

A decision was made Thursday to use a more expensive epoxy coating on the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center concrete floors.

Even though the material will cost more than the sealant specified for the project, the $6.2 million guaranteed maximum price for the project will not change and no change order will be required, according to Gary Walker, project leader from Universal Construction Contractors of Lenexa, which is the construction manager-at risk.

The change in sealing material was made after Sheriff Bill Martin and Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center Major Bobby Reed talked to commissioners on Sept. 12 about the condition of the floor as it was being sealed.

Commissioners saw photos of portions of the floor where a clear sealant had been used, but paint spatter and stains could be seen on the concrete.

Commission Chairman Lynn Oharah called Walker and Bob Brassert, superintendent with Universal, to stop the sealant work because the result was “unacceptable.”

A special meeting was called Tuesday to give Third District Commissioner Nick Ruhl the authority to meet with jail and construction staff to determine a solution.

On Thursday, when the commissioners held a regular meeting, they met with representatives from Universal and Goldberg Group Architects PC.

Ruhl asked what had been decided about sanding the concrete.

“I think everyone was in agreement there was an issue with the appearance of the concrete,” Kevin Rost, GGA associate senior project manager. “I think part of the resolution to that is basically grinding off the substance on the concrete floor and getting past the trowel finish so we can get some type of material to adhere to that concrete to make an acceptable appearance to that and get the county and sheriff’s department a long lasting, low maintenance material on the floor.”