Heavy trucks prohibited on 8 county roads
Almost exactly one year after Shackelford County commissioner Cody Jordan first received authorization to post speed limits of 35 MPH on several roads in Precinct 4 because of damage caused by tractor-trailer rigs carrying rocks from the quarries, the commissioners approved a motion to actually prohibit through traffic of heavy trucks on eight county roads in that precinct.
The action was taken after a legally publicized public hearing held Monday morning, March 11 prior to the regular commissionersmeeting.Noone from the public was present to protest or comment on the proceedings.
“Probably 70 percent of my budget is used for damages caused by the rock trucks,” said Jordanatthemeetingayearago. “A couple of the older quarries are always willing to help, but the ones that have moved in are not concerned about the roads.”
He said at a meeting a few weeks ago that the sheriff ’s department had agreed to issue citations enforcing the county’s action, which is in compliance with the Texas Transportation Code.
“They have no reason to be on these roads,” said Jordan. “They start using them when they tear up the main road.”
Monday’s action authorizes the erection of signs on County 164, 165, 168, 169, 171, 173, 174, and 175 prohibiting the through passage of heavy trucks.
Jordan said that it will take about a month to get signs made and in place.
New Control System The commissioners voted to use just under $103,000 in grant funding to replace the Courthouse’s HVACcontrolpanel,which has been in place since the boiler-chiller was installed during the Courthouse’s renovationalmost25years ago.
Caleb Olibas of Cary Services presented two options tothecommissioners.
The new controller outlined in Option 1, at a cost of $102,931, would allow temperature control of all 21 fan coil units in the various offices in the Courthouse and the installation of 23 sensors in rooms for “space temps.”
In contrast, Option 2, costing $47,074, replaces the system controller, but only allows control of the two air handlers in the second floor courtroom, which is the way the system works currently.
County judge John Viertel confirmed that the company that installed the existing control system had not responded to repeated contact attempts.
He added that other than the courtroom, room controls are either “off or on,” with no temperature adjustment.
“Right now, the system only gives us control over this courtroom,” Viertel said. “It is limited, because it is a very early model.”
Olibas stated that Cary Services cannot work on the current equipment, because Schneider is “proprietary.”
County officials were assured that the existing coils would be compatible with the new system and could be replaced individually as needed.
After a lengthy discussion, Jordan made a motion to accept Option 1, with a second from Lanham Martin. Ace Reames also voted in favor.
Commissioners had decided last month that the failing boiler had to be replaced, along with the chiller unit, which came at a total price tag of $146,700.
Cary Services has already finished with the boiler installation. The chiller has been ordered and will probably take a couple of months to arrive.
The time line for replacing the third party control system is three to four months, according to Olibas.
Parking Lot
The commissioners voted on a motion by Jordan, seconded by Reames, to authorize the county judge to send a letter and negotiate with CM3 Services about the “failure” of the east Courthouse parking lot and “lack of prompt response from the contractor.”
The repaving of the parking lot was completed about a year ago at a cost of just under $144,000. CM3 was paid $139,106 of that.
“We’ve talked to Chris Ary, and he said he would make it right,” Jordan said. “He knows there are problems, but I think we need to set a time on when action will start.”
Other Business
•Chris Leonard, who was mis-identified as Gary Leonard in a recent county article, asked permission to pray a blessing over the county officials.
•Amotionwasapproved to renew the county’s agreement with the West Central Texas Council of Governments for 911 mapping and services.
•The TexasAssociation of Counties Risk Management Pool property renewal was approved, with treasurer Tammy Brown stating that all buildings and equipment were adequately covered, including the improvements at the county show barn.
•The commissioners okayed renewals for a firewall and licensing for the Courthouse computers.
