SUNBURY - Northumberland County commissioners pushed further ahead on building a new county prison Tuesday by accepting a proposal from Alexander Building Construction Company, of Harrisburg, to oversee the project.
Commissioner Stephen Bridy, who participated by teleconference, and Chairman Vinny Clausi agreed to a construction management services contract at a cost of $23,120 per month during the design and bidding phase and $46,190 per month during construction.
Bids were also received from CGL Companies, of Columbia, S.C., and Quandel Construction, of Harrisburg.
Commissioner Richard Shoch opposed the motion, claiming bids from the other two firms were less expensive. The commissioner said he believes CGL and Quandel are just as qualified.
Clausi, who operates his own construction business, said the flat fee for the services will significantly reduce costs connected with change orders. He also pointed out that Alexander has it owns lawyer and architect who will be involved with the work.
Bridy said the new prison and work release center will cover more than eight acres of the 22-acre site at the former Knight-Celotex manufacturing plant at 1400 Susquehanna Ave., Sunbury. The property encompasses several blocks in the northern end of Sunbury and a small section of land in Upper Augusta Township.
Bridy previously said the entire prison and work release center project will cost between $20 million and $35 million.
He said the new 90-cell prison will be designed for 260 inmates, but will be able to hold a capacity of more than 300 inmates. The county prison at 39 N. Second St., which was built in 1876, had a maximum inmate capacity of just under 300 before being extensively damaged by fire Jan. 14.
Since the fire, most of the male inmates have been housed at SCI-Coal Township while female inmates have been incarcerated at SCI-Muncy. Prisons in Snyder, Montour and other counties also have been used to house prisoners.
Earlier this year, the county completed its $2 million purchase of the site from Moran Industries, which bought the property in 2011.
Moran Industries Inc. is a third-party logistics company based in Watsontown that specializes in warehousing and distribution.
A public hearing regarding the new prison site will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the commissioners' meeting room at the administration center.
In other business, commissioners unanimously awarded contracts to LTS Plumbing and Heating, of Paxinos, and Menco Mechanical, of Mifflinville, for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, furnace cleaning and repairs for LIHEAP Crisis, LIHEAP Standard and Doe Funding as recommended by the weatherization department.
The proposal from LTS includes rates of $65 per hour for a technician, $37.50 per hour for labor, $129 for a standard cleaning and 58 cents per mile over 20 miles. Menco's proposal includes $69 per hour for a technician, $45 per hour for labor, $145 for a standard cleaning and no travel expenses.
Controller Chris Grayson, who read the proposals, said the state recommends the county hire two vendors for the work. He said only two bids were received.
On a 2-1 vote, the commissioners agreed to advertise an ordinance adopting an employment incentive tax reimbursement program in an attempt to lure business into the county. Shoch abstained on the vote.
Clausi and Bridy approved a change order for Motorola Solutions in the amount of $239,448 for equipment and warehouse costs involved with the ongoing 911 radio project. Shoch abstained because the motion listed on the agenda did not say what the change order was for.
At the end of the meeting, the commissioners approved an ordinance read by solicitor Frank Garrigan that allows the county to pledge its taxing authority as collateral for Northumberland County Authority to borrow money to purchase the Human Services Complex on North Second Street in Sunbury currently owned by MLC Properties LLC and Penn Homes.
Bridy pointed out the county is expected to save $3.12 million over 13 years by purchasing the complex instead of leasing it.