New jail on schedule and still under budget
Plumas County’s new corrections center is right on schedule. That news came from Cameron Glass, a vice president with CGL, the contractor selected to work with the county through the planning, design and construction phase of the project.
At this stage, Plumas County is awaiting word from the state’s finance department for the go ahead and go to bid, Glass said.
But as the county and CGL wait, Glass said that local contractors with the necessary qualification are being asked to put in their bids for sub-contract work on the project.
Glass answered some concerns voiced by supervisors fearful that they weren’t further ahead, but Glass said that Plumas County actually is much further along than other counties doing jail projects.
“We would not be where we are today without the supervisors’ involvement,” Glass said. He added that the process might seem to be moving slowly, but when compared to other counties it is moving along quickly.
Glass’ presentation followed a lengthier discussion of the project by Plumas County Public Works Director Bob Perreault.
Update
In his presentation, Perreault explained that it’s really one building with two facilities. Those facilities include the jail and the Day Reporting Center.
The facility will be primarily housed west of Mill Creek on what is still considered public works property, Perreault explained.
Public works crews have been in the process of moving property, getting rid of property and relocating sand and other materials on the site. The sand is being moved into the old armory building on the opposite side of Abernethy Lane.
The current design is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $22 million. That cost comes from a $25 million grant received from the state for successful grant applicants. There is also a 10 percent change order built into the plan, Glass explained.
Throughout the planning and design stages, key members from CGL, the county and two supervisors meet either in person or teleconference on the facility, Perreault explained. There is an agenda for each conference.
Request
As the update on the new facility was reaching the end, Plumas County Behavioral Health Director Tony Hobson asked when other department representatives would have an opportunity to be involved in the design.
While the second facility is being called the Day Reporting Center, it is designed for wrap around services.
While behavioral health figures prominently in the DRC, Hobson hasn’t been included in the process. He was also speaking for probation, social services, drug and alcohol, and similar services.
Glass assured Hobson that his programs and others would be included in the next phase of the design.
Framework of next steps
Plumas County Public Works Director Bob Perreault handed out information on what is happening with the new corrections center planning, design and other phases.
The project includes both the jail and a Day Reporting Center.
There is an existing contract between the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and the County (Board of Supervisors) that sets forth responsibilities during the project.
On the county side: the sheriff’s office is designated as the lead point of contact for legal communications; the auditor-controller’s department is the lead point of contact for financial matters; and public works is the lead contact for delivery of the project. The latter includes compliance with project plans, project specifications and all pertinent state and local rules and regulations.
A stakeholders committee conducts weekly jail project teleconference meeting.
The conceptual phase is nearing completion. The county is awaiting final review of the Real Estate Due Diligence Memorandum by the State Department of Finance.
BSCC would then authorize the county to publicly solicit project bids.
The project is now advertising in Plumas newspapers for interest from potential local subcontractors. Responses are submitted directly to CGL Architects. They will include the information for use by bidding firms.
Upon receipt of the approval from BSCC, a formal public call for bids will be published.
A selection committee would be designated by public works following discussions with CGL and the stakeholders.
A selection committee will also communicate with an insurance company in regard to the possible use of a master rolling owner controlled insurance program.
A recommendation for a contract award will be submitted to supervisors for consideration.