Several construction contracts approved at county meeting

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County’s moving forward with a few construction projects to upgrade various community services.

Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris accepted a contract with Hayes, James, and Associates for professional design services for concept site plans, preliminary engineering, clearing, and grading plans, and land development permitting for the Youth Sports Complex. The facility will be located near the Farmer’s Market and the contract cost $18,400.

Paris also accepted three agreements with Gardner, Spencer, Smith, Tench & Jarbeau for design services including schematics, design development, construction documents and construction administration for new projects.

A 750 sq. ft. addition to the S.A.F.E. House was one of the approved projects. The new area will consist of a meeting room and storage room. The existing area will be turned into a playroom. The agreement is not to exceed $10,000.

Union County Senior Center will also be getting a 1,400 sq. ft. for new multi-stall restrooms and an exercise equipment room for the senior citizens. The cost is not to exceed $20,000.

The final agreement was for a new Union County Public Safety Complex for a 7,900 sq. ft. with three bays for engines and sleeping and living areas on the north end of Union County.

Paris accepted a $1,800,000.00 grant from the Georgia Department of Resources with a local match of $600,000 for the construction of a new public target range with a 150-yard rifle range and a 25-yard pistol range along with a support building containing a classroom, administrative office, storage, and public restroom. The matching portion can be repaid as either direct funding or in-kind labor.

The grant’s effective from April 1, 2021, to September 30, 2023.

Georgia Forestry Commission Volunteer Fire Assistance granted the Union County Fire Department $5,000.00. With this funding, the fire department purchased thirty sections of fire hose, hose adapters, and nozzles. Also, Mason Schuknecht, a Union County resident and Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputy accepted a position with the Georgia Forestry. He will be covering northern Georgia from I-20 North.

Resolution R-2021-06 was approved to open a bank account for American Rescue Plan funds.

Freeman Gas was retained for propane services for $1.39 per gallon. It’s a year-long contract.