By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Picking out the new carpet was the easiest part of the Barton County Commission's study session Tuesday afternoon with architects and engineers behind the HVAC Renovation Project at the courthouse. The trickier item became how changes inside the structure could trigger additional American Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. DMA Architect Owner Don Marrs explained the issue to the commission.
"The ADA didn't come into play when we're just doing mechanical systems, when we're just painting walls, when we're replacing ceilings, when we're doing floor covering," he said. "It didn't come into play. But the first sentence said if you rearrange or change the building, then you have to make it meet the ADA standards as best as you can."
Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson explained the consensus from the body was to keep the bathrooms the same. However, there are sewer issues that need to be addressed. County Administrator Matt Patzner said the trick is addressing those sewer issues in the most economical and practical way.
"We just want to fix the sewage line and make sure everything works," he said. "We've had a problem with the smell of sewer gas and the plumbing backing up. Essentially, we just want to get everything cleaned out and in working order and functional."
Marrs explained how the new sewer system could be accomplished while keeping the bathrooms the same. A directional bore out to the manhole is the biggest complication. A recent project at another site failed after two weeks because of what lies beneath the ground.
"Out here, in this ground, you have no rock formations," he said. "This is primarily sand. You get down so far here you hit the sand. You dig basements here and you'll get the sand layer real quick. That's a good material to bore through."
Patzner said the architects and engineers have started the process of determining how to best address the sewer issue. A proposed solution will go to contractors for time and cost estimates.