The Pulaski County Council has agreed to begin essential updates to the courthouse in an effort to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Maintenance supervisor Jeff Johnston says at a minimum the entry doors to the restrooms in the basement need to be widened and wheelchair accessible stalls need to be added. Those are among the numerous, costly repairs the courthouse will require to address both ADA and structural issues. Continue reading
Pulaski County Government Analyzes Courthouse Issues
The courthouse in Pulaski County is in need of extensive repairs.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston presented the Pulaski County Commissioners and the Pulaski County Council members with a long list of exterior and interior issues that need to be addressed soon. Johnston covered structural needs including cleaning limestone, realigning dislocated stone, replacing deteriorated stone, repairing defective concrete,
carpet cleaning and repairing and sealing the north side basement entry. The uneven sidewalks also pose as tripping hazards around the courthouse. The cracks found in the cement stairs and walls around the courthouse can gather water that causes damage during the winter with the action of freezing and thawing.
Courthouse Repairs to be Detailed in Pulaski County Commissioners Special Meeting
The Pulaski County Commissioners will meet in special session today to discuss repairs needed at the courthouse.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners in April that he has an extensive presentation to detail renovations and upgrades at the courthouse. He said issues remain that can no longer be ignored and plans need to be put into place now to make these repairs. Structural concerns and infrastructure needs are part of Johnston’s focus.
Pulaski County Officials to Discuss Courthouse Needs, County Home Future
The Pulaski County Council and Commissioners will meet in a special joint session meeting on Monday, May 4 to discuss two items.
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston has prepared a presentation on structural issues that need to be addressed at the Pulaski County Courthouse. Johnston informed the commissioners last week that the presentation includes several pages of notes.
Pulaski County Justice Center, Courthouse Internet Capability to Increase
The Pulaski County Justice Center and the Courthouse will be getting an upgrade in bandwidth.
Willie DeGroot from DeGroot Technologies explained that the Indiana Office of Technology is requiring a higher speed connection. DSL modems are in the offices, and the county is paying $700 a month for those. DeGroot proposed bringing in a direct fiber optic connection to be installed by Lightstream and a network switch would be installed to branch out to the routers. He said it would provide a much faster connection. It would save money in the process, he reported.
Jail Equipment Installation in Progress, Pulaski County to be Reimbursed for Concrete Work
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston gave the commissioners an update on the equipment installation at the justice center. He said the water heater will be started up today and will run for the rest of the week before the old water heater is taken offline to be sure that everything works properly. The HVAC equipment is being ordered as well as the water softeners.
Johnston said the generator for the health department has been installed but there is a small problem that he is investigating.
Pulaski County Employees Collect Food for Food Pantry
The employees in the government offices in Pulaski County are collecting food for the Pulaski County Human Services Food Pantry.
Auditor Shelia Garling asked the commissioners for permission to place boxes in the courthouse to collect food for those who are less fortunate this holiday season. A box is located in the courthouse and in the Pulaski County Justice Center.
If you have a donation you’d like to drop off, get those in today by the end of the day to help someone in need at either location. Non-perishable food items are welcome, as well as soaps, deodorant, shampoos, and diapers.
Pulaski County Commissioners to Review Courthouse Repairs after New Year
Repairs needed to the Pulaski County Courthouse structure will be determined after the first of the year.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston brought up the issue after an assessment was received about masonry repairs at the courthouse last month. The limestone needs to be repaired around the perimeter of the courthouse as it has come apart. Mortar joints were found to be defective, eroded or missing. The stairs also need to be repaired.
The base quote given for repairs were just over $83,600.
Pulaski County Justice Center, Courthouse Damage Repaired
Repairs to the Pulaski County Justice Center, to the Pulaski County Courthouse and to the county home barn have been completed.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners last night that just minor items need to be finished to complete the damage sustained in a hail storm over a year ago.
“They’ve got metal coping to do on the justice center but the courthouse roof has been repaired and the justice center roof has been replaced and sealed. The barn at the county home has been repainted. The damaged section in the back and the roof have been repainted and sealed. The damaged screens were also repaired,” explained Johnson.
Voter Registration Open Now, Ends Oct. 6
Voter registration is open now until Monday, Oct. 6 at the end of the business day at the county courthouses.
If you need to register to vote or have questions about your current registration, call the Starke County clerk’s office at (574) 772-9160 or the Pulaski County clerk’s office at (574) 946-3313.
Absentee voting in Starke County and in Pulaski County begins Oct. 7.
Pulaski County Council Approves Funding for Health Department Generator
The Pulaski County Council approved the purchase of a generator for the health department.
Terri Hansen had been asking for a generator for the department for several years. After working with county maintenance director Jeff Johnston, Hansen said they are ready to make the purchase.
“Jeff Johnston, I talked with him a couple of times and he said the generator that would run our office is about $2,900. I’m asking for an additional in equipment for $3,500 for the generator and for any cost for the hookup,” said Hansen.
Pulaski County Justice Center, Courthouse Roof Repairs Planned
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners this week that repairs to the roof on the justice center will begin this weekend.
Commission President Larry Brady told WKVI News that the long-awaited repairs will begin this weekend and will be done by Monday. The slate tiles on top of the courthouse that were damaged in last year’s hail storm will be replaced next weekend so the courthouse will be cordoned off for those repairs to be done.
Courthouse, County Home Structural Needs Reviewed by Pulaski County Commissioners
A recent building assessment of the Pleasant View Rest Home and the Pulaski County Courthouse has found some issues that need attention sooner rather than later.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners Monday night that some issues can wait but if other repairs go without attention, they could cost the county a lot more money.
Early Voting for the May Primary Election is Still Available
Early voting for the May Primary Election continues. The last day to vote absentee is Monday, May 5.
Early voting in Pulaski County is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET until May 2. You may vote in the Pulaski County Courthouse each day with the exception of this Friday. This Friday is Good Friday and the courthouse will be closed.
Pulaski County Looking at Costs of Fire Alarm Upgrades
None of the Pulaski County government buildings have fire alarm systems tied in to the 911 system to immediately notify the fire department in the event of an emergency, and the courthouse does not have any sort of sprinkler system in place. Those issues were raised during Monday’s county commissioners meeting when Teri Hansen from the health department asked why the fire alarm system at the annex building on Riverside Drive does not go anywhere. Maintenance supervisor Jeff Johnston says he will look into the cost of doing hard-wiring it to the dispatch center. He says the annex building at least has a zoned sprinkler system in place. “If there’s a fire on the third floor, only the third floor suppression goes off,” Johnston said.
That’s more than the courthouse has in place, according to Johnston. “Over here, there’s nothing. If there’s a fire downstairs in the hallway, this is going to be a nightmare. This is something we’ve looked at. We’ve got battery- powered smoke detectors stuck on like you’ve got in your house.” Continue reading
Christmas Tree to Be Erected at Pulaski Courthouse
Security Plan to be Developed for Pulaski County Courthouse
Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn discussed the development of a security plan for the safety of those in the courthouse during business hours.
It has been suggested that a security plan be put in place. Judge Shurn told the commissioners that he will soon be putting together a plan in order to not only keep his court secure, but protect the visiting citizens as well.
Pulaski County Auditor Awaits Word on Office Move
The Pulaski County Assessor’s office is staying put in the courthouse basement for now.
Their quarters are so cramped employees are forced to transact business in the hallway. Assessor Holly VanDerAa approached the commissioners and council last month about purchasing the building across from the courthouse most recently occupied by attorney Crystal Sanders. The commissioners told her to proceed, but the council wanted more information about whether the building is handicap accessible and otherwise up to code.
Pulaski County Bell Tower in Need of Repair
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Morry Demarco told the Commissioners this week that the bell and clock tower atop the courthouse is in pretty rough shape. According to Demarco, the tower is in need of being re-tuckpointed to reapply mortar between the bricks with an estimated repair time of up to four weeks.
Pulaski County Officials to be Sworn into Office on Thursday
All newly elected officials in Pulaski County will be sworn into office on Thursday, December 15th, at 4:30 p.m. ET, at the Pulaski County Courthouse.
Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn and Pulaski County Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship will administer the oaths. You are invited to witness the event that will be held in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room on the second floor of the Courthouse.
