Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough presents plaques of appreciation to Helen Carter, left, and Elizabeth Anderson for their volunteer efforts to beautify the Limestone County Courthouse.

After nearly three years of approving millions of dollars in costs for the renovation of the Limestone County Courthouse, the Limestone County Commission on Monday received and handed out some accolades related to the project.

Martin & Cobey Construction, which was awarded the project management contract, recently received a BuildSouth Award from the Alabama chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. The Athens-based firm was one of 10 to have received an award at the club’s annual banquet on Jan. 20.

Martin & Cobey was named in the category of renovation under $5 million. Project manager Kelly Howard of Martin & Cobey was at Monday’s regular meeting of the Limestone County Commission to present plaques to the Limestone County Commission and to project architect Robert Littleton of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood.

“ … Masonry walls that supported the floor system were replaced with scaffold shoring, new hand-dug footings, and structural steel columns and beams,” said information about Martin & Cobey’s efforts found on the BuildSouth Awards website. “Ground penetrating radar was used to locate the existing concrete floor joists to position new plumbing and conduits. … Together the community saved a treasured piece of history that now better serves the public.”

The courthouse officially reopened the first week in January. The new renovation improved the structural integrity of the 98-year-old building while also adding state-of-the-art HVAC, electrical, data and communications systems.

Howard told the commission that when he took the project on, he knew it would be one Martin & Cobey would submit for award consideration. The firm was notified about winning in fall 2016.

Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough praised Howard and Littleon’s contributions to the project, but also pointed out the contributions of those working behind the scenes. A group of women including Elizabeth Anderson, Helen Carter, Deanna Hargrove and Susan Todd were instrumental in picking color schemes and finishing touches for the courthouse.

Yarbrough presented each of the women with a plaque as a show of appreciation for their volunteer efforts. He also presented a vintage rendering of the courthouse to Anderson, who continues to work to secure artwork for the building.

“They didn’t cost the people of Limestone County anything and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it,” he said. “It’s a beautiful building and we couldn’t have done it without you.”

On a related note, the commission would later approve transferring $46,100 to the courthouse fund to purchase new pews and acoustical panels in Judge Robert Baker’s courtroom. The commission also approved change orders in the amount of $39,286.25 related to the project. Those orders added lighting to public restrooms and the third-floor circuit courtroom.

Subdivision regulations approved

Elsewhere Monday, the commission approved new regulations for subdivisions, particularly as they pertain to the building of residential roads. The current standard for roads is 6 inches of base and a one-inch coat of asphalt as a wearing layer. The new regulations now require a 2-inch binding layer between the base and wearing layers.

It’s the first time the regulations have been updated since 1999.

District 2 Commissioner Steve Turner said he views the new regulations as a cost-saving measure that applies to more than just new subdivisions in his East Limestone district. District 3 Commissioner Jason Black echoed the sentiment.

“This has been needed for a long, long time,” Black said. “I’ve only been in office for two years, but in certain subdivisions, roads are falling apart. This is something we need to ensure we don’t have these problems again.”

County Engineer Bryant Moss thanked developers who commented on the proposed regulations and Taz Morell Engineering for helping to craft the final guidelines.

Other business

In other business, the commission:

• Approved a resolution to renew participation in the Association of County Commissions of Alabama Liability Self-Insurance Fund, Inc., for calendar years 2018-2020;

• Approved an amendment to participate agreement between the Association of County Commissions of Alabama Liability Self-Insurance Fund, Inc. and Limestone County Commission for the purposes of providing property insurance coverage in addition to liability coverage;

• Approved a change order in the amount of $1,405.40 for an Alabama Department of Transportation TAP grant for the ongoing renovation of the Limestone County Archives building;

• Approved an agreement in the amount of $9,500 between Neel-Schaffer, Inc. and the Limestone County Commission for bridge inspection and engineering services on Easter Ferry Road Bridge over Elk River;

• Reappointed Timmy Baugher, Charles Durham and Gideon Flanagan to the Industrial Development Board of Limestone County, with terms ending May 17, 2023;

• Appointed Gayle Black to the Department of Human Resources Board, to fill June Maplesden’s vacancy for the remainder of the term which expires Oct. 1, 2021;

• Awarded a bid of $15,747.81 to TASER for the purchase of 39 body cameras for the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office;

• Awarded a bid of $16,835 to IMS Enterprises for the printing of tag mail notices and $1,120 to IMS Enterprises for the printing of security envelopes for the license commissioner;

• Promoted Lance Royals to chief investigator and Johnny Morell to lieutenant investigator in the Sheriff’s Office and employed Sam King as nutrition center manager at the Council on Aging; and

• Approved a request to vacate a pedestrian access portion of an easement in Phase II of the Caldera Ridge subdivision in District 2.

The commission will meet again for a work session at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the Washington Street annex.