May 20, 2025, Camden County Commission meeting at 10:00 a.m.

I attended the May 20, 2025, Camden County Commission meeting at 10:00 a.m.

All commissioners were present.

The first agenda item was “Bid Award – Jail Showers.”

There were two bids opened at a previous Commission meeting. A representative from the Sheriff’s Office explained that the bid from Stonard was significantly lower because it appeared to be only for the shower floors.

The Sheriff’s Office and the Maintenance Department both recommended that the Commission accept the bid from Profinish Painting 1. One of the justifications for this recommendation was that the vendor was a local company and there was less concern that the county might incur mobilization costs on the project.

The Commission accepted the Profinish bid contingent on a review of the contract for change order procedures, liquid damages for late completion, and warranty considerations.

The second agenda item was “Bid Award – Generator.”

The Maintenance Department supervisor recommended that the Commission accept the bid from Norton Power Systems.

Presiding Commissioner Skelton confirmed that Norton had performed previous work for the county with no issues and they were willing to provide the generator “up front” and receive the remainder of the payment ($202,000) after the job was completed.

The Commission unanimously accepted Norton’s bid.

In Public Comment, Dave Reinke spoke to the Commission about a safety issue on Willow Creek Road. He lives near a dangerous intersection where Willow Creek Road meets Bowhunter Drive, Dragon Trail Drive, and Colorado Bob’s Drive. Vehicles approach the intersection downhill at a blind curve and Reinke has observed numerous accidents there.

Reinke hoped that the upcoming closure of Willow Creek Road for the construction of its new bridge would give the county an opportunity to “shave” down the hill or otherwise reduce the decline to make it safer. If that wasn’t feasible, Reinke asked that the county reduce the speed limit to 35 MPH or install sensors to warn drivers of oncoming traffic.

Presiding Commissioner Skelton was reluctant to agree to major road repairs which he felt would be an expensive solution to the problem. He preferred to have Shannon Howe, the county’s road engineer, take a look at the intersection and propose solutions. Commissioner Gohagan agreed with this. Once Howe was finished with Pier 31 Road, he wanted Howe to take a look at Willow Creek Road. Commissioner Dougan agreed that the road was a problem, especially since he had nearly had an accident when he drove out there to check it out for himself.

Sheriff Edgar was present at the meeting and he told Reinke he would have his deputies give the road some extra attention. Reinke appreciated the effort and commented that they had already observed the deputies patrolling in the area.

And that was that.