Commissioners consider elevator

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
The Weston County commissioners are considering installing an elevator at the front entrance of the Weston County Law Enforcement Center after Dennis Rabe of Rabe Elevator in Rapid City met with them on Dec. 17.
In March, Chairman Tony Barton reported on a recent visit from Structural Dynamics that had resulted in the company’s recommendation to replace the building’s accesses before the 2019-20 winter season. The commissioners then asked Structural Dynamics to draw up specifications for the replacement. 
Months later, on Aug. 20, the commissioners voted 3-2 to begin the bid process for installing a heated concrete ramp at the law enforcement center, a project with an estimated price tag of $250,000. Both Commissioners Marty Ertman and Nathan Todd voted against the motion, citing a need to seek state funds for the project. 
Less than a month later, on Sept. 16, the county received a letter from Structural Dynamics recommending postponement of the bid process, despite its earlier letter stating that the ramp and stairs were “unsafe.” 
On Dec. 3, Commissioners Ertman and Todd were adamant that a second opinion on the replacement of the stairs and ramp was needed, especially after Structural Dynamics’ two letters apparently contradicted each other. At this time, an elevator was mentioned a possible alternative, sparking the meeting with Rabe on Dec. 17. 
According to Rabe, the elevator would require little maintenance. It could be installed on the outside of the building and blended into the exterior of the current building, he said. An outside elevator would cost significantly less than an inside installation, Rabe said. He estimated that the shaft would cost $75,000-$100,000 and the elevator would cost another $60,000 to $120,000, depending on the model and size. 
Rabe likened maintenance of the elevator to that of a new car. He said that there are no problems when new, but in 10 to 15 years, issues will arise. 
“The first year you are under warranty, and that makes sure everything works on it. After the first year, you are paying the bill, but there shouldn’t be any problems with a new elevator,” Rabe said. “If they are going to happen, you see them in the first two days or two weeks.”
He noted that the new elevator would require less maintenance than the elevator at the Weston County Courthouse, which is also furnished through Rabe. Rabe said that checks would be done on both elevators in a single visit every quarter. 
Steve Price, the county’s maintenance supervisor, said that the elevator should be “looked at pretty hard” and would solve several issues at the law enforcement center, as well as eliminate the likelihood of falls on the ramp and stairs. 
Sheriff Bryan Colvard added that an elevator would also eliminate five to 10 man-hours spent on the ramp every time there is a winter storm, noting that this is a minimum requirement. With longer storms, he said, the keeping the ramp and stairs safe takes more time. 
The commissioners echoed Price’s comment that the elevator should be a considered alternative to the ramp replacement. The topic was placed on old business moving into the new year to make sure it is not forgotten.