HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0826Attorney Bill Pope said the person that caused the contamination would be
considered the primary responsible party. He said it was only when this person was
insolvent, nonexistent, or unavailable, that secondary responsible parties would be looked
at or considered. He said that if the "primary responsible party wasn't in the picture for
some reason, then probably there would be an additional element of protection if the city
could be inserted between the property owner and the county."
Library Architect Earle Gaulden said a needs list had been compiled to make the
Meeting Street site "buildable." Gaulden said it was his opinion the city had addressed
all of the items. Mr. Gaulden said the soil engineer had stated "the groundwater would
not be an issue in regards to construction and excavation, except with deep excavation."
Gaulden said a mechanical room would be located in the basement area, and it would be
built similar to a swimming pool -- concrete walls, heavy slab/ 14 inches deep, with drains
around it, and two sump pumps. Gaulden said $3,000 had been earmarked for a
foundation drain that would be three -feet deep at the back and four or five -feet deep in
the front. Mr. Gaulden said the drain would extend all the way around the building, and
it would drain any water that came towards the structure. He said a pad would be built to
set the building on -- the pad would form a bridge over the water. Gaulden said it was his
opinion, the structural engineer's opinion, and the soil engineer's opinion, that the
building would be adequately supported over the groundwater. He said, "that's not a
problem."
Commissioner Williams asked about parking.
Gaulden said there would be 130 parking spaces.
Johnson questioned why the library would need sump pumps if there wasn't a
concern about the water.
Gaulden said, "We're doing them (pumps), not because we are concerned about the
water, but to take care of the water if it appears."
Commissioner Ray clarified Mr. Gaulden's statement by saying the pumps would
be there in case there were problems.
Chairman Tice said she recalled the board of commissioners previously decided to
accept the Meeting Street site as the location of the new library with the understanding
the City of Statesville would (1) deliver documentation that showed the suit was suitable
for the construction and (2) documentation to show the city had committed resources to
put the site in a "buildable" condition.
Johnson voiced concerns about the site being "buildable."
Bowles voiced concerns about structural problems, due to the site's location, that
might surface ten years, or so, in the future. He said it would be on the "county's dollar
to correct the problems."
Commissioner Ray questioned why the experts were allowed to evaluate the site if
some of the board members were not going to listen to anything they said.
Commissioner Williams said the board needed to clarify which governmental entity
would purchase the properties.
Attorney Pope said the county had somewhat less risk if the city were inserted
between the county and the property owners.
OTIO by Commissioner Williams to require that the City of Statesville
purchase the Meeting Street properties.
Mayor Marshall then spoke and offered for the city to take the county's $5.6 million
and build the library. He said the building would be owned by the city, but the county