By Linda Kor Last week the Board of Supervisors approved several contracts and a lease agreement for expansion of facilities and road improvements. The Public Health District presented a proposal to explore the feasibility of constructing a new location to house its code enforcement-related functions including Medical Death Investigations, Animal Care and Environmental Health on county-owned land at the Taylor Road Yard on Pinedale Road in Taylor. The County has engaged with JWA Architects to develop a schematic architectural floor plan and conceptual estimate to construct a Public Health Code Enforcement Building at that site. The floor plan and conceptual estimate will assist the County in determining the feasibility and total cost of the project. The scope of this proposal is limited to creating a floor plan and cost estimate, and does not commit the County to any further action. According to information provided on the project, public health code enforcement functions are comprised of a single division and report to a common division manager in Public Health but are spread out among office/cubicle space in Show Low and Snowflake. The current allocation of space does not meet the operational needs of the division, particularly for Medical Death Investigations and Animal Care. The transport of deceased persons and sick/diseased animals requires that vehicles be cleaned thoroughly on a frequent basis and existing facilities cannot accommodate this. The County has recently procured its own cooler unit to store deceased persons, and this cooler also cannot be accommodated at existing facilities. The Public Health District proposes to develop a building that can accommodate a vehicle bay, the cooler unit, staff offices, and meeting space to conduct medical death investigations. The location in Taylor would offer a central location to house the Division Manager, staff and vehicles. These divisions have been heavily involved in the COVID-19 response for the County. Medical Death Investigations have been and continue to be constantly involved in responding to all deaths, including potential COVID-19-related deaths. The Medical Death Investigations unit also plays a significant role in mass fatality planning and response. This project will bring these divisions together for more coordinated response, provide for proper cleaning/disinfecting of vehicles, and storage of deceased persons instead of relying on local mortuaries to house deceased persons. After review, the Board approved a contract signed by the county manager/assistant county manager for professional services with JWA Architects in the amount of $7,800 for those services. The Board also approved a contract signed by the county manager/assistant county manager for professional services with WLB Group for McLaws Road 30% plans and design concept report. County shall pay to WLB Group an approved sum not to exceed $49,787 as payment for McLaws Road improvements between Holbrook and Joseph City. It was noted that the road provides an alternative route between Holbrook and Joseph City if I-40 is closed. Navajo County is planning to improve McLaws Road from the intersection with Obed Road south of Joseph City, east for approximately one mile.
