Broadband back on track

POMEROY––Zero DB, new contractors for the construction of the Port of Garfield’s broadband project, have begun work and expect to have it completed by early December, 2020, reported Diana Ruchert, Port Director, at the meeting of the Port’s Board of Commissioners on September 1. Zero DB has divided the construction area into three sections, and as each section is completed and tested, the Port will allow internet providers to begin signing up individuals for service. These sections are the remaining area of the original Phase 1 plans under the current grant with which the Port is working.

Garfield County is working with the Port to provide broadband fiber to the Fairgrounds as an extension to the current phase of the project. The design work for this portion has now been completed, and if permitting allows, the Port expects to request bids for the construction in early October. However, Grant Morgan, Garfield County Engineer and Public Works Director, stated that the request for bids will require a deadline of December 31, 2020, to be accepted.

Two applications have been received by the Port for the open Position 1 commissioner’s seat. Matt Herres and Terry Brandon will be interviewed by the Board of Commissioners during the next open meeting, September 15. Commissioners Ed Crawford and Larry Scoggins will discuss the candidates in executive session, return to the open meeting to make their decision followed by the swearing in of the new appointee.

The U.S. Forest Service has notified the Port that their building requires extra COVID-19 sanitation and cleaning services seven days per week during fire season. When contacted, the current cleaning service, American Building Maintenance, quoted an increase of more than $2,000 per month, and a six to 12-month contract for the extra required services, The Port only receives a user charge of $126 per month for cleaning services from the Forest Service currently. To reduce the extra cost, the Port Board decided to hire a temporary worker, Michelle Kaufman, at $20 per hour, to clean on the weekends for three to eight weeks, and utilize the Port office staff, Diana Ruchert and Tina Keller, to do the COVID-19 sanitation on weekdays. This will require Ruchert and Keller to adjust Port office hours to 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m., to allow them time to do the cleaning.

A new company Streamline Industrial, has contacted the Port regarding leasing space in one of the Port’s buildings to store equipment, with the future possibility of improving the space to include an office and bathroom. The remaining portion of the building is currently leased by another tenant.

The commissioners will discuss lease rates to consider at the next meeting, Sept. 15, 2020, 6:30 p.m., at the Port offices.