Architect proposes design of Medic Station #1

Architect William Mills appeared before the Marshall County Board of Supervisors March 3 to offer his firm's services to design Medic Station #1.

Mills said he was not bringing a plan yet. He is speaking with Simpson Stroupe on what the board wants.

He said he will sit down later to see what the county wants built, and he will make sure all ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and building code issues are covered in the design.

District 4 supervisor George Zinn III asked if the county's plan would be adequate to start with.

“We would redraw it,” Mills said. “We can't use somebody else's plan.” District 5 supervisor Ronnie O'Neil Bennett said Mills has done work for the Marshall County School District and for the Rosenwald School.

“We need to be talking about a contract,” said District 1 supervisor Charles Terry.

Mills said a contract can be sent by regular mail or e-mail.

“Are we still thinking about doing some of it in house?” District 2 supervisor Johnny Walker asked.

“No,” said Simpson Stroupe, with Buildings and Grounds.

“I assume the county engineer will work with us,” Mills said.

“We got the grade and everything done,” Stroupe said.

“Can these plans be used as a basis of what we want?” Terry asked.

Mills said they would redraw the plan.

“We design the building,” Mills said. “We have consultants that work with us, but we would reach out to a metal building company. We have consultants for any work. We will facilitate construction to the bidder. We will have a spec list, whatever is involved in the project. We will produce an ad, once plans are ready and the qualified bidders will submit bids.”

“As an architect, you have the personnel to make sure the specs you have is done as designed?” Terry asked.

“We follow the project to the end to do a punch list and get all warranties and closeout documents,” Mills said.

He said the contractor's warranty is usually for one year, but some things in the project may have extended warranties.

“We follow the project until you get the key,” Mills said.

Mills named counties he has worked with including Pontotoc, Lafayette, and Panola.

He said he will give an estimate on what the project will cost after completing the preliminary drawing.

“Your fee is based on a percentage of the project?” Zinn asked.

“Yes,” Mills said. “Our fee on a project this size is between seven and eight percent.” Terry asked for a motion to table the discussion until the next board meeting while board attorney Amanda Whaley Smith obtains information from Mills & Mills Architects.