Library problems getting deeper look

The Red Oak City Council is wrestling with problems from construction work at the city library.

Renovations and a building addition were done to the existing structure in 2009. Following the work, library officials noted a long list of building problems. Still to be determined is how bad the problems are and how best to deal with them.

Red Oak City Administrator Brad Wright said an architect gave a cursory inspection of the building and said the issues did not appear to involve structural integrity. However, a deeper look was needed to be sure, the architect advised.

Red Oak Mayor Bill Billings said the library board came to him out of frustration and fear that bigger problems could be developing. 

Library Director Kathi Most has kept a thick binder documenting the concerns. 

She said the library was not given necessary documentation at the completion of the project, including warranties and inspection reports.

Change orders were made to add termite protection, she added, but there’s no documentation that it was done. 

Billings said the project ultimately was been signed off on and closed. 

“We had Oakview Construction, at the end of their life, as a contractor. FRK, the architectural firm, let us down,” Wright said.  “The lead architect on the project left the company towards the end of the project and it got handed off. It was a multitude of issues.” Wright said. 

“If we were to pursue this in a legal fashion, we would not only be pursuing the contractor, we would be pursuing the architectural firm as well,” the city administrator added. 

Billings said the city is at a crossroads between spending money to take legal action or just spending money to pay for the repairs from city coffers. Most said she and representatives of the library took the proper course of action to get the issues resolved with the parties involved, but nothing happened. 

“We were calling it out as a requirement of the contract. We were overridden, blown off and it was signed off, but we did call it out, and we did ask for it, with the architect. We addressed our concerns with the roof and the plumbing. The architect turned it into a punch and warranty list and walked away,” commented Most. 

Billings said some of the issues could potentially compound, leading to major costs. 

“The ridge line of the roof has never lined up, the roof isn’t vented properly, which causes condensation in the building. That leads to water damage and can potentially cause mold. The leak in the plumbing, these are big issues,” Billings said. 

Most shared photos with the council showing what she said were improperly installed sewer lines, rust damage from issues with water in the building, and damage to wood panels. 

“I feel bad we’re paying great bills for some of these things. It’s been an expense in more ways than one,” said Most. 

“My initial reaction is to sue them,” said Councilman Larry Barnett.

Wright said he would seek an inspection for estimate on the cost of repairs, as well as a potential estimate from an attorney on the legal fees.

Wright said he would bring whatever information he collected to the council at their next regular meeting Monday, March 7.