Commissioners are seeking three options, with bidding to open March 8

By Peter H. Milliken

milliken@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County commissioners will advertise for bids for morgue-ventilation improvements at Oakhill Renaissance Place.

“We wanted to make sure we’re addressing the ventilation prior to summer” when warmer weather accelerates corpse decomposition and worsens morgue odors, said James Fortunato, county purchasing director.

Fortunato said at Thursday’s commissioners meeting he also wants to avoid the inconvenience to the coroner’s office of having to perform autopsies on badly decomposed bodies after business hours to minimize exposure of Oakhill office workers and visitors to the stench.

Bids will be taken for three options: one temporary and the others permanent.

The first would be a temporary solution, estimated to cost $90,000, which involves reusing ductwork, replacing a fan, relocating the exhaust away from the building’s heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, and providing an ionization system and a portable air purification unit.

The second option, estimated to cost $440,000, would provide a ventilation system that meets current codes, close off the walls and ceiling space in the basement autopsy room, and provide a new autopsy table, new lighting, a new laundry facility, an ionization system and a portable air purification unit.

The third option, estimated to cost $495,000, would include everything in the second option, plus adding new evidence storage and specimen and drying rooms.

“I would prefer a permanent fix to the problem because it has been ongoing, and the remedies and solutions that we are looking at seem to be very viable options,” said Commissioner Anthony Traficanti.

A pre-bid meeting will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Oakhill Renaissance Place, Lobby A, 345 Oak Hill Ave.

Bids will be opened at 1:30 p.m. March 8 in the county purchasing office, 21 W. Boardman St., first floor.

The commissioners also approved a maintenance agreement with Poland Township related to construction of a Dobbins Road sidewalk.

They also approved magazine advertising agreements for the county Convention and Visitors Bureau, which promotes local events and tourism.

Approved were an $8,262 contract with Adverator LLC for advertising in the May and July editions of Golf Digest and a $6,441 contract with Hearst Communications Inc. for ads in the May and October editions of Country Living. The ads are being paid for with county hotel bed-tax revenues.

The commissioners next meeting will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the county courthouse basement.