Hillcrest approves payments

McCOOK, Nebraska --The upgrade and renovation project underway at Hillcrest Nursing Home is progressing, with Board of Trustees approving more than $300,000 in recent construction costs.

The $2.7 million project includes energy efficiency upgrades and interior and exterior renovations.

Hillcrest Nursing Home is owned by Red Willow County. Red Willow County Board of Commissioners must approve action taken by the trustees. Operational costs are born by its residents.

The bulk of the costs incurred for December and approved by the trustees Tuesday at their regular meeting came from non-EMI construction costs, at $250,596.54.

Non-EMI costs are those that are not covered by the Energy Efficiency Conversion grant Hillcrest was awarded in July 2010 by the Nebraska Energy Office

The board also approved $58, 171.48 for the EMI portion of construction costs for December.

Nearly completed is the remodeling improvements on the 200-wing. The refurbished wing is "like walking down the hallway in your home, instead of a hospital," said Board of Trustee member Randy Dean at Tuesday's meeting.

The board also approved two change orders, one for a decrease of $10,000 for a door that was doubly charged, and one for an increase of $1,222, for a gate trash envelope corner.

RaDec Construction of Hartington, Nebraska, is the construction manager for the entire project.

Also approved by trustees was $560.23 for a larger dishwasher hood and ductwork inside the hood. The work was recommended by Prochaska and Associates, who completed an evaluation of exhaust needs in the kitchen.

In other action, the trustees:

* approved unanimously to remove the name of a past Trustee member from the safety deposit box and to add the name of Janice Bamesberger, newest Trustee board member and treasurer

* agreed to review the by-laws of the Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation and to discuss any changes at February's meeting. Trustee and President Jim Hall said that reports from the Foundation would be given to the trustees in the future, as the Foundation is not an autonomous entity. Hillcrest Trustee Jim Howard stated that the Foundation is a positive asset to Hillcrest.

* on a motion made by Gary Wiemers and seconded by Randy Dean, voted unanimously to keep officers the same in 2012 as they were in 2011: president, Jim Hall, vice president, Jim Howard, secretary, Gary Wiemers, treasurer, Janice Bamesberger.

She also said that the dining room would be closed soon for two weeks, for renovation work that included a new roof top air conditioner and new duct work. On Monday, Jan. 30, asbestos abatement will begin on the west 100 wing.