Supervisors hear about moisture problems at courthouse

RenoDry says foundation is worse than last inspection

Webster County Supervisors heard a presentation Tuesday on continuing moisture problems at the Webster County Courthouse that could contribute to deterioration of the building's foundational masonry.

Michael Clancy, chief technology officer for RenoDry, an Overland Park, Kansas, company, told supervisors the company first inspected the Webster County Courthouse foundation three years ago and upon returning this week, found the sandstone to have further deteriorated.

"It really addresses structural integrity of the courthouse and preservation of masonry," said Clancy. "It's an issue that's caused by rising moisture."

According to Clancy, signs of deterioration are visible on the lower portion of the courthouse exterior, particularly in the sandstone near the front of the building.

"If you look at the front of the courthouse, you can see the first three or four feet up the facade, all that sandstone is being eaten away," said Clancy.

The deterioration, he said, is caused by a combination of moisture and salts, including salt used on sidewalks during the winter.

Clancy proposed that RenoDry conduct another inspection of the courthouse and discussed the company's building dehydration system, which he said is designed to reduce moisture within masonry and prevent further deterioration.

"We can't reverse any of the damage that's already been done to the masonry, but we can stop it from getting any worse," said Clancy.

Clancy said that since RenoDry first visited Webster County three years ago, its system has been installed in 10 Iowa county courthouses.

Clancy agreed to meet with Supervisor John Cochrane after the meeting to discuss building foundation inspections.

The supervisors also approved payment of $18,545 to McClure Engineering Co., of Fort Dodge, for work done on the Webster County Canadian National and Union Pacific rail spur.

A resolution accepting the final plat of five mineral extraction zoned lots on 72.71 acres of land, including 6.31 acres of existing road easements at the northwest intersection of Quail Avenue and 220th Street was approved. According to Jeff Johnson, planning and zoning administrator, the plat was coordinated with the City of Fort Dodge and the lots allow for storage, warehousing, and manufacturing.

Webster County Auditor Krystal Lloyd also noted during the meeting that absentee voting requests are now available to the public.