Public works director: county to rewire ballpark after contractor severs buried wiring

The public works director reported that county-contracted boring at the ballpark struck buried electrical wiring and pulled out a 10-foot section, and said the county will rewire the entire ballpark to restore lights and scoreboards. “They hit electric wires, which they expected… County is, they hit enough wire that they're gonna go ahead and rewire the entire ballpark,” the director said.

The county will provide conduit and the contractor will firm conduit and run the wire, but local staff must furnish trenching labor and set the bases. Staff said conduit arrived near New Year's but weather and equipment issues have delayed work; they requested “a solid week” to complete trenching and to run new water lines while crews are on site.

Members debated whether to add individual switches at each field or to retrofit remote control for LED fixtures. One participant noted the scoreboards are wireless for data but still require local power. Staff cautioned the remote-control software and related hardware were not included in the current package and that some options would add significant cost.

Officials said some holes created during the installation had been partially filled but that completion before a March 6 preliminary practice depends on contractor progress and favorable weather. The committee set a work-day and discussed filling remaining holes during routine maintenance.

The item concluded with scheduling: members agreed to reconvene on Feb. 9 at 6:00 PM. The meeting then recorded a motion and second to adjourn.