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Steele County hires architect for courthouse masonry analysis; $3,500 study approved
Summary
The Steele County Commission voted to hire Heper Olson Architects to perform a building-envelope and masonry analysis of the county courthouse and deliver budget estimates to support future grant applications and repairs.
The Steele County Commission voted to hire Heper Olson Architects to perform an exterior building-envelope analysis of the Steele County courthouse, including masonry tuckpointing, window condition and roofing, after hearing a presentation from the firm.
The study was approved on a motion during the commission meeting on Jan. 7, authorizing a $3,500 fee for the analysis and report. The work will produce a scope and budget options commissioners can use when seeking grants or planning phased repairs.
County staff and commissioners said the study is intended to identify what masonry, window and roofing work is required and to produce numbers that can be used for grant applications and competitive construction bidding. Architect Bobbie Heper Olson emphasized that masonry sealers require careful selection and that preservation work should follow the Secretary of the Interior’s standards. Olson also described similar projects her firm completed — including masonry tuckpointing and historic preservation work — and recommended bidding a clearly defined package so contractors bid “apples to apples.”
Commissioners discussed procurement thresholds under the century code for hiring architects and engineers. Olson advised that for projects near $400,000 the county would likely remain under the threshold allowing a direct hire up to $35,000, and that the county can engage an architect without formal advertisement up to a $70,000 annual limit. Olson said she could perform a rapid exterior assessment for $3,500 and return a prioritized list of work, line-item cost estimates and options for phasing the work.
Commissioners noted that once the analysis exists they can pursue matching state historic-preservation grants and other funding programs. Olson recommended following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and consulting the State Historical Society for products that meet those standards.
Motion and outcome: Commissioner Strand moved to hire Heper Olson Architects for a $3,500 exterior building analysis; Commissioner Perry seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
Next steps: The architect said she would coordinate with county staff (Ben) and begin the analysis with the goal of returning findings at or before the February meeting so the county can use the results to pursue grant opportunities later in the year.
