Council OKs SEH services up to $266,800 for city hall and library steam-conversion work

The Virginia City Council on July 22 approved a professional services agreement with SEH (Short Elliott Hendrickson) for steam-conversion design and related work at city hall and the public library, authorizing payments up to $266,800. The motion to approve the contract was moved by Councilor Johnson and passed after voice vote. The council was told the SEH scope covers preliminary and final design, permitting, preparation of plans and specifications, bidding assistance and on-site construction administration. City Administrator Britt Cibenes told the council, “We’re probably gonna have to bond for it. So we come from bond.” Council members pressed for detail on the cost breakdown. Councilor Friedlieb said the stated total “just sounds like, serious, a lot of money for project oversight” and asked for an itemized hour-by-hour breakdown. Staff and the presenter said the proposal covers multiple tasks beyond paperwork, including on-site construction administration and permitting. Engineer of record Matt Reeder described the scope in the meeting packet and said the work includes design and coordination with regulators; council members were told the fee covers both buildings and differing scope sizes between the library and city hall. The agreement passed after no further comment. The council did not adopt a separate funding resolution at the meeting; staff said bonding is the likely funding mechanism and council members asked that staff provide more detailed cost breakdowns when available. The vote authorized staff to execute the SEH professional services agreement up to the stated amount. The contract approval advances preliminary steps; next actions listed by staff include development of final plans, obtaining permits and preparing bidding documents before construction work begins.