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Council approves $242,000 professional services agreement for City Hall steam-to-heat conversion design; SHPO review expected
Summary
The committee approved a professional services agreement with SEH for preliminary design and construction services for steam conversions at City Hall and the library, noting higher design costs because the City Hall building is listed on the state historic registry and requires State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review.
The Committee of the Whole on July 11 approved a professional services agreement with SEH for preliminary design and construction services for steam-system conversions at City Hall and the library. The proposal includes design documents, SHPO submissions, HVAC and electrical preliminary calculations, and construction management services. Councilors discussed the fee, the SHPO review requirement and whether keeping any portion of the existing steam system might be feasible.
Matt Reid of SEH summarized the scope in packet materials: preliminary design, submission documents to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), preliminary building-code analysis, preliminary HVAC calculations and equipment selections, preliminary electrical power plans and an interior finishes selection process. Reid said the city would need a full set of plans and specifications “if you’re gonna bid this work” so contractors can bid “apples to apples.” He also said the SHPO work contributes materially to the expense because City Hall is on the state historical list.
Councilors asked whether SHPO reviews apply to interior work when state funding is not used. Reid and city staff responded that because City Hall is on the historic registry, SHPO review and clearance are required regardless of funding source; SHPO oversight applies to the entire building in this case, not only the façade. That requirement increases the design and documentation workload.
Councilor Johnson pressed whether some existing boiler assets could be retained and operated by city-licensed employees instead of removing all steam infrastructure. Reid said options remain under consideration and would be evaluated as part of the design work. Councilors and staff discussed funding options for the design work; city staff said financing could come from bonding or a loan from reserves and that design/engineering costs would be included in the total project cost.
Councilor Johnson supported the agreement in part because municipal oversight of design would protect the city from incomplete contractor work after construction. The professional services agreement was moved and seconded and carried on a voice vote.
City staff said construction-management costs would occur only after the council decides to proceed with the construction phase; the current agreement covers design and bidding through construction management if the project moves forward.
Councilors asked staff to return financing options and to include potential bonds, reserve loan or phased implementation costs in future budget discussions before moving to construction.
