Commission approves Nelson Architects proposal for coroner's building design and project management; $125,000 LATC allocation discussed

Nelson Architects presented a full-service proposal to handle schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding and construction administration for the county coroner’s building. The presenter described the work scope as including asbestos assessment, HVAC/ventilation review, code review and coordination with city and state reviewers (including the state fire marshal), and identified a design team that includes structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and civil engineers.

Architects said some elements are uncertain and would be treated as additional work if required (for example, asbestos abatement and major exterior solar-panel removal). The presenter said the fee proposal on the table was for professional services; a formal contract would follow and would reflect changes requested by county staff.

Commissioner (unnamed) moved that the commission accept the proposal and allocate $125,000 from LATC as a contingency for the project; the motion was seconded by Sherwin, and the commission then voted in favor. The transcript records that commissioners approved the proposal and that the contract would return to the commission for final action once county counsel’s recommended edits were incorporated.

Commissioners and the architects discussed several technical unknowns: whether the building needs a shower for decontamination, ADA restroom configuration, occupancy-driven fixture counts, the condition and usefulness of an existing solar system, and the potential need to reroof if external solar panels were removed. The architects said they would obtain prior drawings, perform a site assessment and bring engineering analyses back in the schematic design phase.

The commission approved the professional-services proposal at the meeting; the contract and final scope will be submitted for formal execution after staff and counsel negotiations.