Trustees approve aviation, MnDOT and Normandale construction contracts in roll-call votes

The Board of Trustees approved four contracts during the March 19 meeting: two agreements involving Lake Superior College and two construction contracts for Normandale Community College.

Lake Superior College — aviation training with Lake Superior Helicopter: System staff said Lake Superior Helicopter is a long-standing partner that provides fixed-wing and helicopter flight training. The proposed contract consolidates two earlier contracts into one and aligns Lake Superior College’s training with Duluth International Airport operations. The contract is valued up to $18,000,000 over an initial three-year term (07/01/2025–06/30/2028) with an option for a two‑year extension, creating a potential five‑year term. The fee structure will be set annually and funded by course fees. The board approved the contract by roll call.

Lake Superior College — MnDOT technical-certification training: Trustees approved a five-year income contract (07/01/2025–06/30/2030) with Minnesota Department of Transportation to manage MnDOT’s technical-certification program for highway materials testing (federal regulation cited in materials: 23 CFR 637). Lake Superior College will manage course registration, electronic testing, instructor payments and compliance; the contract is valued up to $7,000,000 with expected annual revenue of about $1,400,000 and net revenue of roughly $220,000 to the college.

Normandale Community College — JODAS Science Center renovation: Trustees voted to enter a guaranteed-maximum-price construction contract with JE Dunn Construction for renovation of approximately 15,800 square feet to create an interprofessional education center for health care including a dental lab, simulation labs, classrooms and faculty support spaces. The guaranteed maximum price is $12,400,000. Trustees heard that funding will come from campus fund balances, grants and philanthropic support from the Normandale Foundation and that the project was moved forward because state capital funding remains uncertain.

Normandale Community College — medium‑voltage electrical service upgrade: The board approved a construction contract not to exceed $6,200,000 to replace the campus main electrical feed, which dates from 1967. System presenters said major electrical equipment has long lead times — “some of this equipment has a 36 month lead time,” a Normandale presenter told trustees — so the campus is advancing the work now. Funding sources were described as campus balances, grants and foundation philanthropy; staff said they expect the project may come in under budget.

All four contracts were moved and seconded in committee and approved by roll-call votes in succession. Trustees recorded aye votes during each roll call.