Minnehaha County building committee reviews project updates, public health space study with $1.1 million in federal funds

The Minnehaha County Building Committee convened at 7:30 a.m. May 18 and approved the minutes from its May 4 meeting before hearing updates on several county building projects.

Alicia Collura, assistant director of public health, told the committee that the City Health Department is exploring options for current and future space needs and that approximately $1.1 million in federal capital funds are available to support those options.

Craig Dewey, assistant commission administrative officer, presented an overview of the guaranteed maximum price, or GMP, for the Highway Facility project. Representatives from Henry Carlson Construction, Dave Derry and Mike Ralston, updated the committee on material price escalations that are affecting the project’s projected costs. Dick Strassburg of Tegra raised a drainage issue connected to project plans that the committee was asked to consider.

Dewey also presented refresh options for the Administration Building. Commissioners Bender and Karsky said the county should pursue a minimum refresh to keep the building functional and urged development of a strategic plan for a new building to address continued county growth.

Procedural motions recorded in the minutes: Commissioner Beninga moved and Commissioner Heiberger seconded approval of the May 4, 2021 Building Committee meeting minutes; the motion passed with five ayes. Commissioner Barth moved and Commissioner Heiberger seconded a motion to adjourn; that motion also passed with five ayes.

The committee did not adopt final decisions on construction contracts or on a particular refresh scope during the meeting; staff and project representatives provided updates and flagged issues for follow-up. The committee adjourned following the updates.