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Minnehaha County committee reviews campus cash-flow projections and higher-than-expected renovation estimates
Summary
The Minnehaha County Building Committee reviewed cash-flow projections for campus capital projects and heard that mechanical, electrical and plumbing cost estimates for the Administration and Extension Building renovations exceeded expectations; the committee directed staff to prepare schematic designs for the March 2 meeting.
The Minnehaha County Building Committee met Feb. 23, 2021, to review cash-flow projections for campus capital projects and updated cost estimates for planned renovations to the Administration and Extension buildings. The committee also approved meeting minutes and adjourned.
Ben Kyte, the county auditor, briefed the committee on cash-flow projections for the Minnehaha County campus building project, outlining available cash resources and financing options to support potential capital improvements. The briefing did not include dollar totals or a detailed financing schedule.
Committee Member Heiberger asked whether COVID-related funds could be used to support the projects. Carol Muller, the commission administrative officer, responded that moving funds from the General Fund would require formal action by the County Commission, clarifying that the Building Committee could not unilaterally reallocate those funds.
Consultants and contractors briefed the committee on the Administration and Extension Building renovation plans. Craig Dewey, assistant commission administrative officer; Dick Strassburg of Tegra Group; and Dave Derry of Henry Carlson Construction reported on scope and cost. Updated mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) estimates provided by Henry Carlson came in higher than expected, prompting discussion of alternative plans and cost approaches.
JLG Architects presented alternative floor plans that would relocate the State’s Attorney’s Office to the second floor of the Administration Building, move the Equalization Department to the Extension Building, and place the commission office and meeting chambers on the Administration Building’s third floor. Henry Carlson provided an alternative cost plan that the committee was told aligned more closely with expectations, though specific cost figures were not supplied in the briefing.
Facilities Director Mark Kriens explained the Administration Building’s mechanical infrastructure at the request of Committee Chair Dean Karsky. Discussion focused on the reasons for the unexpected MEP cost estimate, the alternative plans and cost estimates provided by consultants and contractors, and next steps for proceeding with design.
The committee directed staff and consultants to produce schematic designs to be presented at the Building Committee meeting scheduled for March 2, 2021. Commissioner Dean Karsky announced that Item 5 (Minnehaha County Office Standards Briefing) would be deferred to that meeting, and Carol Muller recommended a 7:30 a.m. start time.
Votes at a glance: Committee Member Beninga moved, and Bender seconded, approval of the Jan. 5, 2021 Building Committee meeting minutes; the motion passed, 8-0. Committee Member Heiberger moved, and Barth seconded, to adjourn; that motion also passed, 8-0.
The Building Committee signed the minutes: Dean Karsky, building committee chair, approved the minutes and Olivia Larson, deputy auditor, attested. The committee scheduled schematic design review for the March 2 meeting; no formal budget approvals or funding transfers were made at this session.
