At the August 2 meeting of the county board, Bruce Schwartzman and Henry Pittner, BKV Group, presented a schematic design for the jail remodeling and addition.
BKV Group last presented to the county board on June 7. Since then, they have worked through plans, systems, materials, and have studied the site for all underground utilities that may conflict with construction.
Pittner explained the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) has reviewed the floor plan and staffing plan; both meet their standards. The DOC will continue to work with BKV Group to make sure everything will be in compliance. The facility will meet minimum standards. The current plan has the potential to add five cells at some point.
The new addition will be 16 feet tall, taller than the existing building. There will be skylights in the new addition for natural lighting. The central control area will have an unobstructed line of sight to every cell.
Schwartzman recommended hiring a construction manager versus a general contractor. The Group had requested proposals from four construction management companies and received three proposals. Schwartzman reviewed information on each company and recommended Contegrity Group. The board unanimously approved the hire of Contegrity Group as the construction manager.
For the next two months BKV Group will be working on design development. They will be back on October 4 to update the board. Next, they will work on document details to prepare for bidding in late February to mid-April 2023. If the project continues to move forward as planned, construction could begin May 2023. Construction is expected to take 16 to 18 months.
Estimates for the project cost at this time are from $9.5 million to just over $10 million. The total includes design, contingencies, and soft costs. Schwartzman described four bid alternatives that are being reviewed, including the replacement of existing windows, upgrading to a full kitchen, upgrading to a Hydronic Mechanical System, and the installation of insulation with a new exterior for the existing building.
Other business in brief
•Commissioner Duane Bakke reported on the Community Corrections Committee. He noted the Minnesota DOC wants the board to start the process to hire employees for the Community Corrections Department. So far, the county has hired the Community Corrections Director, Tom Jensen.
•A resolution for the current Bridge Replacement Priority List was approved. This list ranks those bridges that are of high priority and require replacement, rehabilitation, or removal. Bridges are assigned a Local Planning Index (LPI) number. Bridges have to be on the list to be eligible for funding and must have an index number below 60. County Engineer Ron Gregg said Fillmore County has a real aggressive bridge replacement program. Gregg noted applications for federal funding must be submitted by September 8.
•Approval was given for the purchase of some key pieces of survey equipment from Frontier Precision (costing $28,736.92), using Highway Department 2022 funds. Gregg noted the old survey equipment can be passed to the inspector which doesn’t require the same precision. Funding for additional equipment (about $38,000) to complete the replacement of the old surveying equipment will be put into the 2023 budget.
•The 2022 Primary Election will be held on August 9. Approval was given for the Canvassing Board to meet on August 10.
•County Attorney Brett Corson presented a proposed 2023 budget for his department.
•Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins explained the Planning Commission had held a public hearing on the application for conditional use permit for a Sand Pit in section 19 of Spring Valley Township on July 21. The property is owned by Thomas Warren, who has a three-year lease agreement with Ulland Brothers, Inc. who is to operate the existing gravel pit. There were no objections or questions from the public. The county board approved the conditional use permit with no conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission.
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