Courthouse annex building in hands of architect

The Plymouth County Supervisors Tuesday hired an engineering firm to oversee construction of an annex building near the courthouse to help with space needs.

M Plus Architects Inc., of Sioux City, was hired at a cost of $36,400 to develop designs, prepare construction documents, oversee bidding and provide construction administration for the annex building.

Dale McKinney, of M Plus Architects, answered supervisors' questions Tuesday concerning services provided by his company.

"You have a challenging project," McKinney said. "We will guide you through the process of what you're going to get from day one."

Along with the services approved by the supervisors, M Plus Architects also offered another service package, which cost less but offered fewer services.

Supervisor Craig Anderson wanted to know who would be responsible if performance guidelines were not met during construction.

"The contractor, because I'm going to make sure it gets done," McKinney said.

He said supervisors can tell project bidders what they want up front to be sure they are getting the best quality for the best value, something Anderson is also concerned about.

Supervisor Gordon Green was also in favor of the full-service package offered by M Plus Architects because he remembered the problems that arose when the jail was being built.

"If we hadn't had full service, I don't know where we would have been," Green said. "I'm in favor of full service. I want it done right."

Supervisor Don Kass agreed professional services are needed to oversee construction of a basement under either a modular or standard constructed annex building.

Kass said hiring McKinney's company was too preliminary as the board hasn't even decided what type of building it wants to construct.

"Mr. McKinney's bid is for the entire building and not just the basement," Kass said.

For example, if the supervisors choose a modular building perhaps those architectural and engineering services would already be included in the cost, Kass said.

He also wanted the board to look at other companies' cost estimate proposals for the same services, which is why he voted against hiring M Plus Architects, Kass said.

"It was my hope to have the work done at a lower price," he said.

Kass was the only supervisor to vote against hiring M Plus Architects.

Although he disagreed with the hiring, Kass said, he does support continuing to move forward with the project.

Anderson said the supervisors have already determined more space is needed for county services, which have grown since an addition was built onto the courthouse 13 years ago.

They've also agreed that an annex building, whether modular or standard construction, can help alleviate those problems at least for the immediate future.

"We need to make sure we're doing it right for the taxpayers and not screwing it up," Anderson said. "This could buy us 20 to 25 years or more."