Courthouse project moving forward, but needs to be rebid

By Anna Jauhola
After water pipes burst in the Kittson County Courthouse boiler room in late January, commissioners have accelerated their work to get repairs started on the HVAC system.
The commissioners met with Johnson Controls Inc., the county’s contracted service provider, to further discuss the project originally proposed in 2024. Officials cannot make decisions during a workshop as it is only a work session.
Travis Pawlowski and Nick Thomas from Johnson Controls were on hand to explain elements of the project and give explanations. Currently the courthouse has a two-pipe heating and cooling system, which can only heat or cool, but never do both at the same time. Johnson Controls has proposed installing a four-pipe HVAC system to allow for heating and cooling at the same time.
“When you’re really going to see the benefit of a four-pipe system compared to a two-pipe system is during the spring and fall,” Pawlowski said. “Currently, if we built this building brand new, we wouldn’t even consider a two-pipe system.”
Administrator Aimee Sugden asked about the cost savings, along with advantages versus disadvantages of redesigning for a two-pipe system. Although going back to a two-pipe system would save money, Pawlowski said it would have to be re-engineered and would cost employees comfort levels. He said the only time Johnson Controls suggests sticking with a two-pipe system is when they don’t have room in a building to build a four-pipe system. There is room in the Kittson County Courthouse for a four-pipe system as they have already engineered a design for it.
“The other disadvantage of a two-pipe system is the potential for mold,” Pawlowski said. “Because you’re running cooling through the system, and in the same day you could be running heating through it, obviously that’s going to produce some kind of condensation on the pipes. Now they are fully insulated pipes, but I have seen some systems produce some mold.”
The proposed four-pipe system is estimated to cost $840,000, and Pawlowski – without running numbers – said going with a new two-pipe system wouldn’t even save half that cost. It would save on control valve costs.
Thomas talked about the software and hardware control system, noting Kittson County is still running on Windows XP, which is out of date. Johnson Controls recommends moving to a Linux-based system, which is web-based and can allow for remote alarms to be triggered. The current system is strictly operated from a computer within the courthouse, requiring personnel to be in the building to monitor the HVAC system.
“We moved two years ago away from Microsoft based products just for the fact that every two to three years, Microsoft would say they’re getting rid of a program,” Thomas said. “Then you’re stuck on that software and it’s a big vulnerability.”
Pawlowski added the control system is so smart it can detect a loss in pressure and shut down the pumping system, and simultaneously alert those connected to the system. This system not only includes programming for the software, but the hardware includes cabling around the entire building, which is why it’s such a big ticket item.
Commissioner Brad Johnson asked how long Johnson Controls has been installing the controller system. Thomas said they have installed this system since 2015, specifically in places like military bases, hospitals and schools.
“Ninety-some percent of the iconic buildings in the United States are controlled by this system,” Pawlowski added.
The commission discussed at length the window replacement project, and toyed with the idea of moving that portion of the project out a couple of years. There are 121 windows on the courthouse building, most of which are in disrepair as they are original. Pawlowski said the worst of them are in the northwest corner of the building with water damage.
The window portion of the project also included fixing ceiling grids inside the building because those need to be modified to fit the windows. Pawlowski said that could be accomplished separately to accommodate future window replacement.
The electrical service within the building is also original from a company called Federated, which went out of business years ago.
“If we stay with the original 1968 electrical service upgrade, a lot of those panels aren’t even manufactured, so we’d have to do some sort of improvements,” Pawlowski said. “Even your panels in the hallways, those are made by Federated. They are a known fire hazard to the electrical industry.”
The courthouse’s lighting is also outdated and is proposed to be upgraded to LEDs. Commissioners asked whether this portion of the project could be modified in some way to help save money. Pawlowski said Minnesota energy code requires a project this size to include occupancy sensors in each room to help save electricity.
“We’re not doing a performance contract where it’s going to pay for itself,” Pawlowski said.
“I get that, but this (project) got voted down when it was put to a ballot,” Commissioner Johnson said. “So we got to figure out a way to maybe trim some money to make the people happy.”
One option is to do lighting upgrades one room at a time to avoid the occupancy sensor requirement. Commissioner Theresia Gillie said, via telephone, that would likely cost more money as contractors would come back several times. Pawlowski added Johnson Controls is purchasing lighting in bulk to save the county money as well.
“And the rebate from Otter Tail is not included in the bid,” said Commissioner Loren Younggren.
Thomas said Johnson Controls will also work with Otter Tail to submit information for an estimate for a lighting rebate.
The project is still slated to be done, however, since it was put on hold after the people voted it down, it now must be rebid before it can be done. Sugden said there are people in the public who want to see as many contractors bid on the project as possible and to cancel the Johnson Controls contract. Pawlowski emphasized the county will then be another year away from fixing the courthouse because the whole project would have to be re-engineered if bid to another contractor, and it will cost more money. Johnson Controls engineered the project for $95,000. Most engineering services charge 8% to 10% of the overall project cost – in this case, that cost would be at least $500,000 if the project ends up costing the estimated $5.3 million.
“If we did that route, we’re still at risk of coming back to Johnson Controls because they were the lowest or best bid. And then we’ve spent that money just to say we’re going with Johnson Controls,” Younggren said.
The commission also talked about financing options, which include still using the general obligation bonds, which allows the public to petition putting it to a vote of the people. They could also use a lease financing option, which allows the county economic development association to take out a loan and the county would lease that debt at a slightly higher interest rate than the general obligation bond.
“It’s only a quarter percent, but still can add up to a lot of money in this scope of a project,” said Commissioner Derry Jones, via telephone. “And in a way, to me, we’re kind of thumbing our nose at the public if we go to one just so they can’t petition us.”
Commissioner Ryan Swenson pointed out the highway department portion of the project has been pulled out, and several items have already been completed. And, the Northcote shop has been put on hold.
Petitioner Jim Johnson commented at the end of the meeting the Northcote shop was the biggest hang-up for people who signed the petition. Most people were on board with fixing the courthouse, he added.
The commission meets in regular session this week, Tuesday, Feb. 18, during which they will further discuss this issue.