Background:
History:
The existing Hennepin County Medical Examiner (HCME) operations are located in the Forensic Sciences Building, 530 Chicago Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. That facility and site do not provide sufficient space for the needs of the growing service areas and the mission critical function of medical examiner services. Population growth estimates exceed the operational capacity, according to National Association of Medical Examiner (NAME) industry guidelines for facilities. A facility that meets and exceeds industry standards is essential for ongoing accreditation and recruitment and retention of qualified staff to provide for the needs of the communities the HCME serves.
The New Regional Medical Examiner’s Facility (CP 1002306) proposes a 69,000 square foot facility based on population growth projections for Hennepin, Dakota, and Scott Counties through 2047. HCME currently occupies 29,500 usable square feet on two floors and approximately 40,000 gross square feet (GSF) of the 62,000 GSF Forensic Sciences Building. HCME has occupied this portion of the building since 1999. The new facility will be planned for future expansion to support access needs for partnering counties and reasonable scene response times for a growing geographic service area. The current proposed location is an 8 acre site on Hennepin County property in Minnetonka that includes the Hennepin County Home School. The building pad is proposed to be located east of the current County Home School with access from the existing entry now serving the Three Rivers Golf Course and the County Home School. An access road will be located along the southern portion of the property to serve this new location.
On January 1, 2017, Hennepin, Dakota, and Scott Counties enacted a 30 year Cooperative Services Agreement for Medical Examiner services (Resolution 16-0504) which includes capital budget provisions and taxpayer support toward the new facility. Taxpayer contribution for Dakota and Scott counties is through a joint powers agreement and includes a financial formula utilizing case and autopsy volumes that determine the amount of taxpayer contribution. The agreement is written so additional counties can easily be integrated and the financial formula recalculated to reflect the percentage of volume performed. Additional cooperative counties will promote efficient and cost-effective operations through equitable distribution of expense across the service area, while allowing the cooperative to maintain accreditation and quality standards for service that our residents expect and deserve.
Hennepin County, with the support of Dakota and Scott Counties, are seeking state bonding dollars through the 2017 Capital Improvement Appropriations bill (HF 892). The bill is currently in the approval process at the Minnesota legislature. The total request from the state is for $28.92 million dollars, or half of the total cost of the project. A state funding predesign document was completed by Smith Group JJR and RSP architects on August 8, 2016 in preparation of receiving state bonding dollars. The information in this predesign document is still applicable to receive state funding and will be used to move forward with the project if and when state bonding money is received.
In late 2016/early 2017, the Hennepin County Designer Selection Committee recommended Leo A Daly Company, and their subject matter expert McClaren, Wilson & Lawrie Inc. as the design team for the New Regional Medical Examiner’s Facility. The board was notified of this recommendation by way of memo dated January 10, 2017 from Facility Services.
The Schematic Design consulting fee is for the new Regional Medical Examiner’s Facility project is $755,498 and has been included in the 2016 and 2017 Capital Budgets and final funding has been requested in the prospective 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Program. The project’s estimated cost is $57,840,000 and has been included in the 2016 and 2017 Capital Budgets and final funding has been requested in the prospective 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Program.
Current Request:
Approval of Contract A177678 with Leo A Daly Company for architectural and engineering services for the Schematic Design phase of the New Regional Medical Examiner’s Facility (CP 1002306) for the period November 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018, in an amount not to exceed $755,498.
Impact/Outcomes:
The Hennepin County New Regional Medical Examiner's Facility project is essential in assuring that there is capacity for growing case volumes, recruiting and retaining the most qualified forensic science professionals, and incorporating design for the practice of medicolegal death investigation while providing an environment that supports education in the Forensic Sciences.
Key elements of the facility project strategic plan are:
- Continue to meet and set the standards and accreditation requirements for Medical Examiner services in Minnesota.
- Serve as a resource for coroner counties requiring forensic pathology and death investigation services through an accredited Medical Examiner facility.
- Support the educational mission to select, train, and provide highly qualified talent to the industry through an accredited training program and educational curriculum.
- Recruit and retain the best talent in the field of forensic death investigation.
- Maximize design through use of natural light, energy efficient construction, and use of space in a manner that is flexible and assure the facility will meet the needs of our service area for decades while also minimizing facility operational costs.
- Create an efficient and modern facility