The
Newsletter
FirstLight Community Wellness Center Brainerd Public Schools Referenda Success with ICS Delano High School The Service Cooperative Difference Team Spotlight
W W W. I C S - C O N S U LT. C O M rendering courtesy of Widseth Smith Nolting
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To Our Partners, Colleagues, and New Friends: Planning is at the core of what we do, but I would like to reflect on recent project successes where our planning has reached its most rewarding outcome: state-of-the-art facilities with enhanced capacity to support communities, students, and staff. It means our planning, building and operations-related services are all coming together to make the greatest impact possible. Thousands of students throughout Minnesota will step foot into newly built or renovated schools this fall. Once you’ve had that experience, you never forget it. Students can sense that their opportunity for success is valued. There is no better way to start the school year. In this newsletter, we talk about impact and what that means in real-world terms. We help our clients build strong connections with the communities they serve - connections between students, staff, and their facilities, so that everyone can thrive together. We build strong connections within our team to pursue innovative, collaborative solutions. Collaboration and partnership are what we’re built on. These are the fundamental principles instilled in everything we do. For over 13 years, we’ve helped our clients turn their ideas and dreams into brick-and-mortar realities. We hope that as you read their stories, you can relate to the challenges they faced and what it took to create lasting change for their communities. You might even recognize your own story. If you want to learn more about moving your district’s vision forward, you can reach out to me at info@ics-consult.com or 763-354-2670.
Pat Overom, Principal ICS Consulting
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Plan Facilities Assessment Space Utilization Referendum Planning Community Engagement Asset Plans Physical Needs Analysis Strategic Procurement Funding Analysis
Build Owner’s Representation Construction Management Program Management Constructability Reviews Value Analysis Bid & Award Administration Quality Control
Operate Commissioning Re-commissioning Retro-commissioning Energy Audits/Rebates Utility Services LTFM Management Building Forensics
CONTENTS FirstLight Community Wellness Center So much more than a building, get the scoop on how this project came to fruition.
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Brainerd Public Schools Construction is kicking off in Brainerd; find out how the District and the community worked together to move education forward.
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Referenda Success with ICS Discover what it takes to win with your community for your District.
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Delano Public Schools How ICS helped Delano Public Schools with their 5-Year Strategic Plan.
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Team Spotlight Find out why #TeamICS loves what they do.
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The Service Cooperative Difference How strategic partnerships give Districts the advantage.
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We Care See what we’ve been up to this year.
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customer spotlight
FIRSTLIGHT COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER development, construction program management, and commissioning/ technical services for the project. Damien Williams, ICS Project Manager, said “during the Design For this $10.6 million project, Phase, we collaborated with both FirstLight Health System provided the District and FirstLight to come up $5 million in funds, and Mora Public with a design that worked for everyone. Pulling these groups During the Design Phase, we collaborated of people together was key.” Throughout with both the District and FirstLight staff construction, a to come up with a design that worked for variety of items needed to happen everyone.” simultaneously for Damien Williams, ICS Project Manager an on-time project. Williams said, “there were a lot of Schools provided the rest through moving parts in this building.” project funds and a referendum. Randy Ulseth, FirstLight’s CEO, said: “our commitment to improving the The FirstLight Community Wellness Attached to the District’s Trailview Center provides ample space for Elementary, this facility features an wellness of the communities we the Mora community – all the way 8,500 square foot elevated walking serve is an important mission of from youth basketball and ballroom FirstLight.” track, four courts for basketball, dancing to a retirement party for volleyball, tennis, and pickleball, a beloved colleague. Our team is a four-lane 200-meter lower level Located less than one mile away incredibly proud to be a part of this running track with five hurdle lanes, from FirstLight’s main campus, addition to the Mora community in ICS provided planning, project two batting cages, two pole vault support of healthy lifestyles. pans, a long jump pit, a community Healthy communities equal healthy opportunities. FirstLight Health System and Mora Public Schools collaborated to build Kanabec County’s first community wellness center in Mora, Minn. This 63,000 square foot facility provides invaluable wellness opportunities to community residents yearround. Dedicated to promoting healthy living, the unique partnership between FirstLight and Mora Public Schools offers the community local medical support.
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and fitness room, various medical examination areas, and community support areas.
THE IMPACT “Building the FirstLight Community Wellness Center is a great first step in improving the overall health of the community.” Randy Ulseth, FirstLight CEO “The partnership between FirstLight Health Systems and Mora Public Schools has substantially improved the overall heathy options for all residents of the Mora community and the surrounding area. The addition of the FirstLight Community Wellness Center has given residents a healthy lifestyle advantage and gives our students a competitive advantage. Thanks to ICS for completing this high-quality facility project on time and budget.” Craig Schultz, Mora Public Schools Superintendent
Project Information
Size: 63,000 square feet Construction Cost: $10.6 million Completion Date: May 2018 Services Provided: Planning and Project Development Services, Construction Program Management, Technical Services ICS Team: Joe Vry, Damien Williams, Angie Stahnke, Brandon Kellermann, Arif Quraishi Project Team: Wold Architects and Engineers, Ebert Construction, Obermiller Nelson Engineering, Northland Consulting Engineers
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customer spotlight
BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Brainerd Public Schools, serving 7,000 students in central Minnesota, is embarking on a journey to implement $205 million of extensive facility improvements and renovations spread across 12 facilities. These improvements, funded through $145.71 million of voter-approved funds and $59.29 million of non-voter approved funds, will meet the needs of today’s students and many future generations. Developing a facilities plan of this size required extensive strategy, effort, and community outreach. Focused on education, safety, and health needs, what were the keys to success for one of the largest successful bond referendums in the history of Minnesota? The District and ICS worked to create a plan that would focus on intentional community engagement and consistent communications. Before the vote, more than 25 district listening sessions and stakeholder engagement sessions, over 100 local community group presentations, and almost 1,800 phone and online survey responses took place to communicate this plan to all residents. The three-question ballot received unanimous support in April 2018.
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Construction is currently taking place or is phased over the next few years including a new Elementary in Baxter, a high school expansion, and a performance theatre among other various improvements. Brandon Kellermann of ICS said, “Our team is very excited to be a part of Brainerd’s transformational changes.” Chris Ziemer of ICS added that “it’s been exciting to lead the efforts that will bring transformative change to the existing building infrastructure and to also have experienced engagement from all stakeholders. Everyone throughout the District has embraced the creation of 21st Century learning environments that will have a lasting impact on the students, and I am proud to be a proud of these efforts.” ICS is honored to be a part of these educationaltransforming improvements for future generations.
rendering courtesy of Widseth Smith Nolting
THE IMPACT
“Developing a plan to transform our aging facilities into dynamic educational spaces that would work for students, teachers, and community members, now and into the future, was a delicate process here in Brainerd. We already knew the details of the mechanical deficiencies of our buildings, and we were faced with a choice to either fix all that but do nothing to change the classroom environment or ask our community to dream with us about the kind of spaces where 21st-century learning could flourish. We decided to dream big, and ICS was there with us every step of the way. From facilitating listening sessions across the community to sharpening our pencils to find a plan that met our needs but was still palatable to property owners to guiding us through construction, ICS has lent us their expertise and is daily helping us deliver what we promised to this community.� Laine Larson, Superintendent Brainerd Public Schools
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PHONE AND ONLINE SURVEY RESPONSES
Project Information Size: District-Wide
Construction Cost: $205 million Completion Date: Estimated September 2022 Services Provided: Referendum Planning, Community Engagement, Project Development, Program Management, Technical Services ICS Team: Dave Bergeron, Brandon Kellermann, Chris Ziemer, Justin Maaninga, Cale LaVoie, Scott Whittemore, Rhonda James, Al Reichow, Robert Etter, Greg Dalbec, Joe Vry Project Team: Widseth Smith Nolting, JLG Architects, Wold Architects and Engineers, Obermiller Nelson Engineering, Northland Consulting Engineers, Culinex, Schuler Shook
rendering courtesy of Widseth Smith Nolting
LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP PRESENTATIONS
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DISTRICT LISTENING SESSIONS
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special feature
REFERENDA SUCCESS WITH ICS Passing a referendum is no easy feat. Tasks such as developing funding strategies, creating facility solutions, and engaging your community require a unique skillset. K-12 school districts need advocates to help guide them through this complex process. ICS team members have worked with school districts on passing referenda for decades, aiming to help students, staff, and communities effectively address facility-related and educational programming needs. Based on the past two years, school referendum efforts have a 21% higher passage rate of at least one question with ICS as a trusted partner and advocate. Since November 2017, the ICS team has passed at least one question for 20 school districts totaling over $689 million in voter-approved
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funds including West St. Paul (ISD 197), Richfield Public Schools, Brainerd Public Schools, and ISD 318 (Grand Rapids) to name a few. In the past decade, ICS has helped
and experience, which has tripled our referenda workload across Minnesota. A component to our success is that we begin with listening. We listen to the key challenges of a district and effectively assess their needs. We focus on communicating the process and gathering input, communicating the results, and receiving feedback - ultimately communicating the plan and gaining support. Although our approach with each district is consistent, our team knows that one size does not fit all.
Through our process, we impact the communities we live, work, and play in.” Jeff Schiltz, ICS Principal over 60 school districts to secure over $1.7 billion in voter-approved funds. These improvements have changed and will drastically change the educational landscape for generations to come. “Through our process, we impact the communities we live, work and play in,” says Jeff Schiltz, ICS Principal. Before merging with Foster, Jacobs, & Johnson, Inc. (FJJ) in 2017, ICS had a successful referendum track record. Our merger enabled us to expand geographical reach as well as increased our depth
There are several factors that play into our strategy: political climates, previous referendum history and attempts, funding mechanisms, and overall community engagement to name a few. Our team’s experience affords us the knowledge to know
how to strategically navigate the waters of any referendum. Not only are we skilled with all that takes place before announcing a referendum, our team is particularly skilled at communicating to thousands of district residents prior to a vote. Members of our business development and marketing staff work to create an informational campaign unique to that district. We begin with branding a referendum ICS’ contribution to the – creating an identity that is tied referendum process cannot to the referendum and still ensures be overstated...it is thanks to a consistent look and voice of the your support that we can build district. Our team collaborates to create websites, flyers, direct mail these schools. pieces, pull-up banners, social Jessica Setness, ISD 318 Communications Coordinator media campaigns and graphics, posters, presentations, and more to effectively communicate all aspects of a district’s proposed plan. We will work with you to deliver a referendum informational campaign that is unique, transparent, and consistent. ISD 318 (Grand Rapids) successfully passed their April 2018 bond referendum, securing $68.9 million to build two new elementary schools and renovate and expand an existing elementary school. “ICS’ contribution to the referendum process cannot be overstated,” says Jessica Setness, ISD 318’s Communications Coordinator. “It is thanks to your support that we can build these schools. We are so excited to have finally reached this point, and it would not have happened without the support of ICS.” As we look towards this November of 2019, our team is helping guide 12 districts through this process totaling over $400 million in voterapproved funds. For more information on how your district can get started with ICS, please reach out to any of our team members below. • • • • • • •
Pat Overom: pato@ics-consult.com Mike Hubbard: michael.hubbard@ics-consult.com Jeff Schiltz: jeff.schiltz@ics-consult.com Lori Christensen: lori.christensen@ics-consult.com Dave Bergeron: dave.bergeron@ics-consult.com Ryan Hoffman: ryanh@ics-consult.com Jason Splett: jason.splett@ics-consult.com
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COMMUNICATE THE PROCESS AND GATHER INPUT
COMMUNICATE THE RESULTS AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK
COMMUNICATE THE PLAN AND GAIN SUPPORT
SUCCESS!
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customer spotlight
DELANO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
THE IMPACT “From the very beginning of ICS joining our team, they have been totally invested in our projects. That includes before we even passed the bond referendum. ICS employees have gone above and beyond to represent our school district, no matter the time of the day or night! As superintendent, ICS was invaluable in providing guidance with regards to the details of the construction project.” Matthew Schoen, Superintendent Delano Public Schools 10 | IMPACT: THE ICS NEWSLETTER
As part of its 5-Year Strategic Plan, Delano Public Schools worked with ICS to help the District expand its campus with a new 74,000 square foot Intermediate School, additions and renovations to the existing High School totaling 150,000 square feet including a new performing arts center and stadium. Also, additions and renovations were completed on the current Middle School, Elementary School, and an elevator addition for the District’s Community Education Center. Delano’s Facilities Committee met six times, toured all District buildings, and presented a recommendation to the Delano School Board in December 2014. Needs included safety and security improvements, enhanced capacity for learning, and expanded opportunities for students as well as the greater community. Adding onto buildings had solved space issues in the past, but had started causing stress in the buildings due to overcrowding. The District then completed demographic and feasibility studies to assess District growth and potential support from community members. All levels and ages of District residents had needs to be addressed. Delano Public Schools brought on ICS to provide Owner’s Representation as well as comprehensive project development, planning, pre-referendum communication, and technical services for the successful $65 million voter-approved referendum in November 2015. The community provided overwhelming feedback and support to address both critical maintenance and educational needs. The effectiveness of Delano’s Strategic Plan has since received high approval ratings from parents and staff, and the work completed with ICS supported the Technology and Facilities aims of the 5-Year Strategic Plan. As the District prepares for the next five years, they will continue to build on the hard work they have accomplished with ICS as a trusted resource and advocate.
Project Information Size: District-Wide
Construction Cost: $65 million Completion Date: August 2018 Services Provided: Owner’s Representation, Pre-Referendum Planning, Project Development, and Technical Services ICS Team: Chris Rear, Jason Johnson, Karin Borowicz, Pat Overom Completion Date: Wold Architects and Engineers, BKBM Engineers, Breitbach Construction, Paulson and Clark Engineering, Jorgenson Construction, AndersonJohnson Associates
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Our people are what make ICS a special place to work. With over 100 employees, we wanted to take this opportunity highlight some of our team. Look for more team members in future issues!
KARIN BOROWICZ, LEAD PROJECT COORDINATOR
I enjoy the variety of the construction industry; no two days are ever the same, and there are so many disciplines in construction. I feel a sense of pride being involved in great projects with awesome teams. I love the fact that there are more and more women entering the industry. I think we bring a different perspective to the construction field.
RAEANN WYNN, PROJECT COORDINATOR
Being able to help the ICS team, our owners, contractors, and design team create successful projects is very gratifying! Over the past 18 years, how we do our jobs has changed. Now, completing an addendum is only a few clicks away. Construction is a very straight-forward industry, which I enjoy!
JIM BOISJOLIE, TECHNICAL SERVICES SPECIALIST
ICS has a culture that allows everyone to grow and achieve their goals. I love the variety we get here - we work on everything from law enforcement centers, healthcare facilities, K-12 schools, to office buildings. Every job comes with unique challenges, but seeing our clients excited to have a new or remodeled facility that they can be proud of, and knowing that we as a team did our best to deliver it to them - that’s an awesome feeling.
PAT SCHAEFER, MINNEAPOLIS TECHNICAL SERVICES LEADER
I enjoy the variety of working in the field and office and getting to constantly learn new and different types of HVAC systems. Commissioning can challenge you on all fronts, looking at the design of a system, to how it is installed, and finally how is it being controlled. My coworkers and the environment here at ICS are awesome. Everyone here is accountable for a job, and we help each other as a team from beginning to end. 12 | IMPACT: THE ICS NEWSLETTER
St. Cloud New Technical High School Osseo Area Schools LTFM Upgrades West St. Paul Schools 2018 Referendum ISD 15 (St. Francis) 2017 Referendum Shakopee High School Expansion
RAE’S PROJECT SNAPSHOT: Chisago Lakes School District 2017 Referendum Forest Lake Area Schools 2015 Referendum Albert Lea Area Schools 2018 Referendum Luverne Public Schools LTFM Plan Richfield Public Schools 2017 Referendum
JIM’S PROJECT SNAPSHOT: Mountrail Williams Electric Cooperative Headquarters Commissioning McKenzie County Healthcare Systems Commissioning Grand Forks Air Force Base Hall Remodel Commissioning Bemidji State University Memorial Hall Commissioning Dickinson Middle School Commissioning
PAT’S PROJECT SNAPSHOT: Hutchinson High School Addition & Renovation Commissioning ISD 15 (St. Francis) LTFM Projects Commissioning Waconia Public Schools District-Wide Commissioning Chisago Lakes School District 2017 Referendum Commissioning Perham-Dent Public Schools 2015 Referendum Commissioning
#TEAMICS
KARIN’S PROJECT SNAPSHOT:
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WHY ICS?
THE SERVICE COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE ICS has partnered with eight different service cooperatives in Minnesota to provide programs and services through unique and collaborative partnerships. Lakes Country Service Cooperative, Resource Training & Solutions, Southwest West Central Service Cooperative, Northeast Service Cooperative, South Central Service Cooperative, Southeast Service Cooperative, Northwest Service Cooperative, and Sourcewell have partnered with ICS to offer value-added professional building solutions tailored to meet the needs of their member organizations for both K-12 school districts and cities and counties. Together, we offer facility solutions in the areas of LTFM program management, energy efficiency, and monitoring services, small projects, and long-range planning. ICS offers guidance to member organizations who want to take a more proactive approach to facility planning. When using our services, members will have access to a team who will help them make facility improvement decisions based on stakeholder input. Jason Splett, ICS Business Development Leader, said: “We are a resource for communities to help assist them with long-range planning and implementation.”
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THE IMPACT
“Our members have found them to be thorough, thoughtful, and efficient. They have a long history of working with school leaders and school boards in Minnesota. Their knowledge of engineering and facilities combined with legislative priorities and the law prove to be significant assets to our members. Their team of experts know our members and have wide-ranging skills to work successfully with them. They provide outstanding education to our members and continue to be there to learn and ascertain future needs. More importantly, I continue to find ICS to be an innovative, creative, and intuitive partner. They continue to explore new and more efficient ways for us to connect to our member base and provide them with the services they need. They truly understand our role in supporting our schools, cities, and counties and continue to explore ways to enhance these services together. I consider ICS one of our strongest partners and plan to work with them well into the future.” Jeremy Kovash, Executive Director Lakes Country Service Cooperative
WE CARE
Our mission at ICS is to positively impact people through innovative facility solutions. Photos seen here are ICS Team members participating in conferences, employee events, and fundraisers. 1. NW Service Coop Administrative Forum in Lake of the Woods We love our Service Cooperatives! Our own Dave Bergeron got some face time with Gary Amoroso from the MN Association of School Administrators.
2. 2019 Solutions Summer Event ICS team members got together with some of our sister company ONE team members to try their hand at ax throwing!
3. Company Picnic We take our lawn games seriously at ICS!
4. JDRF Walk Minneapolis/St. Paul ICS and their families participated in the JDRF Walk this winter to help raise over $1.5 million for the nonprofit this past winter.
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ICS 3890 Pheasant Ridge Dr NE #180 Blaine, MN 55449
CONNECT WITH US!
WA N T T O L E A R N M O R E ? C O N TAC T T H E I C S T E A M M E M B E R N E A R E S T YO U ! Twin Cities Blaine, MN
Pat Overom 763-354-2670 pato@ics-consult.com
Northeast MN Duluth, MN
Jeff Schiltz 218-722-3060 jeff.schiltz@ics-consult.com
Red River Valley Fargo, ND
Southwest Sioux Falls, SD
Dave Bergeron Mike Hubbard 701-280-0500 605-261-5616 dave.bergeron@ics-consult.com michael.hubbard@ics-consult.com
Philadelphia Metro Media, PA
Phil Solomon 215-479-3543 phil.solomon@ics-consult.com
North Central MN Park Rapids, MN
Jason Splett 218-252-8025 jason.splett@ics-consult.com
OUR MISSION
Positively impacting people through innovative facility solutions.
O U R VA L U E S We Care | Integrity | Collaboration | Quality | Smart Innovation W W W. I C S - C O N S U LT.C O M