Another step in the process of rehabilitating a downtown building into a new city hall took place at a special Minot City Council meeting Monday.

The council approved a $15,756 contract with Materials Testing Services to conduct geotechnical exploration and special inspections at the former Wells Fargo building. Geotechnical services involve an investigation of soils for construction suitability and other necessary grounds stabilization or improvements.

The council also confirmed its previous approval of an $800,000 MAGIC Fund grant to facilitate the purchase of a Trinity property to create a Center for Technical Education. The council approved a development agreement between the City of Minot and Minot State University Development Foundation in May but had neglected at that time to also approve an ordinance to provide for the funding, which will come from the economic development portion of sales tax collections.

Both projects are part of the city’s National Disaster Resilience Program.

— Jill Schramm