11-08-00 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 8, 2000 Scalze felt that the next steps that should betaken are to look at possible sites for the Public Works Garage as well as gather some harder estimates on what it would take to upgrade the existing garage and try to get another 20 years out of it. Morelan indicated that he was not in favor of upgrading the current building because it did not seem the building had the value nor the lay out that would make the Public Works function most efficient. He indicated that he did not support putting any more money into this building. Scalze felt there were still some years of useful life left in the building. She felt that some harder cost estimates should be gathered to help the Council make a decision on this issue. Scalze also suggested that typically in situations like this the voters make the decision; she suggested that a referendum may be a way of making this decision. The City Administrator stated that he was not recommending that a new Public Works building be constructed today. The Administrator felt there were two options to be considered. The first is whether there was some long-term life left in the existing building. If so, perhaps some improvements should be made and the City lives with that building for a period of time. The second option is to construct a new building. The concern with that option is whether or not there will be a site available in the future to keep this option open. Pedersen pointed out that there is the option of redeveloping the existing Public Works Garage site. Pedersen noted that variances would have to be granted. However, he felt given the essential service function that Public Works performs, variances would be warranted. The City Administrator felt the current site was less than ideal. Pedersen stated that that may be true, however, this site may be preferable than paying through the nose for a new site. The consensus of the Council was that staff should put together a list of possible sites for a new Public Works Garage. Council also felt that harder estimates should be obtained for making the necessary life/safety improvements at the Public Works Garage. Oertel indicated that he could contact some local contractors for cost estimates. He indicated that when he put together the estimates used in his report, he used numbers from recent projects that he has been involved with.