05-22-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION May 1, 2017 DRAFT 3 - Cost estimate: Phase 1, all three options priced, both low cost options to higher 90 cost (Mayor Reinert remarked that a remodel without a space expansion hasn’t 91 been priced and Mr. Hutson said that is because that option wouldn’t address 92 future space needs). Mayor Reinert suggested that there is an even lower cost 93 option that would basically add an unheated pole barn, although Director 94 Grochala suggested there could be some space/utility services issues. 95 96 Mayor Reinert noted his concern about costs and prudence in spending the taxpayer’s 97 funds. He is more supportive of exploring improvements at the Fire Station No. 2 land 98 for community use, such as a park, and improving the current public works facilities to 99 get equipment protected (i.e. unheated pole barn). Council Member Kusterman 100 remarked that perhaps a more detailed, lower level explanation of costs would be helpful 101 in a careful consideration of spending. Mayor Reinert remarked that the city just dug out 102 of a recession and he’d like to keep the city’s budget small. He supports forward and 103 innovate thinking but this requires a lot of thought and there may be more urgent needs 104 right now. 105 106 In addition to more information on costs (at a more micro level), 107 a comparison of proposed square footages to current space would be helpful. Council 108 Member Rafferty remarked that city hall is a good example of a decision based on future 109 needs and the rocky road and changes that can occur as the future comes upon you. 110 111 Council Member Rafferty noted that one option would move facilities to the south side of 112 the city and he wonders if that is best location for service provision. Director DeGardner 113 suggested that the closer to the core of the city, the better as far as saving trips and driving 114 economy. Mayor Reinert noted that the future could mean population changes however. 115 Mr. Hutson added that with the south site, it is anticipated that the current site facilities 116 would continue to some extent. 117 118 The mayor asked Administrator Karlson, if the roof were leaking here at city hall, what 119 procedure and funding is available to address the problem. Mr. Karlson noted the 120 facilities fund that is available for building expenses at city hall; for the work itself, a 121 bidding process would be appropriate. The mayor asked, would that facilities fund be 122 the same source to fund repairs to the public works facilities. Director DeGardner 123 explained that staff makes judgements about how to move on repair situations. Mayor 124 Reinert suggested that repairs should be done as needed along the way and he feels the 125 funds were available for repairs. 126 127 The council concurred that they will receive additional information as they have 128 requested. Council Member Manthey asked about the move of city hall from the old 129 building to the current. Director Grochala noted a study that involved creating a town 130 center as well as the space needs that developed. 131 132 Council Member Rafferty requested that the Hugo, Shoreview, etc. public works 133 locations be shared with the council. 134