Victoria MN Newspaper-The Scoop at City Hall

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JULY 1ST: SEEKING UNIFIED RECOMMENDATION

REGARDING NEW CITY HALL & PUBLIC WORKS BLDG

Council called a special meeting back on July 1st to find a unified focus regarding a new City Hall and new Public Works Building for the City of Victoria. City Manager Don Uram also presented, as requested by Council, what could be accomplished with a $6 million combined expenditure for the two public facilities.

City staff wanted direction as they headed toward the July 9th public presentation on proposed facilities and tours of the existing facilities. Since there was not agreement among councilmembers as to which of the various building options should be pursued or recommended, staff said they would present all of the various options to the public.

None of the four councilmembers in attendance on July 1st (Joe Pavelko was absent) were on the same page regarding the proposed facilities.

Councilmember Jim Crowley didn't like any option that went above the $6 million cap. Councilmember Lani Basa didn't like the idea of deferring the projects because that would mean bigger construction and financing costs down the road. Councilmember Tom Strigel didn't like the downtown location for City Hall unless it included a library. Mayor Tom O'Connor didn't like options that placed City Hall anywhere except downtown Victoria, regardless of a library. A library is an approximate additional $1 million.

None of the councilmembers spoke in favor of constructing what the architect said could be constructed for $6 million. Two of the councilmembers (Mayor Tom O'Connor and Lani Basa) spoke in favor of a $6.6 million expenditure as recommended by staff and architect.

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Said Ken Sheehan, the architect with Architectural Alliance, "I've been working with Victoria for almost a year now. I've estimated the scope and design for a $6 million expenditure. We believe we have a solid methodology."

He presented a Public Works target budget of $3,400,000 and a City Hall target budget of $2,600,000 -- which totals the $6 million cap. In both of those budgets he included and identified the non-construction costs such as furnishings, equipment, design fees, sewer and water access fees, land cost, technology, and 5% contingency.

That left $1,861,270 available to actually build a Public Works facility and $1,815,939 to actually build a City Hall.

He also presented what could or should be added to each of the facilities to meet his recommendations as well as the recommendations of Victoria city staff including Public Works staff.

For one thing, it costs more to construct a precast Public Works building -- recommended by the architect and Public Works staff -- rather than a metal building. In order to stay under the budget cap, however, a precast building would need to be reduced in size.

Said Mr. Uram, "Public Works staff has said they need a very justifiable 23,600 square feet, and that any building lower than 18,000 square feet will diminish the city's level of service."

"I disagree," said Councilmember Crowley. He pointed out that the more expensive a project becomes, the more dollars the architect makes on the project.

Asked Councilmember Strigel about diminished level of city service, "Compared to what?"

Replied Mr. Sheehan, "To avoid double stacking of equipment and to avoid putting equipment in the yard."

Said Councilmember Strigel, "So we'll reduce staff time to move vehicles around."

Footprint of the existing Public Works building is 9,000 square feet, said Mr. Uram. "There is no wash bay, no restrooms, no space to do any work. We've got $300,000 of our assets parked outside. Even doubling the size really limits our opportunity for growth."

Councilmember Crowley asked the architect, "How many metal buildings have you built in the last five years?"

"Zero," replied Mr. Sheehan. "That is not a typical building for this use type. It is not our personal experience for communities that want twenty-plus-year facilities." He said communities want buildings that are more durable than metal sheds.

Click here to continue SEEKING UNIFIED RECOMMENDATION.

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