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MOVING VICTORIA CITY OFFICES

TO SKATE PARK SITE BY THE FIELD HOUSE

With a unanimous 5-0 vote, Victoria councilmembers voted to obtain quotes to locate a temporary modular City Hall in the Skate Park area near the Field House in Diethelm Park. The motion included authorizing city staff to follow through with accepting the quotes and getting the job done within the stated parameters as identified in council discussion.

Moving out of current City Offices on Rose Street was precipitated by a report of mold, mildew, and other unhealthy working conditions related to the building. Council held a special workshop at 5 p.m. on November 13th to resolve the issue.

Administrator Don Uram said the city contracted with Kevin Cairns, a certified industrial hygienist, and AES to do an environmental study. “Some of the employees said they felt allergy-like symptoms. There’s moisture in the ceiling in the men’s bathroom. Cabinetry under the sink is rotted and deteriorating. There have been dead mice. Water is not draining well. Moisture and water have occurred in some of the air ducts of the HVAC system. There are musty and moldy odors. There is fungus growth in the men’s bathroom and the custodial room.”

The administrator identified several other problem areas and presented a packet of photos and more detailed information regarding the condition of City Offices. He estimated $150,000 to replace the HVAC system, $30,000 to get rid of the mold, and $20,000 to replace carpeting. “That’s a significant expense to stay in this building,” he said.

“I only see two solutions,” he said, “ ... spend the money or move into temporary facilities.” He said there is currently no space in Victoria large enough to accommodate City Offices. Size of the building currently occupied is 5,000 square feet.

About moving into modular space, he said, “Schools do it all the time. The City of Eden Prairie did it and are there 18 years. We can secure modular office space of basically any size, and my recommendation is that we locate them at the Field House Skateboard Park. That location has existing parking. It’s city-owned. Utilities are located there. It would cost about $3,000 to extend utilities.”

Don Uram reported it would cost $3,000 to $4,000 per month for the city to rent temporary trailers. “I further recommend we consider timing for demolition of this building. We spend $1,000 per month on it for utilities. I recommend demolishing this building in the spring and opening it up for parking space.”

Regarding the warehouse/living quarters adjacent to the City Office building, he said, “We’re working with the Kirsch’s. I think the opportunity is ripe to take advantage of these things. I had a conversation with Victoria Lion Jeff Chapman. The Lions hold their pancake breakfasts here. He understands. The scouts also meet here.”

As for the health issues today, he said, “We’ve got air filters running now and there’s an expense to that. The lead time to get the trailers is 30 to 45 days. We can really design it any way we want ... My recommendation is that this would be a temporary fix.”

Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, “Would you envision us staying in this modular unit until we’d move to a new building?”

“Yes, rather than leasing space at $20 a square foot,” replied Administrator Uram.

Asked Mayor Mary Thun, “Would you be giving some focus as to what we’d like for a new City Hall?”

“This would give us some time to determine what we want in it, like a library, for example,” he replied. “We do need to start that planning process.”

Regarding Councilmember Paulsen’s suggestion to use the Community Room at the Fire Station for Council Chamber meetings, Administrator Uram replied that the cost savings would be minimal. “There is no incremental cost difference,” he said. “I kind of like having it closer for setup but I can do whatever you decide. There are advantages to the temporary trailers. They’re cleaner, brighter, with more windows.”

Asked Councilmember Roden, “Would we need additional landscaping or berming at that site?”

Replied Don Uram, “I don’t see that the Skate Park location impacts anybody.”

Councilmember Richard Tieden commented, “I’d say it has the potential of being city headquarters for maybe ten years.”

Asked Councilmember Roden, “How easy would it be to add modular space if needed?”

Don Uram said he’s getting quotes on 6,000 square feet and that should be ample space for present and future needs. Present city furnishings would be relocated as possible. “For the most part,” he said, “any hard surface can be cleaned. Most things can be salvaged. If fabric, maybe not ... I’d have the moving costs for you before it happens and we’d do it as inexpensively as we can.”

Stated Councilmember Roden, “This is not quite how I thought we’d get to a new City Hall. It’s rather circuitous.”

Mayor Thun stated, “I think it would be remiss of the City Council to also not actively pursue a place where the government can function in the future.”

Councilmember Tim Amundsen spoke to the Skate Park location. “It seems to be a useful logical site,” he said. “I’m just glad we didn’t sell the Field House. This is really a solid step forward, doing it this way.”

Administrator Uram pointed out that it falls in line with city plans to replace the old Hall/City Offices with parking. “We’ve determined if there’s going to be a parking deck on this side of town, it should be here,” he said of past council discussions.

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