Minutes - Council - 05/23/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion by Councilmember Peterson and seconded by Councilmember Zimmerman to approve the Fox Park budget with the inclusion of a bump-out parking'area. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Peterson, Zimmerman, Beahen and Beyer. Voting No: None. Ms. Hart explained that bids were sought for construction of a boardwalk for Lake Itasca Trail and Fox Park and the Finance Committee is recommending the bid be awarded to Flanagan Sales, the low bidder. Motion by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to adopt Resolution ~)5-05-110 awarding bid for boardwalk construction for Lake Itasca Trail and Fox Park to Flanagan Sales for a price not-to-exceed $124,000. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Zimmerman, Beahen, Beyer and Peterson. Voting No: None. Ms. Hart stated that the Finance Committee also reviewed a case entitled City Hall Remodeling. Special priority was placed on the Police Department needs for space and two scenarios were reviewed with regard to relocating them. Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to seek more fine-tuned cost estimates relating to extending the present Council Chambers into more room for the Police Department and to relocate the Council Chambers downstairs to the Seniors Area. Further discussion: Councilmember Peterson inquired if this motion was to approve that scenario or if it is just to get more information relating to it. He felt that other alternatives could be considered. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that he feels that step one would be to relocate the Police Department and perhaps following that would be to look at plans for a new Police and Fire facility. He felt that putting this off for years is not really saving money. Mayor Hardin stated that we have a building and it would make sense to look at utilizing that building. He added that he is not in favor of moving forward at this point in time as there are no detailed numbers. Councilmember Beahen inquired how much longer it would be before the cost details would be available. Councilmember Beyer stated that this has been talked about for years and this would be like dragging your feet again. She added that Councilmember Peterson did not "bat an eye" when money was asked for for park development. Councilmember Peterson suggested that maybe the Police Department would be happy with a different building. He added that he is not ready to vote on them expanding into the Council Chambers. Councilmember Beahen inquired about setting a time line on receiving the cost information. City Administrator Schroeder stated that the direction the Finance Committee gave was to use the concept that shows the Council Chambers. We would get refined costs, one of which would be to reconfigure doorways for handicap accessibility, etc. In any case, we will be coming back to the Committee/Council with cost estimates prior to proceeding with anything. He felt he would be able to get some fairly decent numbers on one or another concept within two to four weeks. Mr. Schroeder reported that his original goal was to provide for a temporary means to last 10 years or so to avoid any new construction to be paid for with the City's replacement fund. Any other approach would be a delay. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that the Federal Government paid for Ramsey's City Hall so there was no tax dollars stuck into this building. Motion failed. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Beyer and Zimmerman. Voting No: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Beahen and Peterson. City Council/May 23, 1995 Page 15 of 18