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<br />Progressive has a good reputation, was the low bidder on the project, and has a lot of experience <br />on this type of project. <br /> <br />Brian Zinnel, Progressive Consulting Engineers, appeared before the City Council and stated that <br />typically in the north central region of the country, you will only see two bidders for a steel water <br />tower project of this type. He stated due to the nature of the work, it is very specific and not <br />commonly done. He noted the actual structural specs and design are done by the contractor, not <br />by the engineer. He added the tower location was chosen in order to locate it closest to the <br />highest areas of demand; there are already two towers in the southern and eastern portions of the <br />City where the majority of demand is being met. He stated this location seemed the most ideal <br />and most advantageous to the distribution system. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated in his opinion, the City needs this water tower, even with a <br />water treatment facility. He noted this is not an improvement that is a throwaway improvement <br />by any means. He added it is staffs intention to try to maximize the efficiency of the City's <br />pumps and there are times when they are running constantly and the water is near the bottom of <br />both towers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig reiterated his concern regarding the location of the water tower, and stated <br />he agrees that the need for the water tower has been sufficiently demonstrated by staff. He asked <br />if the City is negotiating right of way access, and also whether staff is contemplating using the <br />water tower for a communications tower. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated as part of the purchase for this land, the City is extending <br />temporary access to Elmcrest Park until development of that parcel happens. He stated the <br />existing access will not change and at some point in the future, as development happens, the City <br />will have an opportunity to get access in there. He stated that one of the tasks assigned to <br />Progressive is to encourage use of this tower for communications equipment and hopefully <br />remove the monopole. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated that the City has signed Purchase Agreements for the property and <br />is ready to close on it next week <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey stated he was having trouble spending $5 million without more discussion by the <br />Council. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wise stated one of the Council's challenges over the next four years is getting <br />the Town Center some tax base and the only way for that to happen is through development. He <br />stated if the City waits on this tower just for the sake of putting off spending money, then the <br />City is also pushing back large-scale developments that might need a large amount of water. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look requested further information regarding storage capacity and pump <br />capacity . <br /> <br />City Council / January 27, 2009 <br />Page 13 of 20 <br />