Agenda - Council - 04/14/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Can we reduce or eliminate SAC or WAC fees? Sewer and Water Access Charges (SAC & WAC) for this project are estimated at $30,000. Historically, it has been the City's policy to pay WAC fees for any municipal project. The City Council does have the authority to deviate from this informal policy if desired. Regarding SAC fees—the City does not have the ability to simply waive this charge. Sewer services are provided by the Metropolitan Council (MetCouncil)—not the City of Ramsey. All sewer fees collected by the City are forwarded to the MetCouncil. The City DOES have the ability transfer SAC fees paid on one property to another (assuming the former property is demolished and cleaned; and that the new owner will pay their appropriate SAC fees). In the case of this project, the City will have SAC credited after the former municipal center site is demolished and cleaned. Unfortunately, the City will be required to pay MetCouncil SAC fees at the time of building permit (about April 2015) for the new Fire Station #2; and the City will be credited SAC fees after the former municipal center site is cleared (about May 2016). As a result of the conflicting timing, and the risk of demolition not occurring on the old municipal center site as anticipated, MetCouncil is unwilling to transfer credits to the new Fire Station #2 project. With this in mind, the City will receive their appropriate SAC credit in 2016; and may utilize said credits moving forward (i.e. economic development projects, other municipal buildings, etc.). Can we utilize fill from the old municipal center site for this project? Staff had a conversation with the buyer of the old municipal center site. The buyer has indicated: if they determine (through their planning and design process) that excess fill is available, they would be willing to sell excess fill to the City for Fire Station #2 (at market rate). BKV Group has indicated they will include an 'alternate' in their bid documents indicating fill may be located nearby this site. The City will likely not get an answer from the buyer until March/April. The City should not count on this potential savings. Why do some portions of the original design include a flat roof? Small portions of the original design include a flat roof for three reasons: (1) to allow for safe access locations to the roof from the interior of the building, (2) to provide space for mechanical equipment storage, and (3) building articulation and aesthetics. Can the City save money by not including capitalized interest in the funding solution for this project (as shown in a previously proposed bond run)? Yes, the City does have the ability to remove capitalized interest from the previously proposed funding solution. Over the course of the entire project, the City would save nearly $200,000 as a result of this adjustment. The proposed funding package has been adjusted and will be recommended by staff accordingly.