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August 2012 |
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Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "I think there's probably violent agreement that we need a Public Works facility. Based on reports, it's going to cost at least $4 million. How do we anticipate paying for it?" Replied Mr. Uram, "It would have to be a combination of existing cash and debt service. In a growing community, the debt piece is going to be going on for a while. Our street reconstruction projects should be completed in a couple of years, but we have ongoing commitment to infrastructure." "New debt service?" asked Councilmember Roden. "That's correct," replied Mr. Uram. "As a growing community, we kind of bet on the future. My first inclination would be to use the cash we have. It's not earning anything right now." Asked Councilmember Roden, "Is there a temporary plan for city offices? This building has a number of issues. I'd urge us to be really creative, to address also a temporary solution for city offices. I realize there'd be costs associated with that. I would like to see a global solution, which may be incremental. I'm glad we're moving forward with the RFP tonight." Said Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "We're not being asked to approve the project tonight. This is an administrative event and not near as important as when we will need to address things down the road." "What are the latest problems with City Hall?" asked Mayor Thun. Replied Mr. Uram, "In the rear of the building, water comes in the back door. We bring in the fan to dry out of the rug. And there's a petroleum smell we occasionally experience in the office area. It's not in harmful quantity. It's a nuisance. It's a challenge. The fix would be unknown because we really don't know what it is ... I've had a study done on this building. It's got two pages of building deficiencies." Asked Mayor Thun, "Are you comfortable as boss keeping the employees in this building?" Replied Mr. Uram, "This building is not adequate for my staff, for your staff, for the public. A temporary move to a trailer is disruptive and costly. The ideal situation is finding a location within the city limits. We've always looked at the 13.5 acres. I've had discussions with a developer on that. We're looking at alternatives." He said he'd like to move staff out tomorrow. The 13.5 city-owned acres are located just west of the Stieger Lake Bridge, between the Stieger Lake Townhomes and the Dairy Queen. Asked Mayor Mary Thun, "Would it not be prudent to add 'x' number of feet in the RFP for designing city office space?" Replied Mr. Uram, "If Council would like me to add something more specific for that, I could do that." Stated Mayor Thun, "I want a commitment for these people to incorporate space for city offices! I also want to know the average price of homes in this city. I think it's $340,000 to $360,000." Continued the Mayor, "About three years ago we put money into this [city office] building. My concern is that this city with over $300,000 as a median price home would even fathom keeping our people in a building like this. This is hard for me." "I'm not sitting here advocating for more taxes," she said, "but I think we have to be more aggressive on this. Kelly is coughing, water rushes in the back door, none of us would live in a place like this. We justify this because we're afraid of raising taxes. Come on, Real Estate Committee! Let's get going! Let's include it!" Said Mr. Uram, "Based on the proposals we receive, we do interviews and then nail down the square feet." "All your five companies are experts in designing Public Works facilities," the Mayor pointed out. "Do they also have expertise in City Offices?" "Public buildings," replied Mr. Uram. The motion to solicit RFP's will be for the possible construction of a Public Works Building as well as new City Offices. Estimates are it would take 12 months to build a P.W. building and 18 months to build a City Hall.
KELLY GRINNELL IS FINANCE MANAGER VICTORIA DOES SOME RESTRUCTURING Council voted unanimously July 9th to appoint Kelly Grinnell, current Finance Clerk, as Victoria's Finance Manager/Treasurer effective July 16th. Jylan Johnson recently resigned as Finance Director. Said Administrator Don Uram, "We worked on restructuring, to redefine the job and title. Eleven applications were received. The most qualified is Kelly Grinnell. Staff is recommending Kelly be hired and also that we hire a financial clerk." Kelly has been with the city 4 and 1/2 years. At the same time, said Mr. Uram, "we continue to evaluate the front desk positions and overall staffing situation." Councilmember Tom O'Connor clarified that it is a budget savings of about $30,000. Replied Mr. Uram, "It's working out that way. It's been a positive change."
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