HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 [05] May 21 May 21, 2015
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in Special session
on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 5:30 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schuitz, Councilors: Dale Wick, Bob Loso, Matt Kiliam, Renee Symanietz.
City Administrator Judy Weyrens
City Representatives: Police Chief Joel Klein, Finance Director Lori Bartlett
Others Present: Murray Mack, Preston Euerle, Steve Plantenberg, Irene Reber, Mike McDonald, Kari
Petri, Logan Gruber.
Facilitv Planning; Mayor Schultz stated the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the facility needs of the
City, both community center and administration/police. The City has been working with ISD 742 and have
a tentative agreement to sell the former Kennedy School (Colts Academy) to the City. The details of the
purchase agreement have yet to be approved but staff from the City and School or working on a draft
agreement. Schultz stated that the facility committee indicated that a community center was a priority for
the City, followed by public safety. Once the agreement is finalized by both entities, he would like to get
the facility committee back together to discuss programming. The City not actually have fufl use of the
facility until 2017 at the latest.
Schultz stated that the City needs to decide whether the City Office/Public Safety remain at the current
site and some type of construction project is completed or if the building is sold and the City moves afl
services to the Colts site. Schultz further stated that he once thought that administration could move to
the Colts facility and the Police department could remain at the current site; however, in talking to the
Administrator and Police Chief they two services should be in a combined facility to take advantage of
equipment and staffing.
Loso stated that he has not been made aware of any purchase of the currently facility and would like the
Council to focus on the City Nafl facility first, whether that is remodeling or using the old plans. He further
stated that he would like to recoup some of the time and resources that were spent on the design plans
completed in 2014. Murray Mack, HMA, stated that the only way to recoup those costs are to construct
the building that was designed. The construction plans were built to fit on the existing sit and were based
on demolishing the existing structure and starting over. Mack stated that the only way to save the
resources on the former planning effort is to construct the facility as planned.
Killam questioned whether or not the building that was designed could be placed on the excess property
at the Colts site. This would allow the City to save money on relocation and demolition. Mack stated that
that option cold be explored, but it might be an issue as to how to the tie the buildings physically and
aesthetically.
The Council discussed the options with the facility at the current site. Construction Manager Steve
Plantenberg reminded the council about the number of iterations they went through before the final
decision was to design the building with demolishing the existing. He stated that the building that was
designed was a long term solution for the City but there were concerns on parking and the use of the
community room. If the City is now moving the community room to the Colts site, some of the issues
such as parking are no longer an issue as parking requirements could be met for and administrative
center. In addition, the space that was to be used for a community room could be used for future
expansion and it could possibility be built without that portion at this time.
Loso stated that he would like to see the financial impact for constructing the City facility. Mack
responded that the City did bid the project and had a final cost of 4.2 M. If the project were to be bid
again it would increase in price due to inflation. He stated that if the City does intend to complete some
type of project it would be best if the project were bid in early January; therefore, the plans would need to
be developed this fall.
May 21, 2015
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Mack questioned the Councii as to what they envision for the Colts facility and how it would be utilized.
The Council discussed using the building for gym space, senior center, rooms for community groups to
use, and maybe library or historical center space. Mack stated for the purposed discussed the ceiling
height and room configuration could work. He would have to verify the upgrades completed by ISD 742
and if there are any building code issues.
After considerable discussion the Councii requested that Mack provide the Councii with a cost estimate to
continue the planning process with the following considerations:
1. Cost to examine placing the 2014 Government Center Design on the Colts property,
attaching to the existing facility.
2. Cost to examine remodeling the existing facility—revisit some of the old iterations.
3. Costs to consider options for space sharing
Adiourn: Wick made a motion to adjourn at 6:30 PM; seconded by Schultz and passed
unanimously.
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Ad inistrator