08-28-1991 Council Minutes City Facilites Public Hearing

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PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED CITY FACILITIES — AUGUST 28, 1991 N Jabbour noted that some of the interest has been used by the general fund. Finance Director Kuehn noted that the $2.5 million is the net out of certain funds. It probably earns $150,000 per year. All the interest is not used per year. John Farnham, 3225 Carman Road, explained that he continues to be intrigued by the criteria that was used to select the size. He noted that there seems to be two different theories going: comparison theory and based on need. He felt that basing things on needs, wants, wishes or dreams get all mixed up sometimes and he felt that there should be a check or control on the needs. Jabbour noted that Mr. Farnham has been invited to Design Committee meetings in the past and has never shown up. He therefore felt that Farnham has no way of knowing-how the Council has reached their decision. He explained that the Design Committee is made up of very capable people. He also noted that standards for size in industry have been used to calculate. Jabbour invited Farnham to be a part of the solution. He noted that Mr. Farnham must spend all his time trying to disprove the Council's decisions. Farnham noted that he may show up at the next meeting. He also stated that he is not an expert on where to cut space. He noted that he does not spend all his time trying to prove them wrong. According to the federal government bible, a building should have 80 -180 s.f. per person. The proposed calculation has 500 s.f. per employee. Jabbour noted that the square footage allowed per person ranges from 58 s.f. /person to 750 s.f. /4 person with the administrator having the most square footage at 250 s.f. Desyl Peterson, 4385 Chippewa Road, explained that she cannot imagine the amount of time the Council has spent on all the issues before the City. She felt that the Council has been more than responsible and more than taxpayers could expect from anyone. She was astonished that they had been meeting on a weekly basis and on what they have done to cut the building down in size. She also noted that Orono does not have the second lowest tax rate in the County by accident. The Council has been very careful, 'and the result has been grossly inadequate. facilities. She is glad that future needs are being considered. She stated that she was glad there was not to be a referendum as she felt that they have been elected to represent the citizens in decision making and they expect them to bear that responsibility. Her first question about the building was, why can't the space around the Council Chambers be eliminated. 10