09-11-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 28, 2023 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 15 Benson asked what temporary means with regard to this remodel and when could the temporary station be ready for occupancy. Edwards said he was looking at about one to three years and projected the facility would be useable by July 1, 2024. Benson asked about extra requirements for a building to be used as a fire station versus a public works or recreational facility and how the added expenditure would add value to City infrastructure if it was only going to be used temporarily. Edwards said there are extra requirements and that could involve extra expense but he could not be more specific and that is why the City is bringing in experts for the design. He said there are additional structural requirements but he was not sure how many would be applicable for a temporary use building. He said if there are specific things the City has to do just for a fire facility, that is what the experts will advise on, but there are items that would be needed for that building regardless of its future use. This item is asking for approval through the schematic design phase of the project, he said. The City sought a contract with a service provider that would give some flexibility. He agreed that there are unknowns for this facility for this use. He added it may be possible that the temporary facility is not needed if the City is successful in negotiating with Long Lake for use of the existing facilities. Veach she had reached out with many of the same questions and appreciated the answers. She noted the cost of the contract is up to $30,000 to get through the schematic phase and that is what they would be voting on. Johnson said he had a legal question for the City Attorney and asked if there is a legal reason this should not have been on the Consent Agenda. City Attorney Mattick said the consent agenda is a judgment call by the City Administrator and Edwards had explained it well. Johnson moved, Crosby seconded, to approve the Public Works Building architectural contract to schematic design. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 1 (Benson). 11. BULK WATER FILLING STATION Benson said again she would not consider this to be a routine agenda item and it does involve an expenditure. She would like to hear why this expenditure is necessary. Edwards said this item was originally intended for the City Engineer’s report. It is for a bulk water filling station at the new public works facility. He likened it to a gas station for water. Users can come up, enter a code and fill with water and it will either record the amount for City use or issue an invoice to a vendor for bulk water use. Currently this is done with fire hydrants, which leaves room for error or dishonesty and possible damage to the water system opening and closing hydrants, he said. The piping for this was stubbed in as part of the building but the valves and meters still need to be purchased. The vendor would be the prime contractor on the building using their subcontractor for plumbing.