04-14-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 14, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 21 of 30 (18. POLICE GARAGE AND ADDITION PROJECT, 2750 KELLEY PARKWAY, Continued) (a) Site Plan Review and Variance (Public Hearing), Continued Kleineman pointed out the exit corridor on the overhead. Kleineman stated the Police Department is in need of additional storage space. The locker room is used by both the Staff and the police officers and consists of small lockers that are not big enough to adequately house their uniforms and equipment. Kleineman stated the bathroom areas should be separated from the locker room area. In addition, the garage currently only has three stalls, with one stall being used to store evidence. Kleineman stated currently the police officers are required to remove all their equipment from the squad cars every shift because the equipment cannot be left outside exposed to the weather. Kleineman stated they looked at expanding the garage area to accommodate 14 to 16 squad cars. Kleineman indicated the front entryway to the city hall building consists of a large counter that provides little privacy and allows anyone who comes into the building to see Staff’s desks and equipment. Kleineman stated following their review of the available space, they identified various areas that could be improved upon. Other site issues reviewed involved possibly eliminating one of the entrances off of Old Crystal Bay Road, developing a better entrance off of Kelley Parkway, and improving the parking lot. Working sessions were held with the City Council members at various times and a concept plan was developed as well as a possible budget for the project. Kraus-Anderson was then brought on to the project and cost estimates were developed. Kleineman stated during this process, they went through a number of different renditions looking at different possibilities. Kleineman stated there were also issues associated with theft and vandalism that needed to be addressed. Kleineman noted the existing buildings are brick and concrete with metal roofs and that they wanted to match the existing facilities as close as possible, with a number of materials being looked at. Kleineman stated during this review, a brick façade on the building was eliminated, the overall size of the proposed garage was reduced, and the existing floor space in the police department was made more efficient. Kleineman stated the overhead depicts the existing layout of the site. Kleineman stated it was important to provide a secured area for the squad cars and an emergency operating center that could also double as a large meeting space. Under the current plan, a multi-purpose meeting room was added, the bathrooms were expanded, and additional lockers were added. On the south end of the parking lot, a separate entrance off of Kelley Parkway into the public parking lot was added, with the middle access being eliminated. A private secure area is proposed to the east that would provide the Police Department with storage and parking. Kleineman displayed the proposed plan of the site. Kleineman noted the parking area for the Police Department includes space for 14 vehicles and approximately six feet was added to expand the lockers and meeting area. In addition, the space was reorganized to provide more efficiency. Kleineman stated a small mezzanine area was also added into the roofline for storage and mechanical equipment. Kleineman displayed a picture of the exterior of the buildings. Kleineman indicated the new areas match the existing façade as closely as possible without being brick.