07-28-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 28, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 13 of 17 (11. ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT REMODEL AND EXPANSION – BID AWARD, Continued) Loftus stated the residential nature of the condensers is not necessarily going to change, but that in speaking with some of the Council Members that were around at the time the original equipment was approved, it was elected to go with the residential condensers as a cost saving measure. Loftus stated the alternate is for the same sort of system and that the city will not be going to a commercial system since it is cost prohibitive. Steve Klineman stated the newer systems are able to operate at a higher level than the current equipment and will be more efficient. Levang asked if there will be hot and cold zones. Klineman indicated it will be better than what currently exists. Bremer noted this issue was identified approximately five to seven years ago. Levang moved, Bremer seconded, to award the Orono Police Department remodel and expansion project to the contractors identified by Kraus-Anderson in the amount of $2,308,648, and to approve Alternates 4, 7, and 8, in the amount of $320,950. Bremer noted the funding source will need to be identified in the motion. Printup stated the report talks about a third option and identifies the General Fund Reserves and West Lafayette Road. Printup indicated he is not totally in favor of reconstructing Lafayette Road but that he is not in favor of taking the dedicated funds for Lafayette Road and putting them towards this project. Dennis Walsh, 1354 Rest Point Road, stated he finds it ironic that tonight’s meeting started with the 90th anniversary of the golf course, which was a project that was well broadcast and begging for money to improve a 90-year-old landmark. Walsh stated also speaking tonight was Bill Arons about his road and issues with the road crumbling; Source Land Capital, who was directed to go through a number of steps by the City Council; and then this application with the City of Orono. Walsh stated the City Council is taking this building project and basically saying, let’s pass it now so we can find out what’s in it, but that the residents are now finding out there is more in it than what they thought there was. Walsh noted the City Council has bypassed the Planning Commission and any public forum and only gave the public one week’s notice before voting on it. Walsh noted plans were also not available at City Hall to be reviewed by the residents. Walsh stated it appears to be a matter of do as I say and not as I do. Walsh stated this is a situation where the cart is before the horse, but that the City Council always requires everybody else to have the horse before the cart on their applications. Walsh stated the City Council is pushing things through incredibly fast on this project and that there are things that were not anticipated and not budgeted. Walsh stated in his view it appears the City Council has their priorities wrong.