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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 25, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 25 of 29 (12. ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS, Continued) Printup commented this has been a 20-year conversation that has been had on and off. Printup stated by approving this, it will be a major commitment and it will take a lot of will to push it forward. Printup stated he has gone back and forth on the numbers and how to tell the residents the reasons for why it should be approved or not approved. Bremer stated police service, including the safety of officers and the squad cars, is one of the core services that the residents expect the City to provide. Bremer stated the garage should have just been planned for in the first instance. Bremer noted the City has a new reality now with the addition of the Mound, which has also created this opportunity. Anderson stated there is also the continued benefit of shared services. Anderson stated the City has to be able to accommodate a growing department as well as provide a safe environment for a lot of expensive property and equipment inside the squad cars. Anderson stated it seems to be the right thing to do if the numbers work out. McMillan stated the approach that is being taken also adds some functional amenities to the building that have been put off the side. If the City is going to do forward with the project, it makes sense to make the building as functional as possible as well as provide a safe place for the officers to work. McMillan stated the City Council also has to be mindful of the costs at the same time and that it is a big step but that she is comfortable with the idea. Levang indicated she appreciated having SKD on this project since they brought a whole new aspect to the project and that the functionality of the building will be increased significantly. Levang stated deciding how to pay for it will be the next step. Levang moved, Printup seconded, to approve the contract with Kraus-Anderson Construction as the construction management advisor and to approve the contract with SKD Architects, Inc., for architectural services. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT, CONTINUED Loftus noted December 9 at 6:30 p.m. is the final opportunity for residents to provide input on the City’s 2014 budget and tax levy. The third quarter building permit report shows the City is experiencing an uptick in building. Loftus noted that herself, the Mayor McMillan and Ron Olson met with the Hennepin County Assessor’s Office and they indicated that residential property values in the City will be increasing around two percent. Loftus noted that would be the first increase since the 2007 assessment period and are two fairly positive indicators of a modest economic recovery. Loftus reported the Fire Advisory Committee met recently and the year-to-date expenses are in good shape. The building was constructed in the 1990s and the fire department has been experiencing some mechanical equipment issues which will need to be addressed. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 12/09/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 11/25/2013 [Page 25 of 29]