HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.b. Fire Station #2CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
City Council Meeting Date March 9, 2005
AGENDA ITEM:
Fire Station #2
AGENDA SECTION:
Update
PREPARED BY:
Jamie Verbrugge, City Administrator
Dawn Weitzel, Assistant City
AGE
Administrator
ATTACHMENTS:
March, April, and May Calendars
APPROVED BY:
RECOMMENDED
ACTION: Information only No action requested.
ACTION:
At the work session on February 9, City Administrator Verbrugge presented information for
the construction of Fire Station #2 The project's timing, scope, architect, and issuance of the
debt was discussed Council indicated at this meeting that while they were comfortable with
the project's schedule, staff was to first pursue a reduced architectural fee.
Since that work session, a reduced architectural fee has been agreed upon by both parties
and the initial conceptual process is underway.
BACKGROUND
In 2003 the City acquired land for Fire Station #2 along the north side of Connemara Trail at
Azalea Avenue In 2004, it was determined that this location would be used as a satellite
station with the potential of accommodating future growth or change in operational use In
addition to fire operations, the facility will be designed to serve as a polling place and an
emergency operations center, as well as have the capacity to host public meetings and
events
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March will be a very busy month Mark Vetter (architect) will lay out a schematic design,
Todd Christopherson (construction manager) will determine an estimated project cost and
Staff and Spnngsted will be preparing for the issuance of bonds. As shown on the attached
calendars for March, April and May
March 11 Mark Vetter will provide Todd Christopherson with a schematic design of Fire
Station #2
March 15 Council to set dates for Open Houses (6 30 8:00 p m. March 29 and 31), set a
Public Hearing to declare the issuance of bonds (April 5), and set a Special
Update Fire Station #2
March 9, 2005
Page 2 of 2
Meeting date for the sale, consideration and award of bonds (6 30 p m. May 24)
March 17. Christopherson will provide the City with the project costs so that Staff can
provide the final structuring numbers to Springsted by the 18
March 23: 6 Special Council meeting to establish the planning process for the
architectural and construction phases of the project Discussion /distribution
of Open House materials.
March 29 and 31 6 30 8 00 p m Public Open Houses to present information of need,
preliminary design and associated cost.
In addition to the Public Hearing regarding the issuance of bonds, in April Staff will be
organizing a tour with Moody's Investors Service with the hope that our bond rating could be
evaluated for an upgrade from the current Al rating A bond rating increase would mean that
the City's bonds are more attractive in the financial marketplace which would translate to
lower interest rates
In May the final rating of the bonds will take place, the architect will complete the initial design
development and forward it to the City for planning review, and it is anticipated that Council
would hold a special meeting on May 24 for the consideration of the sale and award of the
bonds.
If all goes according to schedule the construction documents would be completed by August
19 with the bid process opening on September 20 and concluding three weeks later
Construction could then begin as soon as the end of October.
SUMMARY
The aggressive schedule of the Fire Station #2 construction process provides the City with
several advantages
The public hearing process and issue of petition for referendum would be resolved
before significant dollars had been spent on design /drafting of construction
documents and preparation of bid documentation,
By issuing debt prior to June 1, the City can avoid falling under legislative proposals
that may impose a hard freeze on property tax levies,
The City can anticipate spending less on materials (for example, the cost of steel is
steadily increasing)
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