HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 01-03-1995 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 3, 1995
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at
6:10 p.m. in the Conference Room of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on January 3,
1995.
PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Edson, Helliwell and Wold.
ABSENT: Councilmembers Anderson, Lymangood, and Granath.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Public Works
Director Moore, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Safety Director
Gerdes, Park Director Blank, Finance Director Hahn, and City Clerk Ahrens.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS RENOVATION
Assistant Manager Lueckert stated that three options have been proposed for
renovation of the Council Chambers. The first option would create a new entrance
to the City Center/Public Safety Building with an estimated cost of $1.1 million.
The majority of the cost is related to the building connection. She said that some
direction is needed as to whether the Council is interested in considering this
option further because the City Center construction is underway and would be
affected.
The second option would change the shape of the Council Chambers dais and
include a central presentation podium. A secondary presentation area will be
considered. The conference room would be eliminated in order to enlarge the
Chambers; however, there is a conference room included in the Administration
department renovation. This option retains the air handling mechanical unit at the
entrance to the council chambers.
The third option is identical to the second option, except the air handling unit
would be moved to the outside wall of the building, thus allowing the entrance to
be moved and providing for a larger congregating area outside of the Chambers.
All options include updating of the video/audio system within the Chambers.
Jeremy Bork and Michelle Brown, from Trossen-Wright Architects arrived at the
meeting.
Mr. Bork said the cost of the electronics, audio, and video portion of the contract
under all of the options is about $300,000, and that cost is included in the
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January 3, 199'
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estimated costs. He said the estimated costs are $1.1 million for the first option,
450,000 for the second option, and $500,000 for the third option.
Mayor Tierney asked how seating in the Chambers would be affected.
Mr. Bork said the plans do not provide for more permanent seating, but they all
would provide for additional temporary, movable seating, similar to the existing
seating. There would be about 90 permanent audience seats under options 2 and
3, and 120 seats under option 1.
Manager Lueckert said that when enhancements of the audio/visual equipment are
made, some room modifications must also be made. She also said that the existing
placement of the air handling mechanical unit limits the flexibility of the room.
Mayor Tierney said there is not currently enough hallway space outside of the
Chambers. She does not favor option 2 because the air handling unit location
would not move and the existing entrance to the Chambers could not be changed.
She also would like to continue considering option 1 at this stage which would
create a new entrance to the buildings and remove the existing dark hallway
entrance to the City Center.
Councilmember Helliwell concurred that she would support continuing to look at
options 1 and 3. She agreed that option 2 does not make sufficient changes for the
cost that would be incurred. She questioned how many seats are needed,
considering the future growth of the City.
Councilmember Edson said he recently worked on a church expansion project, and
that people will perceive a room to be full when it is actually 80 percent full. The
Council should consider expansion now even if all of the seats are not currently
filled at every meeting. He supports at least option 3 which would move the air
handling equipment, but is not yet convinced option 1 and a new entrance to the
buildings is justified. He asked when funding sources will be proposed.
Assistant Lueckert said staff will provide plans, costs, and funding options in
February.
Councilmember Helliwell asked if the existing exterior of the building would
remain the same under options 2 and 3.
Mr. Bork responded yes.
The Council discussed that the Community Improvement Fund could be one
possible source for funding project option 1.
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January 3, 1996
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Councilmember Edson noted that the funding of the audio/visual improvements
about $300,000) would come from the cable fund. However, the additional
800,000 for option 1, could be used for many other things such as construction of
trails; playfields, land acquisition, etc. The Council has made implied commitments
to trails/sidewalks and open space, and further information is needed on the
possible funding sources for options 1 and 3.
Mayor Tierney asked if option 1 could be staged.
Mr. Bork said that option 3 could be built now, and option 1 could be considered
in a few years. However, there are advantages architecturally and cost savings in
doing option 1 now with the city center renovation. He said that about 70 percent
of the $200,000 cost for the City Center link could be saved if option 1 is built
with the project.
The Council requested that further information on funding sources for the various
options be provided at the next regular meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Lau a F. Ahrens
City Clerk