1977-12-13 Council minutesPage 911
December 13, 1977
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting
Held Tuesday, December13, 1977
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the-adjourned meeting of the City Council,
City of Mend.)ta Heights, was held at 6:45 o'clock P.M. at the City Hall,
750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Mayor Lockwood called the meeting to order at 6:45 o'clock P.M. The following
members were present: Mayor Lockwood, Councilmen Losleben, Mertensotto and Wahl.
Councilman Schaberg had notified the Council that he would be unable to attend.
FORMAT
The Mayor explained the proposed format for the interviews,
noting that the introduction would be by the City Administrator,
that the architectural candidates would be given approximately
twenty minutes for a presentation, reserving approximately
twenty minutes for a question and answer period. Several
Councilmen indicated that they had questions that they intend
to ask of the candidates. After general agreement and
understanding of the format, Mayor Lockwood asked that the
first candidate be introduced.
BETTENBURG, TOWNSEND Mr. Gordon Comb and Mr. Arthur Hagland of Bettenburg, Townsend,
STOLTE & COMB Stolte and Comb were introduced and asked to make their
presentation. A number of colored slides and associated
floor plans were shown, all designed bv Bettenburg personnel.
Mr. Comb indicated that the fee of $21,000 would be firm
despite any different bid price if the same design concept was
used. He indicated that they would work with a citizens' com-
mittee in the development of the total plans. He indicated
that they engage a seperate consultant firm to provide electrical
and mechanical designs. Members of the Council queried
the candidates as to the maintenance qualities of the building
as shown in the preliminary report. Mr. Comb responded that
the maintenance would depend on the quality of the materials
used in construction. He indicated that he would like to see
more than $300,000 available for the building as preliminarily
designed. After answering several other questions, the
Mayor thanked Mr. Comb and Mr. Hagland for their presentation.
ROBERT BUROW Administrator Johnson introduced Bob Burow and Dave Runyon,
ARCHITECTS after which they made a presentation. A number of slides
were shown, including a number of slides from the Burnsville
and Roseville public works garage sites. Mr. Burow
indicated that he and Dave Runyon are planning to merge their
firms and explained the advantages of such a merger.
Mr. Burow had visited the proposed site of the public works
garage and had made a preliminary sketch along with a proposed
work program that indicated the steps he would follow if
selected.
ADKINS ASSOCIATES
TROSSEN/WRIGHT
Page 912
December 13, 1977
Several Council members queried the candidates on the
maintenance qualities of the proposed building. The
candidates' answer was that the quality of the materials
would determine the degree of maintenance necessary.
Mr. Burow indicated that the screening of the site was a very
important aspect of the design, that the City should adhere
to its own Zoning Ordinance requirements. Both men indicated
that they were flexible in their approach and that they would
work out the design and development criteria with the
client. Mayor Lockwood thanked the candidates, and the inter-
view was concluded.
Administrator Johnson introduced Bob Jackels and Bob Morgan.
Mr. Morgan showed a series of slides indicating the
governmental work performed for the City of Minneapolis, City
of St. Paul, City of Milwaukee and other governmental agencies.
They stressed their ability to work with all people of the
community in development of facility plans. They indicated
the necessity of full and two-way communications. Upon query
by several Councilmen, Mr. Jackels indicated that concrete
block buildings are competetive with other buildings
and would be more dependable from a maintenance standpoint.
Mr. Morgan and Mr. Jackels indicated that they would redesign
the building at their expense if the bid was considerably in
excess of the architect's estimate. They indicated that
Northern States Power recently constructed a similar facility at
$30.00 per square foot and that the proposed budget of
$300,000 is very minimal. There being no further questions,
the interview was concluded.
Administrator Johnson introduced Donald Wright and Ben Samuels
of Trossen/Wright. Mr. Wright indicated that their design
for five automobile firms' facilities were most similar
to the needs of Mendota Heights. They explained their firm
and its location on Marie Avenue in West St. Paul. Mr. Samuels
proceeded to list the advantages and disadvantages of metal
buildings, indicating they could design a building for the
budgeted money and requiring less maintenance than the
anticipated metal building. He indicated that a concrete block
building is being built on St. Paul Port Authority property
for $18.00 per square foot. This did not include heating, but
did include pilings.
They indicated that they would work with community committees,
preferably with one or two representatives or the Chairman.
Councilman Wahl questioned the use of seal on d'nder blocks.
They indicated that this was a practical method of sealing
concrete buildings. Mr. Wright advised that if the budget
of $300,000 is short, that the building should reflect some
degree of quality rather than quantity. He noted upon
questioning that their fee is 7,f6of the construction costs and
that they would redraw the plans if the contractor bid was 10%
over the architect's estimate. Mayor Lockwood thanked the
aandidates and the interview was concluded.
DISCUSSION
MISCELLANEOUS
Page 913
December 13, 1977
The Council reveiwed the presentations, reviewing some of the
statements made by the candidates. Some discussion ensued
as to the Master Plan for the site, several Council members
indicating the possible need for location of fire fighting
facilities at the site. It was agreed that such details should
be left for discussions with the selected architect. It was
also noted that the proposed public works garage is to
reflect a utilitarian use rather than a "monument."
This would require the need for practical construction.
Although preferences were expressed by some of the Council
members, it was the concensus that the matter be continued
to December 20th so that all Council members could be present
to take part in the decision-making process.
Administrator Johnson distributed a copy of the proposed Code
Enforcement Officer job description for discussion at a future
meeting,
ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council,
Mayor Lockwood moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 11:07 o'clock P.M.
ATTEST:
go40±-4 coLu
Robert G. Lockwood
Mayor
u
Ka hleen M. Swanson
Deputy Clerk