City Hall renovation and seismic upgrade
City Hall renovation estimated at $7.9 million, about $10.4 million with contingency and relocation; a congressional earmark was reduced from $2 million to $1.7 million and bond options are being modeled for early 2025.
- Where it stands
- In review
- Type
- Public project
Every hearing and vote
January 11, 2024 · City Council work session
Review of 2023 retreat goals
Discussed
The six priorities were police services, Spring Lane, affordable housing, City Hall renovation, stormwater and roads. A 2023 accomplishments summary will be published and the 2024 retreat is set for February 29.
February 15, 2024 · City Council
Work meeting: City Hall seismic options
Discussed
Seismic renovation with upgrades was estimated at $350 to $400 per square foot, versus $10 to $15 per square foot for full demolition. Council Member Gray reported recycling truck damage of over $100,000.
April 25, 2024 · City Council
Work meeting: City Hall seismic presentation
Discussed
The council was briefed on the Level Two seismic option, renovation phases and funding timing. About $80,000 was estimated for replacing the City Hall water cooling system. Juneteenth will be observed on the Monday of the holiday week, aligning with the state.
May 9, 2024 · City Council work session
Discussion on the tentative budget
Discussed
Property and sales tax make up about 80% of general fund revenue; police is about 35% of expenses and fire about 14%. The tentative budget includes a 15% property tax increase generating about $1.1 million and a 4% cost-of-living adjustment; Council Member Fotheringham suggested increases about every three years. The county public works contract rose about 5% (about $150,000). The stormwater fund collects about $1 million a year with no fee increase proposed. About $350,000 is budgeted for City Hall design, $30,000 for bus shelters and $35,000 for sealing two playground surfaces. Year-end fund balance is $7.6 million, of which $1.8 million is restricted; the council goal is to keep it at or above 20%.
June 6, 2024 · City Council
City manager report: finances and City Hall earmark
No action
Through May, property tax and sales tax were each about $100,000 below budget and franchise taxes were expected to exceed budget by about $150,000. Representative John Curtis's office indicated a $2 million earmark for City Hall seismic work, about 20 to 25% of project cost.
July 11, 2024 · City Council
City manager report: grants
No action
A federal resilience grant for City Hall seismic work did not advance. A congressional earmark was reduced from $2 million to $1.7 million, with construction possibly beginning in January 2026. A $100,000 state safe sidewalk grant requires a match.
November 7, 2024 · City Council
Work meeting: options for funding Spring Lane and City Hall
Discussed
The bond adviser said City Hall is estimated at $7.9 million, with about $1 million of exclusions such as HVAC, for a project total of about $10.4 million including a $1 million contingency and about $600,000 for relocation. The Spring Lane park is estimated at $7.5 million in most scenarios. One scenario is a $4 million bond using a $1.7 million earmark, ARPA funds, $7.7 million from capital projects and $1.5 million of fund balance. Council Member Fotheringham said fund balance should be preserved for roads and storm drains. Staff will run more scenarios for early 2025.