The action before the City Council is the approval of a professional services agreement with OPN Architects, Inc., to provide expertise and facilitate in the process of completing a municipal space needs study for the City. The main emphasis of the study will be to investigate the opportunities available for relocating or expanding existing City facilities in part due to the substantial growth the City has experienced and is projected to experience in the future. A previous facility needs study was completed in 2015 that led to several recommendations being implemented such as the construction of the new Kirkendall Library in Prairie Trail, renovating the current Public Services Building, and renovating the vacated council chambers in City Hall.
The intent of City staff is to have an overall study completed as a joint effort between the staff and the architect utilizing previously completed studies, design work, and current and future needs of City departments. The study will be a comprehensive review of City buildings that will also provide conceptual options for the best way to locate/relocate the departments in an economically efficient approach currently housed in the Public Services Building, City Hall, Police Headquarters, Public Works Maintenance Facility (including the Water Department portion), and the Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Facility.
Included in that comprehensive review will be a focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the buildings, possible expansions of those buildings, relocating offices to other buildings, constructing new buildings on City property, and re-utilizing or disposing of unused properties. Also included will be the development of an immediate (12 months), short-term (1-4 years), mid-term (5-10 years), and a long-term (10+ years) sequence of events, establishing the necessary stages of design, construction and/or remodeling activity.
OPN Architects was chosen by staff to complete this study after an RFP process and interviews. They propose to complete the study for an amount not to exceed $67,200. The duration of the study can be expected to take four (4) months. The scope of the architectural services and corresponding fees for the services are shown in the attached consultant agreement. |