In early April City Council approved a budget amendment of $60,233 for the former Standard Times building. After inquiring I learned the earnest money was actually $47,500 and staff had added money used for a building assessment. They did so for simplicity.
On 6-3-21 City staff signed a contract engaging Freese and Nichols, an engineering firm, to conduct an assessment of the former Standard Times building. A 6-11-21 "Requisition Approval City Manager Level" document indicated City Council approval was not needed, nor was a budget amendment.
The proposal arose under an engineering master agreement in place since September 2015. The city's chronic lack of engineering staff meant much work needed to be outsourced.
The contract was enacted under a 2019 master contract agreement.
City Council never approved the building assessment. A portion of the funds were rolled into the recent budget amendment but their actual use was categorized as "earnest money."
Council will need to work in earnest to approve funds for asbestos abatement in the City's newly owned office space.
The assessment had a number of recommendations for the building but the one figure that stood out was the cost of asbestos abatement, over $180,000. Staff had this information in hand prior to the city closing on the building.
City Council approved $950,000 for the building purchase. Did they know an additional $180,000 may be needed for asbestos removal?
Update 5-23-23: The city budgeted $14.3 million to upgrade
the Standard Times building for Public Works and other departments.
Staff will move from the former First Financial Bank building (City Hall
Annex) into the Standard Times space. At that point the cost to
upgrade the former bank building for a police station will be
identified.
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