Page Last Updated: 3.19.2012
Proposed Public Works/Police Facility
The Medina City Council, Tuesday, February 21, 2012 approved the
purchase of the Clam Corporation building, located at 600 Clydesdale
Trail, at a cost of $4.125 million. The city plans to renovate the
69,487 square foot building for police and public works. The city is
waiting for the executed copy of the purchase agreement from Clam
Corporation. The agreement calls for closing on the facility by
March 2013, but includes a provision to move the timeline up if Clam
Corporation is able to find a new home prior to this date with a 90
day notice.
The City of Medina's existing Public Works Facilities are located
at 2052 County Road 24, on the same site as City Hall. The existing
facilities consist of a 7,400 sq. ft. building for storing vehicles,
maintenance area, equipment and offices, as well as an outdoor
storage area, salt shed, fueling facility and brush pile.
A Citizen's Advisory Panel studied existing City facilities from
2006 to 2007 and reported in July 2007 to the City Council a
recommendation for a new Public Works Facility and a new but
separate City Hall/Police facility. A Public Works Facility was
identified as Priority #1. Details of the Pa
nel's analysis and
recommendations can be found in the Panel's
Facilities Master Plan
Executive Summary.
The City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) has also been
identifying a need for a new Public Works Facility as early as 2004,
with initial completion scheduled for 2007.
The picture on the right is of the existing Public Works
Facilities.
The City's Facilities Master Plan identified the following needs
for constructing a new Public Works Facility:
- The current site and yard are not sufficient to house public
works vehicles, equipment and operations.
- The existing site is non-conforming with City Code
regulations.
- Safety concerns consist of poor ventilation, work
circulation, spacing between work functions, storage of
tools/carts, parts open to spillage/contamination with
lubricants.
- Lockers, showers, meeting/training space, lunchroom and
offices are insufficient or non-existent.
- Area for cleaning and maintaining vehicles is non-existent.
- Lighting, heating and everyday environmental needs are
lacking.
The City completed a Facilities Master Plan, which in 2007
originally recommended a project scope including a new facility of
45,000 sq. ft. as part of a Phase I construction, the acquisition of
20 to 30 buildable acres, location near the Trunk Highway
55/Arrowhead Drive Intersection, estimated cost of $8,000,000 (land
& facility), and a funding source of General Obligation Bonds, with
partial funding from utility revenues.
In fall 2009, City Staff recommended a refined project scope
including:
- New facility of 30,000 to 35,000 sq. ft. (Phase I)
- The acquisition of 8 to 10 buildable acres for Phase I, and
consider securing 20 to 30 acres for long-term build out.
- Location near the Trunk Highway 55/Arrowhead Drive
intersection (with priority near Hennepin County Public Works to
maximize operating/cost saving efficiencies for fueling and salt
facilities.
- Estimated cost: $6,500,000 (land & building)
- Funding source of General Obligation Bonds, with shared
funding from water, sewer and storm water revenues.
Public Relations: In
addition to past project updates in the City newsletter, the City
hosted an Open House of the existing facilities on August 27, 2009
to provide an opportunity for residents to view facility conditions.
A presentation on the project scope, cost, financing options, and
schedule was provided at the Open House.
If the City issues $6.5 million in bonds with a 4%
interest rate for 20 years on the project, the annual debt
obligation will be $502,195. Because public works operations
consists of roads, parks, water, sewer and storm water, the revenue
sources to pay for the debt service would come from a share of
increased City taxes and utility fees. About 75% would be funded
from City taxes and 25% from utility fees. Here are some quick facts on the City tax and
utility fee impacts:
-
The City’s tax levy would increase by about 12.8%
(an additional $375,000).
-
Tax increases and utility rate increases would
occur in 2012.
-
The annual tax increase on a $300,000 home would
be $80
-
The annual tax increase on a $750,000 home would
be $226
-
The annual tax increase on a $500,000 business
would be $139
-
A water facility fee would be charged at
$57/yr. (or $4.75/mo) for each user.
-
A sewer facility fee would be charged at
$57/yr. (or $4.75/mo) for each user.
-
A storm water facility fee would be charged at
$30.99 per Residential Equivalency Factor each year (i.e. 1 REF = 1
urban residential single-family household).
The tentative schedule for the Public Works/Police Facility
project includes:
-
Summer 2012 - Preparation of plans,
specifications, and bid documents with preliminary approval of
bonds
-
Fall 2012 - Final project design, public bidding
on plans, and bond issuance
-
Spring 2013 - Project construction begins
-
Fall 2013 - New facility is completed/occupied
Project Contact:
Scott Johnson, City Administrator, 763-473-4643
email:
scott.johnson@ci.medina.mn.us