Lawrence-Douglas County

Fire and Medical

Memo

To:                    Mike Wildgen

                        City Manager

 

From:                James A. McSwain

                        Chief   

 

Date:                 June 23, 2005

 

Re:                   City Commission Agenda Items

 

Background  During the April 7, 2004 City Commission study session, the Fire/Medical Department briefed the commission on our request for consideration of the Station No. 5 and Station No. 4 projects as they pertain to the overall 1996 Public Safety Plan.  Staff received direction at that time from the Commission to move forward with these projects (Station No. 5 – construction; Station No. 4 – design).  The current Station No. 4 is located on Stonebarn Terrace and requires relocation to meet the city’s growth to the west.  The proposed site for Station 4 is on Wakarusa Drive, on property the city owns adjacent to the Clinton Water Treatment Plant.  The relocation will provide a reduction in response times to better meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards (90% of emergency response in 6 minutes or less).

The City Commission passed Resolution 6546 authorizing staff to negotiate a design and construction contract with Sabatini and Associates for Station No. 4. 

Current Status The design for a new Station No. 4 on Wakarusa Drive will be an adaptation of the construction documents Sabatini and Associates developed for Station No. 2 (located at 2128 Harper Street and constructed in 2002).  The plans will be suited to the Wakarusa site and include some minor interior changes and construction changes due to the site.

                      Land Costs – city property will be used for this site. This facility will be constructed immediately SE of the Clinton Water Treatment Plant on Wakarusa Drive.

 

                      Community Meeting – the community was invited to attend a meeting on May 5, 2005 to provide comments on the relocation of the station and station design.

          Facility Operational Costs – since this is a station relocation and not an additional station, staffing and equipment will be relocated, thus we anticipate no additional annual operating costs.

·            Facility Construction Costs - Sabatini and Associates has estimated the     total project costs to be $2,585,364.  This estimate includes $2,111,240 construction; $211,124 contingency; art and furnishings $122,700; fees and reimbursables $140,300.

         Long Term Financing Costs of the Building* - Ed Mullins has provided the following estimates:

 Annual Average Payments assuming 3.5% interest rate.

                        12 year debt    $270,000 = .36 mills

                        20 year debt    $183,000 = .24 mills

 

Note: 1 mill = $ 753,852 (FY 2005)

*The debt levy impact of the debt payment is the estimated initial impact; this impact will likely decrease as future assessed valuations increase.

Note – The disposition or reuse of the current Station 4 facility on Stonebarn Terrace is a topic for future consideration.

Action Item Staff is requesting the following items be placed on a City Commission agenda for consideration.

·    Affirm design and construction plans for Station No. 4 (Wakarusa Site)

·    Adopt a resolution authorizing $2,600,000 in debt financing

·    Set a bid opening date of July 26, 2005

Please let Deputy Chief Bradford or me know if you require any further information.

 

Attachments:               Project Cost Summary Sheet

                                    Cost Estimates Comparison with Station No. 2

                                    Stonebarn Terrace Station - Background

                                    Station No. 4 Floor Plan