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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964 06-22 CC MIN77 Natonai City, California, June 22.,-.1964 A SPECIAL MEETING of the City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Gautereaux. Council members present: Alien, Colburn, Hogue,. Morgan, Gautereaux. Council members absent: None. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS present: Carstens, Gautereaux, Hess, Minogue, Osburn, Stockman, The meeting was opened with salute to the flag by City Manager Hess, followed with invocation by E. H. Alsdorf. MAYOR GAUTEREAUX stated the first item to consider is the proposed agreement with the architects, Freeland and Bird. City Attorney Car- stens stated it is a basic architect's contract,: prepared by Freeland and Bird, and appears to be somewhat liberal, Councilman Morgan stated he objected to Article 12 which says an inspector approved by the arch- itect is to be hired by the City; he feared this would relieve the arch- itect of his responsibilities if the inspector were to approve work which did not meet specifications; he could understand the inspector being present when concrete is poured, etc., but could see no reason for a full-time inspector. Director of Parks and Housing Gautereaux was present and stated when the Swimming Pool and the Community Build- ing were under construction, he was appointed inspector for the City with the approval of the architects and served in that capacity with no increase in cost to the City; there were times when he stopped the work when specifications were not being met. E. H. ALSDORF, 2105 J Avenue, was present and asked if another architect besides Bird was going to be given the opportunity to bid and has the City Manager provided the architect with the figures as to the amount of space required. Mayor Gautereaux stated Freeland and Bird were se- lected by the Council, the information as to space, etc. was given to the architects previously and is being used for the new location. City Manager Hess stated the cover letter to the proposed contract indicates the architect will determine the size, number of departments to be housed, etc. from interviews with department heads, members of the Coun- cil, and from his knowledge of facilities in cities of like size. Mr. Alsdorf said he was sorry only one architect was being considered be- cause this would mean only one idea would be presented. Councilman Hogue stated he believed it would cost an architect about S5,000 to prepare drawings, etc. to submit a bid. Mayor Gautereaux stated at the time Freeland and Bird were selected by the Council it was from about 5 or 6 architects, all of whom were interviewed by the Council. City Manager Hess stated he believed the professional standards of the AIA would preclude bidding competitively. COUNCILMAN COLURN asked if the City Attorney would suggest how Article 12 might be changed to protect the City. City Attorney Carstens stated we might add something to the effect that nothing contained in Article 12 would in any way detract from or diminish the architect's responsi- bilities in Article 2 and approval by the inspector would not relieve the architect of his responsibilities. COUNCILMAN MORGAN stated pse was not against Freeland and Bird doing the job but he would like to/something as to size as they work along. Mayor Gautereaux said the proposal stated a building of 30,000 square feet or more. Councilman Hogue stated the architect has suggested the members of the Council meet with him individually and no plans have been drawn as yet; suggestions as to size and construction could be made then. Vice Mayor Allen stated he would not know what to tell the architect to do; but to get this off the ground we should accept the contract with the correction in Section 12 and be prepared to go along with the idea of r:.ducing some spaces and possibly increasing others; possibly in this location we would have to build a multi -story building. 6/22/64 78 Moved by Allen, seconded by Colburn, the contract be accepted with the amendment to Article 12 as recommended by the City Attorney and Free- land and Bird be instructed to bring in drawings and carry out the terms of the contract. Carried, by the following vote to -wit: Ayes: Allen, Colburn, Hogue, Gautereaux. Nays: Morgan, COUNCILMAN HOGUE inquired if we would build one building or two build- ings, one on another site. Vice Mayor Allen stated he would say nothing until the architect has decided how many square feet we are going to need; we may have to move the Police Department to make room for expan- sion; we just keep taking more park land. Councilman Colburn stated the architect should suggest through the use of alternative drawings or plans what he considers the best use of the site; he is against the lo- cation chosen but is not going to let it keep us from progress; the most practical plan might be the most expensive because we might have to build temporary buildings or rent space while the new building is under construction. Councilman Morgan stated he favored building every bit of the Civic Center here, with all employees housed here. MAYOR GAUTEREAUX stated he thought the Council should be considering how to pay for whatever Civic Center plan is chosen, Councilman Morgan stated he favored general obligation bonds over lease back because the cost is less. Councilman Hogue stated the people have voted against bonds and he does not believe bonds would pass. E. H. Alsdorf outlined the cost of the new Imperial Beach Civic Center and stated we could use the money in the Civic Center Fund and we could borrow what is needed over the Fund from the local bank. MAYOR GAUTEREAUX stated although a majority of the people favored a bond issue, he did not think the necessary 2/3 could be obtained, and he, therefore, would favor lease -back., with the heaviest payments fall- ing in the later years when the tax base is broader. Councilman Colburn asked if early pay-off of the indebtedness would be possible under this method. City Manager Hess said it would be with a penalty. Councilman Colburn stated it is possible within a few years, with possible land sales, we would have the money for a Civic Center without financing. Councilman Morgan stated i'` we can get the Civic Center in line on this site we will have no trouble getting the bonds to pass. MOVED BY HOGUE, seconded by Gautereaux, the Civic Center be built using lease -back financing and as soon as we vote on the plans, the City Mana- ger be given authority to notify these co;:panies the financing will be open to bid. Vice Mayor Allen stated he favored a further study of the lease -back situation, we should not say immediately we are going to fi- nance this way but that we will pursue this further. Bob Worthy, Presi- dent, National City Junior Chamber of Commerce, was present and stated he favored waiting to see what the cost would be and then putting the bonds on the November ballot, maybe it will pass. If it does'nt pass then will be the time to arrange lease -back financing. Mayor Gautereaux withdrew his second to the motion; Councilman Hogue withdrew the motion. MOVED BY ALLEN, seconded by Colburn, the possibility of building a Civic Center with lease -back monies be further pursued and the public be in- formed of the difference in interest rate between that and general obli- gation bonds and if we agree on the plans for the building we proceed along those lines. Councilman Colburn asked if this authorized the City Manager to go into general obligation bonds. Vice Mayor Alien stated if it does not, he will include it. City Manager Hess stated lease -back and general obligation bonds both have advantages and disad- vantages and as no financial institution will give an exact quotation except under sealed bid, there is no additional information which can be presented to us until we have the plans and know exactly what will be needed. Vice Mayor Allen, with the approval of his second, included in the motion the bond issue will be on the November ballot. Amended motion carried, by the following vote to -wit: Ayes: Allen, Cotburn, Hogue, Gautereaux. Nays:; Morgan. 6/22/64 79 VICE MAYOR ALLEN stated if we are going to have a bond issue, let's get together and get the thing rolling. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Allen, the meeting be closed. Carried by unanimous vote, The meeting closed at 8;56 p,mP ATTEST: CITY CLERK 6/22/64