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<br />, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />t <br /> <br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - AUGUST 31. 1998 <br /> <br />12 <br /> <br />Councilmember Aplikowski stated that until she sees the signed lease agreement, she will not <br />vote to move forward. She stated sometimes it takes two to three years to negotiate a lease and <br />the City has already been waiting for three years for this lease. She stated she understands there <br />is a time schedule but if the negotiations are to occur shortly, it may happen. Councilmember <br />Aplikowski stated she thought the Council made the commitment to want TCAAP and be in <br />control and she supports that with the City Hall being located there. But, if the City does not <br />want TCAAP then she will not vote to proceed with anything tonight. <br /> <br />Councilmember Larson asked what is involved if the Council does not authorize preparation of <br />construction plans and the resulting delay that could occur. Mr. Vesterholt estimated two to <br />thrce months to complete constmction documents. <br /> <br />Councilmember Larson asked about the costs for completing construction plans. Mr. Vesterholt <br />stated to-date the effort put forth equals 35% ofthe total fee and the construction documents are <br />40% of the total fee. <br /> <br />Councilmember Larson stated he is also inclined to delay preparation ofthc construction <br />drawings until it is assured the lease will be obtained. He noted it may only be a three month <br />delay which is not significant. <br /> <br />Mr. Vesterholt explained it is also an issue of timing because bids should be taken from now to <br />early next year while it is the slow time of year for contractors and a good time for a competitive <br />bid. Ifbids are received in the Spring, historically, there is more activity and less competitive <br />bids. <br /> <br />Councilmember Larson asked what percentage of increase would be experienced. Mr. Vesterholt <br />stated this is only theory and depends a lot on how busy the contractors are. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst agreed the most competitive bidding occurs when contractors are not busy and he <br />believes the schedule proposed is the most optimal. He noted it takes three months to prepare <br />construction plans, then the bid process occurs. It would take about six months to complete that <br />process which would result in a Spring construction. <br /> <br />Councilmember Aplikowski stated if negotiations occur on September 14th, the Council would <br />know about the outcome of those negotiations by the next Council meeting and that would still <br />allow a decent time frame. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst asked if the City has a current cost estimate of the building as being proposed. He <br />expressed concern that the dollars have moved up disproportionately based on the increase in <br />square footage. Mr. Vesterholt stated he does not have a currcnt estimate because they have been <br />waiting to secure Rice Creek Watershed approval for site work and the architectural team has <br />been investing time to get the proj ect to this point. He stated the mechanical systems have been <br />significantly simplified and more dollars added to the landscape budget. He agreed with the need <br />for a cost estimate once the documents are more accurate. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst stated that the Council has had many discussions about the appropriate location, <br />timing, and inability to conclude the land transfer and lease at tllis site which has been very <br />