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<br /> DRAFT <br /> ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - AUGUST 31. 1998 12 <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 bcen 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 happcn, 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 /> 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 /> threc months to complete construction documents. <br /> Councilmember Larson asked about the costs for completing construction plans, Mr. Vesterholt <br /> stated to-date the effort put forth equals 35% of the total fee and the construction documents are <br /> 40% of the total fee. <br /> Councilmember Larson statcd he is also inelined to delay preparation of the 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 /> 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. If bids are received in the Spring, historically. there is more activity and less competitive <br /> bids. <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 /> Mayor Probst agreed the most competitive bidding occurs when contractors are not busy and he <br /> believes the schedule proposed is the most optimal. Hc 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 /> Councilmember Aplikowski stated if negotiations occur on September 14th. the Council wonld <br /> know about the outcome of those negotiations by the next Council meeting and that would still <br /> allow a decent time frame, <br /> Mayor Probst asked if the City has a currcnt cost cstimate 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 current 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 project 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 /> Mayor Probst stated that the Council has had many discussions about the appropriate location, <br /> timing, and inability to conelude the land transfer and lease at this site which has been very <br />