Livonia council approves $78,312 pre‑construction contract for proposed police station amid debate over timing

The Livonia City Council voted to approve a not‑to‑exceed $78,312 contract for pre‑construction services related to the proposed new police headquarters, a step the administration said is needed to keep design work aligned with the project budget.

The city’s owner’s representative, Rick Erickson of Plant Moran, told council that a construction manager provides “cost estimating services” and constructability input that let the architecture team confirm the design is “in line with our budget.” Erickson said the firm would produce gate checks at the end of schematic and design‑development phases and help guide value engineering if numbers drift.

Council members and residents urged caution about spending before voters decide a bond or millage. Multiple council members said they were uncomfortable authorizing consultant work that could proceed before a public funding vote in August. Resident speakers and several council members described the request as premature and urged limiting the city’s exposure until funding is secured.

Finance Director Deborah Lichtenberg said the city will initially pay the consultant from capital project fund balances and, if the bond moves forward, refund those expenditures from bond proceeds. Lichtenberg told council she would provide updated CIP‑fund balances at the next regular meeting when asked.

Councilman Donovan offered the motion to approve the pre‑construction contract on the regular agenda; the motion carried by the council’s procedural vote.

Council discussion recorded several practical points: schematic design from Hobbs & Black is near completion; geotechnical borings were scheduled to begin the week following the study meeting; and the contract could be billed in phases so the city would only pay for hours used if the bond did not pass. Proponents argued that waiting could delay the project if the measure passes and that early cost estimating reduces the risk of late, larger scope cuts.

Opponents — including several residents and a city council candidate — repeated the concern that the city would be spending tens of thousands before citizens vote, calling the timing “putting the cart before the horse.” Council members asked the administration for a clear accounting of how much of the $78,312 would be spent before the August election; administration estimates given during the meeting suggested a significant portion could be used in the months leading to the vote.

The contract approved is for pre‑construction services to support the ongoing design work for a new police facility; the administration said the construction‑manager input would focus on cost estimating, constructability, and identification of long‑lead items. The council’s vote authorizes execution of the not‑to‑exceed agreement; the city indicated funds would come from existing capital project appropriations, with the intention to refund from bond proceeds if a bond passes.

The council directed staff to supply updated fund‑balance figures and clarified that the contract is phase‑based and billed for hours worked, limiting upfront financial exposure. The item will move forward to the regular meeting for formal placement on the June 2 voting agenda as part of the council’s standard process.