Council approves $667,700 contract for new HVAC at Magnolia Senior Center after staff cut original estimate nearly in half

Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a $667,700 agreement with Premier Mechanical Services to install a new central heating and cooling system at the Magnolia Senior Center.

Public Works staff said the existing system is beyond useful life and daily maintenance was becoming impractical; the work includes replacing cooling and fan units to provide a 50‑ton cooling capacity. The project had been originally budgeted at about $1.2 million in the capital plan; staff credited facilities staff and the city engineer for redesign work that reduced the expected cost by nearly half.

Council member Lester said he would vote no because he had not seen the final contract before the meeting. Other council members praised the staff's work and said the center — used for daycare and seniors — needed the replacement.

The motion passed 3–1, with Council member Lester voting no and Council members Bendo, Reinhardt and President Finn voting yes. Staff said funding will come from the city's capital fund and implementation will proceed under the Department of Public Works.