Council discusses selling maintenance property and purchasing steel building; market evaluation proposed

Council members discussed a proposal to consolidate municipal maintenance operations by selling a parcel that currently contains a fabricated maintenance building and using proceeds to help pay for a new steel building on the city maintenance site.

A preliminary contractor bid for a 50-by-40 insulated steel building (standing-seam style) was reported as roughly $135,033; the bid covered the building shell, insulation, doors and stem wall but did not include excavation, geotechnical work, electrical, mechanical, civil engineering, special permits, inspections, winter-condition allowances, mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems or the building permit. Council members said those additional costs would be bid separately and could be substantial.

Council discussion noted the existing fabricated building is not easily moved after interior insulation and finishing, and that selling the parcel with the building "as is" could be more practical than relocation. Staff suggested obtaining a market evaluation from a realtor to estimate the property value before proceeding. The council did not take a vote; members generally supported pursuing a market evaluation and obtaining bids for standing the new building.

Council also discussed utility access for the lot (no water meter currently in place), potential impact fees for new meters, and how selling the parcel could consolidate operations at the remaining city maintenance site. The item was left for further staff work and future council action.