Council approves budget transfers, applies tower payment to fund administrative building remodel
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Summary
Council approved two budget transfers and accepted a communications‑tower easement payment to help cover the Administrative Services building renovation. McKinstry presented a $2.3 million construction proposal and volunteer restoration plans for the historic fire station.
Joe Leichner of McKinstry updated the council Nov. 5 on three city remodeling projects: the Administrative Services building (the former Chase Bank), the Public Safety Operations Center (former armory) and the historic fire station/city hall. He said McKinstry—s construction proposal for the administrative building is about $2.3 million after prior design and abatement costs.
Leichner said McKinstry offered a 10% discount on McKinstry labor for the city and that hazardous‑materials abatement and selective demolition have been completed. He described interior work including new office layouts, ADA bathroom upgrades and reuse of existing lobby tile; the firm is "just a little bit behind schedule" but targets mid‑April occupancy with a May completion date, noting electrical switchgear lead times could move completion into August.
On other projects, Leichner said the Arizona Department of Public Safety has provided a 50% grant for the Public Safety Operations Center and that design is advancing to meet a June completion tied to grant requirements. For the 1914 fire station, McKinstry and consultants have volunteered time for design and initial work and proposed using volunteers for non‑structural restoration; the company also recommended a chair lift or similar ADA accommodation to preserve historic exterior character.
Finance and council action: Council later approved two budget transfers to support the administrative building renovation: Order 2025‑11‑033 authorized a transfer not to exceed $300,000 from the City Manager's capital budget to the general fund administrative services building account; Order 2025‑11‑034 authorized up to $200,000 from the general fund reserve to the same account. The council also approved a communications facility easement agreement and assignment of a tower‑related ground release with Cheap Towers LLC and directed $493,612 from that transaction be applied to the administrative building renovation (Order 2025‑11‑036).
Mayor Jorge Maldonado and council members discussed timing, local contractor participation and the optics of moving funds while employees had been told raises were not currently affordable. Leichner said McKinstry proposed a guaranteed maximum price and that the city—s contract will include the guaranteed amount unless the city changes scope.
"We offered the city a guaranteed maximum price proposal. So unless the city changes the scope, you're gonna get it for the money that's in the contract," Leichner said.
