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Council delays vote on ballistic sheathing change order for new public safety building
Summary
Council discussed a proposed $18,866 change order to add ballistic sheathing to select offices in the new public-safety building, debated coverage equity (police vs. fire areas), contingency impacts, and directed staff to obtain more quotes and designs before a vote at the next public hearing.
The Josephine City Council declined to approve a proposed change order at tonight’s meeting and directed staff to return with additional cost estimates, design visuals and options at the next public hearing. The change order would have added ballistic sheathing to several office spaces in the new public-safety building at a cost of $18,866 to be paid from the project's owner’s contingency.
Council members questioned whether the building’s existing construction (12-inch reinforced concrete with rebar in some locations) already provided adequate protection and expressed concern about selectively protecting some internal offices while leaving other areas — including fire-department spaces and exterior/perimeter areas — without the same treatment. One councilmember said he preferred funds be used to upfit patrol vehicles with ballistic protection rather than retrofit interior walls. Staff confirmed that portions of the building are concrete while other areas are not, and that the contractor and project manager could supply more detailed drawings and placement options.
Project manager Ethel Hudgins (AGCM) summarized the change-order request and recommended splitting the change order into components so council could consider them separately. City staff said the owner’s contingency remains healthy but that anticipated furnishing and equipment costs will draw on contingency later in the project. Council agreed to request three price quotes and to see visual designs of the proposed fence/roll-up door and patio area before taking final action. A motion to postpone final approval and to present options at the next public hearing passed unanimously.
Council emphasized that any retrofit should be equitable across affected staff and that perimeter and patio safety measures might be a higher priority than adding interior ballistic sheathing in isolated spots. Staff will return with cost comparisons — including the current change-order figure and two additional quotes — and a visual design for council review.
