Public safety building: construction update; council approves $18,266 turf and fence change order

City project managers told council on Sept. 8 that construction of the Public Safety Building is progressing, with many exterior and structural elements complete and interior finishes advancing.

Ethel, the project manager representing AGCM, said site and utility work are largely complete and that many trades—storefront, mechanical, electrical and sprinklers—are nearing finish. "We are still on budget," she said, listing percentage-complete figures for masonry, millwork and flooring and noting one pending change order under review.

Council then considered a separate change order to add artificial turf (about 867 square feet) and a privacy fence at the fitness area at a combined cost of $18,266.80. Council members debated options including sod, tire-chip aggregate and turf; one council member recommended surveying police and fire personnel before spending the money, while others cited maintenance trade-offs and potential chemical exposure concerns. Staff said the turf carries a 15-year warranty and that the proposed installation would be built on a compacted aggregate base.

After discussion, Council Member Brad Allfinger moved to approve the change order; the motion was seconded and the vote carried 5–0. The approved change order will be incorporated into the project contract and paid from the project budget.

The project-manager report and the change order approval close current action items for the project’s near-term schedule; staff said remaining activities include millwork installation, flooring completion and landscape/fencing.