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Council approves next phase of public works facility study; consultant outlines 18–20 acre target and 85,000 sq ft need
Summary
Barrientos Design told the council Verona's public works operations need roughly 85,000 sq ft and 18–20 acres; council approved site assessment and conceptual design (Tasks 2 and 3) not to exceed $26,210.
The Verona Common Council voted Nov. 24 to direct Barrientos Design to proceed with site assessments and conceptual design for a new Department of Public Works facility, approving the next phase of work in a motion to proceed with Tasks 2 and 3 for an amount not to exceed $26,210.
Josh Cook of Barrientos summarized the findings of a recent facility program update, saying the city’s fleet and staffing have outpaced the 2017 study and that current shop bays cannot accommodate larger vehicles. "The optimal space needs called for 85,000 square feet of total facilities," Cook said, adding that the program assumed space for roughly 20 additional vehicles and room for anticipated staffing growth.
Barrientos recommended looking for an 18–20 acre parcel with 2.5–4 acres set aside for public yard waste drop-off and stormwater retention; the firm proposed evaluating around five parcels and shortlisting three for test fits before picking one parcel for conceptual design and a high‑level cost estimate. Council members repeatedly asked that the scoring matrix reflect ongoing operating costs, utility and grading difficulty, and public-safety considerations; Barrientos said those factors would be incorporated into the ranking criteria and that a high‑level cost estimate would accompany the conceptual design for the selected site.
City staff indicated capital funds are available to cover the work (current capital fund balance cited as $411,421). Barrientos estimated a four‑month schedule for completing the contracted work under the current scope. The motion to proceed with Tasks 2 and 3 was moved by Alder Tucker Long, seconded, and passed by voice vote.
Councilors emphasized the value of professional input, wanting a broad search to preserve bargaining leverage in negotiations and to minimize the risk of selecting a site that would require costly easements or extensive infrastructure work. Barrientos representatives said they would include narrative explanations in the matrix to flag utilities or grading problems even where precise dollar estimates are not yet available.
Next procedural step: Barrientos will begin the site assessment work and return draft findings and conceptual designs within the estimated four‑month window for council review.
