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Council signals preference for smaller long‑term public works facility at Rock Prairie, directs staff to negotiate land access
Summary
After a detailed presentation of three build-and-cost scenarios, the council favored 'program three' — a long-term, expandable public works facility on Rock Prairie — and asked staff to negotiate land access with the site owner (Beisma) and return with terms; Krennic Tap remains the fallback if negotiations fail.
City staff presented three program options and two sites for a replacement public works facility on May 18, and after extended questioning the City Council signaled support for a mid-scale long‑term option ("program three") on the Rock Prairie (Beisma) site while asking staff to attempt land access negotiations.
Public Works Director Emily Fischer and Capital Projects lead Jennifer Kaine walked council through a multi-year history of the current constrained William King Cole Drive (Krennic Tap) site and three sizing scenarios: a 20‑year full build (largest), a reduced ~10‑year target aimed at a ~$40M budget (which omitted administration space and would not qualify for certificates of obligation), and a 10‑year plus program three intended as a long‑term, expandable solution. Kaine said the Rock Prairie site offers substantially more usable acreage and flexibility for future growth; staff performed geotechnical borings and a phase‑one environmental desktop review there.
Council members pressed staff on operating impacts, including fuel consumption and the effect of relocating the sanitation fleet closer to Twin Oaks landfill. A fiscal estimate for debt service used a 5% borrowing rate over 20 years, staff said. City staff and the construction manager at risk (Rava) stressed that cost estimates are high‑level until final design, and that some elements such as covered parking can be staged to balance near‑term budgets and long‑term needs.
Council requested that staff: (1) pursue discussions with Beisma over acquiring or accessing Rock Prairie land, (2) return with negotiation outcomes and site‑specific cost details, and (3) present alternatives for Krennic Tap if the Rock Prairie path fails. No funding appropriation or binding land commitment was approved at the meeting; council direction was preparatory.
