CC Minutes - 11/13/00 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilor Nathanson called for a summary on costs for construction, interest, design fees, and contingency. Brad Black of the Administrative Services Department reported that $22.7 million was budgeted for construction costs, $2.7 million for design fees including site work architecture, environmental clean-up, furniture, and equipment. He said that he did not know the interest amount. He noted that $500,000 had been spent on environmental clean-up. Councilor Nathanson expressed her desire to see the construction of the new library proceed expeditiously. She stated that this was not a matter of incurring additional expenses on the citizens of Eugene. She said that the City Manager's office, the council, and the committees had worked hard to cut the budget. Councilor Pap~ expressed his appreciation to the Library Foundation and the New Library Advisory Committee. He expressed his anger that there had been a contract with the design professionals to bring the project in within the budget constraints which were known before hand. He expressed his disappointment that those accountable for going over budget were not being held accountable and opined that it was making a bad impression on the community. He expressed his outrage that the design professionals had been paid $2.7 million and had not presented a project within the presented budget. He said that he would support the Capital Campaign Committee's request. Councilor Kelly also expressed his dismay at the bids for construction. He also took the opportunity to thank the NLAC and the Library Foundation. Councilor Kelly said that it was clear that someone "screwed up" and called for some accountability, both internal and external. He supported the challenge to the City made by the Capital Campaign Committee. In response to a question from Councilor Kelly regarding the amount of reserves in the Urban Renewal Fund, Mr. Carlson said that there was $6.7 million in reserve. In response to a question from Councilor Kelly regarding what the $200,000 from the Local Operating Levy would be used for if not for the construction of the new library, City Manager Johnson said that it would be used for library purchases or to reduce the amount of the levy the next time it was proposed to be renewed. Councilor Kelly suggested simply taking $1 million from Urban Renewal Funds and leaving the Local Operating Levy money out of it. In response to a question from Councilor Bettman regarding the definition of a responsible bid, City Manager Johnson said that "responsible bid" was a term used to define a qualified going business that could actually complete the project. Councilor Bettman also thanked the Library Foundation and the NLAC for their efforts. She said that she would support the challenge. Councilor Rayor said that he had opposed the addition of a fourth floor and the addition of 5,400 extra square feet to the facility. He opined that these extras were the reason for the cost overruns and said that a "yes" vote was a vote for no accountability and a "no" vote was a vote for accountability by the City. He went on to say that the only mistake the architects made was to not warn the City about the extra costs incurred by City additions to the original design of the building. MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 13, 2000 Page 18 Regular Meeting