HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2004-03-22 Item 4C - Council - Council Chambers Remodel and UpgradeOriginal Sponsor:
Timeline:
Sponsor's Summary:
Recommendations:
Sponsor:
Committee:
Administration:
Cost Impact (if known):
Fund Source (if known):
Meeting Date
2/2/04
Meeting Date
3/22/04
COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
Initials
Meeting Date Prepared by I Mayor's review 1 Council review I
3/22/04 FI
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CAS Number: 04-011 I Original Agenda Date: February 2, 2004
Agenda Item Title: Council Chambers Remodel
Council
Present update and obtain Council's decision on desired final option.
$103,496 $503,330
303 Fund
Admin.
Attachments
Information Memo dated March 17, 2004 plus Attachments A -E
Utilities Committee Minutes from March 2, 2004 Meeting
I TEMN O.
c
Public Works
In early 2003, Council was briefed on a plan to correct audio, display, presentation, seating
and equipment problems in the Municipal Court/Council Chambers. Subsequent Council and
Committee meetings resulted in changes to the Project proposal. Council will be briefed on
final options and will be requested to decide on an option that best fits the needs of the City.
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Action
Revise Upgrade Proposal and remand to the Finance and Safety Committee.
INFORMATION MEMO
To: Mayor Mullet G
From: public Works Direct
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Date: March 17, 2004
Subject: Council Chambers Unorade Project
ISSUE
Obtain Council decision on the proposed Council Chambers Upgrade Project.
BACKGROUND
In early 2003, Council was briefed on a plan to correct audio, display, presentation, seating and
equipment problems in the multi purpose facility that serves primarily as a Municipal Court and
Council Chambers. The Upgrade Project incorporated the needs of the Court, City Council,
Planning Commission, Staff, and the general public.
Subsequent Council and Committee meetings resulted in changes to the Project proposal.
During the March 2, 2004, Utilities Committee Meeting, Staff was requested to present to the
Committee of the Whole, alternatives listed below.
DISCUSSION
Before deciding on an option, it is important to consider the following factors:
As briefed in earlier presentations, funds for the upgrade project would be provided by
the 303 Fund. Note that there are many competing projects in the 303 Fund Project
Listing. The costs for the projects underway, and those in the design/planning phase,
exceed the 303 Funds budgeted amount.
Through negotiations with COMCAST, it is possible for the City to obtain additional
funds to offset the project costs. Use of the funds would be restricted to capital
equipment related to establishment of a city information channel and government
cablecasting. In consideration of the funds, the City would be required to relieve
COMCAST of its responsibility to provide the necessary equipment for local
government cablecasting. The amount of funding provided by Comcast would be
passed through to subscribers. Note that this additional funding from COMCAST is
only possible with Options 1 and 2
The Municipal Court is the primary user of the multi- purpose facility. In most cases,
the Court Staff uses the facility 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. A critical piece of
equipment used by the Court (analog recording system) is antiquated, unreliable and
wholly inadequate for recording testimony. Additionally, the facility is not outfitted
with ADA accommodations and does not have a jury box.
The multi purpose facility has not had a significant upgrade since it was opened
approximately 20 years ago. The sound system is marginal at best, furniture is worn
and mismatched, and the carpet needs to be replaced.
At the Utilities and Finance and Safety Committees, Staff was, requested to evaluate the
following six (6) options:
Option 1: Approve the Upgrade Project that includes the basic minimum requirements,
ADA accommodations and a few recommended enhancements. Estimated cost:
$503.330 (see Attachments A B). Layout of the major components is depicted in
Attachment C. This option is the most expensive but will solve existing problems and
meet the needs of the Court, Council, City Staff, Planning Commission, and the public
Option 2: Same as Option 1 but eliminate ADA accommodations, upper "lip" for dais
and labor premium. Option 2 was developed to show the estimated cost of the complete
project without the ADA requirements, the "lip" and the anticipated labor premium. The
labor premium was removed with the assumption that the Municipal Court will be
successful in finding an alternate location to conduct court proceedings. Estimated cost:
$389.699 (see Attachments D E).
Option 3: Purchase the Digital Recording System, upgrade the sound system, replace
the carpet, and replace the furniture. Estimated cost: $103.496
This option provides a partial solution but will not solve concerns by all users. For
example, the display and presentation system that facilitates professional multi -media
presentations will continue to be an issue. The Court will not have a jury box, and
ADA accommodations will not be included in the project. However, this option will
provide the Court, City Clerk and the Planning Commission with a reliable digital
recording system that facilitates better recording and faster retrieval of information.
Furthermore, the new carpet and furniture will enhance the aesthetics of the facility.
Option 4: Same as Option 3 but eliminate carpet replacement. Estimated cost: $90,193.
Modification of Option 3 above, was requested by the Utilities Committee.
Option 5: Purchase only the Digital Recording System. Estimated cost: $8.976
This option provides only a temporary solution to current problems. According to the
vendors, the Digital Recording System is a state -of -the -art equipment but must have a
well functioning audio system. The existing audio system is plagued with crackling and
humming noise. If the audio system is not upgraded, the quality of recording will be
degraded.
Option 6: Do nothing and indefinitely postpone. Total cost: $0
This is not a viable option. The Court, Planning Commission, and the City Clerk need
reliable audio recording and playback equipment.
As noted above, Council has a range of options. Of the six options, Options 5 and 6 are not
viable; therefore not recommended. Options 1, 2, 3 and 4 offer the best alternatives for the
City.
RECOMMENDATION
Present to the Committee of the Whole for discussion and selection of final option.
attachments: A. Technology /Equipment Requirements Cost Estimate for Option 1
B. Construction, Design, Furniture Cost Estimate for Option 1
C. Council Chambers Diagrams for Option 1
D. Technology /Equipment Requirements Cost Estimate for Option 2
E. Technology /Equipment Requirements Cost Estimate for Option 2
(P.JkeJ* Maio -Could CWm*c't Upgrade Project-Willits-COW)
Council Chamber Upgrade Project
Construction Design and Furniture
Attachment A
Option 1
Council Chambers Upgrade Project
Technology / Equipment and Labor Cost Estimate
Attachment B
Option 1
City of Tukwila Council Chambers
Upgrade Project
Diagram 1
Attachment C
Council Chambers Upgrade Project
Diagram 2
Attachment C-1
Council Chambers Upgrade Project
Construction Design and Furniture - Less Labor Premium Upper Dias and ADA Accomodations
Attachment D
Option 2
Council Chambers Upgrade Project
Technology / Equipment and Labor Cost Estimate - Less Labor Premium Upper Dias and
ADA Accomodations
Attachment E
Option 2
Utilities Committee
March 2, 2004
Present: Pam Carter, Chair; Pam Linder, Dennis Robertson
Jim Morrow, Frank Iriarte, Bob Giberson, Gail Labanara, Lucy Lauterbach
1. Solid Waste Rates The City currently has a franchise agreement with Sea Tac Disposal for
garbage pickup. Their contract calls for annual rate adjustments to the service portion of their bill
based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In April their rates will increase 1.31%. For the most
common size garbage can for residences, the increase will be about $.08 per month. Pam C asked
that the price for the most commons sized receptacles be included in public information. For a
large commercial container, the price will go up about $.80 /month. Frank said they will publish
the information about the rates in the Hazelnut and on the Web. The garbage contract expires in
April, 2005, and there may be some issues about whether to keep the same hauler; and what to
ask of them if we do keep them. Pam C asked about the complaints about the company, and Jim
and Frank said their customer relations person was good. Pam L raised the issue of some
apartments
not having recycling. With our large apartment population, it would be beneficial if we could
include recycling at most apartments. Staff will ask Rebecca Fox about this, and she can report
at the next meeting what has and what could be done. Information: reschedule recycling issue.
2. Council Chambers Upgrade This issue has already been to a COW and then to Finance and
Safety. Finance asked for four options to be developed, from doing nothing to doing the whole
project. The project has been pared down from the "Cadillac" version first proposed, and it now
includes adequate but not fancy retrofits. Even so, doing it all costs $503,329, which takes a
large part of the 303 fund budget. Pam L said she had four questions, and if they could be
answered satisfactorily, she could support doing the entire project. Her questions clarified what
was included in the project. Pam C had questions about several of the descriptions in the detail
sheet, as they were unfamiliar to her. The Committee also tried to find the difference in cost of
putting in an ADA ramp or using a portable lift, since the former required moving a door and
other modifications. Staff said the total cost of the ramp and its requirements for moving the
door, and the cost of a lift were roughly similar. The Committee asked about the ledge on top of
the dais, and were told it costs about $13,000. They opted to take it out. Gail told the Committee
that removing $20,000 items would not affect the larger picture when the cost is $500,000. Pam
L said she could support doing Option 4.
Staff explained that Comcast would pay up to $100,000 for capital improvements. However, the
cost would be passed on to subscribers at $.75 /month until it was paid off. Pam L said she didn't
want to charge subscribers.
Dennis said he was concerned about the possible budget implications of Eyeman's most recent
initiative and declining city revenues. He proposed doing Option 3, which is the digital recording
system, plus new audience chairs. The carpet shouldn't be replaced until the electronics are put
in. If the other items in Option 4 were then held until next year, the city will be in a better place
to know what its finances were. If finances are good, the project could be finished, and if they
are poor, the City could live with the improvements made this year. Recommend Option 3 with
furniture and the 303 active and design list to COW.