HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-10-03 - City Commission Special Meeting Minutesi
C I
5811 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321
TELEPHONE (305) 722-5900
September 25, 1980
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
TAMARAC, FLORIDA
Please be advised of a Special Meeting of the City Council to
be held on Friday, October 3, 1980, at 1:30 P.M. in the West
Conference Room.
The purpose of the meeting is for architect interviews for
the addition to City Hall at the following approximate times:
Peabody & Childs 1:30 P.M.
Howard, Needles, Tammen &
Bergendoff 2:15 F.M.
Michael A. Shiff and
Associates, Inc. 3:00 P.M.
Council may consider such other business as may come before it.
The public is invited to attend.
Carol A. Evans
Assistant City Clerk
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
SPECIAL MEETING
ARCHITECT INTERVIEWS
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Falck called the Special Meeting to Order on
Friday, Octo er 3, 1980 at 1:30 F.M. in the West Conference Room
at City Hall.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Walter W. Falck
Councilwoman Marjorie Ketch
Councilman Irving Zemel
ALSO PRESENT: Ass't City Clerk, Carol Evans
ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Vice Mayor Helen Massaro
Councilman Irving M. Disraelly
Mayor Falck read the official Notice of the Special Meeting, including
the items to be discussed.
Mr. George Peabody, Architect, addressed the Council. He said his office
is located in Pompano Beach and is a very large office with a staff of
45 people. He said they perform all of the services in-house with the
exception of electrical and plumbing, and Civil Engineering, which they
do not do and use outside consultants. Occasionally they use outside
consultants on structural work, he said, depending on the size and scope
of the project. Mr. Peabody stated they have been in business six and
three-quarter years and have been quite successful, doing work all over
the area. At the present time they are doing quite a bit of work in
Tamarac, he said.
Mr. Peabody exhibited slides showing their work, he said they have had
as much work remodeling as any other firm in the area - he said in the
beginning they took every kind of work they could get and they still go
after the smaller jobs and not just the "plums". He explained that
showing the slides is the only opportunity an architect gets to show his
work since they are not allowed to advertise. Mr. Peabody described the
various work that his firm had done as he showed the slides of the work.
Mayor Falck explained to Mr. Peabody the type of work involved in the
City remodeling in order to give the City some much needed space and
he said the City is in the stage of approaching before too long the
building of anew City Hall complex, he said the City does not know
what form or shape that will take, however something must be done to
alleviate the pressures in the present City Hall and the only thing
they could think of was using the space between the bulges of the
City Manager's and the Council's offices to house some of the operations
in the interim.
Mr. Peabody said at the present time his firm is doing a couple of very
large jobs in Tamarac, including Toll Development. He also said they
would be doing a couple more projects at Woodmont for Toll Development.
Mayor Falck asked if it was practical for the City to be thinking in
the terms a:3 described with reference to the remodeling, Mr. Peabody said
he thought it was a good possibility, but he would like to see a little
money in the budget for some superficial treatment on the outside of
the building; however he knew they had to solve the immediate needs and
this would be the fastest way to take some of the load off since the
City is short of space. Mr Peabody said he thought that would be the
most practical way to do it since it would give the space the quickest
way and then the City would have time to plan its new buildings and how
it would be done.
Mayor Falck inquired whether Mr. Peabody had any idea what the cost per
square foot would be for the remodeling, Mr. Peabody said it was hard
to guess - but it would be more than the cost per square foot for a
new building, but he would guess around $50.00 per square foot for
the type of remodeling being discussed.
Councilman Zemel asked what the cost per square foot would run for new
construction - Mr. Peabody said their own building, which he had shown
them, was built two and one-half years ago and cost $26.00 per square
foot. It would probably be about $34.00 right now.
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Mr Peabody said he would say the City could build a new building and
do a nice job somewhere in the $35.00 - $40.00 per square foot range.
Councilwoman Kelch inquired if that would be just structural and not
include mechanics or anything else - Mr. Peabody said it would be the
building, it would include the dry wall, the ceilings, the paint - it
would include the insulation, heating and cooling and the plumbing and
electrical, elevators, etc.. However, it would not include carpeting
and that sort of thing. Mr. Peabody inquired what type building the
City was planning, Councilwoman Kelch said they did not know at the
present time. Right now the City is looking for temporary relief.
She explained to Mr. Peabody that the main floor of the present City
Hall would be expanded for the police and that would require special
security measures which should be figured into the price.
Mr. Peabody said the cheapest way is to build a new building, but the
quickest way is to remodel the present building.
Mayor Falck said his own personal feelings are that they will have to
do the remodeling and at the same time get busy on the other since it
takes so long to get the project through. Also, he said he was trying
to encourage the City Manager to do something in the way of grants,
even if it were a grant on a contributory basis. Mayor Falck indicated
he did want to get the job done since the City is so short of space.
The Mayor stated again, it was his personal feeling they would have to
get something done in the present building and immediately start to get
going with a building for the future.
Mayor Falck explained the present growth in the City is in the neighborhood
of 30,000 and it is projected to somewhere in the 75,000 range. He dis-
cussed the need for a new building to house the City offices.
Councilwoman Kelch brought up the question of whether it would be less
expensive to have an annex on the present property rather than adding
on to the present building. Mr. Peabody said that was something the
City would have to think out, it was not something he could pull out
of the air. Councilwoman Kelch said being laymen, they would need an
opinion. Mr. Peabody explained he has two licensed contractors he
uses for that type of analysis of costs. He pointed out that costs
are going up in all areas and it will not be any less expensive next
year.
Councilman Zemel said he was interested in the possibility of building
over the second parking lot, with a bridge across to it. He said he
wondered if it would be economically feasible. Mr. Peabody said they
can get a preliminary - then run some numbers on it -to see what it
would cost as compared to the new building. Mr. Zemel indicated he
was referring to the fact the City has a double parking lot and he
was thinking of the feasibility and economics of having a building on
stilts over the parking lot with a bridge coming over to the existing
building. Mr. Peabody said it would be an expensive way of doing it.
Further, he said in most instances he would not recommend it.
The next interview was with Michael Shiff and Associates, Michael Docsh
and Robert A. Sayers appeared for the Firm.
Mr. Robert A. Sayers, representing Michael Shiff and Associates introduced
Mr. Docsh, Senior Architect for the Firm. Mr. Sayers explained Mr. Docsh
would direct the design effort and manage that exercise in the office,
should their Firm be selected.
Mr. Sayers said in 1977 their Firm had been selected to do three concepts
for a Police Facility, Fire Station and a Civic Center. He said although
they were not selected to do the one building that has been constructed
which is the fire facility, they are delighted to see some of the concepts
they proposed are used in that building.
Mr. Sayers stated they are Broward County's leading institutional and
municipal architect in terms of gross volume, construction and design;
comments coming back suggest their design is innovative and refreshing
and that their buildings work well in South Florida, he said.
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Mr. Sayers also pointed out they have learned to work well with local
units of government and have learned that working with government is
different than working in the private sector. Also, he said they have
learned to work well with local contractors in leading the contractors
to produce the product desired according to the plans and specifications.
Michael Docsh presented a collection of slides he had brought with him
and explained them as they were shown. He showed a broad range of
work the firm had done in the last several years and discussed the
scope of services they offer, illustrating the fact that in many cases
they have very large budgets and in other cases low budgets. Mr. Docsh
said many of the things they do are innovative, however he stressed the
majority - 110% - are almost within the budget. Mr. Docsch talked
about architecture in general as he presented the slided for Council's
viewing.
Mr. Sayers stated the architect's primary mission is not design. The
existing building mandates the design style. He said as he understands
it, they will be enclosing a space - therefore, they see their mission
primarily as a builder and manager. The City has only so much space to
enclose, and they know whatever they have will be used. Mr. Sayers
explained they would like to help make certain the space will be impacted
in the best possible use. As a builder, he stated they would call upon
all of their experience in renovation work - which is very extensive.
As a manager, they would organize the resources of labor and materials
in a way that would be a minimum of interference to the daily conduct
of business in City Hall, and they would look to an early occupancy of
the space as it is available.
Mr. Sayers noted the severely limited budget, and the enclosure of the
building itself and said they would like to propose a way of closing it
in that would be the least expense to the City. He said they would
look for a structural system that would adopt the new to the old with
a minimum of discomfort and with the least possible impact upon the
daily conduct of the City's business.
Mr. Sayers said if the architect has the vision to look at the matter
in the light of a builder and manager, he felt sure the space could be
enclosed and used very successfully. He said he thinks that is the
kind of vision his firm has and they can make the space successful for
the City.
Mayor Falck asked what the cost per square foot would be. Mr. Sayers
said the square feet could run in a range from $30.00 to $50.00 - he
said $30.00 would be rock bottom figures and he is not sure that would
be a realistic figure, he would like to move up to at least $35.00 per
square foot. Depending upon the kind of structural system, $50.00 is
the top range. Mr. Sayers said it is his understanding the existing
building is approaching a stop -gap position with the planned building
of a new City Hall so he said it would seem to him they would want
to spend the least amount of money to enclose the space. The first
need would be to look at how the structural system can work, because
the greatest amount of dollars will go into the structural components
of enclosure.
Councilwoman Kelch inquired as to the feasibility of the suggestion
that the space be enclosed. Mr. Sayers replied that it is imminently
feasible. Councilwoman Kelch questioned the possibility of an auxiliary
structure, she asked if they are looking at the least possible expendi-
ture of money by suggesting the addition. Mr. Sayers told the Council
the best way to construct space is to determine the need, and determine
the cost. Mr. Sayers noted the space is pre -determined and seems to be
the most logical, rather than building an independant structure or an
appendage. He stated the least possible expense to give the greatest
number of usable square feet is precisely what is proposed.
Mr. Sayers suggested the architect look into the various options that
are available in the design of the enclosure and bring them to the
City for them to make the decisions. Councilwoman Kelch inquired how
much of the initial study would be included in the final cost - Mr.
Sayers stated 60 to 70% of the architects value, however it is measured,
in the project is "all .up front". From that point on, he said, every-
thing is the work of technicians.
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Mr. Sayers explained where the problem can exist is if the client is
billed for that type of preliminary study. Councilwoman questioned
if they are in a position to ask the firm at the presentation time
to bring something in that will be easily understood, without their
having to incur a large portion of their budget by doing so. Mr. Sayers
said once a contract is negotiated and the architect is instructed to
proceed, historically and typically they develop schematic design and
as many concepts as they feel are feasible are put together. He explained
the architect has to make some decisions, but the number of concepts are
based upon his ability to conceive them and he will come in with the
concepts and discuss them with the City and determination will be made
what is the best concept. After that, the architect goes back to develop
what is desired and comes back again for further discussion.
Councilman Zemel questioned what the architects share of a $170,000.
budget would be. Mr. Sayers said fees can not be discussed according
to the Competitive Negotiation Act, The Mayor agreed they should not
discuss fees. Mr. Sayers stated the architects and engineers, and
the clients, have been distressed over the inability to discuss the fee.
Mr. Sayers said all of the firms in South Florida are close in fees so
it would not be the determining factor in the selection of architect.
Mayor Falck said one of the determining factors is the statement made by
Mr. Sayers to the effect the proposed enclosure of space is not only
feasible, but he had looked at the budget and it is a practical way to
proceed. Further, the Mayor said he knew Mr. Sayers realized the City
is looking toward a new City Hall, and is looking at what the space will
do for the City in the interim.
Mayor Falck thanked Mr. Sayers and Mr. Docsh for their presentation.
The Meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM,
ATTEST:
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Carol A. Evans
Asst. City Clerk
i
Wa ter W. Fa I yo
APPROVED
ClT CON r
This public document was promulgated at a cost of $ or
per copy, to inform the general public and public officers
and employees about recent opinions and consideration by the City Council
of the City of Tamarac.
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