08-17-09 WorksessionJ
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
August 17, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Pat Elliott; Fred Wroge; and Tom
Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; John
Stark, Community Development Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Brad Sveum, Fire Services Director; Dill Fillmore, Municipal
Liquor Operations Director; Barry Fritz, Public Safety Director; Chris Regis,
Finance Manager; Dave Conrads, Building Maintenance Supervisor; Rick
Regnier, Chief Building Official, Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to the City
Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING UNRESOLVED ISSUES RELATED TO DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT PHASE OF NEW POLICE/FIRE/CITY HALL FACILITY (MEMO
NO. 132)
Mike Cox, WOLD, requested the City Council discuss and provide direction on a few
unresolved issues related to the new facility so they can proceed with developing contract documents.
Mr. Cox discussed the proposed exterior materials and colors to be used.
The City Council consensus was to proceed with the materials and colors presented.
Mike Klass, WOLD, discussed the proposed exterior vertical fins and horizontal sun shelf
louvers, including spacing and depth.
Mr. Klass also discussed the proposed interior light shelves.
Steve Orfield, Orfield Laboratories, discussed the purpose of the fins/louvers/shelves is to
control glare and brightness, not energy. He also discussed automated shades for the common work
areas and their associated high cost.
Mr. Orfield was provided a copy of a summary from the Weidt Group findings on their energy
audit of the new facility. He stated he would be surprised if the report found energy savings to be
cost neutral
Council Member Elliott questioned the effectiveness of the fins, including the additional costs
and Mr. Orfield's comments regarding energy savings.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- August 17, 2009
City Manager Devich discussed the concerns expressed by staff related to the fins and light
shelves.
Council Member Sandahl expressed support for the design of the fins, light shelves/louvers to
control light and that staff would get used to them.
Mr. Cox stated his opinion that performance standards manifest as an image and shows on
the outside so there needs to be a comfortableness to portray that image in a way that works.
Council Member Wroge questioned the cost of the fins and the analysis of sun positions.
Mr. Klass estimated the cost to be $200,000 installed. They are most prominent on the east
and south sides of the building.
Mr. Orfield stated there is an analysis of the sun and it will be provided to the City Council.
Mayor Goettel acknowledged the importance of staff feedback and that being progressive can
sometimes be difficult the first time.
City Manager Devich questioned the need for interior light shelves, difficulty of dust control,
and the cost of maintenance.
Mr. Cox replied the shelves or blinds would be needed.
The City Council discussion included the size of the fins being minimal and the interior shelves
being acceptable with pivotal positioning for easier maintenance.
Mr. Cox stated the shelf cost is undetermined at this time.
City Manager Devich requested the City Council discuss the retaining of Orfield Laboratories
or doing a request for proposals for consulting services on the acoustical, lighting, and audio visual
design of the Council Chambers. He added the original Orfield Laboratories agreement was for a
proposal of a minimum of $100,000 and is not included in the project budget.
Mr. Orfield encouraged the City Council to utilize a professional design with superb lighting
and acoustics for the Council Chambers and meeting rooms.
City Manager Devich discussed the current equipment upgrades were made with the intention
of moving them into the new building.
Council Member Sandahl asked Mr. Orfield if his agreement included the Council Chambers
and all other meeting spaces.
Mr. Orfield said yes.
Council Member Fitzhenry expressed support for using one vendor to do all the work.
Council Member Elliott asked WOLD about the Farmington Council Chambers.
Mr. Cox stated WOLD did the lighting, acoustical and format design of the City of Farmington
Chambers. An outside group performed the technological audio visual equipment.
Council Member Elliott stated Farmington was pleased with the result and he believed WOLD
could do the work for Richfield.
Council Member Sandahl stated Orfield Laboratories should be hired and held accountable for
the work.
Council Member Elliott stated the City Council may not have the adequate knowledge on
these issues to hold Orfield Laboratories accountable.
Mr. Orfield stated he could work within the budget.
Special Worksession Minutes -3- August 17, 2009
City Manager Devich requested the City Council discuss the type of flooring for the lobby.
Building Maintenance Supervisor Conrads explained ceramic the lasts 25 years and terrazzo
flooring last 50 years at an additional cost of $42;000 which is outside the budget.
City Manager Devich suggested the flooring options could be an alternate in the bid process.
Building Maintenance Supervisor Conrads asked Mr. Orfield how long the fins have been
made, where they are in use, and their maintenance life.
Mr. Orfield stated the fins have been used in Europe and the modern fins have been made of
aluminum for 30 years.
Council Member Wroge requested a budget amount for Council Chamber audio costs.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:09 p.m.
Date Approved: August 17, 2009
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cneryi Krumnoiz ~ `~ v~en L. Ue~
.Recording Secretary City Manager