$143K project slated to begin in mid-January
“The project includes opening up the clerk’s area by removing the two offices that are behind the clerk’s office now, and moving vehicle registration to the clerk’s office,” said City Manager Austin Bleess. “The current vehicle registration area would become four offices and a storage closet.”
Additionally, two alternatives were added to the base project. The first option, which would raise the bid, includes new flooring and paint in the Council Chambers, the alcove outside the chambers, and the bathrooms. The second scenario, which would lower the bid, involves reusing lights for the offices instead of purchasing new ones.
The city set aside $143,532.46 for this project, with $36,664.58 coming from the G 137-03 account, $72,867.88 coming from the G 1-373-12 account, and $34,000 coming from tree harvesting revenue.
“I don’t know what the discussion was because I wasn’t here, but I thought it would’ve been an open concept,” said Mayor Gary Aiken. “I could see having one private office in case something confidential needed to be discussed. How many people are you going to see when you walk in?”
“There will be offices where the registration area is now, and the wall will be opened up a bit more,” said Bleess.
“That aspect was brought up earlier and it will be set up so people can see the counter,” added Councilor David Martin.
Out of the five bids, Caribou decided to go with JP Martin & Sons’ bid of $138,650.
Mayor Aiken asked if there were any additional thoughts, and a motion was made to approve the project with the first alternative, which includes the new flooring and paint. Council also decided to forego the second alternative and purchase new lights for the project.
“The new lights would be LED,” said Bleess, “which is more efficient than what we currently have.”
According to Bleess, the City Hall project will start in mid-January.
