Lincoln Aldermen say, “Yes” across the board
Part 2 - City hires Farnsworth as city engineers and to design parking lot; FGM to conduct facility site research

[January 22, 2015]  LINCOLN - At the Tuesday evening session of the Lincoln City Council several important issues were voted on with the six aldermen present approving all the requests unanimously. Those present were Michelle Bauer, Scott Cooper, Jeff Hoinacki, Kathy Horn, Todd Mourning and Marty Neitzel. The seat vacated by Melody Anderson has not yet been filled, and Jonie Tibbs was absent for the evening.

Farnsworth hired as City Engineers

A motion to approve Farnsworth Group as the new city engineers had been tabled at the last voting session. This week it was removed from the table with Neitzel and Bauer offering the motion and second.

City administrator Clay Johnson said the contract with the firm is for an 18-month term. He said costs of service were outlined in the contract, and that the contract contained a 30-day termination clause. He also noted that the city would utilize work orders issued to Farnsworth on a job-by-job basis.

Bauer asked for clarification that the money expended to the firm was already in the budget. Johnson said that it was. In the 2014-15 budget, the amount had been tagged as money for a city employee to serve as a public works director. That position will no longer exist, and the engineering portion of the job description will go to Farnsworth.

Neitzel and Bauer both commented that they felt this was a smarter decision for the council. The city will benefit from the payment of services on an “as needed” basis and also from the expertise and diversity of knowledge that comes with a staffed engineering firm over one individual.

Again the motion to approve passed unanimously.

City hires Farnsworth for parking lot project

The council also approved unanimously hiring Farnsworth as the design and oversight engineers for the city parking lot project. Johnson explained that Farnsworth had submitted a proposal for this project prior to bidding for the job of city engineer. The parking lot project will be a separate job, and there is no double dipping because of their newly hired position as city engineers.

The motion and second were offered by Hoinacki and Horn.

There was one correction to the motion. The original motion had specified the fee would be an amount, not to exceed $35,000. That figure was increased to $35,500.

Mourning asked if the city knew what the finished cost of the project would be. Johnson said right now it does not. Part of the responsibility of Farnsworth will be to create a drawing and provide a cost estimate for the project. The council will be advised of that estimated cost prior to going out for bids on the construction.

FGM will conduct site research for new safety building

By unanimous vote the council approved hiring FGM Architects to conduct a site study in Lincoln, and identify the best options for new facilities or a combined facility for the city police and fire departments. The motion to approve was made by Cooper and seconded by Hoinacki.

Before the vote, Bauer asked if FGM would be looking at sites for a combined complex as well as for individual locations for police and fire.

Mayor Keith Snyder said that was the case. The firm will be instructed to look at all available options. This will include looking at sites where one building could accommodate both departments as well as sites that would be good for one or the other.

In addition, the firm will look at building sites for new construction, but also they will look at existing buildings that could be retrofitted to meet the needs of one or both of the departments.

The firm is then to bring their findings back to the council with recommendations. The Council will then make the final decision as to which recommendation is the best fit for the city.

Additionally, at a public hearing prior to the adjourned session the council unanimously approved a request from the Christian Village to vacate the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Seventh Street in order to expand its Lincoln facility.

[Nila Smith]