by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – The city council has set a date for a public hearing on the fiscal year 2013 budget and capitol improvement plan.
At least week’s city council meeting, the council approved a date of February 21st for the hearing. According to the city council packet, the public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. that evening.
Any resident or taxpayer may present objections or arguments in favor of any part of the plan.
Among the items in the capitol improvements budget for 2013:
- $76,500 for city hall first floor renovation
- $1,000,000 for ladder fire truck
- $162,000 for ambulance replacement (EMS revenue)
- $500,000 for water tower rehab
- $1,015,454 for airport parking lot rehab (FAA Grant and airport revenues)
- $34,000 for dog park (Grant)
WE have a mayor that is Not a people’s mayor.Then we have a mayor that quit and now is on the city counsel. And we have a councel member having problems w/ the police before being sworen in. If you think the police have issues just look to our “fine” leaders. Nice going voters!
The remodel is a backroom deal because it has already been given the “go ahead.” When a city council member says that a project is “pretty much a done deal” and the public has not had a chance to voice their opinion, that is a backroom deal, to me. Further, who will be bidding on this project, what architects, what construction companies? The budget has not even been voted on yet, for crying out loud.
Matt, as far as the architect, Cram looked at it and gave the budget. I can only guess the city selected him. There is no “low bidder” for architectural services on projects. They typically interview a few and select one (based only on similar project type expertise). Every architect in the city qualifies in this regard. On the contracting side, if the project is public then any qualified (as deemed by the architect) general contractor can submit a bid if they choose. Who knows who will bid, but I bet they get at least six bids (DSC, Larson, Henkel, LEC, Kramer-Peterson, and Holland)!
I will say it again, I dont like the project either but if they break the project scopes down under the minimum amount (@ $25k last I understood), then they can choose their contractor without bidding. Then I would really worry about a different back room deal!
As you said previously, enough people need to stand up and be heard. I have a hard time believing that’s gonna happen! (My attendance – Yes, my councilperson AND the Mayor knows my feelings on the issue. I just cant be there in person due to prior scheduled engagements).
The remodel of city hall is the only item on the list that bothers me. This is NOT needed and a complete waste of taxpayer dollars. Should be stopped NOW.
Joe, it is a terrible shame that city hall has indicated that the remodel there is a “done deal.” If only the general public would show up at the meeting and tell thse people their true opinion on the matter, it might get cut. Back room deals are alive and well in Mason City.
Matt, how is this a backroom deal if it is a line item? Henkel (or any other favored child) cannot do this work without first being the low qualified bidder in an open letting.
Should the city break down the scope of work where the value is under the minimum dollar amount, and have someone (a favored child) complete the work, then I would say this has a backroom smell to it.
FYI, I am against this also! Not enough bang for the buck!
why not, $76,500 for city hall first floor renovation. the hell with busted sewers, crappy road. the mayor needs a bigger chair to sit his ego on
Hug(s) for Amanda! The sewers are being addressed, at least as defined in the scope of work for the project McKiness has/had going. Crappy roads/sidewalks are addressed annually through the city engineering office! Some of these roads are DOT and their responsibility. I would suggest you contact the city engineering office and get your recommended improvement areas in and made known! Otherwise, I dont like the first floor renovation either (can I get a hug back also?)! The chair… I am sure the present one will do just fine, his ego isnt as bad as everyone makes it out to be! But thats my opinion! I am sure if he did buy a bigger chair you would have issue with that also! One final HUG!!!!