Ann Arbor City Council OKs $1.1M cost increase for Municipal Center add-ons
The Ann Arbor Municipal Center.
That breaks down to $693,327 for security upgrades and $397,884 for audio/visual equipment that was not included in the original contract with Clark Construction.
Council Member Mike Anglin, D-5th Ward, questioned the expenses before the council voted to approve them. He said they were hard to stomach at a time when the city is making deep cuts to the police department and laying off employees.
"I would rather have security on the streets than particularly inside the building," Anglin said. "We're letting police go while we're adding $1 million here right now."
Council Member Mike Anglin, D-5th Ward, questions expenses related to the Ann Arbor Municipal Center project Monday night.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The stated price of the project is $47.4 million, though the City Council has approved several expenses outside of the project budget that have added to its costs. Crawford said that was always the plan, though, and the project remains under budget.
Because the $1.1 million is a one-time expenditure, Crawford said, it does not affect the city's ability to hire police officers.
"This is what I'll call the personal property part of the project, which all along we've said is not included in the construction project — it is from the operating budget," Crawford said. "And so included in the budget for 2011 was the bulk of these expenditures."
Sue McCormick, public services administrator, said there was a "substantial debate" when Clark was first hired as to whether the city was going to have the magnetometers and other sorts of security measures that visitors to the police-courts building now see as they enter.
McCormick said it was decided early on that the city would fund those expenses through its general operating budget as needed.
Anglin still wasn't pleased with the explanation.
"I think we should have been honest about the fact that we were going to provide security and that this was a cost — a very large cost — that we were going to have to incur," he said.
Under a separate resolution Monday night, the council authorized spending up to $75,000 to equip the public areas and conference rooms of city hall — and the newly built Ann Arbor Justice Center next door — with both secure and public wireless networking capabilities.
The proliferation of wireless devices has increased tremendously in the last few years, and city officials say it's time to provide wireless access for city employees and visitors.
IT Director Dan Rainey said the investment will allow, for example, people who bring their laptops to City Council meetings to finally be able to tap into a city-provided wireless network.
The council approved a purchase order with Illinois-based Sentinel Technologies for $64,571, which is $80 higher than the low bidder, Farmington Hills-based Preferred Data Systems.
Police Chief Barnett Jones addresses the Ann Arbor City Council Monday night.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The council also voted to approve a $35,830 contract with Illinois-based Industrial/Organizational Solutions Inc. to conduct an assessment of the Ann Arbor Police Department for the purpose of creating a promotional list for ranks of sergeant and lieutenant.
By June 2012, nearly 30 percent of police department employees filling positions at the rank of sergeant and lieutenant will be eligible for retirement, city officials say, and it's uncertain how many eligible employees will choose to retire when they become eligible.
"To ensure continuity of command, and in order to plan leadership succession, it is necessary to establish a promotional eligibility list well in advance of the date when these potential vacancies may occur in order to provide maximum flexibility and options for the employer," reads a memo prepared by Deputy Chief Greg Bazick.
Police Chief Barnett Jones told council members Monday night he predicts 16 or 17 members of the department could leave around 2013, some of them sergeants and lieutenants.
"It has been a long time since there's been a promotional exam for sergeants and lieutenants within the police department," he said. "And as the chief, I need to have the vision to look past the time we're currently in and look out into the future."
Jones said he understands the expense comes at a time when the city is cutting in the police department, and he said he wishes he could "just walk down the hallways and promote people," but he needs a formal process in place so everyone has a fair shot.
He added he believes it will be "one of the most important promotional exams in the history of this department — because of the times and because of the need for leadership." He said the assessment will include interviews and written exams.
The council also voted to approve the $30,990 purchase of high-definition portable live production equipment from Illinois-based Midwest Media Group.
The equipment will be used for production of programming for CTN's four cable channels, live streaming of public meetings and online Video-on-Demand web services.
The council also approved a $49,087 purchase order with Most Dependable Fountains Inc. for 13 ADA-compliant drinking fountains throughout the city. Six will replace fountains within areas of the downtown, while others replace fountains in city parks.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Cici
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
Can't we jusst fix our streets, fillll the pot holes??
retiree80
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 3:58 a.m.
Laying off police, fire fighters and 911 dispatchers for an (expletive) waterscape, parks, and a coffee house for the new building..... Wake up ANN ARBOR......your safety people are going underwater and they won't be able to help YOU!!! Tell the MAYOR and COUNCIL that you have had all of the reckless spending and poor decision making that you are willing to take!
Awakened
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 12:07 p.m.
In order to make the project look like it could be funded by the cost savings created by "not renting space ",it was neccesary to leave out furniture, security costs for court, and video equiptment for monitoring interviews and prisoner holding cells. I'm sure that other things will come to light as well. Even though some of you might have assumed these costs to have been included. As you may recall, it was a tough vote to get this project through council and there was some community activism against it. It might not have passed had they told people the real cost. The "under budget" thing is a little deceptive since the "budget" included selling a $3 million property that hasn't been sold (they borrowed money instead) and it is also based on no longer renting space. But they haven't stopped spending money on additional spaces and that property may no longer be worth $3 million in today's market. They are "under budget" according to the budget as they define and explain it. Just like Enron was a finacially sound investment according to Ken Lay's definition and explanation.
Stephen Landes
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 1:49 a.m.
The election is coming and there are challengers in most ward races -- even some from the "other" party! The people of A2 will have a choice and I hope they choose CHANGE.
Major
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 12:49 a.m.
That view has underscored the absolutely horrid design of this building, kind of like a utility transformer box in the middle of a lawn....it doesn't fit! How bout leave it be and use the money to hire some Police and Fire personnel! I'm laughing here because what I really want to say will get my comment removed!
glenn thompson
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 11:58 p.m.
Not all Council members voted for squandering 1.1 million while laying off police and fie fighters. Mike Anglin voted against the increase in the building cost. But, the Mayor and the majority of Council determine the policy. If the people commenting against this 1.1 million expense , while laying off the real workers, helped those on council that vote the way they think is responsible change will occur. It will occur quickly as soon those squandering tax dollars perceive it is disadvantageous to their re-election. This has not occurred.
Goober
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.
Why are we approving the use of a contractor to perform an assessment of our police personnel when we have numerous HR personnel already on our payroll. Any one of these HR personnel should be able to do the same assessment. This is how we did things or handled tasks like this in private industry. We never had an endless well, like the use of contractors. We used the talent we already had on our payroll to handle the business needs.
average joe
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
I think all they need at city hall is just one person to 'let their fingers do the walking' and call on companies (from IL.) to do the work that the staff on city payroll SHOULD be able to do since that is their field of expertise when they were hired.
Bill
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
I hope there will be some art added to this building which the Council decided to fund at their previous meeting. This is a really ugly facility from the outside. You would think that a Michigan business would be given priority even if slightly more on a bid than to send the business to another state. Perhaps at the next election we can outsource the city council including the mayor. I can't imagine that the police need to spend $30k+ on a promotion system. Is the current staff not capable of developing and implementing a suitable program?
djm12652
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 7:01 p.m.
What? No money for a big tarp to cover the ugly hall? that I would agree with! what's funny is the replacement water fountains downtown that most people wouldn't touch with a 10 ft pole...especially the one that used to be in front of Vault of Midnight...yep...smart city worker scooped it up with a pile of snow this past winter! Insurance should replace that....right?
Les Gov
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.
No artist in michigan, or the US for that matter, is good enough to design a fountain for this building. Why would anyone think that any company in Michigan could supply equipment? This Council keeps sticking it to the local people yet we keep voting them in. Why?? Why aren't the artists outraged? Why aren't the taxpayers outraged???
Hot Sam
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
Buying fro Illinois...brilliant...what's next? Blagojevich for Mayor???
Hot Sam
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
"From" Illinois...:-)
trespass
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 6 p.m.
Will this get rid of those ugly wooden guard rails on the west side? Why do we have to pay extra for things that were messed up by the architect or the builder?
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
It's becoming clear that in order to get something into the Ann Arbor budget, it must be part of the Municipal Center. I wonder if it would be possible to construct a full-scale model of the Stadium bridge around that building? It already looks more like a parking garage than an office building.
djm12652
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 7:38 p.m.
it's not?
Maxwell
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.
Kind of hard to tell as the article was written - Exactly what are we spending the $693,327 for? What are the security upgrades? My guess would be for a mote and drawbridge to protect against a populist tax rebellion... TTBO - Throw The Bums Out!
djm12652
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 7:37 p.m.
Seriously John B....I am familiar with these costs as a former wicked step-mother...there is more than enough for just a moat ...that's another city hall, city council fairytale.....and this moat would be built with local labor...we have quite a few fairy door inhabitants that work on the cheap...
John B.
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Moat.
dgomg1
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 5:27 p.m.
Really? Almost $36000 for a promotional process when you are layoff officers and your concern is promoting? You tell us we won't see a difference in service that we pay for on top of that? I don't think the problem is a concern for leadership 2 years from now, I think it IS a lack of leadership NOW! What a complete waste of tax dollars and no one is held accountable. No one is protecting the interest of the tax payers.
Brad
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 5:25 p.m.
"Because the $1.1 million is a one-time expenditure, Crawford said, it does not affect the city's ability to hire police officers." The mystery buckets strike again! No problem, when a fire occurs we'll just attach a hose to one of our new drinking fountains.
a2miguy
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.
$1.1 million would pay a policeman or fireman $55,000/yr for 20 years. Or two of them for 10 years. Or 4 of them for 5 years.
John B.
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.
I get your point, but it costs about double that amount to have a safety officer, typically. Salary is just one portion of the cost, just like in the private sector. Therefore, divide your personnel numbers by two.
JPLewis
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
I would say I'm shocked, but that would be far from the truth. I'm about ready to have Rick Snyder take over.
Buster W.
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.
Note to Self: Go into the drinking fountain business.
Buster W.
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
Just no end to it...
aareader
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
"The council also voted to approve a $35,830 contract with Illinois-based Industrial/Organizational Solutions Inc." and "also voted to approve the $30,990 purchase of high-definition portable live production equipment from Illinois-based Midwest Media Group." Very sad to read the city has decided to purchase services OUTSIDE of Michigan when we have been told to shop local first. Jobs in Michigan??? I find it hard to believe there are no places in Michigan where this service and equipment could not be found. If not, it should be noted by the council they did try. And ... maintenance costs of contracts are a variable and it will interesting to see of the out of state vendor will indeed be a lower cost provider. More homework should have been done on that bid.
Hot Sam
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
AA...I sell this kind of technology and I can assure you there are a number of qualified dealers who are customers of mine in this are who are more than capable... This kind of thing is ridiculous...raise our taxes and send the PO to Illinois... They will spend more on the service calls than they will ever save...not to mention the other local benefits... This is insane...
Forever27
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 5:56 p.m.
"The council approved a purchase order with Illinois-based Sentinel Technologies for $64,571, which is $80 higher than the low bidder, Farmington Hills-based Preferred Data Systems." ...then as you read the next paragraph... "Rainey said preference was given to the Illinois company over the Michigan company because it offers a lower cost of $361 on the recurring annual maintenance portion of the bid, which more than makes up for the $80 difference between the two bid prices"
Ricebrnr
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.
Thanks AA Administration. Fiddle away, the city is not burning yet, but I'm sure you'll get it there.
Townie
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
Let's see - cut police and fire but keep the expensive staff lunches, etc. and do such a lousy job of planning the new place that there are huge cost overruns? Let's keep this kind of stuff in mind at the next election and clean house.
John B.
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
Yes, and never mind that the project is under budget, huh? Let's just make it up as we go along.
grye
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.
I would be curious to see exactly what is being purchased for almost $700K. The new building already has security check points, controlled access, etc. What did they forget? Kind of like designing a new car but forgeting to add the necessary things at design time to make the car useable.