City hall renovations on the table

Tim Gescheidle with TSG Architects AIA of Gonzales was present Thursday, May 8 during the council meeting to discuss city hall improvements including American Disabilities Act compliant bathrooms and asbestos removal in the building.

Meisell presented council with three options and price projections Thursday night.

All three estimates included asbestos removal, air conditioning and electrical overhaul, American Disabilities Act restrooms, new flooring, renovation of the second floor and an elevator upgrade. The cost for these basic repairs with architect and other fees came to an estimated cost of $440,648.

The second option included the basic renovations plus new council chambers for $400,000. This came to an estimated total of $992,648, including fees. The third estimate called for asbestos removal, new council chambers and a complete building remodel. This was at a price tag of $1.5 million, including fees.

No formal action was taken but council was leaning towards option two for $992,648. Financing for the project will be discussed during budget talks, said Meisell.

"This is an incredible building," said Gescheidle. "Structurally, the building is well built. There is nothing that stands out."

He said the biggest problems are the non-ADA compliant restrooms and the asbestos removal. Meisell asked that a pitched roof and natural gas generator also be considered, depending on the cost, as add on items.

Councilman Wagner asked about riding it out and building a new facility.

Gescheidle said it would cost the city $3-4 million to build the same type of facility from scratch.

Meisell said he had considered that option but due to the cost and factors such as a new building having to be located outside of downtown he felt comfortable with renovating the current city hall.

"We will plan until everyone is comfortable," said Gescheidle.

Meisell also presented a timeline for the project, which includes planning from now until July with budget funding talks beginning in August. Bids are scheduled for November with preconstruction work beginning in December. If all goes according to plan, Meisell gave an estimated completion date of December 2009.

Gescheidle did advise that it would be best for the contractor and speed up the process if the city temporarily relocated during the process, but no decisions were made where the city would relocate.

The recent wreck involving an 18-wheel tractor trailer and a train was the focal point of the Columbus City Council's discussion on whether to close railroad crossing sites in and near Columbus.

The tractor-trailer collision at Austin Street on April 30 was the second incident at that location in two years. A third incident involving a tractor-trailer and an Amtrak train occurred in May 2005 at Roundhouse Crossing, just west of Columbus. That crossing site has recently been closed by Union Pacific. Discussions continue regarding the closure of the crossing at CR 2104 which is just west of Glidden.

"The bottom line is what we have is not acceptable," said Columbus City Manager David Meisell. "We have to do something, either improve the approaches or close the sites."

Councilman Curtiss Schonenberg agreed that while he realized convenience might be sacrificed by closing the crossings, safety comes first. He also mentioned having a public hearing before permanently closing the site.

"Right now safety takes precedence but if we're going to close it permanently I think we need to have public input," said Schonenberg.

Columbus Mayor Richard Heffley agreed a public hearing would be necessary and suggested even finding a way to no longer make Austin Street a truck route.

Council John Wagner suggested the use of signage to detour large trucks from the crossings.

Meisell said the city has not had luck with using signage in the past and did not think it would be an effective method.

No formal action was taken following the discussion other than the crossing would remain close at this time until a decision could be made. Meisell is discussing options with railroad officials.

Also discussed during the meeting were speed limits in town.

Drivers will have to slow down now when making their way through the city of Columbus along Hwy. 71.

Council members unanimously approved an ordinance Thursday night, May 8 to make the speed limit from the Colorado River Bridge to the Ratliff Creek Bridge 35 miles per hour with the exception of school zones when school zone lights are flashing.

The new school zone speed limit is 20 miles per hour.

In other business council: