Flagstaff County Council reviews next steps for maintenance shop project

flagstaff

Flagstaff County held its regular Council meeting on Wednesday, March 23. Council reviewed the minutes of the Building Committee meeting held March 10, where discussion centred on a proposal for a maintenance shop expansion project.

The building committee meeting recommended that Council proceed with the pre-qualification and request for proposal for the provision of a project manager for the maintenance shop expansion project, with administration proceeding with:

• Evaluating pre-qualification proposals, shortlisting to two or three consultants;
• Requesting a cost proposal from the short-listed consultants; and
• Evaluating the cost proposals and providing a recommendation to the Building Committee for approval.

Council discussed the resolution, clarifying its intention.

Councillor Wade Lindseth asked, “When we hire a project manager, is discussion going to involve all available options?”

Council reiterated that the consultant they hire will look into all available options and building particulars, and will provide options, as well as the cost of those options.

These will be brought back to Council to make any further decisions on the direction of the project.

Lindseth said he asked for clarification because, “People don’t understand the process. They hear that a proposal has been made, and they think it’s a done deal.”

CAO Armstrong replied, saying, “It’s similar to any process, like if you are wanting to build a house, you talk to different builders, you get a quote, and then you can change your mind, or change the parameters of the project if you don’t like the price.

“Council will be in control, and will give the building committee the parameters.”

Councillor Gerald Kuefler added, “Hiring a consultant is the first step of the process, it’s not a full commitment to ‘go ahead’.”

Lindseth urged, “It’s important to stress to the public what this person’s role will be.”

Kuefler replied, “they will be here to help us solve the problem.

“Something needs to be done, we’re spending $100,000 because of the dysfunctional nature of the existing process.”

Read more on the latest Flagstaff Council meeting in the March 29 edition of The Community Press – available on newsstands now and via E-Subscription! 

 

Leslie Cholowsky
Editor