Library Expansion: Ready, Set, Go

FARMINGTON — The low bid to renovate and expand Farmington Public Library exceeded the budget by almost $130,000 but the City Council took care of that Monday night.

The council unanimously approved a low bid of $473,992 from Pick-it Construction of Prairie Grove for the library project and also approved an additional $150,000 in city funds to help pay for the work, with a cushion for a contingency.

The project calls for adding almost 1,200 square feet to the existing building with a redesign of the front entry way. With the addition, the library will have a total of 5,259 square feet.

Other work will include a new roof, new flooring, painting and redesigning the layout of the existing floor plan. When finished, the library will have a community room, more study spaces, an expanded children’s area, a place for teenagers and more shelving for adult books.

The city had set aside $350,000 for the project: $200,000 in the 2019 budget and $150,000 from the library’s reserve account.

Eric Pace, with Key Architecture, told council members the bids came in “a little bit higher than expected.” The city received six bids, ranging from Pick-it’s low bid to a high of $636,000 from SSI. The second highest bid was $494,300 from Southern Building Services.

Two council members questioned the high cost of almost 1,200 square feet of new space.

“How did it get to $450,000 with 1,100 square feet?” asked council member Keith Lipford. Council member Bobby Morgan later added, “$358 per square foot is a lot of money.”

Pace explained the project not only includes new space but also completely redesigning and renovating the existing space.

“The only thing not being touched are the commercial toilets,” Pace said.

Once the contract is approved, Pace said he will meet with Pick-it Construction to look for areas to save money.

Part of the “driving cost” of the project, Pace said, is that the library wanted to remain open throughout the whole process. This meant the renovation would have to be during evening hours and on weekends. It’s possible the library may close for certain periods during construction to help bring down the overall cost, Pace added.

“I understand your concerns,” Pace said. “We designed it as efficiently as we could. It’s the market.”

Mayor Ernie Penn said library staff has worked on this project and wants to have a good product. Penn said city staff also would look for ways to save money.

He noted, though, that the city is using a building that was a former pizza restaurant and the library still looks somewhat like a restaurant on the inside. When the work is completed, “It won’t be a restaurant,” Penn said.

Betty Hummel, president of Farmington Library Board of Directors, said the board is looking toward the future with its expansion and renovation plans, not for what’s “going to do” for the next five years.

“The board wants to meet the library’s needs for the next 10-15 years,” Hummel said.

Penn said the additional $150,000 would not come out of this year’s budget but would be included in the library’s 2020 budget.

In other action, the council approved ordinances to waive competitive bidding on two items, work at the Farmington Sports Complex for a new irrigation

system, sod installation and dirt work and a new Bobcat compact excavator.

The council gave its OK for a proposal from ABI Systems of Farmington for $45,000 to install an irrigation system at the ballpark, recover dirt that has been washed away and install sod to help with dirt retention.

Laurie Adkins, facilities manager and sports program director, said the irrigation system will replace a water reel system that is inadequate and labor intensive.

She recommended ABI Systems because it is a local company that already works with the city. Much of the components for an irrigation system are already in place and were installed by ABI Systems, Adkins said.

Floyd Shelley, public works manager, recommended purchasing a new E42 T4 Bobcat compact excavator from Williams Tractor for $46,786 for the public works department. Bobcat is offering a 35% discount for municipalities at this time, Shelley said.

The excavator will be safer in rugged terrain and be more efficient in cleaning out drainage areas and removing trees, Shelley said. The department also will be able to purchase attachments for the tractor, he added.

The council approved purchasing the new equipment.

In other business, the council:

• Approved an ordinance to levy the 5-mil property tax for the city of Farmington. This is the same rate as previous years.

• Approved an ordinance to simultaneously detach land from the city of Prairie Grove and annex it into Farmington. The Farmington-Prairie Grove boundary line goes through the middle of two lots in the Valley View area. This would place both lots in the city of Farmington. Prairie Grove City Council will have to approve its own ordinance for this to happen.

• Approved an ordinance to provide online access to the Farmington Municipal Code.