Mission to build PD target range and FD training facility
The police and fire departments are looking at some new facilities to improve their aim and keep Missionites safe.
During this week’s regular meeting, the city council authorized staff to execute a contract to PBK Architects that would cover the design and construction management of a Police Target Range and Fire Department Training Facility. Eduardo Belmarez, the Purchasing Director for the city, presented the item to council.
“After negotiations with PBK Architects, in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 2254.004 (a)(2) ‘Contract for professional services of architect, engineer or surveyor,’ a fair and reasonable fixed percentage rate of 7.5 percent of the total construction cost has been negotiated,” Belmarez said.
The contract with PBK Architects includes comprehensive architectural and engineering services, which includes required schematic and design development documentation services, construction documentation and construction administration for the target range and training facility. They will be starting at Phase I, which is a preliminary site plan layout that includes a rendering of the facilities.
“Staff has negotiated a Phase I at no charge to the city,” Belmarez said. Compensation for all the services will be based on the percentage-based fee (of 7.5 percent) for the cost of work, and the estimated budget for construction is $1.5 million.
Phase II, which is contingent upon the city securing funding, will include a schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding and negotiations and construction administration. PBK will be working with the city on scheduling the project prior to Phase II.
Similar facilities that PBK worked on are the Collin College Public Safety Training Center, Tarrant County College District Fire Technology Training Center, the city of Progreso New Police and Fire Station, the city of San Juan Public Safety Building, the South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety and the Laredo Community College South Campus.
Four consultants were included in the proposal PBK made to the city of Mission: Specialty Police and Fire training facilities by G2 Solutions Group, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering and MEP Engineering.
Council also passed Ordinance #4870, which was a zoning ordinance amendment that deleted Section 1.36 (3)(N) from the Interim Agricultural Use District and Section 1.361 (3)(M) from the Permanent Open Space District. Planning and Zoning Director Jaime Acevedo said the P & Z Commission met Nov. 13 to consider the amendment.
“This particular section of the code was intended for farming, ranching-related activities and other uses not contrary to the purposes established for this district such as home occupations, mobile homes, portable buildings, guest houses, separate serving quarters, nurseries and separate facilities for raising animals,” Acevedo said. “However, there is a provision in the ordinance which states that other uses as determined by the Planning and Zoning Commission are not contrary to the purposes established for this district.”
Acevedo said the Planning and Zoning Department has had several items that have come before the board that have portable buildings for more commercial or industrial-related activity.
“This was an ordinance that was inserted back in the day when Pat Townsend was still here – there was a lot more farm land at that particular time,” Acevedo said. “As Mission has evolved, I don’t believe this is an ordinance that would still apply since there is no more, or there is a lot less, farm land now.”
There was no opposition to the amendment, and it was unanimously passed by council.
The city council meeting planned for Dec. 9 was rescheduled for Dec. 16, and the Dec. 23 meeting was cancelled.
This article originally appeared in the Friday Nov. 29, 2019 issue of the Progress Times.
