Knimrod
03-30-2006, 11:02 PM
Gun range study OK'd
City earmarks $5,800 for review
March 30, 2006
By Pam Fleming
Novi News
City council members recently approved funding for a study to assess specific needs for a firearms range and expanded training facility for the Novi Police Department.
At their March 20 meeting, council unanimously voted to accept a $5,800 fixed fee for Wold Architects and Engineers from Troy to conduct the assessment.
The other firm being considered was Redstone Architects from Southfield, who presented a bid of $35,990, which was not listed as a fixed fee.
Both firms have experience in designing law enforcement facilities, including firearms ranges.
Council's action follows its $1 million appropriation on Sept. 12, 2005, from federal forfeiture funds to build a firearms range and potential expansion of the current training facility.
The forfeiture funds came from a two-year investigation in which the Novi Police Department was instrumental in helping to bring down an international drug cartel.
The investigation began when $4.8 million of drug money was found in a Novi motel and Northville home in March 2004.
As part of the analysis, Wold will conduct a needs assessment of the police department's building space to examine the community's future needs.
Misty Raatz, Wold's project manager, previously served as project manager during the Novi Police Department's addition and renovation in 2000.
Clients give Wold high marks
Novi Chief of Police David Molloy said in a memo to Clay Pearson, interim city manager, that Wold's previous clients praised the firm for its staff's ability to stay on time and within budget.
They also described the firm's representatives as easy to work with and adept at providing solutions.
Mayor Pro Tem Kim Capello mentioned during the March 20 meeting that he wants to explore the possibility of a drug education center as part of the training facility.
Capello has talked to 52-1 District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie about Novi adding such a facility. MacKenzie, who Capello said is nationally known for his work in drug education, said local courts could use such a facility in many ways.
A recent drug education seminar at the Novi Police Department, for instance, attracted about 100 people.
Council Member Bob Gatt said the current police training facility is not adequate and that now is the time to renovate.
Members Andrew Mutch and Lynne Paul were against the firearms range when it was approved but were in favor of the needs assessment study because it will look at the entire facility.
Link to story (http://hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060330/NEWS13/603300837/1030)
City earmarks $5,800 for review
March 30, 2006
By Pam Fleming
Novi News
City council members recently approved funding for a study to assess specific needs for a firearms range and expanded training facility for the Novi Police Department.
At their March 20 meeting, council unanimously voted to accept a $5,800 fixed fee for Wold Architects and Engineers from Troy to conduct the assessment.
The other firm being considered was Redstone Architects from Southfield, who presented a bid of $35,990, which was not listed as a fixed fee.
Both firms have experience in designing law enforcement facilities, including firearms ranges.
Council's action follows its $1 million appropriation on Sept. 12, 2005, from federal forfeiture funds to build a firearms range and potential expansion of the current training facility.
The forfeiture funds came from a two-year investigation in which the Novi Police Department was instrumental in helping to bring down an international drug cartel.
The investigation began when $4.8 million of drug money was found in a Novi motel and Northville home in March 2004.
As part of the analysis, Wold will conduct a needs assessment of the police department's building space to examine the community's future needs.
Misty Raatz, Wold's project manager, previously served as project manager during the Novi Police Department's addition and renovation in 2000.
Clients give Wold high marks
Novi Chief of Police David Molloy said in a memo to Clay Pearson, interim city manager, that Wold's previous clients praised the firm for its staff's ability to stay on time and within budget.
They also described the firm's representatives as easy to work with and adept at providing solutions.
Mayor Pro Tem Kim Capello mentioned during the March 20 meeting that he wants to explore the possibility of a drug education center as part of the training facility.
Capello has talked to 52-1 District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie about Novi adding such a facility. MacKenzie, who Capello said is nationally known for his work in drug education, said local courts could use such a facility in many ways.
A recent drug education seminar at the Novi Police Department, for instance, attracted about 100 people.
Council Member Bob Gatt said the current police training facility is not adequate and that now is the time to renovate.
Members Andrew Mutch and Lynne Paul were against the firearms range when it was approved but were in favor of the needs assessment study because it will look at the entire facility.
Link to story (http://hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060330/NEWS13/603300837/1030)