Issues with increased architecture expenses regarding the new fire station dominated the Kingfisher City Commission’s April regular meeting on Monday.

City Manager Jim Thomas reported that the project manager for BRW Architects, Inc., had relayed that their projected costs had risen from $8 million to $9.11 million and he was frustrated because he had yet to have that increase properly explained to him.

Thomas told commissioners he felt that he and Fire Chief Ryan Gibson were in agreement on how to move forward with the project so that the project could be put out to bid in June.

He added that perhaps the best solution was for the two to travel to BRW headquarters in College Station, Texas, and have a meeting with the project manager and company principals to ensure for the lowest expense possi- ble changes so the construction bid deadline could be met.

Commissioner Kyle Mecklenburg commented that the project began with projected costs of $5 million and had now grown to more than $9 million.

He noted that the reality of construction projects he had been associated with indicated that the final cost of the project would end up between $11.5 to 12 million.

Thomas commented that he was frustrated with committee members of the project attempting to add on revisions, which would increase costs and cause further delays.

Thomas said he felt he understood what the community wanted and needed when the voters passed an 10-year extension of the half-cent sales tax to pay for the new fire station in January of this year.

He said he also felt he understood the desire of the commissioners and the citizens and asked the commissioners for authority to complete the final 20 percent of negotiations with BRW to wrap up the pre-construction phase of the project.

Former Fire Chief Tony Stewart then asked for time to address the commission.

Mayor Geoff Covalt told him he had the floor for three minutes.

Stewart said he had been “kicked off” the committee for the new fire station.

The committee was composed of himself, Thomas, Gibson and City Clerk Brittney Hladik.

Stewart told the commissioners that there was not sufficient storage space in the original plans and an outside stairway to the top floor needed to be enclosed within the structure as a safety measure.

These added expenses were necessary, Stewart said.

He added that he felt Thomas had not acted in a professional manner in his dealings with him in the committee meetings and he felt like the only time he did act professionally regarding the project was when meeting with the commissioners.

At the three-minute mark, Covalt called for the vote.

The votes of Vice Mayor Jeff Wittrock and Commissioners Dawn Taylor, Debbie Burpo and Mecklenburg unanimously passed the proposal to allow Thomas to complete the negotiations with BRW without approval of committee members.

In other business, the commissioners approved the construction of a canopy at the Briscoe Park baseball complex to better protect the concession stand area from foul balls.

Thomas commented that the project would cost approximately $50,000 and Chase Farrar, who represented the Kingfisher Little League Baseball had met with him and offered $7,500 to help pay for the project.

In her report, City Treasurer Anita James said the city had approximately $10.3 million in the banks and the city’s finances were on budget.

In other business, the commission approved that a 2010 Ram 1500 pickup- truck used by the Water Department be sold at surplus auction.

The meeting began with Wittrock being sworn into office.

Wittrock served the final year of an unexpired term beginning last April after winning a special election.

He was the lone person to file for the open seat during the most recent filing period.