Mayor Dan Curtis is expecting construction of the new operations building will be underway in the coming weeks.

That became evident Monday evening after council voted 5-1 in favour of awarding the $39.2-million contract to Ketza Construction.

Coun. Samson Hartland attended the meeting by conference call. He was the only council member to vote against the contract award, reiterating his opposition to the overall project.

Hartland has stood firm against the building of the 11,429-square-metre building.

He has argued the city could pursue other alternatives, including leasing space available around the city rather than pursuing a plan that will see the city borrow up to $18.8 million for the new building.

Hartland has voted against each contract involving the operations building.

As it was highlighted in the report brought forward by engineering manager Wayne Tuck:

“The city retained RDH Architects as the lead consultant with a team of local Yukon sub-consultants to design the building and oversee construction.”

Lease agreements have been put in place with the Yukon government for a piece of land required for the building, and with Northwestel Inc. for an access road off of Range Road toward Two Mile Hill.

“Site development work completed to date includes construction of an access road to the site, supply and installation of water, sanitary, and storm sewer mains, relocation of existing power poles, and the relocation of Northwestel’s equipment and materials necessary for the new access road,” Tuck noted.

“The access road includes asphalt paving and concrete curbs, gutters, sidewalks and bike lanes. The remainder of the surface work will be done as part of the operations building construction contract.

“A budget amendment approved in April saw the building design expanded to include the transit department administration staff, drivers, and the storage of all the city’s transit buses. The revised budget is $54.9 million.”

That figure includes the costs of construction, consultants, engineering, project management, permits, contingency allowances, budget for future work, and fit-out for furnishings and equipment necessary for the building, including an allowance for artwork.”

As Curtis was quick to note Monday though, the city will save nearly $4 million over what it had expected to spend on the construction contract. Estimates had pegged the contract at around $43 million.

Ketza’s was the lowest of four bids to come in on the project.

Bird Construction submitted the highest, at $50.5 million.

In the middle were bids from Wildstone Construction at $42.3 million and Clark Builders at $42.7 million.

During the meeting and in speaking to reporters after the session, Curtis continued to comment on how pleased he is that the lowest bid came in significantly under the estimated cost.

The contract is going to a local company that employs Yukoners, the mayor pointed out.

He noted the project’s eligibility with the Business Incentive Program through the Yukon government.

That will mean Ketza and any subcontractors will be eligible for rebates should they hire 80 per cent Yukon labour on the project.

“This is just like a fairy tale,” Curtis told reporters after the meeting as he reflected on the contract coming in under the estimate and being awarded to a local company.

The building will see numerous efficiencies for city operations, it’s been stressed.

Among the structure’s features, Curtis pointed out, it will boast the largest distribution of solar panels on a building in the Yukon, making it more energy-efficient.

“Operational efficiencies is one of our top council strategic priorities,” he said in a statement.

“We strive to meet resident needs in a cost-effective manner, while ensuring a high quality of service and standards.”

Other council members voiced their support for the contract award.

Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu said she’s “thrilled” with the contract being awarded on a “long-overdue” project.

Coun. Betty Irwin recalled discussions about the project happening when she was first elected to council in 2009.

She said she is “just delighted this is happening.”

Meanwhile, Coun. Dan Boyd acknowledged his previous vote against going to tender on the project in opposition to the addition of the transit department to the building plans.

That said, he noted, he was defeated in that vote. The project went to tender and the city has received qualified bids on the project under the estimated cost.

There’s “no good reason not to” go ahead with it, Boyd said before voting in favour of the contract award.

Along with endorsing the awarding of the construction contract, council passed third reading on the bylaw authorizing the borrowing of up to $18.8 million for the project through an agreement with TD Canada Trust.

Hartland was the only member of council to vote against it.

Coun. Rob Fendrick was absent from Monday’s meeting.