Flushing City Council
Minutes
A Special Joint Meeting of the Flushing City Council and Flushing Township Board was called to order on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., by Township Supervisor Andrew Trotogot, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Present: City Council: Township
Board:
Janice L. Gensel Andrew Trotogot
Michael T. Szukhent Julia Morford
John C. Gault Carl Liepmann
Paul W. Gentine Ann Fotenakes
Teresa K. Salem Scott Minaudo
Barry Pratt
Ida Reed
Absent: Richard L. Bade
George G. Kozan
Others Present: Dennis J. Bow, City Manager
Nancy G. Parks, City Clerk/Treasurer
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Trotogot stated that he and Dennis Bow, City Manager, have had numerous conversations regarding various projects that impact both the City and the Township.
The City Manager distributed information pertaining to the City’s Capital Improvement Plan, which indicated that the City’s Master Plan included consideration of the potential of moving the library to the old City Hall location when construction of the new City Hall was completed. The plan was later amended to consider constructing a new building for the library. The City Manager discussed the 1990 millage campaign to build a combination library and senior center at the site of the current City Hall. The proposal was for .4 mils to build a joint facility; both the library and senior center passed in the city, the library lost in the township by eleven votes, and the senior center lost by many more.
A three member Council committee was established to study uses for the old City Hall, and in February 2007 a library millage was voted on by City Council.
In 2002, the City hired an architect to look at space needs, parking, and if the old City Hall could be converted, and at what cost. They also looked at the cost to construct a new building. It was determined that it would cost $1.2 - $1.45 million dollars to renovate the old building and $1.4 - $1.62 million dollars to build a new facility. The City Manager displayed a conceptual drawing of the renovated building. Removal of the old police station for parking, and a new entrance on the side of the building, would provide handicap access. Much of the renovation cost would go to improve the foundation.
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Minutes
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Barry Pratt asked if the architect indicated what the life of the building would be when renovated. The City Manager responded that he didn’t really know, but that the building is structurally sound, but needs insulation, new mechanicals and roof, and the foundation rebuilt.
Ann Fotenakes stated that her biggest concern was with the economy and the way it is now. She feels that we have a functional library and that this is not the time to build or renovate. She also stated that when the time comes, it would be more suitable to build a one story building somewhere in the city.
Ida Reed stated that she is not in favor of using the old City Hall as a library or a senior citizens center. She said that fifteen years ago, the City said that the building was not structurally sound, and that she feels it is not structurally sound today. She felt a better alternative would be to expand the library to the senior annex and relocate the senior center. She stated that we should consider floating a bond in 2008 for a new center, and count on the money coming in from the county. The City could buy the property next to the VFW and sell the old City Hall to pay for it. She felt community development block grant funds could be used for the center.
Barry Pratt feels that the old City Hall is an architectural gem, and that voters, not the township board, should decide if they want the building renovated.
Ann Fotenakes stated that voting to put the millage question on the ballot says she is for it, and she doesn’t feel that it is a good idea. She also feels that the cost estimate is not indicative of the true cost of renovation.
Carl Liepmann agreed that the building is something we want to keep, but questions whether the general population uses the library or thinks they need to. He said taxpayers are complaining about the Senior Tax and Health Tax and isn’t sure there is any sympathy out there to approve a new millage.
Mayor Gensel stated that a lot of people use the library. She stated that a 2002 study showed that we needed ten thousand (10,000) square feet of area in order to allow for a state of the art facility. The current library has approximately three thousand five hundred (3,500) square feet of area. The City Manager stated that a needs analysis was done for a new city hall and, once that was done, the second phase was done to see if the library was suitable for a library. Ann Fotenakes felt that the four-year-old study was outdated and that whenever you build or renovate it is always 10-20% more costly than anticipated. The City Manager responded that the architect had included an adequate contingency.
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Carl Liepmann stated that, at the present time, the former Duramold building was owned 60-40% by the City and Township. He asked if the city and township decided they wanted to proceed, how would ownership be divided? The City Manager responded that it would probably be split based on contribution (tax levy).
Carl Liepmann questioned what objections there would be to putting it on the ballot; he felt that, if the people decide they want to pay for it, then he doesn’t have a problem with it. Barry Pratt said he thought he owed it to his constituency to put it on the ballot and let the community decide. Ann Fotenakes felt that a postcard survey could be used instead of paying for an election. Paul Gentine and Teresa Salem both agreed that the voters should decide if they want to support a millage to renovate the old city hall as a library. Andy Trotogot also agreed that the voters should decide.
Carl Liepmann suggested public hearings to see if voters would look at a millage favorably.
Andy Trotogot adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
_____________________________ _______________________________
Janice L. Gensel, Mayor Nancy G. Parks, City Clerk/Treasurer