06-11-12 Personnel & Finance Committee

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PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE June 11, 2012 4:30 P.M. Committee Members Present: Karen White, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. David Varner Other Council: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Oliver Davis Others Present: Kevin Allen, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Bob Hammer, Cheryl Greene, Aladean DeRose, Kyle Chamberlin, Phil Custard, Murray Miller, Don Inks, Mike Divita Agenda: Bill No. 12 -47 — Lease 319 Niles — Human Rights Commission Chairperson Karen White opened the hearing on Bill No. 12-47 by asking acting City Attorney Aladean DeRose to make the presentation. At great length Aladean illustrated the inadequacy of the present location of the Human Rights Commission at 301 S. St. Louis. The building in Howard Park was too small, was not ADA compliant and could not be retrofitted at an acceptable cost. The building is a historic landmark limiting alteration for addition. Built in the 1930's as a WPA project it's plumbing electrical, and HVAC systems were dated and inadequate for today's requirements. Aladean went on to describe the process of evaluating possible relocation to a city owned facility. Non passed muster given office conversion and ADA compliance costs. According to Phil Custard, who was charged with looking for an alternative site, over 31 privately owned, currently listed, available spaces were evaluated. The one that best met the criteria for cost, accessibility, and convenience was 319 N. Niles. Details of the proposed lease were provided (see attachment.) Aladean summed up her presentation saying state law required Council approval for a lease such as this. Chairperson White opened the hearing to Council questions. There were many. Which city- owned properties were evaluated? Could a list of city-owned properties or redevelopment owned properties be provided? Could details or renovation cost estimates for the current location be provided? Could a list of the 31 evaluated properties be provided? And could the lease details including conversion /adaptability costs for the Niles site be provided. And finally where was the money to pay for this now and in the future coming from? In light of these unanswered questions Chairperson White affirmed Council support for adequate, convenient, customer and employee friendly quarters for the Human Rights Commission. However with the apparent need for more answers Karen entertained a motion for no recommendation from her committee for Bill No. 12-47. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic so moved and Dr. Varner followed with a second. All agreed. There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Karen White adjourned the meeting at 4:06 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Karen White, Chairperson Personnel & Finance Committee