HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-11-12 Personnel & Finance CommitteePERSONNEL 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