Plans for expanding city hall are moving forward, as City Council approved going out for bids on a $335,785 project.
The plan includes a 2,049-square-foot addition to Clarkston’s city hall in Depot Park, and 743 square feet of interior renovations. It would include four garage bays for two dump trucks, front loader, and lift; about 1,100 square feet for storage of DPW equipment; and a meeting room with space for 40 audience members.
City council voted 5-1 to approve the recommendation. Council member David Marsh voted against the motion. Mayor Joe Luginski was absent, recoving from surgery, said Mayor Pro-Tem Eric Haven.
Marsh said the finance committee did not provide enough information about what the city can afford.
“I don’t feel confident we have that information,” he said.
As requested by city council, the committee prepared a loan amortization schedule for the project. Total loan cost with interest would be $442,547.33.
This the committee’s best estimate ? the actual cost would be determined after bids come in from contractors, Haven said.
The committee found $100,000 and $200,000 plans were inadequate for the city’s needs, Haven said.
The committee said the $335,875 cost is feasible based on budget projections by Treasurer Sandra Barlass.
“Taxable value is predicted to increase,”Barlass said.
Also, revenue from the state is projected to increase and new businesses are set to open in the city, she said.
Council member Sharron Catallo said there were similar concerns in the 1970s about paying for the current city hall, but it was paid off.
“It’s a big, big commitment, but I don’t see a way around it,” Catallo said. “We tried to find other options and it hasn’t worked. It’s just better if you have all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.”
“I don’t disagree, DPW needs its space,” said Council member Al Avery.
Council member Michael Sabol said the decision does not commit the city to the project.
“We’re still not making a commitment to spend one penny,” Sabol said.
“The bottom line is, whatever we do, we want the bid package to go out.”
City Manager Carol Eberhardt said the bid process is just the starting point.
“A lot has to be done yet. We’ve been talking hypotheticals for a year and a half. At some point, we have to start talking about a real number.”
Council member Jason Kneisc said the city has options.
“The parking lot at Main and Washington is the most prime piece of real estate and it’s a parking lot, no one pays us to park in there,” Kneisc said. “It’s a resource we have ? if we sell this parking lot, we could have it paid for.”