Library officials propose taking over City Hall facility
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008
ELKINS - Public library patrons may have more space soon if plans go as hoped by library and city officials.
Ron Bamburg, president of Friends of the Library, presented a written proposal to the City Council on Thursday on behalf of the library board to assume all rights, responsibilities and obligations under the lease-to-purchase between the city and Chambers Bank for the current City Hall building.
"The library will begin making payments on the first of the month after the city moves out," Bamburg said.
He introduced architect R. T. Hughen of Pellham Phillips Architects Engineers to explain how the library would use the building. Interior renovations would consist of taking down walls that are not load bearing and adding shelves.
Bamburg said the current City Hall building would serve the library needs better than the smaller 900-space-foot space being used at the Elkins Community Center. In addition, he introduced plans drawn up by Hughen to expand the building by 2, 000 square feet. The building as it is now measures 1, 893 square feet.
Bamburg said the library would exercise a purchase option on the building to pay off the $ 64, 000 currently owed if that became necessary.
"Plans are to ask for an additional $ 160, 000 to add the 2, 000 square feet, giving the library the space it needs for the next 15 years," he said.
"With credit tight, if the bank is not able to give you a loan, do you have the money to do the interior work ? "Alderman Jeremy Stevens asked.
"Yes, we do," Bamburg said.
"It makes a lot of sense to me," Stevens said.
There was an issue of funds for the Carfagnio building if the library took over the current City Hall. The city is in the process of buying the Carfagnio building in order to have the space to move all city department offices into one building.
"It would cost us about $ 60, 000 to $ 70, 000, because it would mean that building could not be sold to help cover costs for the Carfagnio building," Mayor Jack Ladyman said.
Elkins is spending $ 295, 000 to purchase the Carfagnio building. The sale of four city buildings was meant to go toward that purchase price.
"Even though we won't have funds for the City Hall building to put on the Carfagnio building, I think we have a plan in place that will work," Ladyman said. "I think it's a good idea for the library to take over the City Hall building.
He added there has been a hitch in the financing of the Carfagnio building for city hall because 100 percent financing isn't available.
"We can put up one of our other buildings, like the Water Utility building, and when it sells, pay on the loan," Ladyman said. "It will be like having two loans. We can pay the one off and then have a lower payment on the larger balance."
"That will work," Alderman Bobby McGarrah said about the Car fagnio loan.
"I think even though it will cost us, I agree the library moving into the City Hall building would work out because it would be best for the citizens," McGarrah said.
"That's what it's all about," Alderman Bill Epperson said.
Stevens moved to accept the library's proposal contingent upon the city being able to finalize the purchase of the Carfagnio building. Aldermen approved the proposal with a 6-0 vote.
Susan Unger, librarian, said she was happy with the plan because it would keep the library close to the schools and the Community Center.
In other business, a discussion regarding the Elkins Police Department's acceptance of a mutual agreement with the University of Arkansas to provide additional police protection at football games led to a brief disagreement between Chief Shawn Ellis and two aldermen, Bobby McGarrah and Bruce Ledford.
"I don't want it to cost the city in any way," McGarrah said.
Ellis said the UA will pay $ 25 per officer, and the extra duty will not cost the city.
"But they will be taking cars there, and those are Elkins citizens' cars," Ledford said.
"We supply more officers that any other small towns, and the university helps us in any way it can," Ellis said. "We do send a few cars but not our fleet. I think it's a good way for our department to network with other departments. Also UA lets us use their training equipment. There's a good rapport there."
"Most of the ones we send are auxiliary officers," Alderman Bonnie Wilcox said.
Stevens said he thinks the benefits outweigh the cost and moved to accept the agreement with UA. It passed 4-2 with McGarrah and Ledford voting against it.
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