To consolidate or not wasn’t really the question.
The problem, as Clarkston City Council discussed options for bringing the city’s administrative, police and DPW departments together under one roof, was money.
But whether federal stimulus funds arrive or not, the council agreed consolidating of city operations is a project worth pursuing.
‘The facility at 3 East Church is lacking,? said Councilman Jim Brueck, who gave a committee report to the council Feb. 23. ‘It’s a garage; it’s not a police station, it’s not a storage area. It’s inadequate for our long term needs, so it makes sense to look hard at our alternatives for moving out of that facility.?
As part of the Physical Plant and City Assets committee, Brueck, along with Mayor pro-tem Kristy Ottman and Councilman Cory Johnston, looked at maintaining current police and DPW operations at 3 E. Church versus pursuing other options.
The building on Church Street was rented in 2000, said DPW Director Bob Pursley, when the city’s insurance company said equipment was packed too tightly into the DPW garage on Depot.
?(The council) looked at constructing a new building, but 3 East Church became available,? Pursley said. ‘It was supposed to be a band-aid until we figured something else out. It gave us more room, and gave room for the police.?
Having trucks and other equipment in two locations makes operations difficult, and Pursley said he was in favor of consolidation, but also felt it was important to keep equipment garaged.
‘Leaving the stuff outside will shorten the lifespan,? he said. ‘Equipment would never have a chance to dry out’plus, some of our equipment is diesel, so you’d have a harder time starting it in the winter if it was left out in the cold.?
Police Chief Dale LaCroix said his department has much of what it needs in the 3 E. Church location, but is lacking a few basics.
‘We need more space in the locker room,? LaCroix said. ‘It’s very confined now, and should probably be at least double the size. We also need a place for storage of evidence.?
Evidence’which must be controlled with limited access’is currently stored in a cramped, musty basement closet.
The office area, LaCroix said, is adequate’unless stimulus funds come through for a requested printing machine and a data master test breathalyzer, in which case he’d need more space.
‘I’d also like to have a small holding room,? he said, noting anyone he or his officers take into custody is brought to the station and cuffed to a metal bar on the wall until other arrangements can be made.
After talking with the city’s department heads about space requirements and ‘wish lists,? the council committee came up with and studied four options: do nothing and continue with current facilities; renovate and expand current village offices to consolidate all city operations; build separate garage facilities outside immediate park grounds and renovate current village complex to all office space and; tear down existing building at 375 Depot Road and build new facility.
Brueck presented the committee’s findings, including pros and cons, along with a detailed cost analysis based on flexible parameters at the Feb. 23 meeting.
The committee ultimately recommended Option B’renovate and expand current village offices to consolidate all city operations’and said the recommendation wouldn’t change if stimulus funds become a factor.
‘If we’re lucky enough to get federal stimulus money, there are plenty of things to spend it on,? said Councilman Cory Johnston. ‘I don’t see any reason to spend it on a more grand city hall.?
Johnston said he would rather see money go toward energy efficient features.
‘It would make us stand out as more cutting edge, verses building grand city hall,? he said. ‘Ten years down the line, when energy costs more than five times what it does now, people will be going ‘that was a smart decision??
Councilwoman Kristy Ottman agreed with a conservative approach.
‘We are built out completely,? she said. ‘We’re not, by any stretch of the imagination, looking at a heavy revenue increase as the city grows older and older. (Bob Pursley and Dale LaCroix) both indicated the facilities we’re proposing are more than adequate for what they need.?
In addition to continued refinement of ‘Option B,? the committee recommended the council pursue the Kellogg grant, which could pay for the planning and design of the proposed renovation and building addition, and continue to refine energy savings analysis and construction cost estimates.
A meeting for public input was also suggested.
In the event stimulus funds don’t come through, the council asked city manager Dennis Ritter to look into obtaining a bond to pay for the project.