03-23-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MARCH 23, 2016 OLD FIRE HALL The City Administrator stated that the brick on the front of the Old Fire EXTERIOR Hall is deteriorating and is at the point where it needs to be replaced. He RENOVATIONS stated that while doing an inspection with the Parks & Recreation Director and James Steele Construction, it has become obvious that the rest of the building needs attention, so estimates were received on different options to improve the exterior. He noted that the contractor suggested two options for consideration. One involved stuccoing the entire building. The other involved replacing the brick on the front and putting stucco on the rest of the building. He stated that the estimates to update the exterior on the whole building would be $130,000-$178,000. Keis stated there have been discussions about what to do with this building, and if it is a local historical building that the City wants to keep. He stated that he would prefer to have more discussion about the future of the building before putting over $100,000 into it. Fischer and McGraw agree that the City should have a better understanding of the future of the building. Mcgraw noted that if it is going to be kept, it needs to be fixed, but then does the inside also need work. Montour suggested creating a task force to discuss what to do with the building. Keis stated that the City does not have a community center, and asked if there is a need for more meeting space. Torkelson asked if the repairs can wait another year. The City Administrator stated it should be acceptable to wait on the work. The City Administrator stated that some people feel there is historical significance to the building since the fire department was organized before the City, and this was a key piece of City history. He stated that as the building sits today, there is not enough space for parking, especially if the upstairs were to be rented also. He stated the building has value as extra storage space for public works, and there are a lot of challenges for reuse with the lack of parking and the grade differences on the lot. Mcgraw and Keis offered to be on the task force and suggested others from the Historical Society, Parks and Recreation Commission, the Fire Department, up to three citizens at large, LCRA, City Parks and Recreation staff, and possibly other city staff. Torkelson suggested asking St. Johns if they would sell a piece of their land next to the Old Fire Hall, and noted there could be an opportunity for shared parking. The City Administrator suggested having someone from St. John's on the task force. The Council directed staff to put together a list of potential task force members. DEPARTMENT Montour asked what the next steps are once the quiet zones construction is REPORTS— done. The City Administrator stated that the City has to post quiet zone CITY COUNCIL signs and provide a 21 -day notice to the railroad and FRA before implementation. He noted that he has not been given any kind of schedule 7