Council explores immediate Community Building needs

     During the Sept. 20 Monticello City Council meeting, the council held a work session with Tony Amsler, chair of the Community Building Improvement Committee to discuss the next steps regarding the aging facility.

     In early August, Amsler presented the council with a report on repairs, renovations, and upgrades the committee felt the Community Building needed.

     “Our intent is to raise awareness of the condition of our Community Building and to look for ways to return this structure to the jewel it once was,” Amlser concluded in the report. The committee did not prioritize any of the proposed projects, instead leaving that up to the council.

     “We need to get some direction on a plan of what can be done right away versus what can be done long-term,” noted City Administrator Russ Farnum.

     He said the council should consider what projects to work into the city’s budget.

     Farnum pointed out some low-hanging fruit-type of projects that could be accomplished sooner rather than later, at relatively low costs: window coverings, painting, restoration of the storage draws under the stage, and plaster repair.

     “There’s been a lot of talk about the wiring,” Farnum said. “It’s something that certainly needs to be done as one of the projects on the list.”

     The Community Building Committee was able to secure cost estimates for many of the projects, with the exception of wiring and electrical upgrades.

     Council member Dave Goedken referenced a $70,000 cost estimate for electrical upgrades from a 2013 building report from Ament Design.

     Mayor Brian Wolken noted that until the council knows what it wants to do with the Community Building in terms of use and rentals, wiring needs should be put on hold.

     “You can’t start wiring before you know what your end goal is,” he said. “Are we going to have a master renovation? Or just do a few things to make what we have usable, or more usable?”

     City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen, who also served on the committee, added that the council also needs to consider use of the kitchen, which will also play a huge role in electrical needs.

     “Until you have it all determined, it’s going to be hard to put in the right wiring,” she said.

     Council member Chris Lux asked whether the council felt a full kitchen was needed in the Community Building, or just space for catering. Wolken said modern catering spaces have eliminated the need for a full, operational kitchen.

     “We need a prep kitchen with storage,” Wolken suggested. “Most caterers would have the food all prepared.”

     Concerning the window coverings inside, of which there are currently none, Goedken said if they choose to go with electric blinds, then wiring becomes an issue.

     “When it comes to spending money, the cheapest way is not always the best way,” Goedken said. “A remote blinds system might be more expensive, but in the long run, it might be better.”

     Council member Candy Langerman said if the council took on smaller projects that are visible to the community, it will make a noticeable change inside the Community Building. She suggested tackling window coverings, painting, and the stage area first.

     For the last three to four years, the council budgeted $50,000 for Community Building repairs. That money doesn’t automatically roll over year to year; it’s always been $50,000.

     The council felt the first project should be storing the tables and chairs under the stage once again rather in the former coat closet. While the committee sought an estimate of $7,500 from Tony Kraus to repair the storage draws under the stage, Council member Tom Yeoman felt the draws were no longer the way to go.

     “I think it’s a mistake to redevelop, redesign, or rebuild those draws under the stage the way they currently are,” voiced Yeoman. “I think we need to look at an alternative like they use at the Youth Development Center or the Eagles Club.”

     Those facilities store their tables and chairs on roll-out carts in a storage closet.

     “They need to be on rollers or racks so they can be rolled out and set up,” added Yeoman. “So you’re not carrying every table or chair out one by one.”

     The council was receptive to Yeoman’s suggestion.

     No final decisions were made concerning the immediate projects inside the Community Building. Another work session will take place at the Oct. 4 city council meeting.