Homer Alaska - News

"It's really important that we provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees," said council member Beth Wythe, a member of the task force.

In addition to Wythe, others on the task force include council members Kevin Hogan and Francie Roberts; Jo Johnson, city clerk; Regina Harville, finance director; and Rick Abboud, city planner. At the Monday meeting, Abboud was chosen the task force's chairman and Roberts the vice chair.

The building that has become City Hall was purchased in 1986 from Rita Jo Shoultz, according to Sheri Hobbs, the city's personnel director. Remodeling done at the time of the purchase added the council chambers.

The building measures 9,145 square feet. In 1986, there were 14 city employees that worked in city hall; today there are 21, said Hobbs.

A study done in 2006 estimated that within 30 years, the space needs for city hall would grow to 19,550 square feet. That study also included growth for the city's public safety building from its 12,200 square feet to 38,640 square feet. The study was coordinated by Anne Marie Holen and included responses to questionnaires distributed to city division heads, an examination of the city hall floor plan, interviews with Chief of Police Mark Robl and input from city employees.

Funding available for the renovation and expansion include $1.4 million remaining in grant funds appropriated for the City Hall/Town Square Project, as well as an additional $414,274 from the City Hall depreciation account to the City Hall construction account.

"With the limited amount of funds we have, we'll probably not be able to add the 39,000 square fete of public safety into this building," said Wythe, adding she did not necessarily favor combining the two into the same location.

Hogan encouraged not limiting the discussion at this point, but agreed with Wythe keeping the two sites separate is "probably where we'll end up."

City Manager Walt Wrede developed a proposed action plan in June that includes:

n September: Create the task force;

n September-October: Review existing documents;

n November: Prepare a request for proposals;

n December: Select a contractor;

n February 2011: Approve the budget and scope of work;

n February 2011: Approve a transition plan, outlining how city business will be conducted during construction;

n March 2011: Begin construction;

n October 2011: Complete construction.

Carey Meyer, public works director, was on hand Monday to answer questions from and provide additional information for task force members.

"I think the decisions we hope to come closer to making at the next meeting are things like should we build a second story on the existing footprint or does it make sense to expand the footprint of the building or a combination of the two," he said. "The whole idea is to get our best bang for the buck and try to provide employees with a healthy workspace, maybe some additional meeting rooms and better access to staff."

The City Hall Renovation and Expansion Task Force meets again at 5 p.m. Sept. 20.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.