Lansing City Council holds Special Meeting to address citizen concerns on future of City Hall

by B.J. Tomlinson

Special Informational Meeting

The Lansing City Council and approximately 30 citizens attended an informational meeting Monday night, November 16 at Kerndt Brothers Community Center. Mayor Mike Brennan addressed the citizens to discuss the future of the City Hall in Lansing. He began by giving attendees a background of the issues that precipitated calling the special meeting.
Brennan said there have been a number of "nagging issues" that have accumulated over time related to the current physical problems of the City Hall office building:  1. The north wall is bowing in and takes in water after significant rainfall which has created mold and mildew issues in the basement; 2. the leaking roof needs to be replaced at an estimated cost of $10,000 to $15,000. In addition, bat guano is prevalent in the attic space; 3. the siding, which is rotting in spots, needs to be replaced, which would cost approximately $20,000; 4. windows are either mechanically defective and/or rotting and need to be repaired or replaced; and, 5. the existing air conditioning unit has died and needs replacing.
Although exact repair figures are not yet available, the question, Mayor Brennan said, is whether the structure is worth repairing. Brennan said that the Council would like to build a new office building, but that process would be lengthy and expensive and there is no assurance that Lansing residents would approve a referendum that would undoubtedly raise property taxes.
Brennan said the Council's original goal was to find a space large enough to accommodate the Police Department, City Clerk's office, and Council Chambers, adding that a Main Street presence was preferred. The current Police Department office is inadequate; a secure, separate evidence room and an interrogation room with audio and video recording equipment are needed. Over the past several months Council members have looked into several options, but all were rejected for various reasons. Those considered were the Hawkeye Liquor Store location (would cost $135,000 plus significant renovations), the Pilot House (not enough space on the main level) and Meehan Memorial Library (not quite enough space and other programs are currently utilizing the space).
Brennan said the Council then discovered another option - that of renting space from Eastern Allamakee Community School at the old Middle School Building. They discussed the idea with Superintendent Dale Crozier, who presented it to the School Board. The School Board was receptive and discussions continued. The proposed lease agreement between the School and the Council included a monthly rental fee of $500 plus $100 for a share of the utilities, except during June and July, when the City would pay all the electric bills due to air conditioning costs. The City would purchase and install the air conditioning units and pay for any of the other remodeling costs. The lease agreement would be assumed on a month-to-month basis. Although the Council discussed the proposed lease agreement at its last regular meeting, no commitment between the parties has been made and no agreements have been signed. It was at this point two weeks ago that two citizens, John Rethwisch and Don Peters, both of whom will be assuming City Council positions in January, 2016, requested the City arrange for an informational meeting.
Rethwisch suggested the existing building could be repaired and save the taxpayers money. Peters said he thinks renting is a waste of taxpayer's money and that surely it would be less expensive to repair the existing building. Both Rethwisch and Sue Gage expressed concerns about having the Police Department offices in the school building because children might be exposed to dangerous criminals and criminal activity. Others disagreed, feeling that having a police presence in the school building would provide a safer environment. The school building is currently being used by the school district for the alternative school in the mornings and for various activities in the afternoon and evenings.
Rita Heim suggested that the lower level of the library, which is already owned by the City, could be remodeled fairly inexpensively to suit the City's needs and that this option should be revisited. Gage agreed. Mayor Brennan also mentioned the old fire station building could be utilized for the Police Department offices without a great deal of expense; using both it and the Library space might be an option, though the City's departments would then be located in separate buildings. Renovation figures are needed.
Superintendent Crozier, who was present at the meeting, addressed the citizens and the Council, assuring them that the School's goal is to help the City, not to make any money by renting out the space. Crozier said he and the Council have discussed whether children would be exposed to dangerous situations. He does not believe that children would be placed in any danger. "That just won't happen," he maintained. "We are reasonable people. Reasonable people would find an alternate place to interview dangerous persons."
Several residents asked the Council to provide exact figures in order to compare costs. Mayor Brennan said the Council would continue to explore all the options in order to find the best solution.

Regular Council Meeting
Monday, November 16

The Lansing City Council met at 7:15 p.m. in its regular session after the Special Meeting. The Council reviewed several building permits, approving an application for Ruth Wall to place a mobile home at 120 Valley Street. Tom Burke and Michelle Gauer applied for a permit to build a 24 x 30 foot building to serve as an office and retail space at 80 N. Fourth Street. The Council approved the request but requires a special permit process. Gauer asked the Council to hold a special meeting November 30 to expedite the process so that construction can commence sooner; the Council agreed and Gauer will pay the Council for holding a special meeting. Two applications were postponed pending receipt of administrative requirements: Walter Mahr and Scott Berg for condominium units at 100 Main Street and Dennis Sweeney to construct a commercial building on North Front Street. The application for the construction of a temporary steel structure from Kevin Ira, 941 N. Front Street, was denied after receiving several objections from neighbors.
Street Superintendent Jerry Aperans said all ash trees on City property will be removed by next year. John Rethwisch asked if the City could remove some tree branches that are interfering with the flags on some of the light poles.
After waiving the first and second readings, the Council reviewed and approved Ordinance #194, establishing a 7% Hotel/Motel tax for the City of Lansing following recent voter approval. The Ordinance will become effective January 1, 2016. Fifty percent of the monies obtained from the tax will be used for "...acquiring, constructing, improving, enlarging, equipping, repairing, operating or maintaining ... recreation, convention, cultural or entertainment facilities ... or for the promotion and encouragement of tourist and convention business, and the remaining 50% to be used for any City operations authorized by law..." The new tax replaces the previous 2% local Hotel/Motel tax.
Mayor Brennan briefly referenced the Special Meeting held earlier. Further discussion pertaining to the relocation of City offices was postponed until January, when the two new Council members will take office.
In other business, the Council reviewed health insurance options for City employees. The Council selected the same plan as last year from Gundersen Lutheran at an 8% increase in premium - from $59,039.88 to $63,470.28 annually. City Clerk Katie Becker recently received Municipal Clerk Certification; after discussion, the Council increased her annual salary from $33,737 to $36,000.
Bid letting for the Clear Creek Project will take place December 2 at 3 p.m. at the City Hall.