MINUTES
STATE
OF
The Henderson County
Board of Commissioners met for a special called meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the
Commissioners' Conference Room of the
Those present were: Chairman Bill Moyer, Vice-Chairman Charlie
Messer, Commissioner Larry Young, Commissioner
Also present were: Library
Director Bill Snyder and Public Information Officer Chris S. Coulson.
CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME
Chairman Moyer called
the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. He stated that this
meeting was being held with respect to the Tuxedo School Property, and would
provide the Board a chance to consider all the input and letters received, and
to hear from Staff regarding the questions raised to date.
PRESENTATION OF STAFF REPORT
Justin Hembree provided
the Board with a background of the Tuxedo library and park project. There had
been a longstanding desire, both by the citizens and County, to develop a
community park in the Tuxedo area, Likewise, there had been an interest in finding
a new home for the Green River Branch Library. Those wishes were formally
placed on the County’s “to do” list through the current Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) and Strategic Plan. The current CIP included a place setting of
$1 million for a library and park project in the Tuxedo community. The
Strategic Plan called for the various planning phases of a park project on the
One of the continuing
issues in locating a park, and in turn a new library, in the tuxedo community
was the availability of property in the area. The County’s Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board and Recreation Department had actively searched for appropriate
properties for a number of years. Unfortunately, nothing in terms of property
had materialized from those efforts.
In the past year
however, The Henderson County Board of Education had declared the
Mr. Hembree provided a
more detailed description of the property. The property was formerly used as an
elementary school campus. The total site was approximately 6.93 acres. It
houses two buildings specifically designed for school use. The first of those
buildings was the main building which was a two story masonry classroom
building. The total area of the building was approximately 17,718 square feet. That
main building had been constructed in two phases. The first phase was constructed
in 1924, and the second phase was constructed in 1952. The second building was
a two classroom building with a total area of 2,560 square feet.
Mr. Hembree stated that public
water and sewer services were not available at the site. However, there were on
site well and septic systems that had proven adequate to serve the site in its
use as a small elementary school over the years. The site might support some
sort of light institutional or commercial use. However it would likely not support
a more intensive industrial/commercial or high density residential use.
As discussions about the development of a
community park and new library have proceeded, conversations have centered on
the possible demolition of the
Mr. Hembree noted that the staff report
outlined two possible options. He stated though, that didn’t mean there were
only two options. He felt there were numerous options for the project in terms
of restoration, and parks and recreation. However, staff had worked from the
two primary options discussed at the community meeting.
Option
1 - Library and Park Facility (Demolition of Building)
One project option was the development of
a library and park facility on the
paved and lighted basketball courts, a
multi-purpose activity field, three picnic shelters, and individual picnic
tables. A 40 space parking lot was also being considered. The following
preliminary budget estimate had been developed for this option:
Preliminary Budget
Estimate, Option 1
|
Item |
Estimated Cost |
|
|
Building Demolition |
$100,000 |
|
|
Library Design and
Construction |
$600,000 |
|
|
40 Space Parking Lot |
$35,000 |
|
|
Recreation Facilities |
|
|
|
|
½ Mile Paved Walking
Trail |
$25,000 |
|
|
Playground Equipment |
$60,000 |
|
|
Paved & Lighted
Basketball Courts |
$45,000 |
|
|
Multi-Purpose Activity
Field |
$30,000 |
|
|
3 Picnic Shelters |
$75,000 |
|
|
9 Picnic Tables |
$9,000 |
|
Contingency |
$21,000 |
|
|
Total Estimate |
$1,000,000 |
|
*Based on 4,000 square feet at $150 per
square foot.
Option 2 - Preservation of Building (No Demolition
of Building)
The preservation of the
·
The
Board of Education may deed the
·
The
Board of Education may deed the
Based on an analysis by recreation staff
and a local design professional, it had been determined that the following
recreation facilities could be placed on the property surrounding the
·
A
one-quarter mile walking trail.
·
Two
picnic sheds.
·
Playground
equipment.
·
Paved
and lighted basketball court.
Mr. Hembree stated that
there were several areas in which Staff required direction from the Board. The
Board would need to determine whether they wished to direct Staff to begin the
process of purchasing the property from the Board of Education, and if so, what
would the public need be listed as for the property. He felt that question was
central in determining the future of the project.
Mr. Hembree also stated
that a lot of questions had been raised about the project in the past weeks.
Some of those related to how much funding was set aside for the project. He
stated that there was debt service included in the CIP to allow for the
borrowing of $1 million. That money was not tied to any particular piece of
property. He stated again that the Henderson County Board of Education
currently owned the property. The conceptual plans being considered were extremely
preliminary, but included most amenities found in community parks. If the
project proceeds, the County would seek input from the community about the
design, and what amenities they would need and want.
The final question was how
much it would cost to rehabilitate the main building. The figure was derived
from other projects done locally through the school system. Based on those
projects, the cost was estimated at $1.4 million, which was the equivalent of $79
per square foot. Mr. Hembree asked the Board to keep in mind that number only
included the building itself: new plumbing, mechanical work, replacement of the
windows, new handicap ramps, exits, new elevator, electrical and lighting, new
roofing, new floors and ceilings, painting, upgrades to stairwells, site work
and the parking area. It did not include any costs associated with wastewater,
water supply, hazardous material removal, the purchase price of the building,
or any improvements. It also did not include the purchase price of the
building.
Commissioner Baldwin
requested that Mr. Hembree provide the Board a spreadsheet on Option 2, such as
was provided for Option 1.
LIBRARY STAFF AND BOARD COMMENTS
Library Director Bill
Snyder addressed the Board. He stated that there were three issues from the
standpoint of the library that had to be addressed.
Mr. Snyder answered
several questions from the Board. He stated that he had been a library director
for 32 years, and had been involved in nine building projects. He and an
architect from Bill O’Cain’s office had visited the building about six years
previous. Though no formal study had been conducted, it had been their
consensus that the building would not work well. The architect was paid, but
was paid by the Friends of the Library rather than the County.
RECREATION STAFF AND BOARD COMMENTS
Terry Maybin addressed
the Board on behalf of the Recreation Advisory Board. She stated that she had
been on the Board for the past 12 years. In those years, the community had been
waiting their turn for a park, while looking for land. Approximately eight
years ago, she and the previous Recreation Board Chairman had driven every
street in Tuxedo looking for available land for a park. They had been waiting
for something to open up ever since. She stated that she would appreciate the
Board’s consideration for the
Ms. Maybin answered
several questions from the Board. She stated that the Recreation Advisory Board
had not taken an official stance on whether the main building should remain,
but the consensus of the Recreation Board was that if the County did not
proceed with this property, the opportunity for a park would be lost. If the
main building remained however, they did not feel there would be a multipurpose
field for any type of recreation. There
was discussion about the population in Tuxedo versus East Flat Rock, and how
much use the East Flat Rock Park was experiencing.
PRESENTATION OF STAFF REPORT - continued
Mr. Hembree presented the following
preliminary budget estimate for Option 2, which would preserve the building:
Preliminary Budget
Estimate, Option 2
|
Item |
Estimated Cost |
|
|
Library Design and
Construction |
$600,000 |
|
|
40 Space Parking Lot |
$35,000 |
|
|
Recreation Facilities |
|
|
|
|
¼ Mile Paved Walking
Trail |
$12,500 |
|
|
2 Picnic Shelters |
$50,000 |
|
|
Playground Equipment |
$60,000 |
|
|
Paved & Lighted
Basketball Courts |
$45,000 |
|
Contingency |
$10,500 |
|
|
Total Estimate |
$813,000 |
|
Commissioner McGrady
stated that the assumption was the renovation of the accessory buildings. Not
included in the estimate was the cost for renovation of the main building, or
what the public purpose of the main school building would be. The Option 2
estimate simply backs out the demolition costs and other incidental differences
in the recreational facilities. Mr. Hembree answered some questions from the
Board about the differences in the total estimates.
Commissioner Young
expressed concern about the estimated cost for demolition of the main building.
He felt $100,000 was too low, given that the demolition of the old
BOARD DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION
Commissioner Young
stated that in listening to the information provided, he was hearing that the
property was not sufficient to meet the needs of the community. He felt trying
to buy the property and renovate it was off base as far as cost was concerned.
He was of the opinion that the Board should look for other property, and
provide the community more for the dollar.
Commissioner McGrady stated
that he had heard something different during the presentations - that with
regards to a library, Staff would make do with the building if necessary,
though it certainly wouldn’t be their recommendation, and that with regards to
a park, after years of searching for property, this was about it. Commissioner
McGrady stated that he lived in the area, and was unaware of any property
available. He believed there were two choices available: the Board should
either make the decision to purchase the property and demolish the building at
an expensive cost, or instruct the Recreation Advisory Board and Library Board
to continue their search for property.
Chairman Moyer stated
that there was only one option in his opinion. The Tuxedo community had been
promised a park and library year after year, and to pass over this site would
put that promise on hold yet again. He believed the site was good, from the
standpoint of it’s location in the community and the fact that it used to be
the heart of the community. With a vibrant park and library, he believed it
could again become the heart of the community. Rather than try to fit too much
on the property, he was of the opinion that the main building should be torn
down, and the Board should move aggressively to try to get the library and park
open for the citizens of Tuxedo.
Commissioner Messer
stated that he had been on the Recreation Advisory Board for five years, and
that the community deserved a park and library. If there were additional
property available in that area, he did not know where it was. He did feel that
the Board needed some additional figures on demolition and site grading. He
agreed that the Board should pursue the site, and should tear down the school
to provide as much recreational space as possible.
Commissioner Baldwin stated
that he felt the previous two meetings had been more sales jobs than exploring
the available options. He stated that he was not opposed to either option, but
did have an affinity for historical structures and would prefer to find a way
to preserve the school if possible. He expressed disappointment in the process
used stating that the community and the Board deserved the chance to hear all
the information and cost estimates for both options rather than just Option A.
Commissioner Young
stated that he was in favor of giving the citizens in the Tuxedo area a library
and a park. He did not feel though, that the site could support what the
citizens deserved, even if the main building were torn down. He had trouble
believing that property could not be found that would better suit the
community’s needs. If the Board did opt to proceed with the school site
however, he would be in favor of demolishing the building.
Commissioner McGrady stated
that he shared some of the reservations already expressed, and had some doubts
about the demolition costs coming in as projected. However, his preference was
to build the park and library on the site, which would mean the old school
building would need to be demolished. He suggested directing staff to develop
really strong, detailed, plans and costs.
Following additional discussion by the Board, Chairman Moyer made the motion to indicate
that the Board would like to receive more detailed numbers, would like to try
to make the site work with respect to the library and the park, would like to
receive more detailed numbers with respect to the cost for demolition of the
school building and site grading, more detailed figures for the cost of the park,
look at reconfiguration of the property moving the multipurpose field to the middle
of the property, and see the Option B numbers placing the library in the main
building. There followed some additional discussion about Option B.
Chairman Moyer stated that the new Option B would be to retain the main
building, the library would be placed in that main building, the auxiliary
classroom building would be demolished, and the multipurpose field would be
moved to the middle of the property. A vote was then taken on the motion. All voted in
favor and the motion carried.
Commissioner
McGrady questioned what the timeline would be to hear the requested figures.
Because it was a school building, the Board of Education was maintaining it,
and would soon need to winterize it at some cost. Chairman Moyer stated that he would let Board
of Education Chairman Ervin Bazzle know that the Board was moving forward,
would like to make the site work, but wished to see more detailed numbers. He
stated the Board would shoot for a month, and hoped Staff would be able to get
those figures in the time span.
Adjourn
Commissioner
McGrady made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. All voted in
favor and the motion carried.
Attest:
Amy R. Brantley, Deputy Clerk
to the Board William L.
Moyer, Chairman