Wednesday, March 19, 2008 4:24 PM CDT
Council agrees on limited renovations at police building
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — The city will renovate what it can of the police department building mainly with a $300,000 Omega funds “coupon.”
City commissioners unanimously approved an amended motion Tuesday for accepting a $71,750 design contract with Hance, Utz & Associates for renovations of the third and fourth floors of the police station at 17th Street and Wabash Avenue. That leaves the council the option to approve priorities to meet police needs for opening the floors to use by the East Central Illinois Task Force and the local probation office, as well as MPD storage needs and a computer technology department office.
Without the compromise, Commissioner Joe McKenzie and possibly other council members were ready to turn down a plan that had the city paying up to $500,000 of the costs of the project. The Omega funds gained from the fraud investigation several years ago could provide a $300,000 “coupon” for the work on the police station, but McKenzie questioned why the city has to do the entire project when there are other budgetary priorities.
“Most people will not spend $62 to get $100 of merchandise they don’t really need in order to use a coupon to save $38,” said McKenzie during the council’s caucus session. “The coupon we have has restrictions but it doesn’t require us to spend additional money.”
McKenzie opposes using sales tax money set aside for infrastructure improvements when they should go toward the south side drainage project, sidewalk repairs and replacing sewer and water lines, he said. City residents approved a quarter cent sales tax five years ago to provide extra money for infrastructure work.
McKenzie also opposed borrowing through bonds for the police station work.
Mayor Dave Cline said a decision had to be made now on using Omega funds for the police building because a deadline is nearing on their use under U.S. Department of Justice guidelines. The city has used the Omega funds for equipment purchases, including computers and video cameras for squad cars plus safety equipment for officers.
The city received the money from a distribution to all law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation that gained money from property and vehicle confiscations conducted by the U.S. Marshal Service.
“A decision has to be made now on doing it or not,” said Cline. “Without the Omega money we will never be able to afford it.”
City police moved into the former Link Clinic building several years ago after decades of maintaining a police station at Mattoon City Hall. Part of the former medical building was renovated for occupancy of the police department, but some floors were not. However, the heating and cooling system was originally designed to service all floors, meaning the city pays for utility bills on floors with limited use.
The task force and probation office would pay fees for use of the office space.
Another aspect of the renovations involves improving general security of the police department building, said Mattoon Deputy Police Chief Jeff Branson.
When the matter came to a vote during the business session of the council meeting, Commissioner Rick Hall suggested changing the plan for more flexibility on the final costs.
“We could still get the police department as much as they can and spend only what we can afford,” Hall said.
The amendment, offered by City Attorney Preston Owen, deleted a reference to “authorizing competitive bids” and concentrated on the design contract for specifications. He explained the change would give the council the option to approve only the top needs for the police department.
The vote on the amended motion was accepted by Cline and commissioners McKenzie, Hall, David Schilling and Randy Ervin.
In other business, the council approved new rules for training of Mattoon Police Department Auxiliary members to complete 40 hours of state-certified firearms training. The auxiliary provides traffic control, assistance during natural disasters or emergencies and other assistance to sworn officers.
The auxiliary members only carry firearms under permission of the department and never when off duty. They serve without pay or benefits except when authorized by the council.
The auxiliary currently has eight members and has been in existence for many years.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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My Point of View wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:23 AM: