City will attempt to work upgrades into operating budget

WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg City Council was in full agreement not to move forward with the proposed purchase of the former Jehovah’s Witness church building, across from Preston Park, as the new location for City Hall. They also said ‘no’ to retaining loan funds for upgrades to the current facility on the corner of Main and Preston Avenue at the Jan. 17 council meeting.

City Manager Randy Hinchliffe proposed purchase of the former church building, which is also located next to the City Shop, as an alternative to performing extensive repairs and upgrades to the current City Hall building.

Hinchliffe said he had done some research to determine how City Hall ended up in its current location. At one time, City Hall, the police department and the library, were all housed in the Weller Library building. Hinchliffe said there is a vague reference in City minutes from 1974, indicating that the City purchased a portion of the building from the bank for $4,000. Attorney Vaughn Hubbard apparently matched the City’s offer to purchase the adjoining space, with a shared access.

Hinchliffe said that the building was constructed in the late 1800s is in need of ADA access, the roof and windows need replaced, it needs a new HVAC system, the upstairs needs remodeled and the outside brick needs repointed.

Hinchliffe said representatives from the Jehovah’s Witness church approached him about the building and they have a standing offer of $255,000 for the space.

The council discussed the pricing and prioritization of the projects.

“If we do that, we’ve got a building that we own like everyone else that’s not going to sell,” council member Jim Romine said.

Romine said the church building needs improvements as well, noting that it has no internet setup, there is no defined office space and no windows and it is located in the flood plain.

Council member Hockersmith said that three nonprofit groups – Park and Recreation, Emergency Preparedness, and Rural Youth Enrichment Services – all looking for office space. She suggested that the organizations could use the space, even if not ADA compliant, with the use of a floor level doorbell.

“If you could lease it to us for $1 a year, we could start improvements and we could start looking for grant money. We might be able to put an elevator upstairs,” Hockersmith said.

Hinchliffe said a loan of $300,000 would allow room for improvements.

Council member Terry Jacoy motioned not to pursue the purchase of the Jehovah’s Witness church building to move City Hall. Romine seconded and all were in favor.

Hinchliffe said there was no money in the City budget to make improvements to the existing building and requested that the council keep the loan funds in place to use toward upgrades.

“If we can’t do it with existing funds, we shouldn’t do it,” Jacoy said.

Jacoy motioned against retaining the loan funds for improvements. Kuykendall seconded and all voted in favor.

“We will look at this and come up with some type of plan,” said Mayor Marty Dunn.

Council agreed to seek bids and create a priority list of projects. Hinchliffe was asked to get “rock solid” estimates on brick repointing, a roof, and HVAC.