Trending
City Council's Ad Hoc City Hall Committee recommended to remain at City Hall, build a handicap accessible ramp and form another committee to explore a public safety building construction.
Councilman Adam Yoder, committee chairman, said over the past seven or eight months the committee looked at the financial and logistical options of either remaining in the building or relocating to Trade and Transit Centres I or II in the 100 block of West Third Street.
By staying in City Hall, if that's what council votes on, it will mean accessibility projects will be a priority, including a ramp on the west side of the building leading into the police department connecting with the existing ramp.
A substantial amount of the funding for the accessibility additions and upgrades is available between natural gas impact fee use and general fund use, Yoder said.
A plan would be to put out a request for proposals to find a design firm to look at the costs and scope of the project. That would give the city additional time to see grants and other funding sources, he said.
The plan further looks at continuing to seek a public safety building -- either an existing one or a new construction -- for the police, the fire department, codes and perhaps adjunct office and morgue space for the Lycoming County coroner.
Joseph Gerardi, city codes administrator, said his recommendation to the committee would be to remain at City Hall, do the Americans with Disabilities Act updates and to seek an alternative location for the city police.
Councilman Vincent Puluzzi concurred with Gerardi, and said he believes that is the best decision moving forward even though it will cost several million dollars.
Mayor Derek Slaughter said the recommendation from the committee makes the most sense right now, particularly with variables at the transit building.
The administration is ironing out details with the Community Theatre League, which occupies leased space on the first and third floors of Trade and Transit Centre I.
In previous discussions the committee was shown a draft plan for the city to relocate administrative offices to Trade and Transit Centre II but that appears to be a moot point at this time.
"At the moment City Hall is the most viable option for us," Slaughter said.
Council President Randall J. Allison said with an ongoing discussion for police he suggested reforming the ad hoc committee and its role to explore the public safety building.
That would incorporate discussion with police Chief Damon Hagan and allow for a separate discussions on the police department future.
Councilwoman Liz Miele said the findings of the ad hoc committee should be put into the form of a written document moving ahead for procedural reasons.