MONROE - The Monroe Common Council is moving slowly forward with feedback from citizens in mind on what to do with its sagging City Hall.
City Administrator Phil Rath presented survey results from five open houses in early November. Officials had planned to use the events to share options and gain feedback from local residents. But turnout was low: Surveys were filled out by 16 people, with 12 of those as part of a tour group from the Behring Senior Center.
In his evaluation, Rath found that a majority of respondents "agreed or strongly agreed with the findings" regarding the less than optimal visitor-friendly conditions and accessibility of Monroe City Hall. The survey posed each option and asked for favorability on the proposal. They ranged from simple cement patches to a brand new building.
McGowan Architects LLC proposed five options to the city of Monroe
in August. Option One calls for
reconstructing exterior stairs and building new ramps with the addition of a canopy over the Recreation Department entrance. Option Two would enclose the exterior stairs and build new ramps in addition to a canopy.
Options Three, Three-A and Four each include a new lobby. In Three, the lobby would have stairs and an elevator for access to both the basement and first floor. Three-A would be similar, but would also make council chambers larger. Option Four would have the lobby and elevator and also add public restrooms.
Of these options, the three with the elevator were most favored.
While the idea to build an entirely new structure was viewed the most negatively, answers also stayed away from doing just minimal maintenance to the building's entrance.
Rath said the option that includes an elevator and public restrooms was most highly regarded by respondents. However, it also has the potential for the highest cost - estimated between $1.95 and $2.23 million.
The city would have the option of using existing funds if available. It could also borrow for financing, but if the payment process calls for longer than 10 years, the issue would go to referendum for approval.
There was also the option of hosting an advisory referendum to gain opinions from voters. The council decided Tuesday that an advisory vote would be unnecessary because aldermen would still have the authority override any decision. Council members also have the option to have a committee make further recommendations, but decided it should be handled by the council as a whole.
Alderman Louis Armstrong said regardless of what decision is made, there needs to be more immediate action to fix the structure's current problems. If a referendum is needed, the city would have to create the language and add it to the April ballot before the end of January. Otherwise, the decision would have to wait until the November election.
Alderman Charles Koch said he was in favor of leaving the decision to voters on whether or not to spend money on a renovation project.
The council scheduled further discussion on options and funding for its next meeting on Jan. 19. A public hearing to gain more citizen's feedback is also planned for the meeting.
City Administrator Phil Rath presented survey results from five open houses in early November. Officials had planned to use the events to share options and gain feedback from local residents. But turnout was low: Surveys were filled out by 16 people, with 12 of those as part of a tour group from the Behring Senior Center.
In his evaluation, Rath found that a majority of respondents "agreed or strongly agreed with the findings" regarding the less than optimal visitor-friendly conditions and accessibility of Monroe City Hall. The survey posed each option and asked for favorability on the proposal. They ranged from simple cement patches to a brand new building.
McGowan Architects LLC proposed five options to the city of Monroe
in August. Option One calls for
reconstructing exterior stairs and building new ramps with the addition of a canopy over the Recreation Department entrance. Option Two would enclose the exterior stairs and build new ramps in addition to a canopy.
Options Three, Three-A and Four each include a new lobby. In Three, the lobby would have stairs and an elevator for access to both the basement and first floor. Three-A would be similar, but would also make council chambers larger. Option Four would have the lobby and elevator and also add public restrooms.
Of these options, the three with the elevator were most favored.
While the idea to build an entirely new structure was viewed the most negatively, answers also stayed away from doing just minimal maintenance to the building's entrance.
Rath said the option that includes an elevator and public restrooms was most highly regarded by respondents. However, it also has the potential for the highest cost - estimated between $1.95 and $2.23 million.
The city would have the option of using existing funds if available. It could also borrow for financing, but if the payment process calls for longer than 10 years, the issue would go to referendum for approval.
There was also the option of hosting an advisory referendum to gain opinions from voters. The council decided Tuesday that an advisory vote would be unnecessary because aldermen would still have the authority override any decision. Council members also have the option to have a committee make further recommendations, but decided it should be handled by the council as a whole.
Alderman Louis Armstrong said regardless of what decision is made, there needs to be more immediate action to fix the structure's current problems. If a referendum is needed, the city would have to create the language and add it to the April ballot before the end of January. Otherwise, the decision would have to wait until the November election.
Alderman Charles Koch said he was in favor of leaving the decision to voters on whether or not to spend money on a renovation project.
The council scheduled further discussion on options and funding for its next meeting on Jan. 19. A public hearing to gain more citizen's feedback is also planned for the meeting.