Mayor Delores Martin has moved forward on a plan to negotiate and purchase 1.3 acres of land and a building containing approximately 4,000 square feet of usable space.

Approval to negotiate the property, to be used as a city municipal building, was unanimously received from city council at the last council meeting.

Earnest money has been tendered, and a deal is pending, according to officials. The property fronts State Highway 6, and agreed purchase price is $500,000. Martin says the purchase will require no debt on the part of the city, as it has money available in the fund balance that will allow the city to pay cash for the building. The fund balance, as explained by the mayor, is money that has been accrued since 2001 and is comprised of money that has been left over from previous budgets or has been put on the side for some other reason.

A lease purchase option was considered by analysis by council showed that the city could save some $75,000 in interest costs over a four year period by paying cash. They felt that money could better serve the city if invested in other ways.

The new building will easily more than double the amount of space the current city hall building on Masters Road (FM 1128) provides. That building contains approximately 1,600 square feet and houses offices for the mayor, city secretary, treasurer, permit clerk, IT personnel, and city courts. It also serves as the meeting place for city council and for any other required city administrative needs.

The city tried to pass a bond referendum in November that would have provided funding of $2.5 million for the construction of a new 8,000 square foot structure on city owned land just adjacent and north of the current city hall.

The bond plan also provided for the remodel of the current city hall to house the city library, currently in rental space on hwy 6, and for the installation of water and sewer lines along hwy 1128 from hwy 6 to the new [proposed] city hall site. Voters rejected the proposal by a 393-237 vote.

In January, council member Gary Garnett proposed that the city try again to sell the bond package to the citizens and his fellow council members supported him in a 3-1 vote.

Garnett argued that the proposal was not effectively presented and explained to the public and claimed that numerous people expressed to him that they did not fully understand the plan.

He said at the time that his job as a council member is to look ahead for the good of Manvel and he felt strongly that it was a needed move for the city.

Some citizens did not agree and publicly complained to council that there was not a failure of communication and that citizens understood well what was being presented. They expressed their feeling that when people take the time to vote they expect council to listen and honor the will of the people.

Martin expressed reluctance to go forth with a resubmission of the bond idea unless there was unanimous support of council. That was not the case as Melody Hanson was the lone dissenting voice to move the idea forward. Hanson also expressed opposition to the previous bond proposal.

After visiting the building, the mayor said she knew immediately that it was perfect for the city’s needs. She says nothing will need to be done on the inside and they can literally move in and start using it.

The building offers a kitchen, ample storage and work areas, and is fully ADA compliant. The mayor describes it as perfect.

The acquisition also includes two lots on the side that front hwy 6 and four lots in the rear. There will have to be additional parking added in the back of the building to accommodate employees and to serve as overflow for public meetings.

Only 22 spaces are available in the front of the building. Some landscaping changes, lighting enhancements, and other minor repairs will be required to the exterior and a few modifications and additions will be necessary to bring the building up to city code requirements.

Occupancy of the new building should occur sometime in May or June. The mayor says the city could stay in the new building for at least five years.

She says they will always be able to sell property on Highway 6 and that sale proceeds could be used to construct a new city hall as originally planned or the city could remain at the Highway 6 location and possibly add on if additional space becomes necessary. She says it is good to have options that were not before available.

Preliminary plans for the current city hall building call for its use as an annex that will likely house code enforcement, IT personnel, emergency management, and water and sewer staff.

Some thought of moving the police to the building was given but current thinking has the city renewing the lease at the current police location on Highway 6.

by Raymond Ruiz, Reporter News Staff
Manvel Reporter News - March 10, 2010