City approves plan to lease Hall of Fame
By Joey Berlin
Originally published 01:31 p.m., March 6, 2008
Updated 01:31 p.m., March 6, 2008
A lease agreement is now in place for the city to use the National Teachers Hall of Fame building as its “one-stop shop” for community needs related to the Tyson layoffs.
At its meeting on Wednesday, the city commission approved a drafted but unsigned lease that would allow the city, if it decides it needs the building, to rent it on a month-to-month basis for $1 per month. The city would then sublease the building to the different agencies that would have space at the Hall of Fame, including the United Way, the Salvation Army, Social and Rehabilitation Services and SOS.
City Manager Matt Zimmerman said the city is still determining the need for the facility, which could also be used by people other than displaced Tyson workers. He said if the city does decide it needs the building, it would aim to open the one-stop shop around March 18, one week before the first round of laid-off Tyson workers stop receiving pay.
The city doesn’t plan to use any city money to operate the building, and questions and comments by commissioners centered mostly on language of the lease related to cost. The lease states the city is responsible for some costs, but Zimmerman said the city can add the building to its insurance policy at no additional cost.
“And any out-of-pocket cost that might be incurred, the fundraising going on in the community would cover those costs,” he said. “We have a commitment from the United Way that the Tyson relief fund that they’re setting up would cover any out-of-pocket costs that might be associated with the building.”
He said he hoped to receive an update Friday on how well the United Way’s fundraising efforts had been going.
“If it’s not been going, that’s gonna be a factor in the decision to move ahead,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman said it’s been estimated that the city would need the Hall of Fame building for three to six months.
“I think it’s a good cause ...” Commissioner Kevin Nelson said. “I see why it’s written that way, and the additions today, they still don’t concern me. So I think it’s a good thing to move forward with.”
In other activity Wednesday, the commission:
• Adopted the final draft of the city’s comprehensive plan. City Engineer Keith Beatty said the comprehensive plan, drafted with input from city leaders and the public, is a living, breathing document that will still be changed as time goes on.
• Adopted an amendment to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program that extends the program’s boundaries to include all of C of E Drive. The amendment allows Kenyon Hall and the KVOE radio building to be part of the program, making those buildings eligible for the NRP’s tax rebates.
• Awarded a Citizen Merit of Valor award to Robert Houston and plaques of valor to Emporia police Officers Tanner Monhollon, Kelly Davis and Kevin Shireman for their actions in responding to a fire at 603 Valley Drive on Jan. 15. The blaze claimed the lives of two of the five residents of the duplex. Deputy Police Chief Mike Lopez read an account of the fire before the presentation of the awards.
• Recognized Kenna Reeves for earning designation as a Kansas Master Teacher for her work in the Emporia State Communication and Theatre department. Reeves was honored as Master Teacher at a banquet last week.
• Approved, on behalf of Emporia Main Street, street use for several upcoming events, including the Artist Walk, the annual Sidewalk Sale and the Shrine Bowl.
• Suspended the city’s parking rules for upcoming regional games of the NCAA Division II Tournament. The city doesn’t yet know if the tournament games will be held at William Lindsay White Arena; the parking rule suspension won’t go into effect unless the games are held here.
• Approved additional service fees for Cook, Flatt and Strobel Engineers for the group’s construction work at US-50 Highway and Graphic Arts Road. The fees are not to exceed $15,400.
• Approved a proposal to purchase computers for the Emporia Police Department. The plan to replace the department’s Computer Aided Dispatch server includes a total payment to the city’s public safety vendor, Spillman Migration, for $45,693. The money will come out of the city’s wireless 911 monies, and $16,800 of the money will be reimbursed.
• Awarded the low bid of $71,200 to Cutting Edge, of Louisburg, to perform lime removal in a drying lagoon in Cottonwood Park.
• Listened to Zimmerman’s update on city activities. Zimmerman said the city met last Saturday with Hispanic workers affected by the Tyson layoffs and encouraged them to participate in all available programs, particularly worker retraining programs.