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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 07/22/1992 - Committee of the WholeCOMMITTEE MEETING OF THE WHOLE JULY 22, 1992 The Committee Meeting of the Whole was called to order by Mayor Busse on Wednesday, July 22, 1992 at 6:37 P.M. in the Aldermen's Conference Room of the Municipal Center. Those in attendance were: Mayor Busse, Alderman Serritella, Alderman Smith, City Administrator Peterson, City Clerk Gilpin, City Attorney Narusis, Parks and Recreation Director Merkel. Alderman Bolger arrived at 6:40 P.M., Alderman Lieder arrived at 6:50 P.M., Alderman Patterson and Alderman Adams arrived at 6:58 P.M., Alderman Locke arrived at 7:02 P.M., and Alderman Donahue arrived at 7:05 P.M. Absent: None. The purpose of the Committee Meeting of the Whole was to consider the options and policy issues for the Mass Property. The City is in the process of becoming the leasee of 69 acres, including a 15,000 square foot barn facility, referred to as the Mass Property. Purchase of the property by CorLands, and its subsequent lease to the City is expected before the end of the month. From the time the City becomes the lease -holder until the City retains title to the property, a number of policy questions regarding the use and operation of the property need to be addressed. The horse barn facility had been visited several times by the Parks and Recreation Committee to view the private horse stabling operation. A policy question facing the Council is whether it wishes to continue on an interim, or on -going basis, the existing horse stabling operation. Continuation of the horse boarding operation affords the City an opportunity to realize an income from the facility while we await word on the grant application. It also poses a number of operational problems, particularly involving insurance and questions of liability. Points discussed were the potential for income from this operation, the possible liability exposures from this operation, concern about the security of the facility if it is left unattended, and whether private horse boarding is an appropriate use of the property. Additional questions that were discussed were: who is best qualified to run the stabling operation; what capital improvements need to be made to the facility; when should these capital improvements be initiated, and how will they be prioritized. If the stabling operation is not continue, what are the types of uses that the Council feels would be most appropriate for the facility? Following discussion, it was decided that the horse stabling operation should continue on an interim basis, but no longer than June 30, 1993. A sub -lease should be presented to Mickey Sikule, who operated the facility as an independent private business, to see if he would remain as an operator until June 30, 1993. It was felt that the $500 per month excess revenue to be received from the operator should not be used to make repairs on the building or facility since this was just a short-term interim use. In the meantime, the Council and the Parks and Recreation Committee should have several meetings to decide what the permanent use of this building should be. The details of the lease prepared by Attorney Narusis for Mickey Sikule, will be handed out at the next Council meeting for Council review and approval. The lease must also be approved by CorLands, who are purchasing the property for the City until a 50% grant can be received from the State of Illinois Department of Conservation. The Meeting adjourned at 7:28 P.M.