Funds for repairs called into question

Staff report

NILES

Two members of the fiscal commission that oversees the city’s recovery from fiscal emergency publicly questioned council’s decision Wednesday to go ahead with repairs to the 89-year old city hall.

Comments by members John Davis and Fremont Camerino followed council’s unanimous passage of two resolutions and an ordinance, all pertaining to repairs. One resolution appropriates $203,000 to replace the building’s roof while the other authorizes advertising for bids to repair the masonry that is separating from the building’s exterior.

City Auditor Giovanne Merlo told council that the city’s two fiscal supervisors have approved the fund allocation.

The ordinance requires the safety service director to prepare a list of architectural firms, one of which would eventually conduct a design for interior repairs.

The ordinance limits the design fee to $50,000.

There is no waiting period for the legislation to take effect because it was approved as an emergency.

“There was no reason for them to pass this as an emergency,” said John Davis, a commission member. “The commission should have had input.”

“I don’t think council understands the work we’re supposed to do,” said Camerino, who is a former council president and served on a similar commission the first time Niles was declared in fiscal emergency in January 1980.

Davis had sent an email to council members asking them to consider one of several alternatives to repairing city hall including the now vacant Nicholson Center. His suggestions were not discussed prior to the vote Wednesday.

“All they’re going to have is an 89-year old building with a new roof,” he said. An architect has estimated the total cost of repairs at $550,000.