Minutes 03-21-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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19 Commissioner Marcoplos said there are persuasive arguments for renovating the existing building, despite how ugly it is. He said he thinks the option for creating affordable housing is a viable one, but he understands the financial rationale behind renovating the current EAC. Commissioner McKee said he agrees with Commissioner Marcoplos that it is nice to think about a new building, but driving a used car, for the next few years, may be wiser than driving a new one. He said from the perspective of those who use the current building, it is not well laid out but the building itself is workable. He said he has never heard complaints from the staff that work there. Commissioner Rich asked if the turn around issues in the parking lot will be addressed, should the plan to renovate the existing site move forward. Kristin Hess said the majority of the money will be spent on the building, and as little as possible on the outer site. She said the lot may be re-surfaced. Jeff Thompson said the lot does need to be re-surfaced. Kristin Hess said some of the utilities need to be upgraded, and sprinklers will need to be added to the building. She said there is too much impervious surface on this site. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if daylighting baffles could be brought in on the roof, as well as varying the ceiling height. Kristin Hess said this is a good strategy, but it is more expensive to do this, and would increase the current cost estimates. Commissioner Marcoplos said it would be worth the investment as employees have better work product when there is daylight. Commissioner Jacobs said whenever the Board votes, he hopes it leaves room for recommendations that were proposed by the citizen group in the early 2000s. Chair Dorosin said the affordable housing potential for this building should not be underestimated, and he would be inclined to look at another site for the EAC. He said this site is probably the best County owned parcel of land for affordable housing. He suggested adding affordable housing as a second story to the renovated EAC. Chair Dorosin said if the Board moves towards the renovations, he would ask that time be taken to look at other points offered up by Commissioner Price and Commissioner Jacobs. Commissioner Price said that is why she suggested renovating at this point, and then look at other sites down the line. Chair Dorosin said he would rather not spend money on the current site, with the intent to abandon it. He would rather take three months looking for an alternate site, and if nothing is found, then proceed with the renovation. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if it makes sense to defer this decision in order to find out more affordable housing possibilities. He said there is information still needed from the original work group recommendations, affordable housing possibilities, as well as any potential EAC sites on highway 70. Bonnie Hammersley said the request is for the Board to share its preferred option or options. She said staff wanted to have this discussion in order to receive further direction, and the Board does not have to make any decisions at this point. She said staff will follow up on Commissioner Jacobs' requests - more uses for the current site, and other options on the 70 corridor. Chair Dorosin said staff will look at recommendations from original study group; affordable housing calculations, including possible multi-use on the current site; and look at other parcels on highway 70 corridor. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price to endorse option 1 as the preferred option, pending the review of the original work committee's