City commissioners on Aug. 8 debated whether to proceed with a roughly estimated roof repair at the city community center while the city explores possible changes in ownership or site arrangements.

Rick (public works staff) and other staff described repeated overlays and ongoing leaks at the community center that now require a comprehensive repair: “This strips everything, rebuilds the entire roof with the scupper drains, everything,” Rick said, and staff noted issues with drain piping leaking into ceiling spaces. Sam (recreation staff) and others told the commission the facility still rents frequently and that the condition had reached an embarrassing level inside the building.

Commissioners raised cost and timing concerns and whether to spend large sums on a building whose future was not decided. Commissioner (unnamed) asked whether the project should be moved out; others pointed out liability and public‑safety risks. One commissioner said, “Just because of liability issues, I think it's important that this item be considered…if this roof is at the point that it could fail, and it's still being rented out and somebody slips and falls…that is something that needs to be considered.”

City staff said any actual work would not begin before Oct. 1 because the budget year begins then. Rick outlined procurement and design steps: the city would prepare specifications, advertise, receive bids and likely use a construction manager approach given the scope. Staff also said estimates to date would trigger a formal public bid process at the appropriate threshold.

Outcome: the commission directed staff to keep the roof project in the CIP for now and to return with written bids, a final scope and options before authorizing work. Staff said the earliest they would award a contract is after Oct. 1 and only with a confirmed decision on building ownership and a completed bid process.

Ending: staff will provide engineering and bid estimates and a recommendation on whether to proceed once the city has more clarity about the building's long‑term ownership and use.