Council approves $104,200 schematic-design contract for city hall and justice center, contingent on foundation vote

Baberton City Council on Feb. 10 voted 6-1 to authorize a $104,200 contract for schematic design services for the city hall and justice center project, adding a floor amendment that makes the contract contingent on an agreement with the Barberton Community Foundation to fund the total project.

The amendment, introduced by Councilwoman Thompson, added language that the city’s obligation would be “contingent on an agreement with the Barberton Community Foundation regarding the funding of the total project.” The amendment passed on a voice roll and the final ordinance passed on third reading 6-1, with Councilman Griffin the lone vote opposed.

The ordinance authorizes the mayor or his designee to contract with the architectural firm named in the ordinance (recorded in city documents as Haizenstob Architects) to produce schematic designs for the combined city hall and justice center. Council members debated whether to wait for formal confirmation of the foundation’s full funding before approving the contract, with supporters saying delaying design work could slow the project and opponents warning that contingency language could leave the city financially exposed if the foundation later withdrew funding.

Finance Director Flaker described how the foundation’s funds would be handled if not spent: if the foundation does not approve the city request within its required timeframe, the funds would revert to the foundation. Council members and staff said schematic designs are needed in the near term regardless of final funding to keep the project moving if funding is secured.

Councilwoman Thompson, who brought the amendment, said the change was intended to protect the city and respect the foundation’s intent; Councilman Heideck said he supported adoption with the amendment. City Engineer Tiedecki testified the schematic design work could proceed once funds and agreement are confirmed and that delaying four to six weeks to secure a full blessing from the foundation would not harm the project timeline.

The ordinance included emergency language, allowing the contract authorization to take effect immediately if the contingency is met and the mayor signs the agreement. With seven council members eligible to vote and one absent, the measure met the required threshold: 6 yes, 1 no. The ordinance now authorizes the administration to finalize contract terms with the named architectural firm contingent on the foundation’s vote.