Council sets aside $125,000 this year for Manor House slate roof replacement

City officials told council they have budgeted $125,000 in the current tax budget and plan to set aside another $125,000 next year to replace the slate roof on the historic Manor House. Why it matters: staff and council described the Manor House as a local historic asset and said deferred repairs now threaten recent restoration work. They emphasized that, because the property is on the historic register, the roof must be slate if the city wants to preserve that designation. Director Veres explained the funds are part of a two-year capital plan: “we're putting a 125 away this year Mhmm. And a 125 next year to replace the slate roof.” Councilors and staff noted recurring patches have kept the building viable but said a full replacement is necessary to avoid more extensive loss of the structure and past repairs. Council discussed project complexity, the presence of dormers and turrets and the requirement to use slate rather than alternative materials that could jeopardize historic-register status. Council members flagged the project’s specialized work and suggested obtaining competitive bids and square-footage cost breakdowns; one councilor offered to share examples from university projects to help estimate costs. Next steps: staff said they would solicit bids and provide square-footage and cost detail to council prior to construction planning. Council did not vote on a contract at the meeting; the $125,000 is included in the tax budget as a budgeted capital set-aside.