Charleston committee approves revised Coliseum rates, equipment purchase and multi-item budget amendment

A Charleston City Council committee on Oct. 12 approved a package of administrative measures that updated rental rates for the Charleston Coliseum Convention Center and the municipal auditorium; authorized a $51,999 purchase of four mobile truck lifts; established a new municipal-auditorium capital projects fund; and adopted an amendment to the city’s FY2024–25 general fund budget that reallocates money across multiple programs.

The committee heard brief presentations on each item and voted by voice to adopt them. Most presenters said the changes were technical or routine but needed to be formalized in city records.

The revised schedule of fees, rates and charges for the Charleston Coliseum Convention Center and the municipal auditorium (Resolution 25-2) was introduced by Miss Marchett. Marshcett said the Coliseum/municipal-auditorium board last reviewed and adjusted rates in 2021, approved an updated schedule at its October meeting and corrected technical items in December; the exhibit attached to the resolution shows changes in red. Patrick Leahy, the Coliseum Convention Center general manager, was present to answer questions. The committee adopted Resolution 25-2 by voice vote.

The committee next authorized the purchase of four mobile truck lifts for MAPPA Auto Parts (Resolution 25-6). Staff said the total purchase price is $51,999 to replace a set of lifts purchased in 2002 whose parts are no longer available. The purchase was procured via a competitively sourced contract available through NAPA’s state contract with West Virginia; staff also reviewed contracts with Fastenal and SourceWell and cited the NAPA contract as the most economical. The committee adopted Resolution 25-6 by voice vote.

The committee established capital projects fund 213 as a municipal auditorium project fund (Resolution 25-7). Finance staff said the new fund will receive deposits intended for repair or replacement work at the municipal auditorium; the first deposit into that fund is included in the subsequent budget amendment. The committee adopted Resolution 25-7 by voice vote.

The committee then approved Amendment No. 5 to the FY2024–25 general fund budget (Resolution 25-8), a multi-line adjustment that recognizes new revenue and reallocates unassigned fund balance to specified uses. Finance Director Wood (introduced in the meeting) summarized the amendment’s line items, which the committee adopted by voice vote. The amendment includes the following specific allocations as presented in the meeting record:

- $10,786 increase to prepaid insurance, raising the budgeted total from $216,657 to $227,443. - $42,592 added to the police account to reflect a municipal-court surcharge dedicated to police fine-supported training under the municipal code. - $6,166.88 recognized from unassigned fund balance and redistributed to multiple line items. - $50,000 additional to the care office fund for support of warming centers (bringing that program’s support higher than originally budgeted). - $25,000 for design services exploring an emergency exit at council chambers. - $75,000 to Charleston Urban Works to fund a one-year business liaison position for Kanawha City. - $650,000 moved to the general maintenance fund for improvements at Danner Meadow Park and training facilities anticipated near Fire Station 8. - $600,000 to the Charleston Land Reuse Agency (CLRA) to continue two years of funding for an administrative position and the construction incentive program (previously supported by ARPA funds). - $250,000 for expanded security camera installations in city facilities and parks. - $250,000 covering two years of the neighborhood initiative’s new components. - $101,000 additional to the municipal beautification fund for projects including work at Ruffner Park. - $700,000 toward the public safety center at the property located at 1 Piedmont for design and preconstruction work. - $250,000 for additional Charleston Fire Department turnout gear and related uniform purchases. - $286,088 to purchase additional road salt inventories. - $180,000 for programming funding over two years at City Center/Slat Plaza (approximately $90,000 per year). - $1,750,000 dedicated to parking garage improvements, to support first-year major repairs at two of the city’s six parking garages and to fund design work going to bid. - $1,000,000 initial funding transfer into the newly created municipal auditorium project fund (Fund 213). - $4,000 to purchase carbon monoxide detectors.

Finance staff said some items reflect funding sources already discussed with council; where the record did not specify a funding source for an item, staff noted it would be clarified in subsequent budget reporting. Committee members asked few substantive questions during the presentation and then adopted Resolution 25-8 by voice vote.

Finally, the committee considered Bill No. 8049, a bill to close, abandon and discontinue a public right of way in an alley across Block 21 of the J.B. Walker addition. Staff said a recent survey showed an existing building — the renovated Cabin Creek Health Systems Westside Clinic (the old post office) — encroaches on the unused alley. The city’s appraisal placed the affected strip’s value at $7,000; staff said there are no city utilities in the right of way, so utility easements are not required. The bill was reported as having passed the Planning Commission and the Streets and Traffic committee unanimously; the committee adopted the bill by voice vote.

All items on the committee agenda were approved and the committee adjourned.