Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facility Acquisition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Port Clinton council reviews $1.08M–$2.01M renovation estimate for 201 Madison Street, schedules bond-anticipation ordinance
Summary
At a June 17 special meeting, Port Clinton officials reviewed a CPL Architecture proposal that includes a $44,000 criteria-architect fee and preliminary renovation cost estimates between $1,075,000 and $2,010,000 for converting 201 Madison Street to City Hall and police facilities; council was told a bond anticipation ordinance will be presented June 24 and the property closing is scheduled July 28.
Port Clinton’s City Council on June 17 reviewed a proposal to acquire and renovate 201 Madison Street as a new City Hall and police facility and agreed to move ahead with a short timetable toward closing.
Lisa Sarty, president of council, opened the special meeting at 6:05 p.m. and the council appointed Beth Gillman as acting council clerk for the session. Administration staff presented a proposal from CPL Architecture that included a lump-sum Criteria Architect fee of $44,000 and a preliminary opinion of probable construction cost ranging from $1,075,000 (partial interior work) to $2,010,000 (full interior demolition and reconstruction).
The council was told the city plans to present an ordinance at its June 24 meeting to authorize a bond anticipation note to cover the acquisition, closing costs and the architect fee. Administration said the purchase closing for 201 Madison Street is scheduled for July 28, 2025, and that a later ordinance will address long-term bonding, expected to be structured over a 20-year payoff once competitive bids and final budgets are available.
"This is a preliminary opinion," Administration representative Mr. Below said when asked about the high-end estimate; he emphasized variables such as interest rates remain unknown and that the administration does not anticipate payments the city cannot afford. Councilmember Richard Morgan asked whether renovation costs might exceed $2,000,000 and what annual bond payments would be, and Mr. Below replied that final debt-service estimates depend on interest-rate and bid outcomes.
Councilmember Margaret Phillips asked whether the existing City Hall at 1868 E. Perry Street would be sold or leased to offset costs; Mr. Below said the city has received no offers yet and that appraisals of both properties will be completed to inform any sale price.
Acting Clerk Beth Gillman asked whether CPL was the only firm considered. Mr. Below said staff — including Tracy Colston and Mr. Nusser — evaluated two firms and favored CPL based on credentials and availability. The CPL proposal appended to the meeting materials lists Ron Cocco, AIA, and other principals and describes a scope that includes interior and exterior alterations, hazardous-material abatement as needed, HVAC and building-automation upgrades, a backup emergency power system and code compliance work.
The CPL fee proposal covers Programming, Site Analysis and Schematic Design for a lump sum of $44,000 plus reimbursables; hazardous-material sampling and testing were excluded from that fee and shown as a separate estimated cost of $5,000. CPL’s opinion of probable construction cost applies to approximately 4,350 square feet of anticipated renovation work and presents per-square-foot estimates that produce the $1.075 million (at $75/SF) and $2.01 million (at $140/SF) figures.
Administration said it will present the bond-anticipation ordinance at first reading on June 24 with a "not to exceed" cap to allow issuance of notes ahead of closing; staff intends to return with ordinances that reflect competitive-bid results and a final contract with a budget cap. The council adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Actions taken at the meeting were limited: the council unanimously approved a motion by Jerry Tarolli appointing Beth Gillman as acting council clerk for the special meeting.
