Roberts council approves block grant application, names Altura administrator and selects architect for community center

The Roberts City Council on Feb. 11 authorized Mayor Robert (BJ) Berlin to sign a community block grant application to fund renovations at the Roberts Community Center and approved Altura as the grant administrator and Myers Anderson as the project architect.

Rick Miller and Siona Johnson told the council the center needs accessibility and structural work: the bathrooms are not ADA accessible, the architect recommended replacing the roof, and the HVAC and entrance ramp need replacement. The council scheduled a public hearing on the grant for March 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.; the grant application is due March 7, 2025.

Councilmember James Zillinger moved to adopt Resolution 2025-0210 authorizing the mayor to enter grant application documents; Benjamin Poston seconded. The roll call recorded Benjamin Poston, Shauna Lounsbury, Edidt Sanchez and James Zillinger as voting "aye." The council then approved, by the same recorded vote pattern, naming Altura as the grant administrator and appointing Myers Anderson as the project architect. An Altura development contract for the community center was discussed but TABLED for later consideration.

Mayor Berlin framed the steps as preparatory work to secure grant funding and to enable needed accessibility upgrades. The council did not establish a contract timeline in the meeting; staff indicated the grant application process will determine next steps if funding is awarded.

Next procedural steps: public hearing March 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.; grant application due March 7, 2025. The council left the Altura development contract on the table pending further review.