Commission asks staff to get engineering cost estimate before committing remaining Jenkins Center funds to Newtown Museum

Commissioners were briefed on the status of the Jenkins Community Center and a proposed Newtown Museum and Cultural Center and directed staff to obtain professional cost estimates before finalizing any operating commitments.

Interim City Manager Cynthia W. Curry told the commission that the original grant and city match for Jenkins totaled roughly $880,000 and that the city later allocated additional local funds, bringing total Jenkins Community Center improvements to about $1,000,191. She said "Right now, as it relates to the $134,730 that remains, in city funding in support of the Jenkins Center" and recommended issuing a professional services contract to obtain a firm scope and price for the build‑out before returning with a recommendation on an MOU or ongoing annual operating support. Curry said the draft MOU had requested $25,000 annually for five years but staff needs a full operating budget and build‑out cost to evaluate that ask.

Public‑works and facilities staff described work already budgeted and underway at the Jenkins Center — new doors, signage, flooring, Wi‑Fi, and sound system quotes — and said earlier estimates for the engineering/architect scope ranged from roughly $30,000 (planner quote) up to $65,000–$75,000 from other quotes. Commissioners asked whether the Jenkins Center would continue to serve as a temporary cold‑weather shelter when needed; staff said the center will remain available as a temporary cold‑weather shelter when threshold conditions are met and that Price Mountain is planned as an alternate site.

The commission did not adopt an MOU at the meeting; instead members agreed to direct staff to secure cost estimates and return with a recommendation once the build‑out price and a proposed operating budget are available.