MINUTES

CITY OF OAK CREEK AD HOC COMMITTEE ON
FACILITY SPACE NEEDS

Tuesday, January 16, 2007, 6:30 PM

1. This meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
• Present were Committee members:  Fred Siepert, Isabel Haase, Ed Siira, Cal Nowak, Mike O’Brien and Frank Carini.
• Staff present:  Information Technology Manager Caesar Geiger, Facilities Maintenance Manager Dick Kulka, and City Librarian Ross Talis.
• Also present were Alderperson Elizabeth Kopplin and Dennis Havey, President of the Library Board.
2. E. Siira made a motion to approve the minutes of December 19.  C. Nowak seconded the motion.  All aye; motion carried.
3. Review information obtained on:
1. City Hall and Garage
2. Library
3. Fire Station #1

Alderperson Kopplin inquired if the minutes of the committee’s meetings are distributed to Council.  F. Siepert indicated that Marie Kreif prepares the minutes and has them available for review.  Alderperson Kopplin indicated that she would contact Marie.

F. Siepert obtained an introductory statement from the Mayor defining the Committee’s mission.  Copies will be made and distributed to the committee.  He also distributed a copy of the minutes of the committee’s first meeting, which was March 30, 2006.  E. Siira noted that the city garage (parking structure) was included in his research also.

Caesar showed a draft Powerpoint presentation to the committee and provided a copy of it on CD to each of the committee members.  Photographs do not adequately demonstrate the problems in many of the city’s facilities nor do they signify the length of time that some of the problems have existed, room sizes and how many employees work there, storage issues, working conditions (lack of heating), equipment and infrastructure that can no longer be repaired (no replacement parts available), security and fire protection deficiencies,

A committee expects to be asked why these buildings are in such poor shape when they’re not that old.  The response is that there were many years that the city was paying off debt and didn’t invest in the future of its facilities, and now they need serious attention.  These buildings weren’t originally designed for their current uses.  Asbestos wasn’t considered hazardous material in the past and removing it now is costly.  The population of the city has increased dramatically since these facilities were constructed.

The presentation should focus on current conditions (deterioration/safety) and current/future needs (space).  Fred anticipates giving the presentation to Council in March.

4. M. O’Brien, seconded by I. Haase, moved to adjourn this meeting at 7:30 p.m.  All voted aye.

The next meetings will be February 6 and February 20.