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July 10. 2012 10:59PM
Claremont will deal with contentious furniture proposal
CLAREMONT — The Goodwin Community Center Commission voted Monday night to support leasing the furniture, fixtures and equipment for the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center, which the city hopes to open early next year.
Commission members were voting to support a letter sent out by commission chairman Jeffrey Coburn that led to the controversial decision by Assistant Mayor Andrew Austin to discuss the expense Wednesday.
Austin’s decision to revise the meeting agenda upset some since mayor James Neilsen IV, who is out of town on vacation, had previously moved the multi-year lease proposal to August because he had questions about why the city would lease instead of purchase. The proposal costs $350,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new community center
Austin said Monday the city council plans to discuss purchasing, not leasing the equipment Wednesday night.
Tuesday, Parks & Recreation Director Scott Hausler said the lease proposal has been 10 years in the making. It’s creation goes back to a 2001 Parks and Recreation needs assessment, and has been updated and fine-tuned over the years to meet the needs of the community.
The Goodwin Community Center Commission is merely an advisory board and is supporting the years of work that has gone into the plan to outfit the new community center, Hausler said.
Leasing to own is a common city practice, he said, and is used to purchase maintenance equipment and vehicles for the city.
It allows Claremont flexibility to replace outdated equipment as well as the ability to forecast future budget costs, he said.
Hausler said it is important to place the leasing order soon since prices could change and some items are made to order.
“There’s all types of things that impact timelines and this is one that we certainly don’t want to delay much longer, ’cause we want the building full for what it is for and what its intentions are,” Hausler said.
The Claremont Savings Bank Community Center is expected to be open by the first of the year.
Money to lease the equipment has already been approved through a bond for the project.
“The money’s there in the bond for the building,” Hausler said. “The leasing is just another option that helps us long term. It’s just an option for us that we think is smart.”
The city council meeting is planned to take place in the council chambers of City Hall at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Meghan Pierce may be reached at mpierce@newstote.com.
Commission members were voting to support a letter sent out by commission chairman Jeffrey Coburn that led to the controversial decision by Assistant Mayor Andrew Austin to discuss the expense Wednesday.
Austin’s decision to revise the meeting agenda upset some since mayor James Neilsen IV, who is out of town on vacation, had previously moved the multi-year lease proposal to August because he had questions about why the city would lease instead of purchase. The proposal costs $350,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new community center
Austin said Monday the city council plans to discuss purchasing, not leasing the equipment Wednesday night.
Tuesday, Parks & Recreation Director Scott Hausler said the lease proposal has been 10 years in the making. It’s creation goes back to a 2001 Parks and Recreation needs assessment, and has been updated and fine-tuned over the years to meet the needs of the community.
The Goodwin Community Center Commission is merely an advisory board and is supporting the years of work that has gone into the plan to outfit the new community center, Hausler said.
Leasing to own is a common city practice, he said, and is used to purchase maintenance equipment and vehicles for the city.
It allows Claremont flexibility to replace outdated equipment as well as the ability to forecast future budget costs, he said.
Hausler said it is important to place the leasing order soon since prices could change and some items are made to order.
“There’s all types of things that impact timelines and this is one that we certainly don’t want to delay much longer, ’cause we want the building full for what it is for and what its intentions are,” Hausler said.
The Claremont Savings Bank Community Center is expected to be open by the first of the year.
Money to lease the equipment has already been approved through a bond for the project.
“The money’s there in the bond for the building,” Hausler said. “The leasing is just another option that helps us long term. It’s just an option for us that we think is smart.”
The city council meeting is planned to take place in the council chambers of City Hall at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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Meghan Pierce may be reached at mpierce@newstote.com.