Joint City Council Workshop Meeting
And Mt. Vernon Township High School Board Meeting
January 5, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Joint Workshop Meeting with the Mt. Vernon Township High School Board on Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the request of the Mt. Vernon Township High School Board. The meeting was held in the Administration Building at the Mt. Vernon High School.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
School Board President Greg Backes called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and took Roll Call. Overstreet, Copenhaver, Hoffmann, Pearson, Garrett, Diggs and Backes.
Mayor Milton R. Sees called the Workshop Meeting for the City of Mt. Vernon to order. Roll call showed present: Council Member Ricky D. Heck, Council Member John Howard, Council Member David E. Keen, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor Milton R. Sees.
Board President Greg Backes welcomed everyone in attendance and asked that each person at the table introduce themselves so everyone knows who is here.
Mr. Backes introduced Mr. Terry Milt, Mt. Vernon Township High School Superintendent. Mr. Milt stated that the meeting tonight was to begin discussion with the City regarding the possibility of building a new high school, renovating the old high school and to get everyone on the same page. The meeting is to talk about the possibilities and have dialog with the public concerning this project.
President Backes stated that the Facilities Committee of the high school had met several times and discussed the possibilities. Board Member Dan Hoffmann stated that the committee was enacted at the request of the Board to investigate various options for the high school. Mr. Hoffmann stated that there were approximately 30 members of Jefferson County and the high school board that were on the committee that met monthly for a year under the moderation of Dr. Nick Osborn. Mr. Hoffmann stated that the existing facilities were analyzed, and past plans for the high school were looked at and discussion was held regarding current needs for the school. Architects were consulted to come up with needs and financing plans were discussed. A series of options were discussed and the two main options were to build a new school on a new site or selective demolition and replacement and refurbish the old school buildings, which were a partial plan of Dr. J.D. Shields several years ago.
Board President Backes introduced Senator John O. Jones. Mr. Jones spoke regarding possible funding for the project. Mr. Jones stated that he had met with Mr. Milt and stated that the funding is the same as in 1995 with District 80. Mr. Milt has spoken to several legislators. Mr. Jones stated that the school funding is important and the Democrats and Republicans have both made promises to different projects, however the Governor has questioned several projects and frozen several assets. Mr. Jones stated that there are still funds to be released, but when is not known. Senator Jones stated that there is a possibility of 65 to 70% funding from the State and the rest will have to come locally.
President Backes introduced Mr. Rick Kirkpatrick of FGM to discuss funding options and the project. Mr. Kirkpatrick’s main statement was that if the money becomes available from the State, the high school board needs to be ready. It is critical to move up the list that the school is on now. Mr. Kirkpatrick stated that one issue would be to propose a community joint use facility such as an auditorium, swimming pool, etc. that can be used by the entire community, not just the high school. Mr. Kirkpatrick stated that this would move the school up the list and also locking in the local funds would help move up the list. Mr. Kirkpatrick stated that a natural disaster would send a project to the top of the list and unhoused students would also allow a project to go up the list.
Board President Backes stated that all of this discussion is useless if the state funding does not come through. The committee has come up with a $50 million cost for new construction and a possibility of $16 to $18 million local share to go along with this. Preferably without raising property taxes.
Mayor Milton R. Sees asked about the school being on the list. Superintendent Milt stated that on the 2002 list, there were still 22 items that had not been funded. Those 22 projects are still on a list to be funded. Mt. Vernon Township High School is on the 2003 list and still on the 2004 list for consideration.
Council Member Ricky Heck asked if the school has any definite plans.
President Backes stated that the main thing is that the school needs to have their ducks all in a row. Meaning that plans need to be made, local funding in place, etc. If they come to our project on the list we need to be ready.
Mayor Milton R. Sees asked Mr. Backes when the money would be needed. Mr. Backes stated that we need the commitment for the local funds before we come up on the list.
Senator Jones stated that if the bill is passed this spring the ball will start to roll and it will roll fast.
Mayor Sees stated that there are several options available. As with the Primary Center, the City did inkind infrastructure work participation. Mayor Sees stated that the Council looks very favorable on education and a new school would improve Economic Development progress. Mayor Sees stated that there are certain revenue funds available due to being a Home Rule community. Mayor Sees stated that he is not in favor of a Property Tax increase and the County has just raised sales taxes. Mayor Sees stated that another source could be a possible TIF District. The Council does not want to dictate to the school as far as whether they build or remodel, that is their decision to make. Mayor Sees stated that the City could do a Resolution contingent upon the receipt of the State funding.
Mr. Milt stated that there is not a location at this time, however the new school needs to be large enough for future growth of the school. Mr. Backes agreed that the new school needs to be bigger and better. There is a possibility of 1,300 to 1,600 students in the future.
Council Member Heck asked what would become of the old school buildings if the committee decides to have a new site and new construction.
Mr. Backes stated that the State holds the strings, they may say that it has to be new construction and not renovation.
Mr. Garrett stated that for funding the Sales Tax hits both poor people and wealthy, a TIF District could reduce the amount of money the schools would receive and he thinks more information is needed. Mayor Milton R. Sees stated that TIF does not reduce the amounts, it freezes the amount. Mayor Sees stated that unfortunately the County just raised their Sales Tax although a portion of it is supposed to go off in three years, the rest is on for 18 years.
Mr. Backes stated that FGM has offered their services for planning at no cost to the school until the funding comes through.
Board Member Stan Diggs stated that the Board still needs to look at all options and do so soon. Mayor Milton R. Sees stated that personally he believes that new construction would be a better option than renovation, however the school board should be focused on what would be best for the school district. Mt. Vernon needs a quality education facility for the high school.
City Attorney David R. Leggans asked where the Board was regarding where to build and cost of land acquisition. Mr. Backes stated that that issue has not been looked at in depth, the Board needs to know what land is available and if there would be a possible donation of land for the project.
City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that the Board cannot exclude the public, the public needs to be involved in any plans and costs and the Board needs to get the public’s support for whatever they decide to do. Mr. Backes stated that the Board would need to discuss this at the next meeting.
Mr. Nick Osborn stated that he would like to commend the City and the Board for having this meeting for discussion. There is a great opportunity that will affect the students of the future and as stated possible economic development of the City and community.
Mr. Backes again reiterated that if the State does not come through with the funds, there can be no project. Mr. Heck stated again that the public needs to be in agreement with the project and support for whichever project is decided on. Mr. Backes thanked everyone for attending this meeting and stated that hopefully this will allow the committee and Board to forge ahead with discussion on the plans and options for the project and hopefully a decision can be made and the school will be ready when and if the money comes.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adjourn this City Council Workshop Meeting. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Keen, Walker and Sees.