pages: CityCouncil/2007-11-20.pdf, 16
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CityCouncil | 2007-11-20 | 16 | what is being incurred currently; maintaining the building will be a budget line item of a couple hundred thousand dollars per year; the question is how to relieve other burdens at Alameda Point and move forward. Councilmember Matarrese stated that he has a couple of concerns; philosophically. he does not believe Andrew Carnegie envisioned giving the City an office building; the Carnegie should not be used as an office building; form a practical point, there are too many unanswered questions regarding the building use and consolidating City services from City Hall West without reviewing all options; he inquired about an Oak Street property at one point ; there were rumors about the property being for sale; he never received an answer; looking at said property should be reviewed; the Recreation building is not fully utilized; said issues should be reviewed first; his other questions are regarding financing; the project costs are almost double what was initially anticipated; questioned whether the building would always have to be used for Planning and Building if permit revenues are used to finance the debt; questioned whether tax increment can be used to pay debt service; further stated the funding source, as well as the Master Plan, should be determined first; there is an option to complete the work regardless of use, particularly if tax increment can be used; the elevator has to be completed regardless of use; phasing would allow expensive items to be completed; the lighting information is interesting; there should be further study; the building is to important to rush to a decision at this point. Vice Mayor Tam stated that she appreciates the presentation addressing public access and the use types that have been considered; staff and the architects exercised a fair and balanced due diligence process working with the museum; deterioration will continue the longer the building remains unoccupied and not renovated the building is a vital historical asset that needs to be preserved; the timing and available funding is a coincidence the project cost will not decrease; the Community Arts/Planning and Building use recommended does not preclude converting to other uses if there is funding in the future; the $4.7 million estimate brings the building up to code and allows for other issues; the daylight issue is in concert with the City's green building efforts that she supports the staff recommendation. Vice Mayor Tam moved approval of the staff recommendation. Councilmember Gilmore seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Gilmore stated projections were made regarding public access to the building; the museum's Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 16 November 20, 2007 | CityCouncil/2007-11-20.pdf |