Village will not Lease out Community Center
Dundee Village Council members decided not to lease the Dundee Community Center to a private businessman, but hope the facility sees increased use just the same. The decision was reached at the Tuesday, May 18 council meeting.
Scott Heck, a local caterer, offered to work as a manager for the facility, with the privilege of being the in-house caterer. He will not lease the facility himself, but will oversee its rental to organizations and individuals in need of a banquet hall. The village will continue to collect individual rental fees.
Village attorney Tom Russow was directed to write up an agreement to be reviewed by the village and Mr. Heck.
The decision did not come about without lengthy discussion. Previously, Mr. Russow had drawn up a contract for a three-year lease of the building by a private business. Village Manager Patrick Burtch asked Mr. Russow to explain some changes made in the document since the last council meeting.
Mr. Heck, who attended the May 18 meeting, seemed surprised.
"I have never even seen the contract yet," said Mr. Heck. "You're looking to improve something we haven't even discussed."
Village President Darrell Powell said the council needed to decide if was going to lease the building or not.
Trustee Vaughn Massingill said, "If it remains under the direction of the village, some money needs to be spent. If we expect it to pay for itself, then we may need to do this, but then we need to take the 'Community Center' name right off it, because it wont' be a community center any more."
Mr. Massingill added that hiring someone to manage the facility and do the catering would be more palatable.
Further discussion was held, with Trustee Jim Roe concerned about the $40,000 the village spends on it each year, for it to be rented just a few times a year.
Trustee J.C. Meehling said that a manager could make sure the building is not air conditioned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and also manage take care of hiring cleaners and other duties.
As the role of a manager was discussed, Mr. Burtch said the council was getting closer to the idea of leasing out the building, but Mr. Russow disagreed.
"The concept of exclusive catering is different than a straight-up lease," said Mr. Russow.
Mr. Heck said he would work with whoever wants to rent the hall, and make sure the cooler doesn't freeze up, among other things. He said as a caterer, he would pay a percentage of the catering fee back to the village, and return most of the rental fee. He also wanted to be sure Council understood he would work well with the Jaycees, Old Mill Restoration Committee and other non-profit groups.
"You don't want to drive them away. That doesn't do anyone any good," said Mr. Heck.
In a related matter, Council discussed relocating the Jaycees' Haunted House. Currently it is located in the basement of the Community Center. Council members said they thought the annual event was "an accident waiting to happen" since so many people go through the place each year.
The Jaycees were advised to speak with the Dundee Recreation Commission to see about temporarily housing the Haunted House at the Rod Park pavilion for one year, while they look for a permanent location.
In other business, Council approved a resolution to execute all the real estate documents for the Cabela's project, assigning the options for all four properties involved. Cabela's plans to build a huge retail store at M-50 and US-23.
Council approved special assessment bonds for Waterstradt Commerce Drive and Oak Street for the installation of water and sewer lines.
Zink Covell had the low bid at $292,089 for the sewer on Waterstradt Commerce Drive. The project was originally estimated to cost $400,000 said Mr. Burtch.
Council approved hiring Finkbeiner, Pettis and Strout to engineer and design the roadway, and other items in the first phase of the Cabela's project. Their fee is not to exceed $97,500. Mr. Burtch said the first estimate was $1.5 million to design the road.
Council also approved hiring Finkbeiner, Pettis and Strout to design site drainage of storm water, not to exceed $42,000. Retention basins are not included in this design contract.
Mr. Burtch said Finkbeiner, Pettis and Strout will conduct traffic studies at Owatonna, Minnesota and Dundee for the Michigan Department of Transportation, to help decide what work needs to be done on the roads for the proposed Cabela's superstore.
Cabela's has already hired an architect and contractor for the job, and will hire the Finkbeiner company to do its engineering.
Mr. Burtch said a survey will be done soon for the planned right-turn lane off Oak Street onto M-50.
Attorney Tom Russow was directed to look into the possibility of having a local hotel tax added for Dundee. A two percent tax was suggested by council members.