Facilities Committee  — Charleston, WV
Date: 2020-01-21
Time: 17:00

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 West Virginia
 Council Member – AT LARGE

Jennifer Pharr Facilities Committee, Chair
3 Lambert Place Unit #3 Urban Renewal Committee
 Charleston, WV 25314 Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee
Telephone: 304‐615‐7574
jennifer.pharr@cityofcharleston.org




TO: Facilities Committee
FROM: Jennifer Pharr, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting


 There will be a Committee meeting of Facilities on January 21, 2020 – 5:00 PM
 in the A/V Conference Room, City Hall, Room 308.

The agenda will be as follows:

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 10‐21‐2019

PRESENTATION FROM THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

DISCUSSION: MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM

ADJOURNMENT




 *Meetings may be recorded and broadcast via internet https://charlestonwv.civicclerk.com

JP/ns




 City Council | 501 Virginia Street, East | Post Office Box 2749 | Charleston, West Virginia 25330
 www.charlestonwv.gov | 304.348.8179 | 304.348.8038 fax

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 West Virginia
 Council Member – AT LARGE

Jennifer Pharr Facilities Committee, Chair
3 Lambert Place Unit #3 Urban Renewal Committee
 Charleston, WV 25314 Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee
Telephone: 304‐615‐7574
jennifer.pharr@cityofcharleston.org




TO: Facilities Committee
FROM: Jennifer Pharr, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting


 There will be a Committee meeting of Facilities on January 21, 2020 – 5:00 PM
 in the A/V Conference Room, City Hall, Room 308.

The agenda will be as follows:

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 10‐21‐2019

PRESENTATION FROM THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

DISCUSSION: MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM

ADJOURNMENT




 *Meetings may be recorded and broadcast via internet https://charlestonwv.civicclerk.com

JP/ns




 City Council | 501 Virginia Street, East | Post Office Box 2749 | Charleston, West Virginia 25330
 www.charlestonwv.gov | 304.348.8179 | 304.348.8038 fax

 Page | 1 of
 MINUTES
 FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING

 5:00 P. M., OCTOBER 21, 2019

 A/V CONFERENCE ROOM

Jennifer Pharr, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council
Committee on Facilities to order at 5:00p.m., OCTOBER 21, 2019, in the Audio/Visual
Room in City Hall.

Committee Members Present:
Jennifer Pharr, Chair
Ben Adams
Brady Campbell
Sam Minardi
Shannon Snodgrass



The Chairperson called the meeting to order.



 1. Approval of Previous Minutes –
Councilmember Adams moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 9-16-
2019. Councilmember Campbell seconded. There was no objection and the minutes
were approved.


 2. UPDATE ON BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT 10-13-2019 –
The Tournament was held at the Charleston Athletic Facility. Athletes from 7 states
attended with 121 kids present. The Vice President of Big Shots said it was best event
they had done all this fall, and immediately asked for a tour of the Convention Center.
They then signed a letter of intent to hold 8 tournaments there over the next 3 years.


 3. UPCOMING TOURNAMENT – MAY 2-3, 2020 –
This will be the first Big Shots Tournament. They anticipate having 3-6 courts.

Councilmember Minardi confirmed that the Board will still need to purchase the rims and
floor.




 October 21, 2019

 Page | 2 of
 4. SAMANTHA CARNEY- SHAWNEE SOCCER COMPLEX PRESENTATION -
Highlights of her presentation included:
  Formally with the CVB, she has been with Shawnee since opening, July 10,
 2017.
  The complex can host softball, Little League baseball, baseball, football and
 soccer.
  The have a staff of 5 full-time employees and 10 part-time.
  They are beating last year’s hours booked (2,000 hours) with well over 3,600
 hours.
  Fields can be individually booked online at $45/hour.
  They have usage agreements with middle and high schools.
Councilmember Minardi asked if the Complex keeps the concession profits. Carney
answered that it depends on the tournament, but in general, they keep the majority.
Councilmember Snodgrass confirmed that the annual budget is $600,000 assuming no
construction.

 5. DISCUSSION
Concerning Bill No. 7844, which will go to Council later in the evening, Councilmember
Pharr stated that it would make processes more streamlined to be able to have more
authority over the Convention Center. Mayor Goodwin added that the proposed bill will
hold the Convention Center accountable to the Administration and Council.




Councilmember Snodgrass motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Minardi
seconded.

Meeting adjourned.


 October 21, 2019

 Page | 3 of

MINUTES
 FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING

 5:00 P. M., JANUARY 21, 2020

 A/V CONFERENCE ROOM

Jennifer Pharr, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council
Committee on Facilities to order at 5:00p.m., JANUARY 21, 2020, in the Audio/Visual
Room in City Hall.

Committee Members Present:
Jennifer Pharr, Chair
Ben Adams
Adam Knauff
Shannon Snodgrass



The Chairperson called the meeting to order.



 1. Approval of Previous Minutes –
Councilmember Knauff moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 10-
21-2019. Councilmember Snodgrass seconded. There was no objection and the
minutes were approved.


 2. PRESENTATION FROM THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE –
Councilmember Pharr introduced Susan Pierce and Jennifer Brennan. Pierce stated
that since the Municipal Auditorium is listed in the Historic National Register, there are a
variety of programs that may be available, such as the Survey and Planning Grant and
the Development Grant. The City would be eligible for a 70/30 matching grant.

Brennan stated that the City could receive up to a 45% tax credit on eligible projects, so
they could receive $45,000 in tax credits for every $100,000 spent. Eligible projects
include: repairs to roof or foundation, painting, plumbing, electrical etc. There have been
some instances in which cities have entered into a partnership in which the partner
receives the tax credits. Tax credits and grants can be combined. All projects must
comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Registration and SHOP
National Register Guidelines. Each project is assigned a monitor to work closely with
the property owners. Grants are typically given for projects involving roofs, foundations,
electrical updates, plaster repair, et. Pierce also informed the Committee of a grant
program specifically for cultural facilities for HVAC updates, seating, etc.


 October 21, 2019
Councilmember Snodgrass asked, given the magnitude of the scope of work that it is
needed for the Municipal Auditorium, what options does the City have since it is on the
National Historic Registry. Pierce replied that the options of repairing, selling, donating,
etc. were all available to the City. The only restriction would be if CDBG funds were
used for a project, which would require a review. Any demolition of a building on the
Historic Registry would require a review from the Historic Landmark Commission.

Councilmember Pharr asked what elements of the Municipal Auditorium are historic and
need to be preserved. Pierce answered that mostly the front façade and the lobby
railings would be considered historic. Backstage areas and seat configuration for ADA
compliance would be allowed.

Councilmember Pharr asked what some of the larger matching grants were that have
been awarded. Pierce and Brennan answered that the top is typically $80,000 which
would depend greatly on the scope of the project. If a project can be broken up into
smaller sections to be done over a period of time, then that will most likely be their
recommendation. They noted that federal grants can not be used to match each other.

Pierce recommended an addition to the rear of the building to increase space for the
performers. Pharr confirmed that additional bathrooms with ADA compliance were also
possible. Mayor Goodwin added that when Harry Connick Jr. played at the Municipal
Auditorium, he noted that the acoustics and sound were the best, but the
backstage/shower area was not desirable. Brennan also mentioned that their office is
available for site visits with property owners who are considering applying.

Snodgrass asked if there had ever been a cost survey on the repairs needed for the
Municipal Auditorium. Acting Director of the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center,
Jim Smith, answered that they had developed a Master Facility Plan with priorities. The
Roof repair estimate was around $800,000. Councilmember Knauff asked if they had a
wish list beyond the list of priorities given to the Committee. Smith answered that it
would basically be everything in the Master Facility Plan.


 3. DISCUSSION: MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM –

City Manager, Jonathan Storage, added that the operation of the Municipal Auditorium
is run through the General Fund. According to City Code, a portion of every tax sale
goes into a special Capital Improvement Fund for both the Coliseum and Convention
Center and the Municipal Auditorium. Currently, that fund is around $162,000. The
Administration proposed that the top priority should be the replacement of the fire alarm
system. The current system is not in compliance with current City code, so added fire
staff/equipment are needed during events to ensure proper fire safety. The estimated
cost of $144,750 would fit within the available funds. The other proposed priorities of
sidewalks, building management system, roof system, interior walls, will likely be long-
term projects depending on the determined purpose of the building. Councilmember
Snodgrass asked what is the current overall operational cost of the building versus the



 October 21, 2019
revenue. Smith offered to create a document for the Committee that will show accurate
numbers.
Storage added that the Municipal Auditorium will be an ongoing discussion for the
Committee. He encouraged the Committee to consider the recommendation that the fire
system upgrades be immediately done. While the purchase would ultimately go to the
Finance Committee, it would do so with the approval of the Facilities Committee and the
Coliseum and Convention Center Board. Councilmember Knauff confirmed that the Fire
Department supports the upgrades.

Councilmember Snodgrass asked how the Board viewed the Auditorium. The President
of the Board, Carrie Fenwick, said that their attitude is similar to those expressed in the
meeting. Personally, she thought that if the Municipal Auditorium was closed, there
should be a partnership with the Clay Center. She did agree that the fire system was an
immediate need to be addressed. Councilmember Jenkins confirmed with Smith that at
least a year would be needed if the Auditorium was to be closed. He added that the City
is put into a liability situation without the fire system upgrades.

Councilmember Pharr proposed to take continue the Municipal Auditorium at the next
regularly scheduled meeting.




Councilmember Snodgrass motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Minardi
seconded.




 October 21, 2019
Meeting adjourned.




 October 21, 2019