R2021-117 Resolution Authorizing Use of Space in the Decatur Public Library for Office Space by the Community Investment Corporation of Decatur

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July 1, 2021 TO: Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe & Members of the Decatur City Council FROM: Scot Wrighton, City Manager RE: Use of Space at the Decatur Public Library It is requested that the City Council approve the attached resolution authorizing alternative uses of approximately 4400 square feet in the upper level of the Decatur Public Library building, in the portion of the building controlled by the city(i.e., not covered by the library lease).This space is currently used by Friends of the Library for book storage and book sorting. It is proposed instead that two-thirds of the space be used for the planned employee clinic,with the remaining one-third used to house the offices of the Community Investment Corporation of Decatur (CICD). I have discussed this change with Friends of the Library, and they have begun a dialogue with the library about how to integrate the Friends of the Library book sales into the library's space. After the City Council approved a clinic contract with Activate,the city and Activate evaluated numerous sites in Decatur in an effort to find the best location.This analysis included looking at several existing commercial buildings that were used as clinics.Some of these existing former clinic locations had remodeling and fit-out costs that are less than the library space, but the library space was still less expensive because there will be no rent payments at the library, and because the library location enables the city to obtain a grant for the retrofit equal to about 87%of the total construction cost.The city's ten-year cost estimate is also attached. The remodeling project will be managed by Activate, but prevailing wage rules will apply, and the construction estimates are based on this assumption.The estimated 13%local match will be paid from the Employee Benefit/Insurance Fund. I anticipate that the CICD portion of the remodeling will be paid with defederalized revolving loan funds.Alternatively,this expense could be paid from unspent CARES funds because the CICD advances small business assistance programs in Decatur. The CICD has been without a home since they moved out of the former incubator on Imboden Avenue (former Borg Warner building).This property was sold to Pugsley so that their materials storage yard on West Eldorado could be relocated.The CICD is being gradually reshaped to serve as the city's small business assistance and new business start-up agency.They will also host SCORE.