Official looks to cut lease payment
Fayette County Commission Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink suggested Tuesday that the county pay less for its month-to-month lease for Magisterial District Judge Dwight Shaner’s office, because after five years it still isn’t fully handicapped accessible. In reviewing the matter, Zimmerlink said that when the county commissioners approved a monthly rent increase from $500 to $750 for Shaner’s office back in 1999, a key provision of the agreement was that the office be retrofitted to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
“Somehow the rent was increased but (the work) wasn’t done,” said Zimmerlink, who advocated that the commissioners scale back the rent to its former level until that work takes place.
Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites, who was in office when the original agreement was approved, said, “You’d better get a legal opinion on that.”
Zimmerlink said she would, and added that all leases are negotiable, particularly those where the original terms have not been fulfilled. She said the fact that the lease now runs month-to-month opens the door for either compliance or renegotiation.
Zimmerlink said that the increased rent approved in 1999 – which county manager Warren Hughes said goes to building owner Sturge Hughes, a member of the Fayette County Planning Commission – was contingent on making Shaner’s office handicapped accessible.
Warren Hughes said that when he conducted an on-site review on behalf of the county in March 2004, he found that while Sturge Hughes had done some things, such as outfitting the restrooms according to the proper ADA specifications, he hadn’t done others, such as making the restroom doorway wide enough for wheelchair accommodation.
Zimmerlink and Warren Hughes also said that although an entry and exit ramp was added to Shaner’s building, it is too steep to comply with the proper ADA specifications. Zimmerlink said there are other magisterial district offices that have ADA compliance problems as well.
The issue arose at Tuesday’s agenda meeting as Zimmerlink and Vicites discussed the options on seeking new locations for the county’s magisterial district judge offices, which are scheduled for consolidation in 2006.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Zimmerlink and Vicites moved to Thursday’s agenda:
– Appointment of a replacement for Nick Ludi on the Fayette County Airport Authority board of directors. Zimmerlink said she favors Al Ambrosini, a former airport board member, over Mark A. “Kingfish” Wasler, the disc jockey favored by Commissioner Joseph A. Hardy III and supported by Vicites.
– A vote on moving the March 22 and 24 commission meetings to March 29 and 31, to accommodate a request from Hardy. Zimmerlink said that since the commissioners have only one agenda meeting and one regular meeting per month, she doesn’t want to make rescheduling a habit, particularly since county department heads must attend. Vicites said he prefers to have meetings held when all three commissioners can attend, whenever that can be arranged.
– A resolution to designate the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority to handle a state grant application on behalf of Fayette County Community Action Agency Inc., which interim FCRA Executive Director Andrew French said concerns a 17,000-square-foot addition of office space. No county funds will be involved, said French.
– Awarding a contract for food services at the Fayette County Prison. Warden Larry Medlock said the current food vendor, Nutrition Inc., is doing a “great job” and he recommended their retention. One other firm has submitted a proposal, said Medlock.
– Approving an agreement with Roger Victor/Fayette Removal Service for coroner-related body transportation and photography services.
Warren Hughes said the county has budgeted $1,500 per month for such services and the proposed increase is $100 per month.
– Vicites’ request to remind property owners of the March 1 filing deadline for the homestead exemption under state Act 72, which will use gambling revenue to reduce school district real estate taxes. Vicites said that statewide only 60 percent of eligible property owners have signed up through their county Tax Assessment Office, which is a condition of getting any of that money.