Vicites explains controversial vote
With reference to a recent editorial regarding my vote to approve Michael Molnar Associates to design a new building for Mental Health Mental Retardation (MH/MR), I must agree with your primary point. We have made it a policy to request proposals for project work and I still abide by that. However, in this particular case, it is important to understand the extenuating factors that required me to vote this way. This matter originated with the Health Center Authority attempting to accommodate complaints from tenants about cramped quarters. If we did not find more room for them, they would be compelled to leave the building. The Health Center Authority could not afford to lose the income.
The Health Center Authority explained this to the commissioners late last fall. I, for one, saw there was not available county land because of zoning and other land designations. The authority then decided to add another floor. They contacted Molnar, who was familiar with the building because he initially designed it. At that point, he examined the roof and found it needed about $200,000 in repairs. He also checked his records and was reminded the building was originally built to support three floors but only built two because of lack of funding.
Both Commissioner Sean Cavanagh and I were made aware of these plans last December. The authority presented their plans to the tenants, who unanimously agreed with the idea and indicated the extra space would be immediately occupied. After months of getting all parties on board and heading in the same direction, the authority board voted to hire Molnar to design the third floor. He was the best qualified, he had years of experience with that building and had done a number of inspections without charge.
Meanwhile, the Mental Health/Mental Retardation board gained state permission to spend $500,000 toward new space and an OK to do so in the present building in return for rent reductions. One condition – the project had to be started by June 30 or the funding would go back to the state and given to someone who would use it. After months of planning and preparation and the full support by everyone involved, it only needed the commissioners to sign off on it.
When the time came, Commissioners Cavanagh and Ron Nehls stopped everything dead in its tracks. The commissioners decided MH/MR should put that $500,000 into a new building and called a meeting of various agencies. I was not invited although Molnar, the redevelopment authority, etc. went with them to the Keystone Opportunity Zone area and where they were shown a beautiful piece of land where they could build. They offered four acres, landscaped with park like trees, walkways, benches, excellent parking, etc. It was like a wonderful surprise gift.
They were reminded about the June deadline, the months of planning that would have to be stopped, the support of tenants and asked if it could be accomplished in a matter of weeks. Also, questioned about the funding, he and Nehls said they could handle all that. Molnar was told to get started on the new design. They mentioned the two votes were there to get started.
Valuable lost time later, it was learned that the two commissioners did not have final authority to give that land to anyone.
The jurisdiction rested on the South Union Township Supervisors who refused to rezone the land and for good reason; it was a Keystone Opportunity Zone. I was in support of a third floor. The zoning prohibited that use of their best piece of land. They sent their position in writing to the commissioners. Now the deadline was on us and the money would be lost now and in future years of budgeting.
In an effort to help, the redevelopment authority agreed to sell some other parcel of land to MH/MR that was considered much less desirable and hard to develop.
Now back to my point.
Molnar had $50,000 already invoiced in work for the third floor project.
Now he had to start new design work in a hurry to meet the deadline, which cost more money. I became involved after the above fiasco and was asked to vote for Molnar and the land or all the funding would be lost.
Although I was right in the first place about the third floor and right about no available land, I agreed to vote yes to help this crisis situation, and Molnar agreed to waive his $50,000 invoice which would have severely damaged the health authority’s resources, all because they were merely exercising their administrative responsibility.
Mr. Molnar said much of the design work could be salvaged for the new project.
Would I rather have requested proposals for services? Yes, but that was not the prudent thing to do in this case. As for the fees charged, 8 percent has been the standard fee for most of the county architectural work.
Although I voted to hire Mike Molnar Associates, I would never sign a contract with Mr. Molnar unless the rate was our standard 8 percent rate.
I did nothing but solve a problem that needed to be solved.
Vincent A. Vicites is chairman of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners.