Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home City Council adopted an ordinance Dec. 11, changing the zoning on a portion of the new City Hall property to highway commercial.
A portion of the 6½-acre property, 3225 Hwy. 20, was zoned residential. Three small lots along Highway 20 that are part of the conditional use permit are already zoned highway commercial. The rezone applies to the largest property, which is approximately 5.3 acres.
The council’s decision came after three readings of the ordinance and a public hearing.
The City Hall building, including covered porches is about 13,225 square feet. The shop building is about 1,904 square feet with a 672-square-foot loading dock.
The city purchased the building in July 2016 for $750,000.
The building was constructed in 1989 for the Ranger District, which occupied it until May 2006, when it moved to its work center at 4431 Main St. With shrinking staffing and budget levels, Ranger District officials sought to save more than $100,000 per year. The district had paid $240,000 per year in lease payments for the 12,000-square-foot building.
The council decided to purchase the building due to a number of problems with the current City Hall building, 1140 12th Ave.
The council accepted a $910,000 design and construction bid from GBC Construction in October.
GBC Construction entered the building Wednesday of last week so it could begin preliminary work, said City Manager Ray Towry. The city is still awaiting design documents for the electrical system and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
City officials are working with GBC to decide whether to use a roof-mounted or side-mounted HVAC system, Towry said.
GBC is supposed to complete the project in April, Towry said.
Present at the meeting were councilors Bob Briana, Susan Coleman, Lisa Gourley, Mayor Greg Mahler, Dave Trask, James Goble and Diane Gerson.
In other business, the council:
– Reviewed and accepted the results of the Nov. 6 election.
– Presented a plaque to Briana in appreciation for his service on the council. Briana departs the council at the end of this month. In January, he will be succeeded by Courtney Nash, who won election in November.
– Approved a resolution adopting revisions to the city’s personnel policy.