Upcoming community events and the Callaway Chamber of Commerce's building lease are on the agenda for tonight's Fulton City Council meeting.
The meeting will be preceded by a work session at 6:30 p.m. in the city hall, addressing the Fulton Area Development Foundation and Callaway Chamber of Commerce's rental agreement with the city. The regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
The FADF and Chamber have rented the building at 510 Market St. from the city since 2014, at the rate of $1 per year; the city also covered portions of the building's utility bill. The five-year lease expires this year. In a memorandum to city council and administration, FADF and Chamber leadership bring up a number of issues with the building they want the city to commit to addressing.
"Evidence of commitment should become part of the lease in order to demonstrate good faith if the FADF/Chamber conclude 510 is a viable option (given the required investment) after comparison to alternate locations," the memo states.
The "required investment" refers to the building's HVAC systems, which Chamber/FADF predicts will have to be entirely replaced within the next five years. This project is predicted to cost $25,000-$45,000, a cost that would fall to the renters under the city's proposed lease agreement.
FADF and the Chamber would also be responsible for their entire utility bill if the agreement is renewed.
In the memo, the FADF and Chamber propose the city take responsibility for structural maintenance. According to the entities, "multiple contractors" have pinpointed several related issues, including but not limited to:
- Vegetation clogging gutters and cracking brickwork
- An improper drainage system on the building's north side, plus gutters that don't properly direct water to storm drains
- Holes and voids in exterior walls
- A degrading concrete ramp attached to the building
- Lack of a commercial dehumidifier in the basement
Events
City council members will also vote on whether to approve several upcoming community events.
Aug. 26 - Kingdom Homeschoolers is planning an ice cream social at Whitlow Pavilion. The group is requesting a fee waiver.
Sept. 27 - Annual FHS homecoming parade, 3 p.m. in downtown Fulton.
Oct. 12 - Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence is hosting a Purple Ribbon 5K at Memorial Park, 9-11 a.m. CARDV is also requesting a fee waiver.
Oct. 26 - Brick District's annual fall event is planned for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in downtown Fulton.