Joint garage plan in trouble

With a make-or-break vote set for Tuesday, Ely city officials aren’t yet sold on plans for a joint public works garage.At least four of seven city council members have expressed reservations about or outright opposition to city involvement in a $7 million plan to put public works operations of four entities - St. Louis County, Ely, Lake County and Morse Township - under one roof.“My big concern is where are we going to get the money to pay for it,” council member Jerome Debeltz said of the proposal, which calls for Ely to spend $2.8 million over 15 years, including a $112,000 design phase commitment that comes up for a vote Tuesday (5:30 p.m., City Hall).The project, in the works for months, is almost certain to be derailed if the city opts out this week, according to St. Louis County Commissioner Mike Forsman.Forsman has been one of the leading proponents of the project, patterned after similar efforts in Hibbing and Pike Lake.In addition to putting Ely’s public works operation in a brand-new facility, Forsman and other supporters say the city stands to benefit in several other ways.The city would have both the land where its current garage sits, as well as the land where the county garage is located, available to sell for development.“The possibilities are endless when you look at it from a land use standpoint,” said council member Mark Zupec.Supporters also say the project will result in a better looking entrance to Ely, provide long-term cost savings and bring construction dollars to the community.Both the city’s projects committee and the Ely Area Development Association have endorsed the project.But debate at last Tuesday’s council study session revealed skepticism among Ely’s elected officials and opposition from city employees in attendance.Debeltz said he supported the concept, but that his opposition centered on the city’s financial situation, noting recent cuts in state aid and a budget process that resulted in the elimination of emergency dispatch service.Council member and county employee Butch Pecha had similar reservations.“The people I talk to all say the same thing, that we can’t afford another tax hike,” said Pecha. “What I’m hearing is if we can afford a building maybe we can afford a raise... Everyone is telling me we can’t afford it.”Kess responded that payments for the project - which wouldn’t begin until 2006 - would come from debt service accounts and would not be tied to decisions about city staffing levels. The project could, however, result in tax hikes or an increase in utility fees to cover the city’s bond payments.“You don’t have to lay people off to pay for this building,” said Kess. “That’s not how it goes.”Council member Mike Hillman also voiced opposition, citing both the costs and questioning whether the city needed a new building.“I’ve talked to every city employee (at the public works garage) and not one person there thought it was a good idea,” said Hillman. “Everyone would want one, but the question is can we afford it and do we need it.”According to a report issued to the council by architect John Gerzina, the existing city garage is deteriorating, with poor ratings given for accessibility, health and safety, energy efficiency and technology.The report found that the building was inefficient and undersized and that the city should begin to budget more money to deal with the facility.According to Kess, the city is better off to partner with the county now.“I don’t necessarily think the employees should be driving this decision,” said Kess. “Within the next 15 years, we’ll be building a new garage or putting a lot of money into this facility.”City employee and council candidate questioned why the county had - just two years ago - put a new roof on its existing garage and rewired the facility.“From a political standpoint, the chance of Ely getting dollar one for a facility was zero,” said Forsman. “The political climate has changed.”For the first time, the county has included an Ely project in its bonding bill. Both Forsman and county public works director Dave Skelton urged city officials to take advantage.Supporters also say the project spreads the cost for the facility throughout the county.“As taxpayers we’re going to be paying for the county’s share of that bond,” said Skelton. “Now you have a chance to be a part of it and get something for the taxes you pay.”Two members of the audience, Gil Knight and state legislative candidate Marty Breaker, also expressed their support.“I love this idea and would love to see this happen,” said Knight.Mayor Frank Salerno said the city has the option of committing to the design phase now, and spending the next several months looking for assistance to fund the city’s share.According to Forsman, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board and St. Louis Community Development Block Grant program are potential sources. So is the federal government, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty backs legislation that would earmark state monies to assist governments in joint facility projects.But opponents countered the city can’t afford to take the risk.“I can’t in my conscience risk $112,000 on hearsay,” said Pecha.With Kess, Salerno and Zupec seeming apparently in favor of the design commitment and Pecha, Hillman and Debeltz opposed, the project may come down to the vote of council member Dan Przybylski.Przybylski said last week that he hadn’t made up his mind, but he expressed concerns about the cost.“I’m not speaking for or against at this time,” said Przybylski. “(But) I wouldn’t go out and buy a new house if I needed a new roof or electrical system.”