Minutes 01/13/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1998 and that they have been able to serve virtually all potential clients to this point. Mr. Putney stated, however, that there is now a waiting list of five applicants, and they would like to be able to provide opportunities for these people. He went on to say that the Board now has before it a business opportunity that would create more jobs and client placements, but would require an expansion of space to accommodate the equipment for .Athe new operational functions. Mr. Putney said that about 15,000 square feet would need to be added, at an estimated cost of about $500,000. He stated that the Board will need to borrow these funds, but there is a reversionary clause in their lease with the City which lending institutions have a problem with. Consequently, their request of the city is that this reversion clause be removed from the lease and the deed. Mr. Teague then asked if Mr. Putney would describe the function of the Workshop and its staff. Mr. Putney then deferred to Dr. George Wallace of the Workshop Board to provide this information. Dr. Wallace then provided a brief history of the MARC Workshop and its operations, characterizing it as an educational institution that provides employment/vocational training for mentally handicapped persons. Dr. Wallace stated that the Workshop has had over 300 clients in the course of their operations, more than 60 of which have gone on to regular employment. Mrs. Haskell asked Dr. Wallace what this additional 15,000 square feet of space would do for the operation. Dr. Wallace replied that it would allow them to provide jobs which do not exist at present in work that requires more space for operational needs. Mayor Adams asked when the Board hoped to make the described improvements, and was told as soon as possible. Mrs. Haskell asked about funding strategy and was told that the Board hoped to have to borrow no more than $100,000, with the balance of the $500,000 construction budget to come from fund raising. Mr. Teague then commented that the MARC program provides a valuable service to the community, and that any reduction in their client services would probably cost the community more in services through the Piedmont Community Services activities. Vice-Mayor Crabtree agreed, stating that Council needed to support their efforts. Mayor Adams then stated that some work had already been done to consider how to assist the Workshop, with the examination of a possible City- funded relocation of their operations to a larger building, thus preserving the commercial potential of the present site for future economic development purposes. Mr. Putney stated that their primary desire was to