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Council votes to start remodeling Eurma C. Hayes Center Monday

Carbondale City Council members voted 6-1 to allow the city to proceed with some remodeling during the closing of the Eurma C. Hayes Child Care Center starting Monday.

Mayor Brad Cole was the only member who voted against allowing the city to enter into a contract for the improvements.

"My concern is we need to do this in a way least disruptive to the center," Cole said.

"However, we're looking at a significant amount of money to do improvements without any formal bidding proposal. I think we have an obligation to know the money we're spending is done in the best possible way."

According to Carbondale Assistant City Manager Don Monty, the daycare facility has not had any significant improvements done since it was constructed in 1975.

Cole compared the city's spending on the center to purchasing a new used car every year and said at one point the city must "stop repairing tiles 30 years too late."

"We are sinking a significant amount of community resources into this center," Cole said. "We need to fix this."

Councilman Lance Jack said this is a symbol to the community, and at some point, they must put in the money.

"We're showing commitment by the city to make this program work," Jack said.

Councilwomen Maggie Flanagan and Corene McDaniel both agreed it is important for the council to take this opportunity to help the Eurma C. Hayes Center.

"I think it is a well use of time and resources," Flanagan said. "We're not wasting money but enhancing the facility."

McDaniel said now was an important time to get the work done so there would be no excuses why parents do not what to take their children to the facility.

"Hopefully, if we build it they will come because we need the children," McDaniel said.

The estimated maximum cost for the improvements during the week is $157,107.

Some of the funds for the improvement will come from the $40,000 the city will save on resealing the parking lot instead of resurfacing it.

According to Monty, the rental property fund is estimate to generate close to $700,000 in revenue for the year and the remainder of money, $122,107, can be taken out of it.

The bathrooms, hallway and three classrooms are expected to be remodeled during the closure, as well as exterior improvements made to sidewalks and fencing around the air conditioner.

The improvements will include the replacement of ceiling tiles, lights, flooring and the remodel of the bathrooms.

Classrooms four, five and six are not included in the remodeling approved by the council. Funds for the improvements of these rooms would have to be budgeted later if the city wants to remodel them.

Monty said if the program becomes a success and the rooms need to be redone, the city has the authority to budget the funds for next year.

The council also discussed the possibility of installing a security camera at the front entrance that would allow teachers to buzz parents in from the classrooms.

The estimated cost for installing the system would be $9,000. However, the council did not take any action on the issue at Tuesday's meeting.