Minutes of the Town Hall Complex Committee

August 22, 2007

Chairperson Brustad called the meeting to order at 6:00PM. Committee members present were Brustad, Lu Peet, Mike Bowes, George Martin, Lanny Neider, Bob Oberstar, Chris Webb, and Pamela Toshner. Alternate Leslie Hall was present, as well. Minutes from the previous meeting were not approved since it was not listed as an agenda item for this meeting.

Agenda Items:

1) Report from members on what facilities were looked at. Oberstar checked into Luck’s new Town Hall, but it hasn’t been built yet because they are still in fundraising mode. The Town of Highland building is made of metal and cost about $400,000. Hayward Library has a brick exterior and cost about $1.3 million. Other Town Halls and municipal buildings were discussed. The committee reviewed a couple Statements of Qualifications from professional building design consulting firms (SEH and Cedar Corps).

The group discussed whether it was necessary to consult with design firms at this point. There was general discussion about where the committee was at. Hall thought we should get exact measurements and specs on the existing building. Oberstar has asked several citizens if Barnes needs a new Town Complex, and they have all responded affirmatively. The committee needs to identify the needs of the community. The group discussed whether the Barnes Area Historical Association’s intent to have a museum should be considered independently of the new Town Complex.

Webb said it is important that the committee identify the needs first. The committee’s role is to look into the feasibility of a new Town Complex. The committee will be the fact finders who will come up with a proposal for the Town Board. It is up to the Town Board whether/how to move forward. There is no specific timeframe for committee activities.

Motion (Lanny Neider /George Martin) to declare the existing Town Hall building inadequate for current needs and to declare modifications cost-prohibitive to meet those needs. By voice vote eight approved and one abstained. Motion carried.

2) Report from Lu Peet and Elaine Brustad on what the needs are for the office portion of the new town hall complex. Martin’s measurement of the main meeting room is 1764 sq. feet plus about 1000 sq. feet for the office space and kitchen. Brustad summarized the office space, which is cramped and has limited storage. Peet said a basement is necessary for storage and civil defense purposes. The following were discussed as preliminary inadequacies: limited storage for current and historical records; main office too small with no space for Town Constable; a lack of private/confidential space; parking lot too close to road and limited parking; lack of insulation resulting in high heating and cooling costs; not a secure building in the event of storms or civil defense; kitchen not well-designed; facility location; poor acoustics with a particularly loud furnace; and there is no technology room for the public.

The group discussed the following events that are held at the Town Hall: Barnes/Eau Claire Lakes Property Owners Association meetings; Potowotomi meetings; Lions Club events; VFW events; 2-3 personal parties annually; Hunters Safety courses; 4-H workshops; and Senior Meals on Wheels Mon-Thurs.

3) Discussion on Brochures received from Cedar Corp., and SEH. This agenda item occurred with the first agenda item.

Agenda Items for Next Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on September 19:

1) Chair’s discussion on committee’s purpose and conducting of meetings

2) Approve minutes of the last meeting

3) Determine annual energy/operation costs (Brustad) and compare with other facilities.

4) Determine entire building’s measurements (Martin).

5) Each committee member should list the “needs”, “wants”, and reasons for the new Town Complex.

Motion(Lu Peet/Pamela Toshner) to adjourn the first meeting of the Town Hall Complex Committee. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:25PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Pamela Toshner,

Secretary for the Committee

Dated this 26^th day of August, 2007