POLICE

From page A1

out-of-state bankruptcy case. According to Councilwoman Helen Harris and the mayor, an interested buyer stood to compete with the city for the building. A blood bank has shown interest in the location and that irritated some of the ward representatives.

“I don’t want to see a blood bank in this part of town, right there next to our new library,” said Ward 4 Councilwoman Lorraine Mohammed.

Council members spent 45 minutes rolling around the merits of the proposal in its pre-council work meeting and the official business meeting.

The mayor promised to make a modest initial offer but wanted the flexibility of a bigger bankroll should competitive bidding erupt over the downtown property.

City Attorney Mike Stephenson told city council the bankruptcy court would seek an offer that would “not shock the conscience of the court.”

Councilman Wayne Croom wanted the city to slow their roll after all the recent new building projects.

“Then to upgrade that building for any type of offices, you’ll have another half-million dollars tied up in that building,” said Croom. “I disagree with pulling money out of reserves. We are spending too much money too quickly. I think we need to take a breathe.”

Budget chairman Councilman Tracy Catt thought the price tag was too much for the 18,000 square foot building. He thought the idea of buying the building for the police was good, but disagreed with the big funding request. Catt wanted to spare some of the funds for repairs to the building.

“I think its best of the property belongs to the city,” said Catt.

Catt thought the funds were available without dipping into reserves.

“To me, the logical place for this to come from to prevent you from incurring debt is the capital account,” said Catt.

Catt offered an amendment to cap the funds at $250,000 which failed on a deadlocked vote with one abstention. Council voted that down and opted to entirely fund the mayor’s request. Voting for the amended lower amount were Councilmen Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom, James Holt and Charles Wheeless. Helen Harris passed. Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine Mohammed, Willis Mondy and Davis Murray voted against the lower amount.

The vote for McClendon’s ask of $465,000 ask ultimately passed on a split vote. Again Catt, Croom, and Wheeless voted against the full request with Harris, Holt, Hutchinson, Mohamed, Mondy, Murray voting in favor.