001Good afternoon and welcome to the special board meeting of the Akran Public School Board, Friday, June 6 for the joint board of review. Dr. Thompson, roll call, please. Mr. Alexander, present. Miss Autry, present. Reverend Harrison, present. Miss Jackson present. Dr. Molinar present. That is five present, two absent. Thank you, Dr. Thompson. Next, we'll have the pledge of allegiance. If we can, please have roll call for city side. If someone can do that for us. Yes. Mr. Thank you. Sure. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, Councilwoman Somerville here. Mayor Malik here. Councilman Lombardo present. Mr. Steve Fricker present and Eupren Lash myself present. Thank you. Thank you. Next we will have the pledge of allegiance by U member Molinar of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible,
002with liberty and justice for all. Um, we don't have any requests currently to address the board. Um, all right, we can begin. Thank you, uh, Mayor Mallet. Sure. Good afternoon everyone. This room has changed just a little bit since we were last in here. So, thank you for having us. Uh the council chambers were recently redone, so we're glad uh we're able to do this here. Um so, I think you know, we obviously had a uh productive meeting um about a month and a half ago, I believe. Um and I think since that time there's been some discussion with the superintendent with the APS administration around um the future uh of the Miller South Piper project. Um and so I think uh I have maybe a couple opening remarks and then we can go from
003there. I think just to recap for everyone and appreciate that we have council Tina Boy and a number of Kenmore stakeholders here today. Um so at the last meeting we talked about the LFI funds the uh the outstanding amount that had previously been borrowed. We talked about how there was previously the commitment that half of that money could go to this project at Piper um from the previous administration that our administration continued um that there was this arbitrage issue that we needed to deal with around the interest that had been accumulated in this account. Um, and that we also needed to uh have kind of a determination on how this would work uh with the current CLC agreement from a legal perspective. Right. So, just a couple updates there. From the legal perspective, I think
004my understanding is that um we would need to our our law department's understanding is that we would need an amendment to the agreement to facilitate any uh uh future project using these funds cuz whatever project we would be planning for was not initially contemplated for in the agreement with these funds. Um and uh then I think also um I think our understanding is that you know these funds could be used to towards pro a project or projects that could be deemed community learning centers. Um I think the current agreement defines community learning centers as centers that are built as part of the state funded school construction along with a local share. So that's part of why I think there would need to be an amendment because, you know, we're not expecting there to be any
005state share of of any new projects. So that's the first piece. I think the second piece I will leave to Mr. Fricker and Mr. and Dr. Thompson to discuss regarding the arbitrage. I think wherever we talk about the LFI funds, we have to start with that money being set aside um first before we figure out any other money that can be expended. Um I think the third point is around the building. So again not to I'm going to stop talking after this but um you know obviously there has been a discussion about increase in costs of the current proposed site at the Kenmore uh uh the Kenmore High School site. Um, I think the administration's position um is that uh I know there were several different proposals shared with the school board and the finance
006committee. I think our position is that having a project in Canmore is a priority, right? uh for this neighborhood that uh you know has seen school closures and has seen just general uh concerns about investment and not not saying uh that it's all been the schools um but that this you know really there is a lot of excitement around the promise of this um and the potential of this as a partnership um I think that we have been from the city side looking to see if we can help with looking at the costs so are there ways that we and help assist with, you know, there was initially concern around where the building would be situated due to a sewer line. Can we take a closer look at that from the city side and help
007on the cost side? I think another piece is that um I think also there's concern around the Lichfield option given that I think um you know there and I say this as a Lichfield graduate, right? There's I think we've all uh in the city discussed you know making sure that different pro programs are available throughout the district and across the district and that it's not too no pro the programs aren't too concentrated in one cluster. Um and then the final thing I'll say um is that I think we are willing to explore from the administration side um whether the entirety of the LFI funds absent the arbitrage could go towards uh this the Kenmore site. um if that would help you know accomplish the uh uh construction um I don't know you know exactly where
008the funding stack is right and so um but I think we are open to that as a as an initial point of discussion as well as noting uh council president Somerville and others have raised the point that we do need to make sure that um you know disposition of the current Miller South site is provided for as well and you know recognizing that we all have an interest in buildings not deteriorating and being blight. So, uh I think I've I've spoken significantly. Um I would turn it over Mr. Fricker if you could kind of talk a little bit about where we are with the arbitrage issue. So, uh did speak with Dr. Thompson. uh we are both working on gathering uh there would be some documents from the city side, some documents from the uh
009school side in terms of uh determining the cost and the interest earnings of the the proceeds that were issued in 2016. Uh so we are working on gathering those documents. Now we will once we have all of that information we will uh utilize the services of uh you know there are several companies that perform the arbitrage calculations. Uh those are very complex calculations but they will take those documents and figure out what the potential arbitrage is. So we will utilize that that service to get what that number ultimately is. Thank you. Are there any um questions from comm member Mullenar Audrey? Madame President, I do have a question. I recognize member Autry. Thank you. Uh my question around this process to figure out what the number is typically how long does something like that take?
010I once they have the documents I don't think it would take a long time. Uh a week or so maybe. So it will not take a long time. President Somerville. Thank you Madam President. Just a question for APS. Do we have the dollar amount of how much it's actually going to cost to build a new Fifer and Miller site uh Miller South School? Thank you. Uh Dr. Thompson. So three years ago, it was quoted by our architects at the time that we're doing uh that we're looking at this project was a total of $63 million of which that would come from 40 million in cops, $15 million in ESSER funds and cops are certificates of participation. It's a loan essentially a low interest loan. and then $8 million at that point. Previous mayor um as
011um current mayor has mentioned there was going to be a split of the LFI dollars or at least that was our understanding at that point and that made our $63 million budget. New architectural firms come in several years later and um they are estimating the project at $76 million instead of $63 million. our cops. We've been investing our cops. We have to watch for the same arbitrage issue as we're experiencing with our LFI funds, but we're sitting at 42 million in our cops, 15 million in ESSER, and then depending on what we do with the LFI funds, if those LFI funds came to us in full, then the shortfall would be1 to$2 million shortfall, which I think we can make up for simply in redesign. Fine. Thank you. Are there any more questions or information
012that uh Mayor Mat? Sure. Um I guess you know it would be helpful to understand um whether APS administration or the board um you know I know there's been some discussion about these three options um whether there are I know because I know you know obviously there was the and I I think I'd seen a slide with the numbers of the three different proposals right but you know there was I think this that you're talking about the 76 million this is this would be Miller South and Piper There was an option that was just Miller South and there was option correct and there was an option of Miller South at the Lichfield campus. This budgets the whole as the plan was originally um projected to be Piper and Miller South. Okay. And what was the
013cost of the just Miller South option that cut cutting off just uh the py section would be anywhere from 15 to$20 million off the cost of the project. Okay. So, that would be about 60 million. Uh, it would take it to a little less than 60 million. Correct. Okay. And then the Lichfield site, that was around 45 million. To be completely honest, that was just a guess. Okay. um we haven't had architects to go out there to look at it to we we just wanted to provide as administration the board with some here's a problem and here are some options and it would be ultimately obviously a board decision okay thank you thank you member Harrison thank you madam chair uh madame chair and um to the members around the table and to community as
014well. Um, I want to um I can't speak for the entire board, but I I I believe that um we want to let the community know that Kimmore is a priority to this board, to the school system. Kimmore is a priority. Um I I think it becomes kind of difficult it becomes kind of difficult to talk numbers exact numbers um or or guesstimated numbers um that we don't actually have because when we start speaking things out um you know we we could guess that Lichfield would cost this much or you know to only do this building and not the other building. I I I think when we start talking that when we haven't talked that, you know, the board itself has not talked about options. We were presented with options that the community was presented
015with options and so I I I don't want us to go too far and then it's out there in the atmosphere. So, I think the ad, you know, and I I'm I'm going let superintendent speak, but um I I I think we have a long way to go. Um but the message is that Kimmore is a priority. Thank you, Member Harrison. Mr. Lombardo, thank you. Uh Madam Chair, I just wanted to know what's the total in the LFI funds? I I didn't hear that figure or I don't remember it from last year, last week. just a little over $18 million. Like $18,339 is the number that's ringing in my head, but I know that's very close. Yes, member. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I agree that Kenmore is a priority and having a building on
016the Kenmore site is something that is good for our district and good for our city. Um, and I understand uh what member Harrison was saying that sometimes in in speaking to the abstract, it can be difficult to figure out what we're looking at at each individual time. But I'm wondering if as we're meeting as a joint board of review and as we're making decisions and as we're doing things. I know we have another building project, the North building project. I don't know how that would affect this, but I think as we look at numbers, it would be important to see that um as we're making our decisions. Thank you, Member Molnar. Mayor Matt, thank you. Um yes, I I agree and I guess if it would be possible, Dr. Thompson, I don't know if those
017numbers are available, but I guess could you share the current um you know cost estimate for North and you know is there any concern about you know a similar shortfall there? I know that's a more recent project but Dr. Thompson our bond issue which was um calculated several years ago as well. remember I know the bond issue passed in November of 24 but that those documents had to be prepare prepared well before that. So our cost estimate at that point was 85 million and that's what the bond issue was passed for. Um right now um we don't have architectural designs etc etc yet. So it's difficult to estimate what where we might be short, but I think it would also be disingenuous to think that we may not be short and we'll have to look
018at alternatives. And so if I can um so Dr. Thompson, the the total $85 million cost was going to be entirely paid for using that bond issue. Okay, thank you. Any other discussion? Any questions, comments? Yes. Uh oh, Mayor Mallet. President. Thank you, Madam President. Ju just a couple of things because I think on the city side of course we are committed as we've always been committed to partnering with APS to make sure that every community right has a uh a new school a learning environment that is conducive to learning but a couple of things and I appreciate the work that has been done in terms of access to CLC's but that has been an issue from the very beginning you know and before we really commit to partnering again to potentially build to more
019schools. I think it's important that we do something to make sure that we put the community back in community learning centers by giving access to the public who paid for these buildings. Again, I know there's been some work that's been done on that, but the biggest barrier has been the insurance requirement. And I don't know why it's that complicated, why it's that difficult. And I'm just hoping that before we move forward, we have to find a solution to address the insurance barrier so that we can open up the community learning centers to the community which they were intended for. Um, thank you. Thank you, Mayor Mallet. Um the uh uh given that we are talking about you know the Kenmore community um would it uh I would like to if we could recognize uh Councilwoman
020Boy and ask if she could share her perspective. I know she's not part of the joint board of review but as a council member and as representative of the community represent um uh No, you're fine. That would be fine. Uh cuz member Harrison, just while we're here, uh member Harrison was trying to uh get my attention before we began the meeting. As I wasn't given a sheet of the public participants, I was told that there were none. Member Harrison said that there was one. Are you the one? Cuz if not, I would like the other person to know. They can come after you. We weren't aware that this was open for public comment. So, no one actually signed up, but we do have an individual who prepared something in the event that she could present.
021So, okay. Um, so I I don't have a problem with that, ma'am. Especially because Miss Boyce has been caught up by the mayor. So, I'll call you up. Uh, we have a standard protocol, but that's been dismissed at this point. So, if no one has any unreiness with this, uh, uh, the lady who would like to share, I'm sorry, I don't have your name. After the after the, uh, council woman shares, you're welcome to come to the mic as well. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. I really appreciate this. Um, so I don't want to get too far down the historical rabbit hole because we've done that a few times, but it is absolutely true that, you know, Kenmore was a community that voted for the 2003 quarter% income tax raise and we we received
022the least portion of that. So that's just to kind of set set the standard there. Like this is a community that we're we're not complaining. We miss our high school. We're not here to relive that. We're just we're here to explain that this community did not receive its fair share of that and that's kind of the baseline with which these folks arrived. So um with that being said, we have worked really hard in our community over the past two years since the vote to replace Miller South and Piper at the Kenmore campus to fully engage those folks into the community. This building would be built one block from six recording studios, two live music venues, a dance center, and multiple music and arts related businesses. This is bigger than just education, although that's incredibly important.
023This could be a catalyzer for our community. So, you know, when you look at these things, I understand it's very difficult. I mean, these are dollars and cents in front of you, and they're often times hard to understand, but the reason folks are so passionate and showing up is because we believe that this could literally transform our neighborhood. We have been disinvested by multiple large organizations over the years, one just recently um that pulled out of the neighborhood. That is a that communicates to folks that this is not a place for young people and families. And I know as a city council person, of course, you know, I I work hard for my community, but I know other members of the city here. They do not want to see another neighborhood in decline. And I
024fear that, you know, after we've promised this to the community, after folks have gotten excited about it, folks are going to I mean, if this does not come to fruition exactly as promised, I understand there are ways to rightsize this project. And I know some of that is going on right now as we're speaking, but I apologize. I did not realize I was a horse. Um, I just ask that, you know, we don't look at this simply as a quick fix dollars and cents, but the long game because you will get students back. Mo, we lose students to neighborhood districts and to parochials because we do not provide them anything unique and special in our community. After losing a high school, folks decided that Coventry and Barbadan are close, they're literally closer to them than
025Garfield is. So, you know, I just understand these aren't folks public schools. They just feel that, you know, we've kind of given up on them. So, I appreciate your time. Um, this is not to malign any of you. Again, you have very difficult decisions as do we financially at the city, but I I just ask that you you remember the history of this, see the promise of it, and keep an open mind. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Boyce. ma'am. And please when you come to the mic, let us know your name and if there's any group affiliation as well. My name is Victoria Pastor and I'll try not to cry during this presentation. I didn't expect to speak today, so I sent you all of this in an email. I live in Kenmore and grew
026up here there. I'm a proud graduate of Kore High School in 1975. So that makes it 50 years. My 50-year reunion is in a couple of months. And Camera High School is now wiped away from Ward Nine. All I have left is a brick and my memories. Back in 2016, former mayor Don Pasqualik for 28 years stood up and spoke out to try to get Camero High School rebuilt and even him even he couldn't save it. I don't understand why upon merging schools Kenmore Garfield that that name wasn't transferred over to the new school that was built. Another slap in the face. The Chem community should not bear the consequences of poor planning and mismanagement of funds. However, prior promises made, promises not kept. But you have an opportunity to change the school board's reputation
027by saving the sacred ground of Camour High School by building Miller South and Viper. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you. Are there any other comments concerning LFI funds? Any other discussions? We didn't have We were told we couldn't respond and you guys are all going about the money. Well, ma'am, uh, if you could, if you're going to speak, you need to come to the mic because so that you can be heard properly. No worries. You're the Are you the lunch lady? Here I am. Yes. Yes. I have been the lunch lady. My name is Vicky Lamson. I go by Miss Lamson or Miss Vicki at the school. And I've been there for 32 years. 32 years. I've lived in Kimmore all my life. Um my girls went through Pyer and and Enis.
028And when you talk about Kimmore, it's family oriented. It's keeping our families. I know you guys are all about the money, but sometimes we got to think about our kids. Our kids are so important. These babies, they're they're just little kindergarten, you know. I I've had like yesterday was the last day of school and I had probably a handful of kids just pouring out. What are we going to do if we don't have you next year? What are we going to do if they close our school? That's rough. That's rough. During COVID, I I've said this stuff to the board, but during COVID, I fed Little Piper School up on the hill. 88,000. It's over 88, but I'm going to round it up. 88,000 kids. They came from all over. Why? Because they could walk
029to me and they could they felt good, comfortable knowing that it was going to be me there. I'm just not saying this is a me. I'm just saying it's our family. We have so much stuff. At Christmas time, we have a toy drive. There's not a kid in that school that goes without a Christmas. We have We have made so much progress and helping our families and helping our community that I just wish you guys really give us a chance because these kids deserve it. Not maybe us, not maybe you guys, but the kids do. And the kids mean a lot. I mean, they are our future. And they definitely get showed love at Piper. It's just not a, you know, a come, go to school. It's come in, get a hug if you need
030it that day. You having a bad day? And I'm sure there's more schools like that, but just to think my babies getting split up in three different directions and not having, you know, their their place of safety in their face of feeling safe. It really hurts. And I'm sorry that I spoke out of turn there, but I just felt like I already gave my spill to the board, but I just really wish and pray that you guys do something to help us because Kimmore deserves it. It is a great little community and sometimes we might get a little backlash, but there is still so many good people. Thank you. And I want to thank you for listening. Thank you. [Applause] All right. Thank you. Malik, did you have anything? Is there any is there any
031other discussion before we get ready a motion to adjourn? Sure. Um I guess two things. Um first, um I want to thank the folks who shared their perspectives. Um, I know all of us care deeply about um about the Kenmore community and about our community more broadly. Um, I think that uh um you know I guess my thought would be that uh if we would I know we talked about having potentially a series of meetings, right? and um if we would be able to schedule another meeting and in the meantime continue to look at the cost estimates of the the the current proposal for Kenmore, for Miller South and Piper with that being kind of the the goal to getting to continuing with that project as you know has been previously uh committed um and
032also trying to make some headway on the arbitragees. issue so we can figure out how much money actually is available. Um, and then, you know, have our legal teams begin to work on what an amendment to the agreement could look like and continue to discuss if that is the uh, you know, direction that both the city, you know, in partnership with city council as well as, you know, the APS board would like to go down. I think that, you know, that is one route and avenue that we could take. And I think to uh Council President Somerville, to your point about the insurance, um I I do think that uh you know, I know we had discussion at the prior meeting about uh bringing new life into the uh community-based monitoring committee. And I think
033that um Michelle Wardell uh on our team is out uh this week, I think probably with some members from the APS team uh at a conference in Seattle talking about early childhood, but I think at that next meeting we could also kind of talk more about what reconstituting that that committee could look like. So that would be my my suggestion. Thank you, Mayor Malik. Um, if nothing else, is there a motion to adjurnn? So moved. It's been moved by member Harrison, second by Council President Somerville. Any discussion? Seeing and hearing none, Dr. Thompson. Roll call, please. Reverend Harrison, yes. Miss Jackson, yes. Dr. Molinar, yes. Mr. Mr. Alexander, yes. Miss Autry, yes. Our motion carries 50. Okay. President Somerville. Yes. Mayor Malik. Yes. Councilman Lombardo. Yes. Mr. Steve Fricker. Yes. Mr. Eupren Lash. Yes. 50.
034Thank you. We stand adjourned at 2:33 p.m. [Music]