2006: City knew of leaking roof dangers, delayed repairs again

City delves into savings to fix roofBy PETER GUINTAPublication Date: 04/11/06
Told that pots and pans are catching the water leaking into the Lightner Museum's fourth floor, St. Augustine City Commission on Monday night broke into its piggy bank to pay for overdue City Hall roof repairs.
Mayor George Gardner said City Hall's entire roof needs to be fixed -- at a total cost of $1 million.
But most urgently, the flat part of the mostly mansard roof over the Lightner Museum is leaking right now, with a supposedly active rainy season on the way.
Repairs will cost $50,000.
"We don't have that full amount in our current budget," Gardner said. "But we can tap into reserves and get that taken care of. This is an urgent thing. Decay and rot is continuing."
Commissioner Joe Boles called the building a "treasure" and explained that the city owns the City Hall building and the museum leases space from the city.
"If we can prevent additional damage to the structure, we've got to do it," Boles said.
City Manager Bill Harriss said the city is obligated to fix any structural deficiencies that occur to the building.
"We've got roof repair budgeted for next year, but it's a need right now," Harriss said. "A flat roof is not an easy roof to maintain."
The Lightner Museum is holding up its fourth floor projects until the leaks can be stopped, he said.
Gardner said the city had applied for state grants, but didn't get any this year. The commission was unified in believing it would be unwise to wait until next year's grant cycle.
Vice Mayor Susan Burk said, "The rain is coming in. We've got to stop it."
Garner made the motion to approve the transfer of $50,000 from the general fund reserves into the repair account.
It passed 5-0.
Commissioner Errol Jones, who had previously warned the City Commission about the need to budget for this eventuality, said, "I can't resist saying it, but I told you so. We can't be horsing around. The whole roof needs to be replaced."Click here to return to story:http://staugustine.com/stories/041106/news_3762228.shtml © The St. Augustine Record