Toward the end of the meeting, when it was time for councilors to make their reports, White told the council that the city has a $350,000, 6,000-square-foot property not being used, a police building that has mold problems and needs repair, and a police chief who s eager for a resolution. The problem is not going to go away, White told councilors. He said he was wiling to call a special meeting to discuss the issue, and said he did not want to adjourn Monday night without resolving the problem.
With that, Hanchar made a motion to revisit the issue. This time, Kenny and Cubbage voted yes. The measure passed unanimously.
Dunnellon officials to consider 2 ideas for new police building, community center
DUNNELLON Dunnellon City Clerk Amanda Roberts told Dunnellon city councilors at their workshop meeting earlier this week that two companies have met their criteria to review a church building to determine the cost of converting it into a police department that could also be used as a community center.
The two companies are Partain Architecture and David P. King Jr. & Associates.
City officials have budgeted $56,000 for the project. A decision on whether or not councilors will decide on which company to choose will be made April 12.
Souls Harbor First Pentecostal Church of Dunnellon was purchased in 2020 by the previous city council that it may one day house the police department. The present building occupied by the police department needs repairs, Police Chief Mike McQuaig said.
Dunnellon needs a new home for its police department
DUNNELLON The men and women of the Dunnellon Police Department work in a building that everyone agrees is a health hazard.
Police Chief Mike McQuaig recently gave a presentation to the city council outlining the dangers present at the office, which is headquarters for the 11 officers, including the chief, who patrol the city s approximately 7.2 square miles.
The structure has been in existence for more than a half a century, according to those with knowledge of the building. It used to be the city hall.
Recently, McQuaig said, an inspector examined the building, located along South William Street, and was told it had mold. The mold can be treated. But the building also has termites and unsafe wiring. A snake, apparently living in the walls, crawled out one day.