City Discussion on Potential Bond Issue Postponed

A meeting to discuss a potential $9 million bond issue that would pay for a renovated has been postponed until next week.

The Brentwood Ways and Means Committee planned to meet today to discuss the bond issue but canceled because Ward 3 Alderman Andrew Leahy is out of town.

The entire Board of Aldermen will likely attend next week's meeting, said Ward 2 Alderman Mike Marshall, the committee's chairman. A new meeting time hasn't been confirmed.

Leahy, who voted against a potential bond issue during a , has several questions about the issue, Marshall said.

"He had some questions about how we were going to pay for the running of (the complex)," Marshall said.

The public works committee approved a preliminary plan after three meetings in March and April. The plan would essentially keep the ice rink as is with major operating systems efficiency upgrades, replace meeting rooms with a new workout facility, build a multiuse gymnasium and improve the building’s facade to blend better with and the .

The plan also includes upgrades that make the center more walker-friendly and adds seismic bracing so the site can serve as an emergency shelter in time of need.

The city has until the end of August to submit the bond request to the for posting on the November 2011 ballot. If approved by voters, the bond would finance renovations and an expansion of the 36-year-old recreation complex and ice rink.

Ways and Means was originally scheduled to discuss the issue in May but a meeting was canceled because of low turnout.