A memo about Van Buren Township’s proposal to charge rent for the office space being used by the VBT Downtown Development Authority set off a flurry of angry comments at the DDA’s regular meeting Nov. 22.
Susan Ireland, who resigned from her township job of 27 years to become full-time executive director of the DDA, moved across the hall from her old township office to her new DDA office about Oct. 20.
The Nov. 21 memo to Supervisor Paul White from Terry Carroll, director of planning and economic development, noted Supervisor White had asked him to look into current office rental prices in order to determine what to charge the DDA.
Carroll said the office is about 15’x10’, about 150 square feet. He said in researching office rates, he found that a simple square-foot rate of an office does not fit what “is currently enjoyed by the DDA’s Executive Director.”
“What she has is really an executive suite,” Carroll wrote. “These suites are usually characterized by the additional amenities that are enjoyed by the lessee: furniture, utilities, maintenance, office cleaning, manned reception, kitchen area, breakout rooms, and IT extras (rack space, internet access, fax services, etc.).”
Carroll said a quick survey on executive suites in the VBT area shows rates from $590 to $850 per month.
He said since there is no lease involved and the lower-price executive suites require a lease, he would recommend the price be closer to the higher rate, about $800 per month.
At the bottom of the memo, White wrote: “Start Nov. 1, 2011” and signed his name.
As township supervisor, White has a voting position on the DDA.
White told his fellow DDA members that the township is providing office space and should get rent. He said the three, full-time elected officials discussed the matter and decided they would prefer the lower rate of $590 per month.
Executive Director Ireland began, “With all due respect…” and then launched into her rebuttal, discussing the size, the fact the DDA itself bought the township hall furniture, and she cleans her own office.
“It’s not any smaller than some other offices,” White responded, noting she had access to a kitchen and refrigerator.
“Are we an arm of the township? We just gave you $207,000,” DDA member Mike Suliman said angrily, referring to the money for 800 MHz radios the DDA had just approved at that meeting.
“We paid for the chair you’re sitting in,” Suliman continued and White corrected him with, “No, the residents of Van Buren Township paid for it.”
Ireland said when she uses the copy machine, she brings her own paper.
“I am not stealing or misappropriating anything,” she said.
“This is ridiculous. This is crazy,” said DDA member Ron Blank.
Ireland said it is uncomfortable for her to come into township hall these days because she feels unwelcome. She said she asked the economic development director for help with figures for her work and he’s too busy to help.
“I thought we were on the same team,” DDA member Pastor James Richter said in disbelief.
Ireland said the DDA does pay the IT department and gives about $35,000 to DPW. She said she recently cut down a tree herself because the DPW couldn’t get it on their schedule.
White said there is the telephone, air conditioning, heat.
Ireland said she has no heat and has to bring in a heater.
“I don’t think the residents of Van Buren Township should pay for an office in the building it paid for to begin with,” Blank said. “I’ve never seen anything like this in all the years I’ve been here.
“If the DDA is going to be charged for rent, I’ll go over the budget” to see what money the township is getting that should be adjusted.
The reimbursement to the township for services for 2012 was proposed to be $83,323. A special meeting on the DDA budget has been set for 5:30 p.m., Dec. 5.
“If this is the game you’re going to play… This is insulting,” Blank said.
White insisted it was not a game.
Suliman said the township needed radios, “We got it.” The township needed street lights, “We got it.” The township needed sidewalks, “We got it.”
“We are putting it in for the people,” Suliman said.
White said the tax increment funding the DDA captures takes away from the township tax money.
“It’s not about the money,” Richter said to White. “It’s that we’re not allowed to have an office in the people’s building. You’re the leader. Do something.”
“I’ve extended the olive branch twice,” Ireland said, adding, “If we’re not welcome here, we’re not welcome here.” She suggested they could move elsewhere.
“No,” Richert replied. “We need to be on the same team.”
White had said that an elected official he refused to name had suggested the DDA pay rent and Blank said, “Have that elected official who asked come here and explain.”
The meeting adjourned, with Ireland asking DDA members to send her memos on their thoughts on the subject of rent.