Sutter-Meyer Home Divides Council; Budget Vote

The University City City Council Monday approved the city's 2013-14 budget after heated debate over a $15,000 expense in the budget.

Councilman Terry Crow first questioned the line item, which would cover the exterior painting of the Sutter-Meyer Farmhouse. The structure is owned by the city but leased to the Sutter-Meyer Society for $1/year.

The lease agreement, reached in 2008, calls for the non-profit Society to maintain and upkeep the structure in exchange for the low rent. City Manager Lehman Walker said Society members approached him about the need for exterior painting of the structure, and as it was a city-owned building, he felt it was something that could be put into the budget.

Crow questioned why the change was made in since the last time the city council reviewed the budget at the end of May. 

"I understand I sound like the Grinch," Crow said. "But this comes in at the last minute and there are other things we could spend the money on. It just doesn't seem like the right way to do business."

Councilwoman Paulette Carr questioned whether the line item in the budget would violate the lease agreement and the unanimous vote of the previous council to approve the lease between the City and the Society.

"This is a legal contract but it is also the policy of the council," she said. 

The city's attorney reviewed the contract, noting the Sutter-Meyer Society was obligated to maintain the structure under the lease, but the city could pay for upgrades if needed, provided it worked with the Society to pay back the money at a 5 percent interest rate.

Proponents of the Sutter-Meyer Society noted the repair work the organization had done on the structure, the oldest building in University City, over the past five years and the lack of funds to complete the painting, which is the only remaining item to bring the house up to code.

The council voted to keep the line item in the budget and to approve the budget on two 5-2 votes. Carr and Crow voted against both measures.

The proposed budget includes estimated revenues at $26,615,000 and expenditures at $26,314,000. To read the full budget, click here.