Following 40 minutes of testimony from United Learning Center (ULC) stakeholders and community members, the Centralia City Council on Tuesday night approved the transfer of $1.5 million from the city budget’s general fund to complete construction of the project.
Stakeholders from United Way of Lewis County, Discover! Children’s Museum and Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County spoke passionately about what the completion of the ULC will provide for the community prior to the council’s 6-0 vote at its April 8 meeting. Construction has been recently halted as the project’s partners await final National Environmental Policy Act approval in order to receive federal funding. About $4 million has been awarded to the project through the federal government.
City staff proposed supporting the first phase of the ULC construction by using $1.5 million from general funds set aside for capital projects to alleviate a short-term cash flow shortage. City Manager Michael Thomas said the funding is not additional money; the city is retaining its real estate excise tax (REET) funds that have constraints as to how they are spent and replacing them with more-flexible general fund dollars.
“This being much more flexible allows us to better meet the needs of the moment to get this project moving forward. We basically take the money and move it over from REET money to general fund money. It’s not an additional set of money. It’s
not extra money,” Thomas said. “We’re not using money from this pot and we are using it from this pot. That’s all the difference.”
Thomas added that the city’s national nonprofit foundation partner needs occupancy this winter to proceed with its commitment. The builder also needs to remobilize for full construction to meet the new timeline and to avoid significant cost increases.
The council, which took a tour of the construction on April 4, heard from a dozen people in the council chambers and received 28 letters regarding the ULC funding. Deputy Mayor Chris Brewer said this issue has been the most common that he’s received comments on from constituents in his short time on the council.
Marilynn Chintella, Discover! Children’s Museum director, highlighted the success of the museum since it sprouted from the vision of two mothers who wanted to have a place for kids and families to play and learn.
“Their vision grew, and from this developed a place to support a partnership of parents and families and schools, along with the community, all the while encouraging children to learn by playing and having fun,” Chintella said. “That was the seed, and it took off from there.”
The museum operated a successful pilot previously and would have a location within the ULC.
Chris Judd, resource development director for United Way of Lewis County, called the project a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of Centralia in a positive, meaningful way.”
“In my almost three years with the United Way, I’ve become acutely aware of the need that exists in our community for the United Learning Center. The ULC isn’t just a building. It’s an investment in the future of the city of Centralia and our community,” he added. “It’s an investment in early childhood education, family stability, economic development and community vitality.”
Shannon Glenn, board president of the United Way of Lewis County, said the ULC is important to families like hers, as she was an Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) family.
“I did not have this resource. I am looking to have my own children, and I have put that off specifically because I don’t know what the future looks like for them,” Glenn said. “I decided in my life that it is not the right time for me to have children because I don’t know where to put down roots to give them the community that my children deserve. Please, when you’re considering this, know that I am committed to this. Our board is committed to this. Our community is committed to this.”
Marline Miller, a freshman at W.F. West High School and the Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County Youth of the Year, spoke to how the club has impacted her life since she was 7 years old.
“The Boys & Girls Club has given me a safe place to learn and grow and dream big. Now, as a teen volunteer helping younger kids with their homework, I see firsthand how important early support and guidance is for children in our community,” she said. “The United Learning Center isn’t just a building. It’s a chance to give every kid in Centralia the opportunities they deserve. The ULC represents hope: hope for better educational opportunities, hope for community connections and hope for a brighter future for all of Centralia’s children.”
Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston said she was moved to tears by Miller’s testimony and “poise” in front of the council. The mayor helped bring the Boys & Girls Club to Chehalis and served as the board president.
“Here you are part of the Boys & Girls Club for eight years and you’re speaking with poise and advocating for your community. It’s inspiring, and I can’t help but think what kids are going to be here in front of us in 10 or 15 years talking about what they experienced at that corner,” Smith Johnston said.
Not all comments were in favor of the transfer of general funds for the ULC construction, however. Katie Moore said REET funds have been requested for improvements to soccer fields and baseball fields, including parking, with no response.
“If you guys came down on opening day for baseball and soccer, it was absolutely atrocious. We were blocked in parking lots. You couldn’t go anywhere at all,” she said. “There was no parking provided by the Hub Complex. I think we have some more help that needs to be done before moving our taxpayer dollars over to a new building that is already funded.”
Smith Johnston later clarified that the project is not fully funded and the transfer of $1.5 million is “essential” to keep the project moving forward.
Andrew Balerud, of Centralia, suggested that the city entertain the idea of a low-interest loan as a bridge to get the project to the next step and generate revenue rather than “losing more than what our budget deficit was to be forecast for this fiscal year.”
The city councilors, minus Sarah Althauser who recused herself from the discussion and vote because she heads the local Boys and Girls Club, spoke in overwhelming support of the completion of the ULC, saying that the city doesn’t want to leave another project unfinished and wants to invest in the children of the community, among other reasons.
Prior to the vote, Smith Johnston asked the councilors to “vote with your hearts and minds.”
“I want you to vote what you think is best for our community, but if it is in your heart and your mind to vote ‘yes’ on this, I think it would be an incredible statement for a unanimous vote in support of this project,” she said.
For more information about the ULC construction project and funding, visit previous Chronicle reporting at https://tinyurl.com/ycyc9uxa.
