GALLIPOLIS — Gallipolis City Commissioners voted 3-2 to pass the first reading of a resolution authorizing City Manager Randy Finney to advertise for bids for the construction of the new municipal building during their regular meeting Tuesday evening.

In addition, the commission passed the first reading of an ordinance 3-2 to purchase the property located at 532 and 534 Second Avenue and 535 and 539 Third Avenue as well as Lot 3 in the Walter’s Hill Subdivision for $225,000, according to the ordinance. The land is intended for use as parking for the new city building.

Commissioners Caroll Snowden, Bob Marchi and Jon Lynch voted for the measures, while Commissioners Jim Cozza and Dow Saunders voted against them.

An ordinance to appropriate $225,000 into the new municipal building fund did not pass its first reading because a line item cannot be created without a unanimous vote, pursuant to the city’s charter, and Saunders voted against it. However, City Solicitor Brent Saunders said he believes the commission can still purchase the property if they use money from the general fund.

As to the entire affair, Commissioner Saunders said he was surprised that the project is already being put to bid considering last week’s public meeting and the negative response garnered from community members.

“I don’t know how in the world we can go to bid when we aren’t any further along,” he said, pointing out that the plans are not yet complete. “We’ve got too many things that aren’t in place to proceed with this and I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the community.”

Commissioner Bob Marchi countered that construction costs are already beginning to rise and asked Project Engineer Randy Breech how much materials are expected to increase in the next six months. Breech said the cost to construct the new city building is between $2.3 and $2.5 million right now and another six months will likely add $300,000 to that cost and waiting an entire year will add at least $500,000. He added that the plans for the new municipal building are 95 percent complete.

The commission also passed the second reading of two ordinances rejecting bids submitted for the removal of asbestos containing materials from and demolition of Davis Hall. Thermal Solutions, Inc., Proctorville, bid $215,539 to perform both services combined, while Master Mechanical Insulation, Inc., Huntington, W.Va., bid $176,968 on asbestos removal and $119,893 on demolition.

Initially, the commission had planned to tear down Davis Hall for use as a parking lot, a point contended during last week’s public meeting. Some of the commissioners indicated that Thermal Solutions’ bid was contingent on the amount of asbestos located in the building, and would likely end up costing an amount closer to Master Mechanical’s bids.

In other action, commissioners:

• Passed the first reading of a resolution authorizing Finney to advertise for bids for materials, supplies, equipment and services for city use in 2010.

• Suspended the rules to pass an ordinance on its first reading giving Finney the authority to enter into an addendum with Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. (VESI) to amend its Community Reinvestment Program and allow the city to use the funds for any project they choose. During the last commission meeting, the city accepted a $3,338 check from VESI in community reinvestment funding.

• Passed the first reading of an ordinance to enter into a contract with Gallia County for equipment and labor, mainly general road work and dust control.

• Approved the appointments of Mike Allen to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Lori Young to the City Park Advisory Board, Danny Mink to the City Recreation Board and Janet Johnson to the Historic Preservation Board.