Council agrees on additional $3,500 to replace damaged piano

The El Dorado City Council has decided to spend additional funds to purchase another used, grand piano for the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium.

The matter was not on the council’s July 2 agenda but after Council Member Paul Choate broached the topic, a discussion ensued and ended with a unanimous vote to spend an additional $3,500 for a newer model Steinway.

As the council considered bills for approval, Choate noted an expenditure of $89,970 for the purchase of a 2012 Steinway grand piano to replace a piano that had been destroyed by water damage from a formerly leaky roof at the auditorium.

After weeks of discussion on the matter, the council voted June 20 on an $118,000 package to purchase the used piano, pay a $10,000 deductible from an insurance settlement on the old piano and $6,000 to improve the room in which the newer piano will be stored in the auditorium.

During the June 20 meeting, representatives from the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra expressed concern about having a piano available in time for Sept. 7 of the symphony’s new performance season.

A Steinway dealer in Mayflower had reserved the 2012 piano for the city at the price of the insurance settlement.

On July 2, Choate said he had heard that the piano would not be delivered until September.

“But are we going to have it time for the symphony?”

Choate asked Pierce Moore, administrative assistant in Mayor Veronica Creer’s office.

Moore said he was not sure, adding that the 2012 piano, which was in Kentucky, was in use at summer festivals there.

Moore said the payment check for the 2012 model had already been cut and sent to the Steinway dealer.

He said the dealer did not immediately reply to inquiries about when the piano would be delivered and Moore later learned that the piano was no longer readily available.

Moore said there were two options: rent a piano Sept. 7 for $3,500 or buy a 2013 model that is available for an extra $3,500.

Moore said the piano dealer initially presented an additional cost of $5,000 for the newer model but he said he could offer a $1,500 discount.

“Either you wait until the end of festival season in September or you pay $3,500 for a rental,” Moore said.

Council Member Billy

Blann inquired about the delay in the delivery of the 2012 model.

Smith-Creer said the piano had been on hold for weeks as council members mulled over the matter and by the time they voted to purchase the instrument, it piano had been rented out for festival season.

“The decision was made later, so they moved it to another venue,” added Moore.

“So we’re out $3,500 either way. From where I’m sitting, one year newer

and probably in equal or better shape … We’re in the middle of paying bills, or I would probably make a motion,” Choate said.

Council members said Choate could make the motion to purchase the newer model following the vote on the statements of approval.

He did so when the discussion resumed a short time later and council members agreed to withhold payment of the $3,500 until the piano is delivered.

Council Member Willie McGhee noted that Moore had been in contact with the Steinway dealer and keeping him abreast of the council’s actions on

the matter.

“He knew we were discussing it and it just seems like we should have had one on standby. Once again, here we go putting the cart before the horse and now we’re asking will it work,” McGhee said.

McGhee said he would continue to support the effort to the replace the old piano and to pay the additional $3,500 for the newer model.

“And I’m doing it because I gave my word that I would but it just seems like it’s a double standard, that we do things different ways,” McGhee said. “It just seems like things go quickly for some aldermen and other aldermen have

to fight.”

Moore contacted the Steinway dealer during the meeting and received confirmation that the 2013 model was in his possession and would be delivered as soon as possible.

“You can tell him he won’t get the $3,500 check until it’s delivered,” Council Member Vance Williamson said, drawing a laugh from the audience.

The council then voted unanimously in favor of the $3,500 expenditure.