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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-14 PLB MINUTESCall To Order/Roll Call 3400 South Elati Street, Englewood, CO 80110 303-762-2560 Voice 303-762-2576 FAX Minutes Englewood Public Library Board May 5, 1997 The special meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairperson, Mary Dounay at 5:34 p.m. PRESENT: M. Dounay, R. Greiner (arrived late), M. Giffin , S. O'Leary, S. Smithers, S. Ostema, B . Williams, and Council Member Alex Habenicht. REGRETS: A. Leonard and M. Schwindt. ALSO PRESENT: Hank Long , Library Director, and Joan Clayton, Recording Secretary. Ms. Dounay began the meeting with background as to why the special meeting had been called. The remodeling project for the Library had come in over the estimated cost. Mr. long a,irafted a memo to the Board listing the costs and ways to use parts of the Library budget that ~ad been designated for other areas to come up with the difference between the bid and the estimated costs. The Library Board had been asked to let Mr. Long know how t hey felt about the bid and the use of Library funds in order to do the project. Mr. Long had received two written comments , 1 in agreement and 1 negative . Ms. Dounay then asked that a special Board meeting be held prior to tonight's City Council meeting to discuss the options. In the packet s'ent to the Board there was a copy of a facility study that had been done last year for the City. City Manager Clark had just given this study to City Council for discussion April 14. There was a brief discussion of the study. Mr. Long mentioned that the money is now available for the remodel and that if the remodel was not done now the possibility exists that the money would be used for other City projects and no longer available to the Library. Ms. Giffin noted that construction needed to be started now so that it would be done before school opened in the Fall. Mr. Long again enumerated t he reasons for the remodel: the Library is one of the last areas of City Hall to be on the old boiler system and demands on this system are greater than can be accommodated; the lighting in the Library is inadequate and needs to be upgraded; the sprinklers are needed in order t o comp ly with Fire Code being demanded of other businesses in the City; the entire ceiling needs replacement due to age; painting is needed throughout the facility. 97-15 Motion: That the remodel project be approved as outlined by Mr. Long 's memo dated April 25 , 1997. •oved by: Margaret Giffin ~econded by : Sonie Smithers - 1 - A general discussion followed. It was asked if a previous lighting study had been done for the Library. Mr. Long replied that he was not aware of any such study. However, public comments have been supportive of the need for new and better lighting. Ms. Ostema asked that alternatives other than a new library be explored. When asked what other alternatives, she noted the use of other sites, e.g. the Foley's building and possible space in the Wells Fargo Bank building. She suggested that the closure in August be used as a time to move the Library into a new facility, leaving the present facility vacant for use by other departments in the City needing more room as reflected in the City 's Facility Study dated Sept. 11, 1996 which all Board members had received. Ms. Ostema listed the following reasons to move the Library on the Cinderella City site: close to light rail, with the proximity to light rail usage going up and with budget money being parceled based on usage. She also said she was told by a Council member that the City has offered to help find an alternative site for the Library. Ms. Dounay asked Ms. Habenicht about a group which had approached Council regarding the use of the Foley's Building for a possible site for a cultural arts center, Light Rail station, and Library facility. Ms. Habenicht said this had grown out of community sentiment and focus groups. Ms. Habenicht admitted that there has been no formal agreement with the developer as to what will be on the Cinderella City site. Therefore the use of the Foley's Building is not certain. The cost of getting the building ready for use could be from $1 -$2 million. Ms. Ostema referred to several costs surrounding facility study costs, remodel costs and money she felt already been spent on renovating City Hall. She said she would like the Board to consider these costs that have been or will be spent on City Hall and weigh them against the cost of over $6 million to be spent on a new Library . Her feeling is that it would be better to proceed to find a new site rather than use money on fixing up an old building. Ms. Dounay and others said they felt it was better to spend money available now to maintain the present facility for future use by the City or for sale by the City rather than not do the remodel and have a poor facility until a new one can be built. Discussion followed regarding alternatives, costs, the need for Council approval to expend money to move the Library, and that all of these things are unpredictable. It was pointed out that studies are just that, not actual plans to do what is in the study. It is a way of looking at all the options available. Ms, Dounay reminded everyone that when Mr. Clark visited with the Board, he had said that the Library area could be used by other City departments so it seems to make sense to go ahead with the remodel project. Even if Council decided today to move the Library to an alternative site it would take time to accomplish the move, after selecting a site and preparing it, etc. Discussion regarding bond issues and the possibility of Mr. Long writing a grant for a new Library were discussed. Ms. Dounay related her experiences with working on bond issues for the school district and how involved the process is, how much time and effort goes into it. Ms. Ostema pointed out that Mr. Long had successfully written a grant for the Englewood Depot, and wouldn't it be nice if he could write a grant for the Library? Ms. Giffin addressed this suggestion by saying that grants can be written for individual projects but that the money can not be used for construction of the building. Ms. Williams moved the question which was repeated, "To support the remodel of the Library as outlined in the Memo from Mr. Long dated April 25, 1997." Before the vote was taken Ms. Dounay read a note of support from Ms. Schwindt who was unable to attend because of poor health. (see attachment) - 2 - Roli'Call Vote Dounay-Aye Giffin - Aye Greiner -Aye 9 Leonard -absent O'Leary - Aye Ostema -Nay Schwindt -absent, letter of support sent to meeting. Smithers - Aye Williams -Aye Aye - 6 Nay - 1 Ms . Dounay will take a report of the vote and recommend to City Council that the bid be awarded to proceed with the remodeling project. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p .m. 5/97 jc - 3 -