The New Library Joint Committee met on April 16, 2008, at 221 N. Main. Committee members present at role call were Erin Varley, Jeri Neely, Lisa Kasper, Catherine Steward, Tammy Shadlow. Absent were Sam Juhl and Denny Bauman.

After an addition to the agenda to add Elect Secretary, Varley moved to accept the agenda, and it was seconded by Neely. All were in favor.

Meeting minutes from the February 18, 2008, NLJC meeting were amended and approved.

It was determined that committee members would rotate the secretary role for the committee. Duties for the role include: take meeting notes, email notes to committee members, upon tentative approval from one member from each of the groups represented (council, library trustees, library foundation) submit minutes to the city clerk for posting on the website as draft, after approved at the next meeting confirm to city clerk that notes are final, scan and email to the committee members any additional documentation. Agenda will continue to be the responsibility of the mayor/committee chair.

Shadlow reported on the pricing information received from Randy Cummings at Story Construction. His rough estimates were $595,500 to $692,200 for remodeling the 221 N. Main Building, demolishing the Boyd Building and adding on new in that area to create a rectangle of about 5796 square feet. Some of the challenges for this plan were also briefly discussed. Cummings also provided rough pricing for a new 6000 square foot building. He used pricing from a recent project for single-story building with partial brick exterior which also included asphalt parking for 30 spaces and lighting. This estimated pricing ranged from $778,000 to $911,500. There was general agreement from the committee that asphalt parking was not a priority at this point. This pricing does not include all project cost and is a starting point for comparison but will be fine tuned when more specifics of the project are determined.

Varley updated the committee on the communication received from the Heart of Iowa Co-op. The HOIC Board of Directors is very flexible on the amount of space they are willing to give the city. They want the city to determine its space requirements and let the board know. Details on valuation, subdivision and final approval by both the HOIC board and city council will then be completed. NLJC members expressed appreciation for the generosity of the HOIC.

The consensus of the committee was to move forward with placing the library at the HOIC site. The amount of land needed for a building, including room for future growth and possibly some green space, will be determined by the committee. In the meantime, committee members will visit with their respective groups to confirm support for the HOIC site as well as to determine any additional concerns that would need to be addressed.

The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at 221 N. Main Street.

Neely made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Varley. All were in favor.

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