MINUTES OF THE NEW LIBRARY JOINT COMMITTEE

AUGUST 22, 2007

 

The New Library Joint Committee met on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at 7:10 p.m., at 221 N Main Street with Mayor Samuel Juhl presiding.  Committee members present at roll call were Roger Fritz, Lisa Kasper, Jeri Neely, Catherine Steward and Tammy Shadlow.  Absent was Britany Danielson.

 

         I.      Engineer’s Reports

A.      Discussed items that were and were not included in report.

B.      Clarify Report (Tammy will call SVPA)

1.       Get in writing that floor is sufficient to support weight of books.

2.       Find out the life expectancy of this type of roof.

       II.      Discussion on Wright Building

A.      Reviewed history of project/committee with new members

B.      Discussed numbers packet (from Catherine)

C.      Jeri commented that maybe should re-present numbers to Council to show them the long-term cost effectiveness to tear down & build new.

D.      Roger agreed that if we move forward with 7,000sf or larger on the Wright site, then it is a wiser fiscal decision to build new.

E.      Tammy commented that she sees purpose of the NLJC is to come up with a plan unanimously supported within the committee, which can be presented to council/public as a plan all groups support, & get project moving forward.

F.      Sam commented that the library is not wheelchair accessible and that should be solved soon before city is named in a lawsuit.

G.     Catherine commented that it would take 5,172sf to adequately house the current collection to ADA standards.

H.      Roger & Jeri feel that this council will not move forward with Wright site if it involves tearing down the building.

I.         Jeri would like to remodel Wright (3,528sf), tear down pole shed, & add on to back (1,848sf) for a total 5,376sf.  An addition could be added in the future on the Boyd property.  This would require use of current library as program room until addition. 

J.       Lisa suggested using the Boyd property now vs. later.  Catherine voiced concerns about difficulty & cost of demolition if Boyd building is not acquired & demolished in the early stage.

K.      An option mentioned but not discussed in depth at meeting is to buy Boyd property, demolish that building & Wright pole shed, remodel Wright building (3,528sf), & add on south to same depth (2,268sf) for a total of 5,796sf. 

L.       Roger wants to know from each group if there is any support to temporarily move library to Wright building after some remodeling paid for by city.  A comment was made that the city has no account with available funds so taxes would need to be raised.  Concerns were voiced that people would see project as complete & there would not be support to raise taxes again for the permanent library.

      III.      Next meeting date to be determined via email.