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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-19-1974 Library Commission Minutes LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES February 19, 1974 I. ORGANIZATIO~ A. ROLL CALL Present: Commissiomers Campbell, Earley, Olsen, Hall and i ~alltrick Guests: Miss Barbara Campbell (County Librarian), Mrs. Pamela Hook (Regional Librarian)~Mrs. Hall (President of the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries), and Mr. Robert F. Beyer (Saratoga City Manager). B. MINUTES It was moved by Con~nissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Falltrick that the minutes of January 31, 1974 be approved. It was unanimously approved. II. CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE SITES FOR NEW BRANCH LIBRARY FACILITY IN SARATOGA Chairman Hall briefly reviewed the public hearing held the previous week on the location of a new library facility in Saratoga. He commented on the report which had been presented at the public hearing and complimented the City Manager and staff ~n its presentation. He felt that it was vey well done and assisted in helping the public better understand the alternatives available to the City concerning a library facilt~ at this time. ' He then asked the question as to how the commissioners wanted to proceed to make the Commission's recommendation to the City Council. Commissioner Campbell asked whether or not the Commission should recommend a specific site or just a general area. It was generally the concensus that a specific site should be recormnended to the City Council if at all possible. Chairman Hall commented on the number of people at the public hearing who spoke on the three site library plan. He felt that it was possibly necessary to consider a site other than the Civic Center because of the strong belief and the need to haVe~z one site. It might have to be a compromise to get the necessary support. CommiSSiener Olsen commented that once she had found that West Valley Library was available to the public she thought that the new library site should be located at a site other than in the Civic Center. Gommissioner Earley felt that the Congress Springs site alternative was not a viable one as it would probably cause problems with the surrounding neighborhood. He was not supportive of the Civic Center site because of the impact that the traffic from West Valley College would have on it. Furthermore, the Civic Center site would not be appropriate on the corner and he expressed his concern for the aesthetic impact of such a facility in this location. He further indicated that if the site selected was the Cox Avenue - Saratoga/Sunnyvale Road site we would have a conflict with the County although he does not agree with the County's argument on this matter. From the long range point of view he felt that the Quito Site on Saratoga Avenue opposite M~Farland offered the best reasonable compromise at this point in time. He felt that the option should be left open, however, for a facility being buil~ on the northwest portion of town if the County area should further develop in the future. This would also leave options open for the County. He pointed out that the difference in land price between $70,000 and $150,000 represented less than 10% of the total amount or $3,000 per year for a 25 year period. The Commission also discussed the three library concept again and why the Commission is not in favor of it. After further consideration, the following motion was made: The the Saratoga Library Commission reaffirm its previously stated position in support of one major conlmmity library facility to serve Saratoga in addition to keeping the Village library facility. This position is based on the convention that the larger unit will more effectively and economically serve tke library needs of Saratoga residents, and that the costs for a three library facility to serve Saratoga are too prohibitive for service returned. In recognition with a request of the City Council in its referral to the Commission in December 1973 concerning other library sites, the Commission has reviewed and considered four alternative Sites. Additionally, the Commission held a public hearing on this matter on February 14th to receive expressions and opinions from the public on these sites and on the library service in Saratoga. On the basis of information received at this hearing the Commission concludes that the most effective site to serve the greatest number of residents should be the site located on Saratoga Avenue near Cox opposite MacFa~land/Avenue. The Commission recommends to the City Council that:the Saratoga Avenue site, opposite McFarland be selected and that the City Council concur on the recommendation of the Commission and approve said site. It is further recommended that the City Council approve the proceeding o~ negotiations for the purchase of the recommended site. Furthermore, the Commission recommends that concurrently with the approval of negotiations for above mentioned site City Council authorize the proceeding of negotiations with the County of Santa C~a for a lease agreement for the site and construction of a community library facility thereon. The motion moved by Commissioner Earley and seconded by Commissioner Falltrick was approved unanimously. The County Librarian then discussed the problem of construction costs and the need to talk about finite costs. Not in terms of so many dollars per square foot but what wo~ld be the ultimate cost of the project. She indicated that if we went this way we would have a different type of contract then the present one we have been discussing which is based on square footage. She indicated that ~he would be discussing this further with the City Manager and the proposed lease agreement would be forthcoming within the near future. After further discussion the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Rob Secretary L -2- LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES February 19, 1974 ~i..J I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Campbell, Earley, Olsen, Hall and Falltrick Guests: Miss Barbara Campbell (County Librarian), Mrs. Pamela Hook (Regional Librarian), Mrs. Hall (President of the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries), and Mr. Robert F. Beyer (Saratoga City Manager). B. MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Falltrick that the minutes of January 31, 1974 be approved. It was unanimously approved. II. CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE SITES FOR NEW BRANCH LIBRARY FACILITY IN SARATOGA Chairman Hall briefly reviewed the public hearing held the previous week on the location of a new library facility in Saratoga. He con~nented on the report which had been presented at the public hearing and complimented the City Manager and staff in its presentation. He felt that it was vey well done and assisted in helping the public better understand the alternatives available to the City concerning a library facility at this time. ' He then asked the question as to how the commissioners wanted to proceed to make the Commission's recommendation to the City Council. Commissioner Campbell asked whether or not the Commission should recommend a specific site or just a general area. It was generally the concensus that a specific site should be recommended to the City Council if at all possible. Chairman Hall commented on the number of people at the public hearing who spoke on the three site library plan. He felt that it was possibly necessary to consider a site other than the Civic Center because of the strong belief and the need to have one site. It might have to be a compromise to get the necessary support. Commissioner Olsen commented that once she had found that West Valley Library was available to the public she thought that the new library site should be located at a site other than in the Civic Center. (bmmissioner Earley felt that the Congress Springs site alternative was not a viable one as it would probably cause problems with the surrounding neighborhood. He was not supportive of the Civic Center site because of the impact that the traffic from West Valley College would have on it. Furthermore, the Civic Center site would not be appropriate on the corner and he ~xpressed his concern for the aesthetic impact of such a facility in this location. He further indicated that if the site selected was the Cox Avenue - Saratoga/Sunnyvale Road site we would have a conflict with the County although he does not agree with the County's argument on this matter. From the long range point of view he felt that the Quito site on Saratoga Avenue opposite Ms=Farland offered the best reasonable compromise at this point in time. He felt that the option should be left open, however, for a facility being builton the northwest portion of town if the County area should further develop in the future. This would also leave options open for the County. He pointed out that the difference in land price between $70,000 and $150,000 represented less than I~A of the total amount or $3,000 per year for a 25 year period. The Commission also discussed the three library concept again and why the Commission is not in favor of it. After further consideration, the following wotion was made: The the Saratoga Library Commission reaffirm its previously stated position in support of one major community library facility to serve Saratoga in addition to keeping the Village library facility. This position is based on the conv'~'~n that the larger unit will more effectively and economically serve the library needs of Saratoga residents, and that the costs for a three library facility to serve Saratoga are too prohibitive for service returned. In recognition with a request of the City Council in its referral to the Commission in December 1973 concerning other library sites, the Commission has reviewed and considered four alternative sites. Additionally, the Commission held a public hearing on this matter on February 14th to receive expressions and opinions from the public on these sites and on the library service in Saratoga. On the basis of information received at this hearing the Commission concludes that the most effective site to serve the greatest number of residents should be the site located on Saratoga Avenue near Cox opposite MacFarlandAvenue. The Commission recommends to the City Council that the Saratoga Avenue site, opposite McFarland be selected and that the City Council concur on the recommendation of the Commission and approve said site. It is further recommended that the City Council approve the proceeding of negotiations for the purchase of the recommended site. Furthermore, the Commission recommends that concurrently with the approval of negotiations for above mentioned site City Council authorize the proceeding of negotiations with the County of Santa C%~a for a lease agreement for the site and construction of a community library facility thereon. The motion moved by Commissioner Earley and seconded by Commissioner Falltrick was approved unanimously. The County Librarian then discussed the problem of construction costs and the need to talk about finite costs. Not in terms of so many dollars per square foot but what wo91d be the ultimate cost of the project. She indicated that if we went this way we would have a different type of contract then the present one we have been discussing which is based on square footage. She indicated that she would be discussing this further with the City Manager and the proposed lease agreement would be forthcoming within the near future. After further discussion the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Robt~rt F. Beyer Secretary [ -2- ? LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES February 19, 1974 .'% I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Campbell, Earley, Olsen, Hall and Falltrick Guests: Miss Barbara Campbell (County Librarian), Mrs. Pamela Hook (Regional Librarian), Mrs. Hall (President of the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries), and Mr. Robert F. Beyer (Saratoga City Manager). B. MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Falltrick that the minutes of January 31, 1974 be approved. It was unanimously approved. II. CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE SITES FOR NEW BRANCH LIBRARY FACILITY IN SARATOGA Chairman Hall briefly reviewed the public hearing held the previous week on the location of a new library facility in Saratoga. He commented on the report which had been presented at the public hearing and complimented the City Manager and staff in its presentation. He felt that it was vey well done and assisted in helping the public better understand the alternatives available to the City concerning a library facility at this time. · He then asked the question as to how the commissioners wanted to proceed to make the Commission's recommendation to the City Council. Commissioner Campbell asked whether or not the Cemmission should recommend a specific site or just a general area. It was generally the co--that a specific site should be recon~ended to the City Council if at all po~-sible. Chairman Hall commented on the number of people at the public hearing who spoke on the three site library plan. He felt that it was possibly necessary to consider a site other than the Civic Center because of the strong belief and the need to have one site. It might have to be a compromise to get the necessary support. C~misstoner Olsen commented that once she had found that West Valley Library was available to the public she thought that the new library site should be located at a site other than in the Civic Center. {bmmtssioner Earley felt that the Congress Springs site alternative was not a viable one as it would probably cause problems with the surrounding neighborhood. He was not supportive of the Civic Center site because of the impact that the traffic from West Valley College would have on it. Furthermore, the Civic Center site wonld not be appropriate on the corner and he expressed his concern for the aesthetic impact of such a facility in this location. He further indicated that if the site selected was the Cox Avenue - Saratoga/Sunnyvale Road site we would have a conflict with the County although he does not agree with the County's argument on this matter. From the long range point of view he felt that the Quito site on Saratoga Avenue opposite Ma~Farland offered the best reasonable compromise at this point in time. He felt that the option should be left open, however, for a facility being built on the northwest portion of town if the County area should further develop in the future. This would also leave options open for the County. He pointed out that the difference in land price between $70,000 and $150,000 represented less than 10% of the total amount or $3,000 per year for a 25 year period. The Commission also discussed the three library concept again and why the Commission is not in favor of it. After further consideration, the following motion was made: , The the Saratoga Library Commission reaffirm its previously stated position in support of one major community library facility to serve Saratoga in addition to keeping the Village library facility. This position is based on the conv~tion that the larger unit will more effectively and economically serve the library meeds of Saratoga residents, and that the costs for a three library facility to serve Saratoga are too prohibitive for service returned. In recognition with a request of the City Council in its referral to the Commission in December 1973 concerning other library sites, the Commission has reviewed and considered four alternative sites. Additionally, the Commission held a public hearing on this matter on February 14th to receive expressions and opinions from the public on these sites and on the library service in Saratoga. On the basis of information received at this hearing the Con, mission concludes that the most effective site to serve the greatest number of residents should be the site located on Saratoga Avenue near Cox opposite MacFarland Avenue. The Commission recommends to the City Council that the Saratoga Avenue site, opposite McFarland Be selected and that the City Council concur on the recommendation of the Commission and approve said site. It is further recommended that the City Council approve the proceeding of negotiations for the purchase of the recon~nended site. Furthermore, the Commission recommends that concurrently with the approval of negotiations for above mentioned site City Council authorize the proceeding of negotiations with the County of Santa Cl~a for a lease agreement for the site and construction of a community library facility thereon. The motion moved by Commissioner Earley and seconded by Commissioner Falltrick was approved unanimously. The County Librarian then discussed the problem of construction costs and the need to talk about finite costs. Not in terms of so many dollars per square foot but what wo~ld be the ultimate cost of the project. She indicated that if we went this way we would have a different type of contract then the present one we have been discussing which is based on square footage. She indicated that she would be discussing this further with the City Manager and the proposed lease agreement would be forthcoming within the near future. After further discussion the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Robert F. Beyer ~ Secretary 1 -2-