HomeMy WebLinkAboutFact Sheet - Library Capital Bond (Revised 6 26 13)City of Port Townsend
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND LIBRARY CAPITAL BOND PROPOSITION 1
(Fact Sheet - June 26, 2013)
1. What does the ballot proposition for Library Capital Bond authorize?
If approved by the voters, the City Council is authorized to issue up to $3 Million in bonds for the renova-
tion, restoration and expansion of the Carnegie Library. The total cost of the project is not to exceed $4.2
Million. The other $1.2 Million for the project would come from grants and private donations, and not from
City funds.
2. Will this proposition measure increase my property taxes?
Yes. The bonds would be paid for with a property tax levy not to exceed 20 years.
Is there a way to find out how much this increase will cost me?
Yes. The way to calculate what your estimated increased cost will be is by multiplying the assessed value
of your house by 14 cents per $1,000 (assessed value times .00014 equals annual tax). This is only a
close estimate. Actual numbers may vary based upon changes in valuation. Please see the Table below.
3. How will devaluation in assessed values affect what I pay?
Later this summer, the Assessor is expected to announce that assessed values (AV) of properties in the
City for 2014 tax collections will be reduced by about 20%. Individual amounts will vary so we can only
provide an estimate of the effect this will have. With a reduction in AV by 20%, the levy rate would adjust
to an estimated 17 cents per $1,000.
The Table (below) shows the amount of the estimated tax that an owner pays would remain the same with
a reduction in AV by 20%. Again, an individual owner’s tax may vary based upon the individual’s own re-
valuation and we can only provide the information in the Table as an estimate at this time. For further in-
formation, please contact the County Assessor’s Office (385-9105).
August 6, 2013 Primary Election
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4. Is there a specified purpose for this tax increase?
Yes. The money can only be spent for the renovation, restoration and expansion of the Carnegie Library.
The approved project design is called the Preferred Alternative.
The Preferred Alternative design is shown in the rendering attached to these FAQs. Additional drawings
are posted on the City website: http://www.cityofpt.us/ then click “Library Drawings - Renovation, Restora-
tion and Expansion.”
The design shows the current proposed addition and shows how a potential future Library addition could
be added at a future date onto the current proposed addition. The potential future Library addition is a con-
cept only. The City Council has not made any determinations with respect to undertaking this future addi-
tion.
5. Are there exemptions for senior citizens and disabled persons?
Yes. Senior citizens and disabled persons who qualify for property tax exemption are exempted com-
pletely from any tax increase if this bond measure is approved. For information on the senior citizen and
disabled person exemption, please contact the County Assessor’s Office (385-9105). The estimated tax
payments in the Table (above) are based on information from the County Assessor, and take into account
his estimate of the current persons eligible for the exemption.
6. Can a future City Council use the money that is voted on for improvements other than the Pro-
posed Addition (Preferred Alternative)?
No. The ballot ordinance restricts the use of the money.
7. Why do we need a capital bond when voters approved a 2008 vote for the Library?
The 2008 “levy lid lift” approved by 65% of the voters established a dedicated funding source for library op-
erations only and funded increases in the library’s hours, programs and collections. These funds are NOT
available for capital expenditures.
8. What does the renovation, restoration and expansion of the Carnegie Library do?
The renovation, restoration and expansion project provides for the renovation of the existing Carnegie Li-
brary, including, restoring the second story reading room to its original design, and would bring the struc-
ture into conformance with current building, life safety, and ADA accessibility standards. The design also
provides for a new two-story addition behind the Carnegie Library, and needed repairs to the exterior stairs
and retaining walls. Overall, the addition would increase usable space in the Carnegie Building and the ad-
dition from about 8,300 square feet to about 13,425 square feet. Separately, after the fire services moved
out of the Pink House (about 2007), the Library began using the Pink House (approx. 1800 square feet) for
programs and administrative uses. In 2011, restoration and refurbishment of the existing Pink House was
undertaken.
9. Why is the renovation, restoration and expansion of the Carnegie Library needed?
In 2005, the City Council adopted “Vision 2010 and Beyond,” a Library strategic plan developed by citizens
and City staff. It identified goals for the Library, including improving the facility, strengthening collections,
and developing programs and community outreach. The plan followed from public process and was en-
dorsed by the Library Advisory Board, the Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Library. As recom-
mended by the Vision, the City retained an architect to conduct a facility needs study and a renovation
plan. This process resulted in the development of a plan for the renovation, restoration and expansion of
the Library that would increase library space from about 8,300 square feet to about 20,000 square feet.
Due to funding considerations, earlier this year the Council reviewed the scope of the project and the
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budget. This spring, following public input at an open house, a town meeting and nine Council meetings,
the Council reached a decision on the design (called the ‘Preferred Alternative’, with about 14,000 square
feet) and a budget (not to exceed $4.2M).
The renovation, restoration and expansion project would improve Library service by providing new space
for collections, and new dedicated space for Library activities – such as reading areas, program spaces,
and space allowing for increased public access to additional computers.
In addition, the Carnegie Building’s second floor was not designed to support books and shelving that had
been in place prior to the temporary relocation to Mountain View. Without the expansion, a move back
into the existing space would constitute moving back into the Carnegie Building with less space for collec-
tions than before the Library temporarily moved to Mountain View, because the use of the Carnegie sec-
ond floor for collections is now limited due to weight load restrictions. (Note: An earlier version of this an-
swer incorrectly stated the move back would be to a smaller space. The space (area) would be the same,
but the use of the second floor for collections would be limited due to load restrictions.)
Overall, the project provides increased space and access to more free public computers and Internet use,
as well as needed space for public seating and work areas, expanded and better collections (books, e-
book downloads, DVDs, music CDs, magazines, newspapers, on-line subscriptions (e.g., medical and le-
gal data bases, Consumer Reports)). The project will complete restoration of the Carnegie Reading
Room, and will allow the entire first floor of the Carnegie building to be used as a separate, dedicated chil-
dren’s area.
10. With all the technological advances pertaining to books and information, why do we need an
expanded library?
Despite widespread use of smart phones, e-readers, and other devices, many people use both books and
devices, and public libraries support free access to both. Many local residents do not have, or cannot af-
ford, computers and other new technology; they rely on the library. Physical electronic collections (which
include music CDs, audio books, VHS, and DVDs) are growing in number, and also require shelf space.
Digital electronic resources (including databases, downloadable audio books, and e-books which require
devices to access) require space for computers and for wireless access.
Our Library’s circulation of all physical materials (books, music CDs, audio books, VHS, and DVDs, but
not including downloadable audio books and e-books) increased by 4.5% from 2009-2011, despite in-
creased use of electronic reading devices. The period 2009-2011 is used because it covers the last
three-year period before the Library’s temporary move to Mountain View (April 2012), which has seen a
decrease in circulation of physical items. (An earlier version of this answer that stated book circulation
was holding steady should have said “approximately holding steady” because, while circulation of all
physical materials increased, actual book circulation decreased from 134,336 in 2009 to 128,797 in 2011,
or about 4%. )
For comparison, checkout numbers for Jan - May 2013 are 2,984 digital (downloadable audio books and
e-books, which require devices to access), and 104,350 physical items (including books, music CDs, peri-
odicals, audio books, VHS, and DVDs).
11. What happens if the ballot proposition for the Library bond does not pass?
If the Bond does not pass, different options will have to be reviewed to determine the most feasible plan
for moving the Library back to Lawrence Street. These options will be based on the following facts: the
use of the Carnegie second floor for collections is limited due to weight load restrictions. With that limita-
tion, the current library does not contain enough square footage to accommodate all of its collections
(67,479 items), public computers, public seating, program areas, staff and work areas, circulation desk
and operations, teen and children’s collections and reading spaces. Therefore decisions will have to be
made on priorities for space allocation for competing uses.
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Options that will be considered include but are not limited to the following:
iHousing two-thirds of the collections off site. With this option, there would be additional off-site storage
costs for collections, reduced access for browsing, and courier-type costs to retrieve materials.
iReducing the size of the overall collections, thus limiting browsing and direct access to collections and
increasing couriering service.
iRelocating of children’s area to the first floor of the Carnegie with a portion of the children’s collection
stored off-site; return existing office, workroom and shipping and receiving operations to existing areas.
iNew smaller circulation desk to free up space for collections.
iMaximize the existing wing with shelving for all collections (fiction, non-fiction, media) with no public
seating.
iPublic seating will be in the Carnegie Computer/Reading Room (second floor).
iRelocate some staff offices to the Pink House.
iRelocate public seating, public computers, and a portion of the Maritime collection as well as newspa-
pers and magazines to the Carnegie second floor.
No decisions have been made. Based upon the outcome of the vote an assessment will be made with input
from staff and the Library Advisory Board on the best use of the existing space and the compromise/
adjustments to services that may be necessary.
In addition, without the project, relocation costs to move back into the existing Carnegie Building and 1989
addition are estimated at between $75,000 - $180,000, including: new circulation area, new carpet and
paint, minimal operational modifications, and moving costs.
The Library is already in a temporary location. The Library moved out in 2012 in connection with the seismic
improvements project at the Carnegie Building (substantially paid for by a FEMA grant). Moving back into
the existing space and then moving out and back in again as part of a renovation and expansion project
could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in moving costs, as well as being disruptive to patrons and staff.
Finally, because interest rates are at historic lows, if the bond measure does not pass, the cost and tax im-
pact to borrow for bonds for a future project would likely be greater.
12. What happens if the $1.2 Million in other monies from grants and donations does not come
through?
The ballot measure states the City will not proceed with the project until this $1.2M is committed.
If funding is not available for the project to proceed by March 31, 2015, then the project does not occur with
this funding identified for this project ($3M bond and $1.2M grants and donations).
The Library currently provides outreach services, including: Books on Wheels (home delivery), Books for
Babies (delivery service to all newborns), and book drops at different locations in the community. The City is
looking at other ways to expand library service throughout the community. The City will then use bond pro-
ceeds to pay off project expenses incurred since the ballot measure and retire (pay off) remaining bonds
(which will shorten the 20-year property tax levy to several years).
13. What are the sources for the $1.2 Million?
The Library Foundation has raised to date about $458,000 in private donations. There is approximately
$640,000 in expected grant monies, including a $500,000 National Endowment for the Humanities challenge
grant. The Foundation is undertaking to raise the remaining amount of approximately $102,000 to reach the
$1.2 Million.
The $500,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (12% of the overall project budget)
will be lost if the expansion project is unable to proceed. A portion of the NEH monies would be available if
the bond measure fails but continuing fundraising is successful in the next 4 years to accomplish an NEH-
approved project. However, if the fundraising was not successful and the expansion project is not able to
be constructed within NEH deadlines, all NEH grant monies would be lost. Current donations would no
longer be committed to the project and could be lost as well if the expansion project is unable to proceed.
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14. Are there other tax or rate increases under consideration?
Yes. A group comprised of elected officials and citizens is reviewing options for the formation of a Metropoli-
tan Parks District (MPD). A vote to form an MPD could come before the voters in 2014. Formation of an
MPD is formed is $0.30 to $0.40 per $1,000 AV (or about $125 per year of additional property tax on a
$300,000 home).
This year City water rates per month for a single family residence using 5000 gallons of water will increase by
$12.48. Projections indicate that existing monthly rates of $80.06 will rise to $118.88 by 2018.
A complete projection of the rate impacts to be phased in over the next five years is available on the City
website under Agendas & Packets, June 17 Council Business Meeting Agenda, VIIIB, Total Single Family
Residence Bill Impact. The increases are to cover operational and capital costs, including installing a secon-
dary treatment system required by the EPA’s Long Term Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2).
Annexation into the Fire District, which requires voter approval, has been discussed but any action on a pos-
sible annexation has been put off until at least 2015.
15. Couldn't the City have paid for the project with a Council-approved bond instead of asking the vot-
ers for a tax increase?
No, not without cutting other City services. The City does not have enough discretionary money to pay for
the debt that would be incurred by a Council-approved bond and provide for all the services that the com-
munity demands.
16. Why tear down the 1989 addition?
When designed, the 1989 addition was intended to accommodate a second floor at a future date. During the
project, cuts were made to save money that compromised the ability of the addition to accommodate a sec-
ond floor. The City’s architect advises that it would be more expensive to retain and add to the existing struc-
ture than building a new two-story building.
17. What happened to the money that was freed up from the 2008 vote?
The 2008 “levy lid lift” did free up other funds which were used for purposes set forth by the City Council in
the 2008 Resolution placing the lid lift on the ballot, namely, parks, pool improvements, and other community
development and maintenance activities. The City Council maintained these commitments while the lid lift
was phased in. However, the national recession eroded projected funding sources to sustain these and other
expenditures.
18. Why not start a branch library instead of doing this project?
First, a branch library is understood as a separate library facility with paid staff, collections, and regularly
scheduled hours for being open to the public. This is in contrast to a deposit station for books.
Due to cost constraints, communities the size of Port Townsend almost never have both a main library and a
branch library. Information provided by the Assistant Program Manager for Library Development, Washington
State Library (the agency which provides resources to libraries in the state) is that there are no State of
Washington standards on when a branch library should be provided; she found only 3 states with standards
regarding when a branch might be necessary; those state standards provided a branch library should be lo-
cated where the driving time to a library exceeded 20 minutes (or in one state’s policy – 30 minutes). Based
on that, she did not see the need for an additional library in Port Townsend (which has a small population,
with distances generally under three miles and driving times generally under ten minutes to the Library).
The possibility of a branch library was looked into following the 2008 levy lid lift. The review indicated that it
would not be cost effective to establish a branch library or to viably staff it with volunteers.
The Library currently provides outreach services, including: Books on Wheels (home delivery), Books for
Babies (delivery service to all newborns), and book drops at different locations in the community. The City
is looking at other ways to expand library service throughout the community.
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