HomeMy WebLinkAbout041513 Workshop CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF APRIL 15, 2013
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on April 15, 2013, following
the regular business meeting, in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David
King called the workshop meeting to order at 7:50 p.m.
Councilmembers present were Robert Gray, David King, Catharine Robinson, Michelle
Sandoval, Deborah Stinson and Mark Welch, with Kris Nelson excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts,
Public Works Director Ken Clow, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, Library Director
Theresa Percy, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy.
LIBRARY EXPANSION - DISCUSSION - FOUNDATION AGREEMENT
City Manager David Timmons stated that he would like to hear discussion by Councilors
regarding their individual thoughts on the various options for the Library expansion
prior to the meeting with the Library Foundation scheduled for next week. He said it
would be helpful to know what Councilors feel are their priorities for the project as well
as what limits they would have on approving various options.
Chelcie Liu, Chair of the Library Foundation, spoke on behalf of the Foundation and
provided a written copy of his comments. He commented on some of the questions
posed in the "Questions for Council Direction" document dated April 10, 2013.
Mr. Gray stated the importance of a specific goal and a specific amount of money
needed to meet the goal; the project at this point seems to have too many variables to
take to the voters.
Mr. King noted he is reluctant to have the City commit to a ballot measure of more
than three million dollars.
Ms. Sandoval stated that the value of a project to the community is an important
consideration and cannot always be measured in dollars. In addition, the goals of the
design must be an important consideration.
Mr. Welch spoke about the finite amount of money available and the nearly infinite
amount of wants in the community. A project must be evaluated in light of other
needs. He stated he would be reluctant to go beyond a $2.5 million dollar ballot
measure.
Discussion ensued about the pros and cons of diverting operating .money from the
Library budget for capital needs such as debt service.
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Ms. Stinson stated she would need a very compelling reason to move from the $3
million dollar limit to a higher number.
Mr. Gray noted that he believes SEPA should be done prior to a ballot measure being
put before the voters. He also noted that there are other monetary demands coming up
for citizens such as utility rate increases and the total impact of these individual
increases must be considered.
Ms. Sandoval stated she believes it is important to restore the Carnegie reading room
and provide better spaces for staff. On the 31 March alternative document, the first two
goals (provide new dedicated spaces for programs and collections) seem to her to be
more in the "want" than "need" category. A need that could be delayed or phased in is
to bring the structure in conformance with current building and life safety codes and
accessibility requirements.
Mr. Sepler explained how operational costs of the Library are currently subsidized by
the City facilities budget (part of the General Fund) and that this cost will have to be re-
assumed by the Library. Expanding the facility will result in higher maintenance costs
for a larger Carnegie building.
Ms. Robinson stated one of her priorities is that the children's library remain in the same
location as the main library. She also noted that any project undertaken should allow
for further expansion in the future.
Project costs were also reviewed. Ms. Stinson noted that it may be possible to remove
furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) costs away, but that no other costs should be
removed from the total expenditure. Mr. King noted he would like to see the project
include the outdoor site work.
It was noted the City has already contributed $500,000 to the project and thus has "skin
in the game."
Mr. Welch noted that thinking things will be delivered in the same way 100 years into
the future does not make sense given rapidly changing technology. Planning too far into
the future with the same business model doesn't work and it may be premature to
assume that more space is needed to continue the current levelr of service.
Ms. Stinson noted that having a good facility uptown gives the City more options in the
future, whether the building is a Library or has another or dual use. This would give the
most options for City officials in the future.
Library Director Theresa Percy made comments regarding the future business model for
libraries in lieu of the digital age.
Mr. Liu noted that whatever decision is made, the Foundation must make sure the
donors are notified and consulted as to their support of the chosen project. He stated it
would be difficult to consult the donors unless there is a specific plan.
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Mr. Sepler noted that there is more process and it is difficult to have further
conversation prior to more information and more input from the community. At that time
the Council can move toward a plan on how to proceed.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
Attest:
1
Pamela Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
City Council Workshop Meeting April 15, 2013 Page 3 of 3