Special Meeting of the Board of Library Trustees

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 03:00 PM

Meeting Room on lower level

Minutes of Actions and Decisions of the Board of Library Trustees of the Bellingham Public Library as Authorized by RCW 27.12.210 and SEC. 7.02 Charter of the City of Bellingham.
Board Members Present:	Chairperson: David Edelstein Vice-Chairperson: Faye Hill J. Robert Gordon Marilyn Mastor
Board Members Absent:	Vicky Marshall
Library Staff:	Pamela Kiesner Christine Perkins Jane Lowrey Madeline Sheplor Bethany Hoglund Alison Dickinson Sue Kenney Iris Kaneshige Fay Fenske Colleen Morse Georgianna Huddle Scott Blume Suzanne Carlson-Prandini and Gladys Fullford
Others:	Mayor Dan Pike Jack Weiss Council liaison Myron Carlson Facilities Manager Janet Boyhan WCLS Trustee Sam Taylor Bellingham Herald Julianna Guy Guide Meridian/Cordata Neighborhood Kate Grinde B. Herrera Margaret Athens Don Athens Claude Hill Michael Jackson Stonewall Properties Ken and Phyllis Weber Friends of BPL Christine Walsh Friends of BPL President and Hue Beattie

Public Comment:

None.

Communications:

A letter from Joel Douglas, Harbor Lands Co., stated demolition of the library would be a wasteful act.

Facilities update: Fairhaven renovations:

Myron Carlson, Facilities Manager, explained it is too late to start the design specifications and bids for Fairhaven renovations this summer. An RFQ is in process to look for an architect to do the design specifications. Design specifications will take about 8 weeks, and general contractor bids are scheduled for November. Construction work would be June to August, 2009. If additional money is approved for 2009 budget, the phase 2 design specs will be added.

Myron Carlson has begun preparations for the landscape and drainage projects. The general land level will be lowered about 6” on the sidewalk side. Grading around the building will redirect water away from the building. A proposal and contract is in the works for local surveyor, Larry Steele to do a topographical survey of the site.

The City has an on-call contract with roofing consultants regarding replacing the flashing, downspouts and gutters.

Phase 3 would restore historic appearance on the main level. This may be budgeted in 2009. Pam Kiesner said the City Council approved $1.3 million this year for the critical items. We will request that it be carried over to 2009. There is also a 2009 capital request for an additional $1 million to complete the other items.

Central Library site:

Mayor Dan Pike shared his vision for the central library to be located at the end of Bay Street. It would be an early connector of downtown to the waterfront redevelopment. A parking garage at the end of Bay Street will ultimately serve the waterfront. The library could be at street level above the parking garage. Out-going WWU President Karen Morse agrees it would be a good idea to collaborate and share a facility. The new WWU President is also interested in all aspects of the waterfront development. Another driver of this idea is that the current library building could be functional for other space needs, and it makes sense to look at other opportunities.

The new building could be overbuilt and commercial rental space revenue could help repay the bond. The parking fund would pay for the parking garage. WWU would contribute funds for their part. The Mayor asked the Library Board to be open to looking at other options, look at the current environment, and take advantage of opportunities.

Pam Kiesner added that we might consider creating a WWU connection like the one we have with WCC: drop off and pick-up possibilities. There could be shared space and services. Another possibility is a repository for NOAA materials.

Mayor Dan Pike expects the bond to go forward in 1.5 to 2 years, and we should be ready to build immediately. The site is clean and ready.

Questions and Answers:

In answer to the concern of moving from Civic Center, Mayor Dan Pike answered the site is still adjacent or attached to an active part of downtown. The city is likely to change based on where investments are being made. The site is still very convenient.

A member of the public suggested that a depository for commercial planning and ideas for future uses be available.

The Port of Bellingham owns the land, and they like the idea of a library. The City could buy the land or swap other land for it. From geotechnical aspects it is a better piece of the waterfront, but there are still construction challenges. The parking structure would be built to support a library above it.

Railroad noise can be mitigated with parking buffers, and the building built for vibrations. There could be a bridge and trail over the tracks.

WTA has been consulted about route alterations to include the waterfront.

The City needs more space. Retro fitting current library building for city purposes would be cheaper than a new building. City could pay library back for the building, reducing the amount of bond.

View protection is part of the master planning process. Panoramic view is unlikely, but some views would be preserved.

A member of the public suggested to keep an open mind including collaborative effort for library branches.

The new site will go through the Library Board’s site evaluation process.

This is the early part of the process. From the Mayor’s perspective, there has been good feedback. It is worth looking into the idea.

The agreement with Burlington Northern is not at Bay Street. We do not need to wait on talks with Burlington Northern.

There are 10 or 12 waterfront acres developable now. There will be a park buffer area with public amenities to serve as an attraction to the community and developers.

Pam reminded the Board that there is information online about the waterfront development at

www.cob.org/waterfront vision

. The Port of Bellingham’s website includes the visions meetings, and the Waterfront Advisory Group meetings are televised on BTV10.

Next Regular Library Board Meeting

– July 15, 2008

will begin at 4:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned

at 4:30 p.m.

Meeting Adjourned: 04:30 PM

Chair, Library Board of Trustees

ATTEST

Secretary, Library Board of Trustees

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