09/21/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

reasons they had been rejected for the immediate future. She said committee members had felt that an expanded central facility would be needed even if e branches eventually were built. She said parking would be addressed at the meeting this Thursday, and staff was examining the issue of the required number of spaces for areas with book stacks. Ms. Ehrman said many comments had been received through testimony and feedback forms. She said the item was expected to come before the council in January, when two site options would be emphasized. Ms. Ehrman said branches still could be incorporated into the system later, but a central location had received heavy weight in the criteria used for site rankings. Mayor Obie asked whether the committee had examined funding. Ms. Ehrman said the committee had looked at several fundi ng sources, including foundation grants. She said the committee was aware of the issue and intended to present recommended options for a City Council decision. Mr. Rutan expressed concern about the costs of the project. Ms. Ehrman said the library survey had shown support for a property tax increase up to a certain point. She also said some committee members were concerned about the library being tied to parking for the downtown area. Mr. Miller said he would like to know the cost alternatives of satellite facil ities. Ms. Ehrman said storefront libraries had been considered, but branches would not divert use from the central 1 i bra ry . Mr. Gleason said branches woul d increase the demand and staffing required for a central facility, while not replacing it. Ms. Ehrman noted that the recent reduction e in library hours had resulted in increased use. Ms. Schue said branches also might result in a division of resources, unless they were duplicated for each branch. Ms. Bascom added that a main library was needed to drive the whole system, but it was not adequate now. Ms. Ehrman said the committee was taking the time necessary to reach a good decision. N. Joint Social Services Committee Ms. Ehrman reported that the Joint Social Services Committee was preparing its allocations for the year. O. Press Relations Ms. Ehrman expressed concern about the impression given in a recent Register- Guard article concerning Willamette Street. Ms. Schue said she had not been upset by the article. Mayor Obie said a recent article about the airport bond issue had mentioned an election that had not been discussed at the meeting. Mr. Rutan asked whether the City would pay for a representative to Kakegawa. Ms. Ehrman said the City would pay for her trip as president of the City Counci 1. Mr. Rutan said he supported City payment for costs of its delegate. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Process Session September 21, 1987 Page 8