11/14/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e 4) In March election, seek voter approval on site and capital financ- ing, but issue bonds for project construction and commit to find an alternative revenue source for library operation prior to its opening. 5) In March election, seek voter approval on both the site and a financing proposal. Mr. Mounts recommended that the council choose either of the first two op- tions. He noted that Assistant City Librarian Carol Hildebrand was available to answer questions. Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Gleason said that the community seemed to support the former Sears building as the future library location. He explained that the library funding decision would come before the voters at approximately the same time as the discussion about the future structure of local government. It would be difficult to have a rational discussion and gain support for library funding amid discussions about major fee increases and service cutbacks. Mr. Gleason said that the largest predicament in terms of financing for a new library is how to pay for library operation (i.e., additional staff and main- tenance costs). He predicted that the number of people who will use a new library would double, resulting in a large demand for additional personnel. If the City is unable to meet that demand, marginal service operation will result. Mr. Gleason noted that it would be unfair to prejudge what the com- e munity may want to do in terms of library service. For instance, it may choose increased library service vis-a-vis a reduction in another service. A serial levy can no longer serve as a means of potential library operations. Mr. Rutan noted that the full impact of Ballot Measure 5 is still uncertain and said that the council does not have all of the information necessary to make a final decision on the library. He suggested that the council move forward on its work plan for developing a library proposal so that it could be in a position to make final decisions before a March election. Responding to a question from Ms. Schue, Mr. Gleason said that the potential to include land and furnishings in bonding has been considered in discussions about Measure 5. He also noted that the opportunity to capitalize books has been considered but that a specific proposal has not been put together. Ms. Bascom said that it has been estimated that the cost for operating one floor of the new library would be the same as operational costs for the cur- rent library. Mr. Gleason expressed his reservations with taking such an action, believing that the community would be greatly disappointed with a compromised library operation. Ms. Ehrman said that in order for the council to maintain its momentum, it should seek, at a minimum, a March vote on library siting. She pointed out that it would be at least two years before the library could be opened, which e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 14, 1990 Page 6