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08/15/2000CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL WORKSESSION CITY OF CLEARWATER August 15, 2000 Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner J. B. Johnson Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Ed Hooper Commissioner Robert Clark Commissioner Ed Hart Commissioner Also Present: William B. Horne II Interim City Manager Garry Brumback Acting Assistant City Manager Bob Keller Assistant City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The meeting was called to order at 2:04 p.m. at the Adler Room, Main Library, to discuss alternatives regarding the new library with the architect. The Interim City Manager outlined the purpose of the meeting. The Quality of Life Administrator reviewed 10 potential main library sites and associated costs. In response to a question, the City Attorney said if the current library site is not chosen as the final location for the library, another referendum would be required. Library architect John Toppe, Harvard Jolly Clees Toppe Architects, said although several sites for a library are available, the first restraint is the 28-foot line designation on the bluff as well as street configurations and parking. Consideration must be given to the location, the size, and costs for a new library. Mr. Toppe reviewed costs associated with construction, demolition, design, site work, landscaping, parking, etc. Commissioner Johnson said he has been a strong supporter of a new library and feels a 90,000 square foot facility is needed. He also felt that the Dimmitt property was the best location for the library. He expressed concern that the City has delayed the decision for a new library so long. He is confident that if adequately informed, the public will pass a referendum for the library if necessary. He is in favor of moving forward with a decision regarding a site. Commissioner Hart said he believes people are ready to accept major development at Drew Street and Osceola Avenue. He said George deGuardiola and David Frisbee had emphasized the need for the library to be a catalyst for economic development downtown. He felt it important to preserve the view corridors on the bluff. His first choice is the north end of the bluff; his second choice is the Harborview Center. Commissioner Clark questioned why previously staff had rejected 3-acre sites and such a site is on the top 10 list for consideration. Mr. Toppe said the Madison and Court Street site would be rather small but could accommodate sufficient parking. The Quality of Life Administrator said the current library is 49,000 square feet and a new facility could better organize the facility. In response to a question, Mr. Toppe said no parking would be lost if the current site were expanded to a 66,000 square foot facility, as 700 parking spaces are shared with Coachman Park and Steinmart. Commissioner Hooper said it would be foolish not to consider the St. Petersburg Junior College site, assuming the college would invest capital dollars and assuming the City would receive the largest square foot library with the least dollars invested from taxpayers. He said it is time for a decision regarding a site is made. The Quality of Life Administrator said the college is experiencing funding problems and she does not believe a joint partnership with the college would work. Mayor Aungst said he was surprised at the low costs associated with a library in conjunction with the Harborview Center. He said the price is right, the site would be a catalyst to economic development, it would make that block more attractive to developers, and it would reduce the total parking demand on the bluff. The Quality of Life Administrator said the Harborview Center site has been considered several times. A new façade and air conditioning system is essential. She said although the construction costs for that site would be lower, and it may be possible to keep Pickles Restaurant and Steinmart, and incorporate meetings rooms, various construction problems and drainage issues exist. It was remarked that retrofitting an older building always involves hidden costs that are not always possible to estimate. The Mayor said the only way he would support a library at the Dimmitt property site would be if the Balk Development fell through. The Quality of Life Administrator the purpose of today’s meeting was to present options to the Commission so that the library groups had the opportunity to hear the Commission’s opinions. She requested narrowing down the 10 suggested sites. It was suggested that the 3 library groups present their recommendations to the Commission at a future meeting. Consensus was to limit choices to the Harborview Center and the current site at Drew Street and Osceola Avenue. Mr. Toppe will provide information regarding the 3 sites, including moving the library further north on the current site, costs, preliminary designs regarding the façade if possible, and issues related to Harborview. One library advisory board member requested the opportunity to provide input on the sites considered instead of just responding to the sites selected before a final decision is made. The Quality of Life Administrator will contact Dr. Kuttler of St. Petersburg Junior College for an update. Consensus was to schedule a meeting on September 12, 2000, at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the 3 selected sites and information provided by Mr. Toppe. The meeting adjourned at 3:13 p.m.