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05/29/1997CLEARWATER MAIN LIBRARY SITE SELECTION TASK FORCE CITY OF CLEARWATER May 29, 1997 Present: Tony Bacon Chair Don Gage Board Member/Foundation Board Wally Dutton Board Member/Foundation Board Glenn Garte Board Member/Library Advisory Board Christine Morris Board Member/Library Advisory Board/Friends Board David Berry Friends Board Judy Melges Board Member/Library Advisory Board/Friends Board Julie Lewis Foundation Executive Director Brooke Hartley Friends Board Kathy Rabon Clearwater Chamber of Commerce (departed 12:05 p.m.) Rita Garvey Mayor J. B. Johnson City Commissioner Karen Seel City Commissioner Ed Hooper City Commissioner Bob Keller Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Scott Shuford Director of Central Permitting Arlita Hallam Library Director Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: Rich Engwall Foundation Board Bob Clark City Commissioner The meeting was called to order by Chair Bacon at 12:00 p.m. in the third floor Board Room at the Main Library, Clearwater. In order to provide continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Welcome: Tony Bacon, Chair Chair Bacon welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings Chair Bacon requested page 2, paragraph 2 of the May 16, 1997 minutes read “… 3 sites were selected…”. Dr. Hallam requested that the minutes reflect that Rich Engwald was absent at the meeting, and the architect’s name was Paul Gowan. Member Garte moved to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Recommendation of Site for New Main Library Chair Bacon stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss and present a final recommendation regarding a site for the new Main Clearwater Library to the City Commission. He requested that each Task Force Member offer their individual views on which site was in the best interests of the City as a whole. It was noted that the City Commissioners and Mayor Garvey would abstain from voting. Member Christine Morris was in favor of the east end property at Missouri Avenue and Cleveland Street. She noted that although some members of the community like the current library site on the bluff, the east end property is more centrally located. There are many residents within walking distance to the east end, the YWCA is nearby, many senior citizens live in surround condominium complexes, and there are some child care centers are nearby. Member Glenn Garte voted for the east end property. He stated the bluff site was beautiful, but does not lend itself to expansion and parking amenities. He noted the land is level and can be shaped into any type of aesthetically pleasing structure necessary for a successful Main Library. He felt the east end could be a magnet or anchor connecting to the downtown area and the bluff, which is already a magnet in itself. He noted although a library at the east end property would take away somewhat from the tax rolls, incorporating other compatible entities at the site would alleviate the tax situation. Member Judy Melges noted after having attended library field trips and presentations by notable architects, she was in favor of the east end property. Rather than make costly mistakes trying to develop the bluff site, she felt the east end property was more conducive to a new Main Library for many of the reasons that Member Garte had cited. Member Brooke Hartley stated she was originally a “pro-bluff” advocate. After attending meetings and remaining open-minded to all the possible options for a new library, she was in favor of the east end property. She noted that many Clearwater residents love the bluff site because of its history. She remarked that the east end property is in close proximity to the downtown area and offers room for expansion. Member David Berry voted for the east end property. He felt that the center of the City is shifting toward the east and the east end property would serve as an anchor to the downtown area and the rest of the City. He noted that accessibility is excellent and traffic flow would not be a problem. He remarked that the site could be developed with very little site preparation, thus providing a cost savings to the City. He felt it would be in the best interests of the City when considering long range planning and a future comprehensive plan for City development to utilize the east end property for Main Library. Member Don Gage stated although he loved the bluff site, he felt having 2 destination points or magnets for the City was the most practical choice. He noted the infrastructure of the east end would serve many citizens in Clearwater and spur economic development. He remarked that construction of the new Main Library at the east end would be a major change, but there would be many more changes necessary for future growth within the City. He hoped that the bluff site would be developed in a positive, wise fashion. Member Wally Dutton was in favor of the bluff site. He noted the inspiring view and felt that when the new Memorial Causeway Bridge is built, less people will come downtown, and the library needs to be in the downtown area to attract people to the area. He agreed the new library would need a fair amount of acreage for future development, but felt since the bluff site is already off the tax rolls, and may never be developed for another purpose, the bluff site was his choice. Member Kathy Rabon read a statement from the Business Committee, Government Committee, Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce. She noted that the Chamber represented 1700 members of the community. The letter expressed concern that the City should give consideration to economic development as a whole. The implications of the new Main Library are far-reaching and it would be wise to implement a fiscally responsible plan of action before selection of a library site. The letter also suggested that the new City Manager have an active voice in the process of site selection. Ms. Rabon noted that the Chamber was not expressing any preference to either site, (the bluff or the east end property) and merely wished to express their recommendation not to make a recommendation on a site at this point in time. Chair Bacon stated his decision was based on dedication to his job as Chair of the Clearwater Main Library Site Selection Task Force, and his interest and love for the City and the Public Library System. He noted he has remained open-minded throughout all library meetings, inviting members of other community groups to voice their preferences on site selection. He asked the City Commission to give a considerable amount of weight to the opinions of this Task Force regarding site selection recommendations. He emphasized that this Task Force has given consideration to future growth and development within the City and the Library System, thoroughly discussed site selection issues and alternatives, and was ready to present their final recommendations. He noted it would not be fiscally responsible for the City to purchase additional land when Clearwater already owns land suitable for future development. Without the new library as a catalyst at the east end site, that property will remain undeveloped as it has over the last 6 years. He stated that had the City torn down the old Maas Brothers store rather than build a $15,000,000 Harborview Center, he would have chosen the bluff site. Rather than allow the City to make more mistakes by land-locking the new library with no opportunity for future expansion or adequate parking, he was in favor of the east end property. He felt after having in-depth Task Force discussions, visiting the potential sites under consideration, and presentations by various notable architects, the only decision the City Commission could make is the east end property. He requested that a minimum of 8 acres be reserved for the new Main Clearwater Library, and emphasized whichever site is chosen, that the City Commission and Mayor Garvey move swiftly in their decision on a Library site. General discussion ensued regarding site selection. It was noted that one of the major problems Library Directors and architects brought forth in their presentations was the importance of adequate parking. They had noted from past experience, that construction or utilization of adjacent parking garages did not work, and garage fees discouraged library patrons’ visitations. It was remarked that there is already a poor use of parking at the bluff site, and placing layers of concrete slabs for parking garages there would significantly detract from its beauty. A comment was made that people will always be attracted to the bluff, and with future plans for the bridge, Coachman Park activities, and the Memorial Civic Center, that area will still remain a magnet to the downtown area, with the east end being the other magnet. It was remarked that time is of the essence in making a final decision on the site, because of the stability of the current Main Library and the affect on its utilization. As soon as a site has been selected, fund-raising efforts can proceed. Member Berry moved that the Clearwater Main Library Site Selection Task Force recommend to the City Commission to select the east end site as the site for the new Main Clearwater Library, and that a minimum of 8 acres be reserved, with the library commanding the corner of Cleveland Street and Missouri Avenue. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, the motion was carried by 9 members, with 5 abstentions, being the City Commissioners, Mayor Garvey and Kathy Rabon. It was requested that although the Chamber of Commerce abstained in voting, that they remain involved in the design of the project. 4. Thank You for Serving on This Task Force Chair Bacon and Dr. Hallam thanked everyone for serving on the Task Force. Chair Bacon noted that Clearwater has the best Library Director one could imagine. He stated his dedication to the Public Library System was mainly due to Dr. Hallam’s inspiration and dedication to the system. Chair Bacon noted that Christine Morris will be replacing him as the Chair of the Library Advisory Board beginning in September of 1997. Dr. Hallam announced that the Clearwater Main Library Site Selection Task Force was abolished and the meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m.