Loading...
05-24-1995 u u CITY OF EDGEWATER LIBRARY BOARD MAY 24, 1995 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Chairman Jean Haughwout called the special meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Edgewater Library. Present were members: Jean Haughwout, Fran Byrne, Mary Rice, Lilian Bond-Nelson, Jan Dudley, and Sue Shaw. Lauretta Shafer was absent. Also present and recognized by Chairman Haughwout were: Gayle Harmon, Librarian; Mike Knievel, Director of Volusia County Library Services; Alice Haldeman, Regional Librarian; Robert Clinton, Southeast Task Force member; Pat Dowling, President of New Smyrna Beach Friends and Southeast Task Force member; David McCallister; J. C. Carder; Donnie Williams; and Barry Gear, News Journal. Cha i rman Haughwout announced the meet i ng was ca 11 ed at the request of Mayor Hayman for the purpose of discussing and making a recommendation on the site offered by David McCallister for a regional library. She reviewed prior actions on the Live Oak site location, such as reimbursement requested by New Smyrna Beach for that site. She pointed out Mr. McCallister has offered 7 acres west of Pelican Cove West clubhouse about one-half mile South of Indian River Boulevard. She noted that J. C. Carder owns property needed for access which he's willing to donate. She stated there will also be an access from Coco Palm if the McCallister property is selected. She pointed out New Smyrna Beach is looking for costs for recreation and it will cost taxpayers and Edgewater's land is free and should be considered. She asked if all members had looked at the site and each member indicated she had. Chairman Haughwout reviewed the criteria for selecting a regional library site and requested input. #1 Visibility - Ms. Bond-Nelson did not rate it high, noting it's hard to judge without a building there, but she doesn1t think it would be very obvious there. There was discussion about the distance of the present library from 442, noting that is a major thoroughfare. Chairman Haughwout asked about the easy access rating. Mrs. Dudley felt it is good. Mrs. Byrne asked if access from U.S. 1 would be by Falcon Avenue. J. C. Carder replied yes. Mrs. Byrne stated it would be fairly easily accessible. Chairman Haughwout asked for a rating on its being the center of regional population. Mrs. Rice stated it seems much farther for New Smyrna Beach people, especially those on the other side of the river, than if it were the Live Oak site. Ms. Shaw stated she doesn't know the population difference farther South. Mrs. Harmon noted the center is west and coming towards Edgewater quickly. Chairman Haughwout asked about the site size rating. Mrs. Rice stated that1s fine. Chairman Haughwout asked about the cost rating. Ms. Bond-Nelson stated it could not be better. Chairman Haughwout noted site size, site cost, and visibility are not that different. Mrs. Byrne said they're not that good. Chairman Haughwout stated easy access is acceptable but there's a question about visibility and the center of regional population. u u It was noted from a member in the audience that New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill, Samsula, and Lake Ashby are included in the regional area. Mike Knievel, County Library Director, stated negotiations between New Smyrna Beach and the County were at an impasse with regard to site cost and during a budget workshop he reported the site costs, either direct or indirect costs, in terms of a joint participation agreement, would be in the hundreds of thousands and the County Council's reaction was negative. He noted they have always been able to acquire sites free or at little cost to taxpayers and they instructed County management and library staff to attempt to negotiate further with New Smyrna Beach. He said that was successful when the City clarified their position by removing no further remaining obstacles on site cost in the lease agreement. Pat Dowling stated she was on the Task Force and they looked at every area and all came to the conclusion that Live Oak is the place. She said the Task Force was very important and the future location of Live Oak is very important and something they'll be proud of. David McCallister stated he and J. C. Carder are equally involved in this and he kept talking and made no progress and J. C. Carder agreed this was a good idea. He said he talked with Mayor Hayman and thought he found a place for a library because the current one is too small. He pointed out Mr. Carder has frontage and roadway and he has a big area that's not developed, it's easy to clear, it has a lot of trees to landscape, and he doesn't think visibility will be bad and the building will be nestled in trees. He pointed out sewer is there, it's well drained, and they can design the roadway to fit the property. He noted the roads will come from U.S. 1 and from Florida Shores. He said it will be safe and quiet and would blend in perfectly. Chairman Haughwout thanked him for offering the property, stating it's a generous donation and it's beautiful property. J. C. Carder agreed with how Mr. McCallister presented it. Chairman Haughwout thanked Mr. Carder also for the generous donation and pointed out it's an alternative to the site that has previously been selected. Donnie Williams stated he has a personal interest in this and represents the Florida Shores Corporation and has been promoting the site because the population center of Southeast Volusia is probably within Edgewater and growth is moving south each year. He said he's trying to find someone that's interested. He said he'd like a cost analysis for this project and he distributed copies of information regarding $1 million dollars being wasted, if accepting Mr. McCallister's offer, because of the investment in the current library. He said his abutting property was listed at about $900,000 and if someone representing the taxpayers would meet with the owners, it wouldn't be that high. He stated the current location is the most accessible property anywhere in the area and McCallister's property is probably more where the center will be 5 years from now. He pointed out the Live Oak site is just north of the shopping center that is almost a disaster. He stated before anyone spends millions of dollars, they should consider total cost. -2- Library Board Special Meeting May 24, 1995 u u Ms. Dowling stated the Task Force already did the cost work and this library will close if the regional library goes south, and any closing of a library will break a heart. She said a shopping center does not bring in people to a library, people come to the library itself. Mr. McCallister stated it won't be a loss if they move out of the current building as they can turn it into some other useful venture, or sell or lease the property, but he thinks the traffic pattern is too heavy at that area. Alice Haldeman, Southeast Volusia Regional Librarian, asked the purpose of this board meeting since the Task Force studied it and they've submitted a grant. Chairman Haughwout explained Mayor Hayman requested the board meet and consider the offer of David McCallister and J. C. Carder. Ms. Haldeman asked if the recommendation would be back to the City, and Chairman Haughwout indicated it would. Chairman Haughwout questioned if the Live Oak decision would have been made if this site were available a year ago. She noted the City Council and our Board approved the Live Oak site but there were controversies over that site as to whether it would be free and now New Smyrna Beach has said they'll go ahead with it. She reviewed a letter from Mike Knievel advising of a June 1st meeting of County Council for recommendations on the Live Oak site and construction of the new regional library. Mr. Knievel reviewed the process for placing items on the County Council agenda, noting the City asked them to postpone a decision. He invited everyone to attend the June 1st meeting. Mrs. Dudley asked if we're wasting our time. Mr. Knievel stated he's at this meeting as a County staff member to encourage consideration of reevaluation of the previous support of the Southeast Task Team's recommendation #1. Mr. McCallister stated he doesn't think its a "done deal" and one is a freebie and one is a lease. Ms. Haldeman pointed out the grant was submitted with Like Oak endorsements. Mr. Knievel stated it's easy to say a community is not getting its fair share of development, but he's spent a great deal of time analyzing the system as a whole and he asks people to take a bigger, long term view of libraries throughout the County. He said he sees a lot of new libraries, in the smallest of communities to the largest. He stated it I S important to look over the history and have confidence that no matter what happens here today and on June 1st, it's only a piece of a process that will continue as long as Volusia County is active. He said populations will change and they'll continue to improve library facilities throughout the County. He noted the Task Team recommended the parking issue here and the computer situation in Oak Hill and those will be attended to. -3- Library Board Special Meeting May 24, 1995 u u Mr. McCallister pointed out the action he and J. C. Carder took developed some good will and good working conditions and now they're full steam ahe~d. Mr. Knievel stated what they'd done is wonderful and it's that kind of dommunity pride and private philanthropy that got public officials to reconsid~r their positions and got them to move, and he thanked them. Mr. McCallister stated he only wants to help and there are no strings. Chairman Haughwout noted that Maglev is an example of people working together. I , Mr. Williams suggested if they think McCallister's is the best deal, they should make that recommendation since the County has not signed yet. Ms. Bond-Nelson asked if our current library will be eliminated if this 'new site is selected. Chairman Haughwout replied yes. Ms. Bond-Nelson asked if Brannon goes if the Live Oak site is se 1 ected. Cha i rman Haughwout rep 1 i ed yes, and Brannon is a sick building and needs to go. t Ms. Shaw asked if the Task Team should consider this. Chairman Haughwout exp 1 a i ned we're mak i ng a recommendat i on to the City Counc i 1. Mr. ! Kn i eve 1 explained their authorizing agent is the City and it's appropriate for Chairman Haughwout to work with the Mayor and members of the City Council to1bring a resolution and direction for Edgewater library services. He said the Southeast Task Team was established by County Council and that's the authorizing agent in that regard. He said if the Board wants to make a recommendation, it' goes to elected officials, then to County Council, to transmit to the Task Team. Mrs. Byrne pointed out it's unfortunate this came at this time because she believes if it had been available at the time the Task Force was convened and looking at property, they would have accepted this new location as opposed to Live Oak simply because of the traffic problems, etc., and it would be a much more viable location. Mrs. Rice stated she feels we should go with Live Oak. Ms. Bond-Nelson agreed we should stay with Live Oak. Ms. Shaw stated she's concerned about the closing of this library and is unsure of where the library should be located, but feels Live Oak is a good location. Mrs. Dudley asked if the County will consider a new offer since they're the governing group. She asked if we can buy the property abutting thei current location. Mr. Knievel stated at the last meeting the County was pleased to hear a renewed interest in the City to work cooperatively with the County to improve the parking here. He stated they want to work with Edgewater to improve parking and it has to do with the City approving abandoning Alamanda and other technical obstacles. Mrs. Dudley stated she doesn't want to drive far to a library but doesn't know how much influence the Board has. -4- Library Board Special Meeting May 24, 1995 v u Mrs. Byrne stated she's very interested in our present location but they need to look to the future and she's concerned with the traffic along with everything else and feels the new location would be as satisfactory as the current one. Chairman Haughwout again asked about the visibility criteria for the new location. Mrs. Dudley noted it would not be a problem if there were signs. Cha irman Haughwout stated the center of the regiona 1 popu 1 at ion is not met according to a statement in the newspaper by the Mayor. She read the criteria. Ms. Shaw asked if a lot of people pass this site regularly. Robert Clinton, member of the Task Team, replied there are 16.5 thousand population, and a large number pass the Live Oak site each day. Ms. Shaw questioned visibility for the new location. Ms. Haldeman said she'd find it difficult to praise this site for easy access and visibility for the grant when you consider the entire region. Ms. Dowling expressed sympathy for those people living on the beach as it's a long trip for them, noting she'd asked friends if they'd go that far for a library and they said no. Mr. Williams left the meeting at this time, expressing his pride in the library system. Ms. Bond-Nelson asked how far ahead they're looking at the population, as it doesn't seem the center is where the new site would be and that's very important. Mr. McCallister stated he thinks Edgewater's population is higher than New Smyrna Beach, and adding Oak Hill would make it higher, and most of the people at New Smyrna Beach are week-enders from Orlando. Mr. Knievel stated it's moving to the Southeast and Southwest and the County hired a consultant who will put together new demographic projections. Mrs. Rice moved to go with Live Oak and not accept the property offered because they've come so far already. Ms. Bond-Nelson seconded the motion. Chairman Haughwout suggested an amendment to the motion to use the McCallister site as an alternative if the Live Oak site falls through. Mrs. Rice agreed to amend her motion to include that language and Ms. Bond-Nelson seconded the amendment. Mr. Knievel stated that just before this meeting he talked with the County Attorney and they went over the Live Oak site legal description and a draft is ready, which they're trying to finalize for processing, so it's 99% ready, but not signed. Roll call on the motion was 5-1. Mrs. Dudley voted NO, because she felt the County Council should know we have this offer. Mr. Knievel explained the County Council prepares an agenda about 10 days prior to the meeting and they either place items on the agenda, delete, modify, or delay them, and the letter of Mayor Hayman was brought up for consideration with some discussion about whether or not to put it on the agenda or remove it, and the decision was to put Live Oak on the -5- Library Board Special Meeting May 24, 1995 u (J agenda. Mrs. Dudley asked if the County would consider this site. Mr. Knievel explained the offers were preliminarily considered and retaining the Live Oak site on the agenda is sending a message that they have heard the request. Mrs. Dudley stated this offer is too late, but they should consider two. Chairman Haughwout agreed there's a point where they have to stop. Mrs. Dudley felt the County would want to study this. Mr. McCallister stated they haven't had a total meeting of the County Council. Chairman Haughwout referred to a May 22nd letter sent to the County from Mayor Hayman asking that a decision be delayed. Mrs. Byrne asked Mr. McCallister why his offer was not brought up earlier when this has been ongoing so long. Mr. McCallister explained he thought they would work on it because the project had become stagnant and they could lose the grant or having a regional library in one city or another. Mr. Knievel explained the grant application deadline was May 1st and there were still more negotiations and discussions going back and forth about a firm commitment. He said the State grant application process permits cities to submit applications without a firm ownership or commitment, but they do not like to go on indefinitely because they need a firm commitment within 30 days of award. Chairman Haughwout asked if we could lose it if we stall it. Ms. Haldeman replied yes, if we don1t have a firm commitment for the property. She noted the grant is for one-half million dollars and we need to stay with what we1ve bragged about. Mr. Knievel pointed out this has happened in other jurisdictions in this County also. Mr. McCallister and Mr. Carder left the meeting at this time, with Chairman Haughwout again thanking them for the generous offer. Mr. Knievel added his thanks to the gentlemen. Mrs. Dudley changed her vote to yes on the Live Oak site, thereby making the vote for the Live Oak site, with the McCallister site as an alternative if the Live Oak site falls through, unanimous. Meeting was adjourned at 4:32 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lura Sue Koser, Recording Secretary -6- Library Board Special Meeting May 24, 1995