March 18, 2005 Minutes
Members present: Linda Coates, Pat Zavoral, Charles Pace, John Cosgriff
Members absent: Helen Levitt, Herb Snyder, Mike Sebille
Others Present: representatives from Image Group, representatives from Bob Rohlf & Associates, Lowell Wolff of Fargo Public Schools, Roger Gress of Fargo Park District, City of Fargo staff, public and media
I. Minutes
Charles Pace moved to approve the minutes of March 11, 2005. Pat Zavoral seconded the motion; the motion carried.
II. Change of date for first public meeting
The first public forum scheduled for March 31 is rescheduled to March 29 at 7pm in the lower level of the Civic Center to accommodate scheduling conflicts. Advertising and public notices will be handled by Heather Mitzel.
III. Review of building program process
Bob Rohlf and Jan Feye-Stukas distributed a building program definition and process. They will draft a building program for the three facilities. The first draft will be presented to library staff in approximately three weeks with a final draft presented to the committee April 22. They will be advocates for library staff and in extension the public in the design process to ensure the best facilities for the community. In talking with staff, common staff dreams are standard in libraries today.
Technology options that have initial capital costs may save in operating costs later. Materials sorting machines ranging in price from $70,000 to $3.5M are areas to consider. In the program, space will be planned for later expansion of sorting machines to grow in the future.
Wireless technology is assumed for patron computers, but a double system for staff computers may be required to maintain access to the city network while providing fire walls for patron use.
IV. Continue site selection discussion
Public opinion will be tested at the public forum regarding leased space on the north side and park land on the south side. Other suggestions may also be brought forward at that time. Before the public forum, possible sites will be reduced to nine for consideration with any number combination from north, south and downtown areas.
The parking lot between Old Broadway and NDSU downtown was purchased with bonds tied to revenues. A discussion with the parking commission is needed to analyze what effect a new use would have on this site.
When considering school sites, several objections have been made concerning child safety issues. School District staff is aware of the discussions of possible shared library use. In the example of Washington Elementary, a separate entrance and parking lot would be utilized and remodeling within the school would eliminate access to the school area.
Bob Rohlf stated that nationally these partnerships do not work in the long run. Many adults do not want to go back to a school building and children do not want to go to a different school than they attend. The school and library have different hours of operation and the public may linger at the library. Library usage increased dramatically when libraries have relocated from a school to an area as close as a block away. It may not be the best use of public money.
Trollwood parking lot is eliminated from consideration due to convenience and traffic issues. The size of branch that will be on the north side is not a destination library. A high traffic area close to retail operations would be better suited. Libraries are more like retail hours than other offices or schools. Three retail areas on the north side to consider would be 19th Avenue North, Northport, and the Skills and Technology Center complex.
The south side facility is larger and could be a destination place for people. Stonebridge Park, Rheault Farm, and Ed Clapp Park are along high traffic streets. The park district staff is also aware of the considerations being made. Rheault Farm has heavy programming and may be cause for staff and parking issues. Ed Clapp Park has an area previously designated to Charism before they relocated elsewhere which is still available.
No other sites will be eliminated from consideration at this time.
V. Other issues before the committee
Public Input Process A discussion was had focusing on the timetable for public input. Chair Coates indicated she was comfortable with the idea of having two meetings for citizen input and a third meeting to release the sites selected and to begin the public discussion on design features of the facilities. The first public meeting will be held on March 29th at 7:00pm, with a second public meeting in approximately two weeks from that date. The date for the second meeting will be determined by the committee after the first public forum.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at 1:00pm. The public forum will be that evening at 7:00pm. A follow up committee meeting will be Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at 9:00am. The meeting was adjourned