Minutes 03-19-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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County want in a full service library, and will give a clear direction on which to go to serve the needs of the residents. Chair Jacobs asked the Commissioners to frame comments with the thought of directing staff in how to move forward. Commissioner Pelissier said it should be noted that the Board is interested in looking at other sites and considering multi-use facilities. She also expressed a desire to consider the long term needs of the library in the future. Commissioner Dorosin said he favors the Fidelity Street site and feels that locating a library in a working class neighborhood is better than a locating it in a residential neighborhood. He also said he is open to considering other sites. Commissioner McKee said, given the comments of the Town Board and the proposed strategic plan, he feels the Board needs to take time to look around more; and he feels that the Board also needs to consider what a 21 st century library looks like. He said parking is a major issue to him when siting this library, considering there will be many people using it that will not use public transportation of be close enough to bike. He expressed concern with placing a library in downtown Carrboro, where there are already parking issues. He said another critical issue is that Chapel Hill Library is funded with a percentage of county funding for Library Services. He said that the expansion of that library will likely mean further demand for those funding needs. He questioned what level the Chapel Hill Library would be funded while building and operating another library within three or four miles. Commissioner Rich said she would like to hear more options on building an urban library versus a suburban library. She would like to also look at other options for sites and feels this would clarify that a suburban library is not what needs to be built. Chair Jacobs said it is critical to think of this library in relation to the Chapel Hill library. He said that a 20,000 square foot library is not necessary in Carrboro. He has always opposed a suburban style library in Carrboro and feels it is a misreading of the original recommendations and drives the size of the parcel that must be bought. He said the strategic plan needs to be considered before any decisions are made about a site. He said he is supportive of having a true partnership with Carrboro. He said that Carrboro has participated financially in the Cybrary and should be treated like a partner in this process. He said the Board should honor what is in the Carrboro letter and should invite Carrboro to the work session for the strategic plan for the library. He feels the work session should move from Hillsborough to Southern Human Services Center to make it easier. Commissioner Gordon said one key thing for her is that the Board of Alderman (BOA) has worked with the Board of County Commissioners and wants to have a further discussion. She feels the Board should honor this request and look at criteria and additional sites. Commissioner Price said the Board should look at a multi-use facility. Commissioner Pelissier said it would be helpful to get some projections for urban versus rural usage. Chair Jacobs summarized as follows: consider other sites; consider a multiple use facility; adopt a long term vision; consider neighborhood demographics; consider a working class site; coordinate timing with the strategic plan; consider parking needs; get a better projection of urban and rural usage; consider the relation of this library with Chapel Hill; examine an urban library versus a rural library; honor the partnership with Carrboro; consider moving the work session on May 14th from Link Government Services Center to Southern Human Services Center. c. Reappointment of Tax Administrator