Minutes 04-07-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 would be a partner in the process. She said she understands Carrboro's desire is to have a partnership with the County. Commissioner Rich asked if the library will be a free standing building. Bonnie Hammersley said that has yet to be determined. Commissioner Rich said when she has spoken with Carrboro residents there is a desire for an urban library. She asked if Carrboro owns the land, would any environmental issues be Carrboro's responsibility to deal with. Bonnie Hammersley said yes. Commissioner Burroughs said it makes sense to move the item out to the 2017-18 budget and with relation to the size, she was not present when the topic was discussed in the past. She said growth is a determining factor, as well as continually changing technology. She said it will be important to compare needs to wants to affordability and to see how it all relates to the Board's priorities. She advocated for a smaller library as well as conservative spending. Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Burroughs. He said the previous manager was in favor of a large 20,000 square foot suburban library, but the Board never approved this. He said there has been a great deal of discussion with the public surrounding this topic, and agreed with the difficulty of ever changing technology. He noted that the Chapel Hill library is less than three miles away Commissioner Price said she has heard of the need of this library since her tenure on this board. She said the possibility of a meeting space is a plus. Bonnie Hammersley said the current operating costs for McDougle and Cybrary are currently $216,068, and the $1.2 million includes $700,000 in debt to borrow to build the library over a 15-year period. Commissioner Dorosin said he also said he has heard of this project as a priority to Carrboro residents. Chair McKee said it is not unusual for the BOCC to delay a project for a variety of reasons. Commissioner Dorosin said reasoning can be offered but all the public will hear is that the Board of County Commissioners is delaying this again. Chair McKee asked if a parking deck would be part of the building, or if Carrboro would manage it and the County lease it. He also asked how it would be paid for. Jeff Thompson said if a standalone library was being built, there would need to be 50 parking spaces. He said any additional parking would be negotiated with Carrboro. Chair McKee asked if the parking lot costs are included in the $5.6 million construction costs. Jeff Thompson said yes. Chair McKee referred to the last line of the schedule and asked if the building is going to be leased before it is built. Jeff Thompson said off site parking can be allowed, per Carrboro's discussion about parking. Bonnie Hammersley said the chart before the Board was created by Carrboro and may include some items that do not involve Orange County. Commissioner Jacobs said there are examples of urban buildings where parking is not present. He said sometimes parking has to be sacrificed. He said if parking must be a part of this project, the County should have some flexibility in negotiations regarding its financial responsibilities. Bonnie Hammersley said these discussions have yet to occur, but as the process moves forward such topics will certainly be raised. She said Carrboro has been open to discussion.