To: Board of Supervisors
From: Cultural Services Agency
Meeting Date: April 25, 2023
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Department Contact: |
Deborah Fader Samson |
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707-671-6014 |
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Department Contact: |
Barb Chapman |
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707-367-8216 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 15 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Acceptance of the Update of the Status of the Property Adjacent to the Fort Bragg Branch Library; and Direction to Staff Regarding a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fort Bragg Friends of the Library and the Transfer and Merging of Property to Prepare for the Branch Expansion Project at No Cost to the General Fund
(Sponsor: Cultural Services Agency)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Provide direction related to the update on the status of the property adjacent to the Fort Bragg Branch Library and direction to staff regarding a memorandum of understanding with the Fort Bragg Friends of the Library and the transfer and merging of property to prepare for the branch expansion project at no cost to the general fund.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On August 16, 2016, Agenda item 6c) the Board of Supervisors approved in concept “the expansion of the Fort Bragg library including the future acceptance of the Fort Bragg property providing a Memorandum of Understanding is completed and no County funds are obligated.”
Summary of Request:
The Fort Bragg Branch Library serves a very active and involved community and is lacking in space for the community’s library needs. The children’s space is insufficient and there is no space for a teen room, among many other shortcomings. The Friends of the Fort Bragg Branch Library (“Friends”) have been extremely supportive of the library in providing service to the community and in 2016, presented the Board of Supervisors with an opportunity for the Friends to purchase the lot next door to the branch to potentially expand the branch to better serve the community.
Since the Board of Supervisors approved “in concept” the purchase by the Friends of the lot next to the branch, at no cost to the Library, the Friends have since removed the old building (situated on the lot at the time of purchase), and have raised over $750,000, some of which has already been spent on the purchase and preparation of the property. A letter from the Friends and the property acquisition required workflow steps are attached.
The Cultural Services Agency is requesting direction from the Board regarding the terms of the MOU with the Friends such as specifying the donation committed by the Friends, including both monetary ($500,000) and real property donations, and setting out the steps needed to complete the processes required to transfer the land from the Friends and to merge it with the County-owned Library property.
The library is also working on a grant application to the California State Library for the Building Forward Library Facilities grant and the budget and grant information is attached. If awarded, the grant will cover up to 75 % of the construction costs for the expansion. Funding for the expansion will not impact the General Fund.
By accepting the gift of the lot and applying for and accepting funding for the needed expansion, the County is being effective in providing facility improvements in the most economically advantageous way. The project would also help the County to help create a thriving economy as the construction of the building will likely provide work for locals, and the databases and training resources provided by the Library will aid community members in securing gainful employment.
Alternative Action/Motion:
If not approved, provide alternative direction to staff.
Does This Item Support the General Plan? Yes
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: An Effective County Government
Supervisorial District: All
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At:
<https://fortbragglibrary.org/friends-of-the-fort-bragg-library/>
<https://www.library.ca.gov/grants/buildingforward/>
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: Donation/grant/LB BU 6110 |
budgeted in current f/y: Yes |
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current f/y cost: TBD |
if no, please describe: |
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annual recurring cost: TBD |
revenue agreement: No |
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budget clarification: Any expense to be paid by Library BU 6110, donation, or grant. |
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Cherie Johnson, Deputy CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Approved with Direction |
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Date: April 25, 2023 |
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