HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1973/03/14 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Held Wednesday March 14, 1973
An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of Chula Vista, California was held
on the above date beginning at 3:00 p.mo in the Council Conference Room, Civic Cen-
ter, 276 Fourth Avenue, with the following
Councilmen present: Scott, Hobel, Hamilton, Hyde, Egdahl
Councilmen absent: None
Also present: City Manager Thomson, Deputy City Attorney Blick, Assistant
City Manager Bourcier, City Librarian Levine
ALTERNATIVES AND OPTIONS ~ ,~, Senior Librarian Patricia Rowe showed slides of
REGARDING THE NEEDS OF the interiors of the libraries at Carlsbad,
THE LIBRARY Oceanside, National City and Chula Vista° She
explained that Carlsbad has a 19,000 square foot
library; Oceanside - 17,000, National City -
23,000, and Chula Vista - 14,000o
The Oceanside library was remodeled from an old
Safeway building at a cost of $170,000.
Mrs° Rowe also showed slides of bookmobiles
presently in use in Ventura and Pomona and of
branch libraries.
Mrs° Bluma Levine Mrs~ Bluma Levine, City Librarian, discussed the
City Librarian library needs stating that the only good solution
to the problem was a new building. She added,
however, that space should be acquired immedi-
ately to alleviate the present overcrowded con-
ditions, and that the Children's Room be moved
to another location which would give the main ',
library an additional 2400 square feet. She
also recommended that an extension service be
started, such as a bookmobile.
Post Office Building Mrs. Levine explained that converting the old
Post Office building would make room for a
children's library section, administrative of-
flces~ a public meeting room, and headquarters
for a branch library or bookmobile. The square
footage of the Post Office building is 9,000
square feet.
Chamber of Commerce Building The Chamber of Commerce building encompasses
1,400 square feet and would accommodate admin-
istrative offices, a staff conference room, and
headquarters for branch libraries or bookmobile.
Other Alternatives Mrs° Levine discussed forming a library district
or joining the San Diego County Library°
Branch Library - Bookmobile For the need of e~tcnsion services in the City,
Mrs° Levine indicated that her recommendation
would be the bookmobile rather than the branch
library. This was based primarily on the high
cost of constructing a branch library.
Councilman Hobel commented that it would depend
on the location - a branch library or "store
front" could be leased at a shopping center site
at a reasonable cost.
Size of library questioned Councilman Hyde commented on the proposed 55,000
square foot building° He indicated this was
four times the size of the present building and
questioned whether or not this was an ideal fig-
ure based on today's forecast of population
trends.
Mrs. Levine explained that the entire 55,000
square feet would not be devoted exclusively to
book sections; there would be meeting rooms,
conference rooms, etc. She added that she felt
it would be a real mistake to build a library
too small.
Castle Park High School Library Councilman Egdahl said he talked to Judith Bauer
of the Sweetwater Union High School District
Board and she indicated that they are consider-
ing a joint powers agreement between Castle Park
High School and the City for recreational and
library facilities~ He realized that this would
mean carting books back and forth, to supplement
the school's inventory; but it would mean con-
siderably less money than a bookmobile.
Mrs° Levine explained that two years ago, the
high school kept their library open on evenings;
however, the program failed because of the very
small percentage of students who used the faci-
lity, plus the fact there was no professional
librarian on duty.
Motion to proceed with plans It was moved by Councilman Hyde, seconded by
Councilman Hobel and unanimously carried that
the City proceed with plans to construct the
library on the F Street site based upon the orig-
inal plan for the facility (structure) that was
approved one year ago.
Discussion Discussion ensued as to the financial aspect of
the motion. Councilman Hyde indicated that he
felt the fundamental portion of the money should
be taken from the Revenue Sharing funds.
Mayor Hamilton questioned raising the tax base.
City Manager Thomson stated he would have a re-
port to the Council regarding SB 90 in a week
Motion for financial study It was moved by Councilman Egdahl~ seconded by
Councilman Hobel and unanimously carried that
the staff be directed to present to the Council
various alternatives for financing this project
which would include Revenue Sharing~ bonds~
lease-purchase agreements, and any other invent-
ive schemes the staff can come up with°
Additions to motion Councilman Hobel asked that the motion include
staff investigation of some of the various fund
sources, such as special capital outlay.
City Manager Thomson declared that the report
will he made by the Director of Finance and this
will include his priorities on financing. Mro
Thomson added that he will provide an updated
cost estimate, and his staff will study the ori~
inal layout of the library in terms of lighting,
space, etc. to see about reducing costs.
Motion for branch library study It was moved by Councilman Hobel, seconded by
Councilman Hyde and unanimously carried that the
staff investigate the availlbility of leasing
space in a shopping center or an appropriate
area~ in coordination with the Librarian and
staff so that, potentially, the City can set up
- 2 -
store frontages or a branch library during this
interim period to take some of the load off the
present library and provide better service to
outlying areas.
Council discussion Discussion followed concerning the fact that
the original plans for the library included
the lagoon, and the facility was geared to this
with the windows on the north side of the build-
ing facing the lagoon. The Council concurred
that the plans would have to be reviewed and
modifications made~
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hamilton adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m.
to the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 20,
1973 at 7:00 p.m.
City Clerk
-3 -