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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1992/09/10 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL/LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CITY OF CBULA VISTA Thursday, September 10, 1992 Council Conference Room 4:30 p.m. City Hall CALL TO ORDER 1. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers/Members Horton, Malcolm, Moore, Rindone, and Mayor Nader Library Board Members Donovan, Viesca, Wilson, Williams, and Chair Alexander ALSO PRESENT: John D. Goss, City Manager; Sid W. Morris, Assistant City Manager; James Thomson, Deputy City Manager; George Krempl, Deputy City Manager; Rosemary Lane, Library Director; David Palmer, Assistant Library Director 2. PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR SOUTH CHULA VISTA LIBRARY A. Introductory Remarks - William Alexander, Chairman of Library Board of Trustees Library Board Chairman Alexander welcomed everyone to the meeting. He commented on an article in the Los Angeles Times which said that the new library "promises to be an architectural landmark and a first class library". He further commended the extraordinary effort expended by Library staff to obtain the grant and the vision and hard work by City staff and Council members to secure the site, and find the necessary funds proving that Chula Vista still places a great value on its library system. The new library may prove to be a economical inducement to businesses thinking to locate in Chula Vista. One of the first questions they ask is about the public library. Mr. Alexander finished with a short quote from the Argentinean Author Jorge Luis Borges who said, I've always imagined that paradise is a kind of library". B. Background on Grant Award - Rosemary Lane, Library Director Library Director Lane, gave a brief history of the California Construction and Renovation Bond Act and commended the City Council on their vision to spend the $114,000 required to hire an architectural firm to prepare the schematic floor plan, site plan and elevation drawings required in the grant application. on April 23, 1991 Chula Vista was one of eight Minutes September 10, 1992 Page 2 libraries selected to receive these funds and was awarded $6,747,528. An architectural selection committee interviewed 8 firms and selected LPA, Inc. in conjunction with the prestigious architectural firm of Legorreta Arquitectos to design this project. Plans for the new 35,000 sq. ft. library at the corner of Fourth and Orange Avenue provide for 165,000 books and 175 parking spaces. Plans will allow for the addition of another 10,000 sq. ft. of library space in the future and another 50 parking spaces. Councilman Rindone asked the Library Director how the square footage in the public areas of the Civic Center Library compared to that planned for the South Chula Vista Library. Director Lane responded that the South Chula Vista Library would be 5,000 sq. ft. smaller than the Library at Fourth and F Street which has 40,000 sq. ft. on street level for public use. Councilman Rindone stated that the new library will be more like a second main library. That concept is important because it is a significant asset to the area. Councilman Moore asked how many parking spaces were at the Civic Center Library. Director Lane responded that there were 144. C. Presentation of Preliminary Design and Building Philosophy for South Chula Vista Library - Ricardo Legorreta Mr. Legorreta stated his pleasure to be working on this project and that he is trying to design the library in such a way that it not only accomplishes its function, but it becomes a cultural symbol for the community. He then displayed conceptual drawings and a model of the proposed building. The Library will be built around several courtyards to provide natural light and open space. Some features include a multipurpose room, a care, a gallery, separate childrens and adult areas, public meeting areas and a large outdoor amphitheater. Entrance and egress to the building will be from either Fourth or Orange Avenues with a turnaround in front of the building. Sufficient parking space is available to consider alternatives to rigid grid-like conventional shopping center parking. Minutes September 10, 1992 Page 3 D. Discussion and Input Library Trustee Viesca questioned where the 10,000 sq. ft. would be added for expansion. Mr. Legorreta responded that the courtyard areas could be converted into additional library space. Councilman Moore questioned how the architect intended to prevent the flat roof from leaking. Mr. Legorreta replied that the roof will have a 4% slope which will prevent leakage. Councilman Rindone questioned the kind of landscaping to be used at the corners of Fourth and Orange Avenues. Mr. Legorreta responded that landscaping would be designed to help prevent graffiti. Councilman Rindone asked if a second story could be added to the building in the future. Mr. Legorreta responded that it is feasible. Councilman Rindone asked if there would be access to the meeting rooms without access through the main library. Mr. Legorreta responded that meeting areas can be closed off from the rest of the Library and entered from the parking lot. Councilman Rindone asked if there was an area for easy book drop off. Mr. Legorreta responded that this has been addressed. Councilman Rindone asked for some assurance that staff would be working with the architect so that a minimum number of employees would be needed to operate the building. Library Staff responded that the building could be run with as many as 39 employees or as few as 15. Councilman Rindone asked the capacity of the community room. It will hold a hundred people. Councilman Moore asked if the new library would have an auditorium. Staff responded that there will be a flat-floored multi-purpose room. Councilman Malcolm asked how many parking spaces were planned Minutes September 10, 1992 Page 4 for the South Chula Vista Library and how many were at the Library at Fourth and F Street. Staff responded that 175 spaces are planned for the South Chula Vista Library with the possibility of adding 50 more spaces. There are 144 parking spaces at the Library at 365 F Street. Councilman Moore asked if anything was learned from the parking problem at the Civic Center Library. Staff replied that a two hour parking limit and adequate enforcement help an overcrowded situation. Councilman Rindone complimented the Library Director and the Architect on the unique design. 3. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT(S) - None 4. MAYOR'S REPORT(S) - None 5. COUNCIL COMMENTS - None ADJOURNMENT Adjournment at 5:36 pm to a Regular meeting on September 15, 1992 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.