MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING COMMITTEE

VAUGHAN ROOM

Present: NLBC Members: Bresciano, Bronson, Eldridge, Ford, Grasso, Grossman, Todd Hanson, Morner, O’Leary, Tefft. City Staff: Bohenko, Burke, Allen, Holden, Sullivan, and Pridham.

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Absent: Clews, Alex Hanson, Hynes, Leith, McEachern, Mowry, Robinson, Rothenburger.

Meeting began at 7:15.

Members received a letter written by Ed Lawrence about the future of the JFK armory building. (see attached)

O’Leary explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the charge given by the city council in the August 8^th meeting, examine the actions being taken by city staff, and to look at necessary future steps. City council had voted to commence soil, parking, and traffic studies to be conducted at the JFK site.

Bohenko introduced John Burke, the City’s Parking and Traffic Consultant. Burke outlined the 7-step scope of work for the traffic study (see attached.) NLBC members raised issues and concerns, such as the impact of increased courthouse traffic on the study, the increase traffic affecting road efficiency, and previous library traffic studies, as well as the current traffic problems near the site. The school bus traffic pattern at the Middle School may be changed, improving the infrastructure and ameliorating current traffic problems.

Dave Allen, City Engineer, discussed soil testing. Five borings will be conducted at the site on Sept. 27^th. A boring test drills into the ground taking samples every five feet for soil analysis. More borings may be performed in the future as these are initial tests.

Todd Hanson presented two site layouts that showed possible placement of a two-story building with a footprint of 20,000 sq. ft. The first diagram left the ball field untouched, included lots with 53 and 30 parking spaces as well as areas of green space between library and residences. The second diagram realigned the ball field, added a pocket park, and included room for future building expansion. NLBC members discussed issues such as ways being sensitive to those who see the existing Armory Building as a memorial to those who participated in previous wars, library efficiency, the proximity to the ball field, parking lot safety, sensitivity to neighborhood needs, and possible overlap of library and middle school peak use.

Bohenko discussed the possibility of changing one side of Parrott Ave. to diagonal parking, improving the current parking situation. Burke outlined the parking study (see attached.)

Bohenko outlined the three distinct phases of the new library project.

Phase 1 includes parking, traffic, and soil studies, as well as initial library footprint layouts.

Phase 2 involves presentations to the City’s land use and regulatory Boards, as well as the Technical Advisory Committee, with the study results. An advisory work session with the HDC could also be held.

Phase 3 includes going before City Council for bonding and for setting the amount to be raised by fund raising.

Grossman asked whether the HDC should be involved before any actual design plans were done. They are charged with reviewing actual plans.

NLBC members discussed the need to review the 1997 building program. Bohenko felt that the NLBC should focus on present issues, the building program can be revisited when an architect is hired. NLBC members reflected on the transformation in the library’s needs since 1997, such as the inclusion of the webmaster in the library’s operation and changes in technology.

Eldridge, as representative of the Library Board of Trustees, said that the Trustees would like some direction or an outline of their role and involvement in the new library building project. Bohenko responded that the Trustees should work with the Mayor and the next City Council to determine this role. Eldridge asked if the Trustees and library staff could begin a process to examine the library’s future needs. Pridham added that the future needs of the library revolved around customer needs and that inventory control and HVAC are important concerns with any design. Such things as radio frequency identification of books and materials and Self-Check out should, at least, be considered in a new building. Bresciano expressed interest in becoming involved with staff and trustees to examine areas of change since 1997 plan.

NLBC will meet again when the results of the studies are available. Meeting concluded at 8:25 p.m.