City Council Minutes 2003

January 14, 2003

H. 2003 GOALS AND PROJECT REVIEW. Mayor Phil Barker went over his proposed goals for 2003 as follows:

1. LIBRARY - Have the Library Committee prepare information necessary to place the Library on the November 2003 ballot.

January 28, 2003

David Adams:
... updated the council on the status of the proposed library and said the Library Committee met and have looked at another site next to the Art Center but down by the river. Councilman Adams said this would cut the cost for the land in half.

February 25, 2003

David Adams:
2. The Library Committee authorized the purchase of a small piece of land by the Art Center next to the Sculpture Park and one of the things that is being talked about is making the Sculpture Park a part of the library and making this a quasi-City Park. Councilman Adams asked if the city would consider funding part of the maintenance and just wanted to start that conversation. The fourth Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm at City Hall is scheduled a Library Committee meeting. In April the Committee is planning on asking those in attendance to draw what they visualize either the library to look like or what they want to see in the library. In May they will then be able to see their plan in the building and go out to visit the site.

March 25, 2003

K. LIBRARY. David Adams brought the council up to date on library issues and invited all to the charrette meeting, which will be Thursday evening, March 27, 2003 at 7:30 pm [no charrette minutes located]. The Library Committee has been looking at land to construct the library building and the site they are looking at is by Alpine Art Center and there is a place for an ampatheater. ... David Adams said the Library Committee is hopeful in raising $1,000,000.00 by Alpine Days.

April 22, 2003

C. LIBRARY REPORT. David Adams said the Library Committee has been meeting regularly to develop costs and plans for the library with the goal of placing the Library Bond issue on the November ballot. David Adams said the Library Committee is looking at the foundry building as it is for sale for around $1,000.000. Mel Clement said that as an interim the Hall home, which is located at the end of Paradise Lane, is for sale and this could be an excellent Senior Citizen Center. Kent Hastings suggested that we look at the Old Alpine Market and it was noted that this building needed some major renovation. Councilman Adams invited the rest of the council to come to the Library meeting on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm.

The original cost was for $10,000,000 with $6,000,000 being donated and $4,000,000 being bonded, which would cost the average resident $200.00 per year. The feedback Councilman Adams got from residents was that this was too much money, so the Library committee has looked at ways to cut costs. David Adams said the Committee is looking at getting $5,000,000 in donations to buy the land, build the building and stock the library and then raise property taxes to fund the operating costs. Mr. Adams said he talked to Mayor Adamson of Highland and asked him if Highland wanted to participate in the library. Further discussions said there would be a new Public Safety Building in Highland and they could house the Administrative facilities and Alpine could be the cultural/art center for both communities. This would bring in twice as many residents and would cut the cost to $9.00 per month per resident. Mel Clement suggested that Cedar Hills also be approached about participating in this program. Mayor Barker thanked David Adams for his hard work and asked him to continue with his efforts. David Church talked about the necessary steps that would have to be taken to place the Library Bond on the November ballot.

August 26, 2003

David Adams:
1. Said the Library Committee is looking for an Operations Manager, which could turn into long-term employment. Mel Clement suggested that we use the State Librarian. David Adams said the committee missed their goal for raise $1,000.000 but are still very enthusiastic.