Russell Library / City Hall Feasibility Study Committee

Russell Library/City Hall Feasibility Study Committee March 26, 2024 Present: Sheila Jones Anthony Mangiafico Steve Nelson Jon Pulino Eamonn Wisneski Ramona Burkey (Russell Library Director) John DiFillippo Jade Esplin Shuyu Fang Sean Ragan David Stein 1. Call to order: Chairman Anthony Mangiafico called the meeting to order at 5:03. 2. Public comment on agenda items: none. 3. Approval of Minutes: deferred. 4. Unfinished Business a. Timeline and deadlines: Director Burkey summarized the current timeline. Based on Secretary of State requirements, the City Council should approve a referendum question by August. The referendum would have to be approved by one or more Council committees (in addition to this Feasibility Committee). Anthony Mangifico said that the Council could also call a special meeting if needed for later approval. b. Sites: will be covered in later agenda items. c. Discussion of next phases of feasibility/capital planning: will be covered in later agenda items. i. City Hall status: no recent updates. d. Budget status: the Committee remains within budget. 5. New Business a. Consultant status reports: representatives from Silver Petrucelli + Associates, Margaret Sullivan Studios, and Tighe & Bond made a presentation to the Committee regarding their Feasibility Phase II work to date. The presentation started with a review of the evaluation criteria that the Committee had established: prerequisites (site should be readily available and accessible), size (large enough to fulfill state library requirements, and adequate parking either on site or in proximity), adjacency (compatible with surrounding area and leverages neighborhood assets), prominence (a highly visible, city catalyst), and the final "feels right" top of the pyramid. The group first reviewed the current Russell Library site. The "Yellow House" adjacent to the library would be an obstacle, but the consultants are in touch with state officials about building options. The consulting team opined that, if the Yellow House is removed, the site could support the State Library space requirements while staying within a lower vertical profile. Underground parking spots would also be possible at this site. The group discussed site pros (downtown location, site control) and cons (size if Yellow House remains, cost of renovating an existing structure including temporary relocation costs). The group next discussed the current City Hall site (not including nearby Melilli Parking Lot, which would be preserved for business parking) as a possible library location. The group discussed pros (downtown location, highly visible) and cons (site availability). The group next discussed McCarthy Park, a large undeveloped parcel currently used for park purposes. The consultants covered pros (no existing buildings to remove would offer cost savings, adequate site size, potential for on-site parking) and cons (site availability, poor visibility, incompatible neighborhood, loss of park facilities, poor roadway accessibility). The consultants also updated the committee on the ongoing community outreach efforts. The survey has been widely distributed in online and paper format. The consultants have partnered with the library administration to set up community information sessions planned over two days including sessions at the Russell Library, senior center, schools, and churches (these have to be finalized). Eamonn Wisneski thanked the consultant team for the thoroughness of their reports, including the thought exercise in evaluating McCarthy Park- despite limitations, it is useful to study exemplars in case different sites emerge and all options have been considered. The group discussed the pyramid hierarchy and the potential unavailability of sites other than the current library campus. Anthony Mangiafico noted that a temporary site would have to be selected if the current library campus is selected as the preferred site. Ramona Burkey agreed that that would be an issue and would be factored into the total estimated costs. David Stein of Silver Petrucelli also agreed, stating that it is too early to know whether a temporary location would be needed, but that it would be included in analysis. Anthony Mangiafico raised the timeline for selection considering work done to date, and David Stein said that they are mindful of the timeline. The group generally discussed McCarthy Park. Sheila Jones stated she did not think the park satisfied many requirements, particularly proper neighborhood composition and visibility, and the group agreed with these observations and the additional difficulty of the one way streets in this area. Ramona Burkey stated that she had lived in the area for decades and was unaware of this park. Anthony Mangiafico asked other committee members for timeline preferences. Eamonn Wisneski opined that obtaining more information about the Yellow House will be critical to determining current campus viability, and ability to have a larger lot as to fit in with the historical character of the neighborhood. The committee agreed to look towards a final vote in the next meeting. 6. Approval of minutes: Jon Pulino moved to accept the draft minutes of the November 28, 2023 Feasibility meeting, Anthony Mangiafico seconded. All in favor. Jon Pulino moved to accept the draft minutes of the January 23, 2024 Feasibility Committee meeting, Sheila Jones seconded. All in favor. 6. Executive Session to discuss sites: none 7. Additional public comment: John DiFilippo made a brief remark that he wanted to observe a Feasibility Committee meeting. 8. Adjournment : Jon Pulino moved to adjourn the meeting, and Sheila Jones seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:47 pm.