Details Meeting Name: Library Board Agenda status: Final Meeting date/time: 10/6/2021 2:00 PM Minutes status: Final   Meeting location: Council Chambers Please see the meeting guidelines due to the COVID-19 health pandemic emergency. Published agenda: Agenda Accessible Agenda Published minutes: Minutes   Meeting video: Video   Attachments: Meeting Items (1) Public Comments (3) 1 record Group Clear sorting Clear grouping Group by Type Group by Result Export Export to Excel Export to PDF Export to Word Show: Legislation only Legislation only All agenda items File # Ver. Agenda # Type Title Action Result Action Details Video SR 21-158 1 1 Staff Report Staff Report on 2022 Library Budget Proposal "Part 2" Focus on Special Fund and CIB. Received and Filed   Action details Video  Add New Comment 3 records Group Clear sorting Clear grouping Group by File # Group by Name Group by District Group by Opinion Export Export to Excel Export to PDF Export to Word File # Date  Name District Opinion Comment Action SR 21-158 10/11/2021 10:26 PM Roy Neal   Against Can SPPL explain why they see demolition of our neighborhood's most recognizable historic ***et as "community serving?" Reading what SPPL has published publicly, and internal conversations obtained via FOI request, it's clear SPPL leadership did not fairly consider renovation or relocation options. Instead, they steered the outcome without the full consideration of community input. I also question claims they make on the facilities website. We should be able to have both our beloved historic building and great library services. It's not a Sophie's choice moment. Also, the option costs seem exorbitant. A 2009 city study of a "major renovation project" for the Hamline Midway Library building explored community-friendly joint use ideas and found far more options than SPPL in 2019. Options were easier on library staffing and modernized library services at a cost of $300k—$600k (2009 $), a savings of nearly $8M over 2019 demo option. SPPL has not met with HPC on this issue, either. +2 SR 21-158 10/11/2021 8:05 PM Bonnie Youngquist   Against SPPL is offering a choice between demolition of HML that SHPO considers a historic resource or renovation in its 2022 budget proposal. The use of property tax money for demolition is contrary to preservation goals expressed in Saint Paul’s Comprehensive Plan that prioritizes preservation for City owned buildings. According to emails obtained from a Freedom of Information Request, more than 90% of CIB public comments were to SAVE the building, not demolish it. SPPL contends that community input guided their HML options; but SPPL is referring to the 2019-20 Facilities Master Plan that did not ***ess HML about the potential loss of the current library building. SPPL is advocating a new library that will only add 20% square footage. Consider a NO vote until demolition off the table so a further exploration of alternatives and an evaluation can occur. +2 SR 21-158 10/11/2021 6:13 PM Amy Schroeder Ireland     The proposal indicates community engagement going back to 2018. I'm curious to know which of these instances of engagement were seeking input on the overall SPPL city-wide facilities plan, and which were Hamline Midway specific? As an active and engaged Hamline Midway Library supporter, I only recall one community meeting in 2020 (not multiple engagements suggested by the term 'forums,'), and although at least one member of the community has requested records of that meeting, (attendance sheet, minutes, report, etc.) none have been provided. I'm also curious about the 'Youth Engagement' being conducted now in October 2021. I have two teens and a pre-teen who use the library frequently, but none of them have mentioned any city-led engagement around the Hamline Midway Library. Thank you. +2