The Astoria City Council on Sept. 2 approved a new Library Special Projects Fund and related budget moves and then suspended a proposed increase to the largest library meeting‑room fee after residents and some councilors said the charge could limit access to public meeting space.

Council action adopted a resolution to establish library special projects fund No. 134 and a related supplemental budget to receive roughly $82,000 the City Manager said will come from the dissolving Library Foundation. The council also approved a budget amendment for Library Bond Construction Fund No. 191 to roll about $1.7 million in project expenditures into the current fiscal year and to transfer $10,900 remaining in the Logan Memorial Trust Fund into the library construction fund.

The moves are tied to the city’s ongoing library construction. City manager Spence told the council the Foundation is dissolving and wanted its remaining funds applied to the library; the city recommended setting the separate fund to track that money and future gifts. “We’re recommending $82,000,” Spence said. For the bond construction fund, he said timing—not an increase in total project cost—required the transfer: work performed after June 30 must be budgeted in the current fiscal year.

Why it matters: the transfers keep bond-funded work moving without changing the library project scope, and the separate fund will allow future donations to be tracked and spent for library projects.

Councilors then considered changes to the library fee schedule (Schedule E). The proposed changes included eliminating routine late fines for adult materials (items more than 60 days overdue would be considered lost and the patron billed the item’s replacement cost), reducing replacement card cost from $6 to $3, and creating a tiered charge for meeting rooms: an hourly Flag Room rate proposed at $50 for nonprofit groups and $100 for private/business users. Suzanne Herold, library director, explained the late-fee change as a way to align adult collections with the teen and children policies and said the practice had increased returns and circulation in other categories: “If a book is more than 60 days overdue, it gets set to lost,” she said, adding that patrons are not charged if they bring the item back.

Several members of the public objected to the proposed Flag Room fee. Lisa Morley, speaking as a resident and HOA board member, said, “It’s our tax dollars, and we’re paying a lot of money in the bond,” and asked the council to compare other libraries before charging for public meeting space. Andy Kipp, another resident, said community access to neutral third places is limited in Astoria and argued a “no fees or a minimal fee” approach would be more appropriate after voters approved the bond.

After discussion about nonprofit access and possible hardship waivers, Councilor Lam moved to suspend the proposed amendment to Schedule E that would raise Flag Room fees and send the room‑fee proposal back to staff and the library board for more work; the motion carried. Other Schedule E changes (late-fee policy, card replacement fee and room rules for smaller rooms) were left for final action at a later date or are to be brought back after revision.

Votes and formal actions taken: the council unanimously approved the resolution creating Library Special Projects Fund No. 134 (moved by Councilor Davis, seconded by Councilor Adams; recorded roll call: Councilor Davis — Aye; Councilor Adams — Aye; Councilor Lam — Aye; Mayor Sean Fitzpatrick — Aye). The supplemental budget for the new fund was approved by the same margin. The council also approved closing Logan Memorial Trust Fund No. 412 and transferring its remaining $10,900 to Library Bond Construction Fund No. 191 (motion by Councilor Lam, seconded by Councilor Adams; recorded roll call in the transcript: unanimous Aye). The council adopted a supplemental budget amendment for Fund No. 191 to carry forward approximately $1.7 million in library construction expenditures to the current fiscal year (unanimous roll call). Finally, the council voted to suspend consideration of the proposed fee changes to the Flag Room (motion to suspend carried by voice vote: “Aye”s; motion carried).

Council and staff noted the library construction project remains “on time and on budget.” Library director Herold announced the grand reopening celebration for the new Astoria Public Library is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m.

Ending: Staff will return with revised fee language and additional background on comparative fees and options for nonprofit access; the council’s financial motions leave the construction project funded and progressing under the current bond budget.