The Glendale Common Council voted to authorize a new North Shore Library funding agreement and to adopt a separate resolution that would prevent Glendale from approving future capital expenditures for the library until the city is reimbursed for a set amount.

The council approved the funding agreement in a 4-2 roll call vote after a public hearing and detailed staff presentation on the project’s financing. The council then adopted a resolution, 5-1, that the city will vote no on additional capital improvements for the new library until Glendale has been reimbursed as specified in the resolution.

The new funding agreement sets maximum municipal contributions for the North Shore Library project. City Administrator Carl told the council there is a roughly $2,400,000 funding gap for the new Bayside site; under the agreement Glendale’s maximum contribution to the Bayside option would be $1,200,000. Carl said that if Glendale sought to remain at a Glendale location the total project cost estimate for that option would be about $8,000,000 and Glendale’s share would be about $4,000,000.

Carl said the agreement ties any additional project scope to fundraising: "the project scope or any additional improvements to the library cannot be made until all the municipalities’ contribution is reduced to 0," and municipalities are encouraged to seek donations and grants to reduce their shares.

The staff presentation included estimated homeowner impacts for financing. Carl said a 10-year loan to cover Glendale’s $1,200,000 share would raise property taxes by roughly $11 to $18 annually for a $300,000 to $500,000 home; financing the $4,000,000 option for a Glendale site would raise taxes by about $42 to $70 annually for the same home-value examples.

Public commenters raised concerns about the project’s fundraising and costs. Randy Ripp said there has been litigation between the library board and the library foundation and asserted that the foundation "are refusing to turn over the money to the library. There is litigation between the library board and the foundation," and he cited an estimated $225,000 in legal fees and roughly $150,000 in rent paid so far by the project. Christine Gaffney told the council the population-based funding formula is unfair to Glendale residents and urged that usage data be used to revisit the formula: "basing it on population... ends up being a regressive tax, essentially, for Glendale." Brian Swanson urged the council to approve the measures as the option with the best "return on investment" for taxpayers.

Council members discussed the city’s limited options. Mayor Kennedy noted Glendale is "locked into an agreement for 17 more years" with the North Shore Library partners unless all municipalities agree to dissolve the arrangement. Several aldermen said Glendale had previously reviewed alternatives—including a standalone Glendale library or affiliation with another municipality—and that the city had rejoined the North Shore Library in 2022 under a 20-year agreement.

Alderman Sharlzing (as referenced during the meeting) said the resolution is intended as a backstop that would allow Glendale to seek reimbursement for a $712,000 offset tied to the sale/valuation of the existing library property. Carl said Glendale owns roughly 15,000 square feet at 6800 Port Washington Avenue and that a purchase offer of $750,000, combined with waived common-area charges, results in a net benefit for Glendale in the project accounting presented to council.

Council members and staff said fundraising is ongoing. Carl said the library has sought foundation grants and a federal earmark through Congresswoman Moore’s office; he said a $4,000,000 earmark request was made but that the version of the federal budget under discussion contained a smaller amount, and he noted Governor Evers’ proposed state budget included $1,200,000 in the Department of Public Instruction budget for the North Shore Library, subject to the state budget process.

On procedure and effect, City Attorney/administration staff explained that the North Shore Library agreement requires unanimous approval among the member municipalities for capital expenditures. The newly adopted Glendale resolution instructs the city’s council to vote no on future capital expenditures until the specified reimbursement threshold is met, which council members said would prevent unilateral library capital work from proceeding without Glendale’s consent.

The two council actions on the agenda were moved and seconded on the record: the motion to authorize the funding agreement was moved by Alderman Vukovich and seconded by Alderman Shaw; the motion to adopt the financing-position resolution was moved by Alderman Schmelsing and seconded by Alderman Vukovich. The funding agreement passed on a 4-2 roll call; the financing-position resolution passed 5-1.

With the votes concluded, Mayor Kennedy closed the special meeting. The funding agreement and the resolution will govern Glendale’s contribution and voting position on North Shore Library capital work going forward, and staff said fundraising and grant-application efforts will continue.