Library staff say elevator and HVAC repairs on track; capital contracts expected in coming months

Library Manager Danielle Whittington and Community Services Director Donna Finch updated trustees on building repairs the library needs and the status of capital projects.

Whittington said the library has worked with Public Works to develop statements of work for elevator repair and HVAC replacement and that the elevator may be scheduled for repair before the HVAC because of procurement sequencing. Director Finch said the library HVAC is an approved capital improvement project for the fiscal year and that Public Works is placing it in the project queue. A Public Works project representative told the board the city expects contract approval before the end of the calendar year and that work should start in early 2026 after a full assessment is completed.

Why this matters: trustees and staff said better HVAC is important both for patron comfort and to protect library materials; timelines affect budgeting and scheduling of other projects.

Trustee questions and staff replies Trustees asked for a timeline the board could share with constituents. The Public Works representative said staffing and project management capacity across city projects affects sequencing; the new project manager with mechanical engineering expertise had accelerated progress. Director Finch confirmed reservation revenue from facility rentals is recorded in the city’s general fund but said library programs benefit indirectly from those revenues.

What to expect next Staff said they will bring timeline updates and contract approvals to the board as they occur and will provide the trustees with facility reservation statistics when requested.