Jenna Owens, executive director of the Caroline County Public Library, asked the commission on Nov. 4 to consider helping pay to install bird netting in the shared lobby at the MRDC/Greensboro Library site. Owens said MRDC had requested assistance and supplied an estimate of $5,671; she calculated the county’s lease-based share at 32.56%, or about $1,846.

"It was $5,671. 32.56% of that would be about $1,846," Owens said. Commissioners discussed whether the library board should proceed now or wait until the county is reimbursed for earlier fronted capital work. Commissioner Larry C. Porter said he had no problem with contributing the share but preferred to recover outstanding funds first.

Board members and library staff reviewed the background for the library’s facilities work: the board previously identified a $100,000 bond for roof repairs but then determined issues were HVAC-related, which required revising the bond description and delayed release of funds. Owens said the county fronted funding while that legislative and administrative process continued. Staff and commissioners noted the lease at the MRDC/library location had technically expired in March and was operating at $0 rent, which has complicated accounting for lease payments and capital contributions.

Library and MRDC representatives said the immediate bird-netting work addresses birds entering gaps in an overhang and the lobby ceiling, creating sanitation and alarm problems. Owens said the library has not had to close since recent HVAC replacements, but longstanding leaks continue when it rains. Commissioners asked staff to continue pressing for reimbursement where the county fronted funds and to negotiate a lease that clarifies capital-maintenance responsibilities for future work.

The library presenters said MRDC's executive director, Chuck Huster, has been cooperative and willing to discuss a lease structure that balances responsibilities among MRDC, the library and the county. Commissioners encouraged the library board to proceed with the vendor and suggested invoicing the county after MRDC pays so the county can reimburse the agreed share if conditions are met.