Larkspur council approves $1.67 million budget amendment for library, commons and habitat garden

The Larkspur City Council on Nov. 5 approved a $1,670,713 amendment to the capital budget for the new Larkspur Library and Commons, directing $598,000 from the Commons Foundation and $220,000 from Refugia Marin toward landscaping and habitat work and allocating $852,295 from the city—und reserves to cover remaining costs.

Public Works Director Julian Skinner told the council the library building is "dried in" with interior work underway and that the amendment covers three funding components: Commons Foundation contributions for the commons area, Refugia Marin funds for a multi-phase Habitat Garden, and a general-fund reserve contribution to cover inspection fees, additional staff and consultant oversight, utility connection estimates and targeted project enhancements. "The total budget amount in the staff report and resolution is $1,670,713," Skinner said, noting the request groups about $500,000 of enhancements and an estimated $350,000 city contribution to complete phase 1 of the Habitat Garden.

Skinner broke the staff request into specific line items: an estimated $200,000 for third-party…