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Resident alleges $2 million library funding gap and TIF misuse during Bayside public comment
Summary
Resident Gerry Feldman told the board there is a $288,000 annual lease and a $2 million funding shortfall for the North Shore Library project, alleged $820,000 in Library Foundation funds, and criticized the OneNorth TIF assessment reductions; these claims were presented as his assertions and were not resolved at the meeting.
At the June 27 meeting resident Gerry Feldman delivered a lengthy public comment urging transparency on finances tied to the North Shore Library project and criticizing local fiscal decisions tied to the OneNorth development.
Feldman said, “As of the latest publicly available information, a $288,000 annual lease looms over us, set to begin in only two months, with a staggering $2 million funding gap yet to be bridged.” He asked when the $26,000 monthly rent would commence, whether Bayside and neighboring municipalities had approved the financial commitments, and whether the $820,000 held by the Library Foundation was included in public accounting.
He also characterized the OneNorth tax-increment financing deal as a misuse of TIF laws, asserting the agreement froze a $4.143 million assessment reduction for 22 years and shifted about $194,000 in tax burden, which he linked to an alleged $2.2 million revenue loss. Feldman called for transparency, said the board had been silent on fundraising for more than 14 months, and urged action.
These assertions were presented during the public comment period and are recorded in the meeting minutes as the resident’s statements. The minutes do not record a response from the board or staff during the meeting; the claims were not corroborated or disputed on the record.
