Council reviews proposed library remodel, shelving quotes and a $7,000 door levy

Staff presented a conceptual redesign of the municipal library developed with an outside Minnesota firm that would replace shelving, update seating and reconfigure the circulation area. The initial shelving quote reported to the council was about $53,000; total furniture-and-fitting costs discussed at the meeting were in the $50,000–$70,000 range depending on options.

The staff member said the city levied $7,000 in the 2025 library budget specifically for door replacement and provided a quote from Clarity Glass for $7,763. Staff also mentioned an ADA operator priced in the transcript as “36.50”; staff said that expense could be covered without exceeding the mapped local-option-sales-tax allocation if other costs remain in budget. The staff member proposed moving the levied $7,000 into a library project fund to ensure funds were available for Timely installation if invoices arrive late.

Staff noted a Department of Education grant is being used to reimburse construction costs and that the city had submitted a first reimbursement request for a prior payment to a contractor. The staff member said the city had applied local-option sales tax receipts and expected reimbursements to help keep the overall project within budget, while acknowledging some renovation items (finish carpentry, painting and additional carpeting) remain as unknown costs.

Council members discussed prioritizing the door replacement and scaling back racking if needed, and suggested the Friends of the Library could contribute funding for shelving. No formal approval was recorded at the meeting; staff said they would proceed with ordering items only if within available budgets and would report back at a subsequent meeting.