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Residents urge preserving library, debate whether bonds or parcel taxes could fund upgrades
Summary
Dozens of residents spoke; commenters emphasized the library's role as a safe community space and asked questions about costs, ballot options, and tradeoffs between repair and replacement; staff and council discussed prior parcel‑tax/ballot efforts and polling showing insufficient two‑thirds support for a general obligation bond.
The workshop opened extended public comment and a broad conversation about community priorities and willingness to fund large capital projects.
Residents, friends groups and committee members described the library's social benefits. Marilyn Sparks, president of the library friends, said libraries provide safe spaces and long‑term literacy benefits. Other residents asked practical questions: "What is the cost of doing nothing?" and whether a canopy or a $10 million concept would make the building suitable for modern programming.
Several speakers recalled prior ballot and parcel‑tax efforts. Gary Boyer (fraud committee chair) explained the committee's outreach and why a parcel tax attempt did not get traction. Staff and council cited a 2024 poll of 600 likely voters showing about 45% support for a library‑only bond and 53% for a broader facilities bond, both below the roughly two‑thirds threshold required for a general obligation bond; councilmembers said that history shaped the decision to pursue workshops and grants rather than immediately proposing a ballot measure.
Speakers proposed alternatives including phased work, public‑private partnerships, land sales, and targeted polling. Council asked staff to include funding options and polling scenarios in the next workshop so the community can evaluate concrete choices.
