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Library board seeks details after Kirkland trustees raise option to sell library building
Summary
Kirkland Public Library officials pressed the board for utility bills, an appraisal and an inspection before considering an Intergovernmental Agreement for the possible sale; President Block said the Village—owner of the building—sees no economic benefit to continued ownership amid tight revenues.
Marian Termini, a member of the library board, told trustees she was "disappointed about the communication" surrounding the possibility of selling the library building and asked the board to explain what prompted the sale consideration. "She also, asked what caused the board to decide to sell the library," the minutes record.
President Ryan Block replied that "the library is their own taxing body, and while the Village owns the library building, there is no economic value to the Village to continue to own the building. Village expenses are tight, with sales and state income tax revenue being down, therefore to be fiscally responsible with the Village finances it does not benefit the Village to continue owning the building." The Kirkland Public Library Board president, Jean Bauer, asked trustees to provide utility cost data, the building appraisal and an inspection so the library board could evaluate the proposal; Clerk Leslie Scidmore confirmed she had already provided copies of utility bills, an IML‑RMA appraisal amount and the building square footage.
Trustees agreed to pause further action on the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) until Village Attorney Matthew Walters could review and coordinate with the library board's counsel. In Walters' absence the board tabled additional discussion until the March 16 meeting to allow attorneys and staff to exchange documentation and for the library board to consider the information.
