Library leaders tell Waterville council The Village is too small and needs upgrades

Leaders of the Waseca Le Sueur Regional Library System and the Waterville branch addressed the council during Citizen Time to flag multiple concerns about using The Village as replacement library space.

Stacy Lienemann, Director of the regional system, said the city had not adequately consulted the library and asked that city staff, the council, the Library Board and county commissioners meet to develop a plan. She said the space "is unacceptable right now for use" and urged inclusion of renovation needs in the 2026 budget, including more square footage and HVAC evaluation. Branch manager June Rezac said usage statistics support retention and expansion of services and noted "the outlay is half the size of the existing building," raising storage and shelving concerns. Resident Zella Vandervort asked the city to add clear signage and repair an uneven outdoor path that she described as a hazard; she also said the current entrance functions as an emergency exit rather than a main public entry.

County Commissioner David Presler provided updates on related county work: a draft of the comprehensive land use plan is near completion, ordinance development will proceed in 2026, and he noted county budget pressures including a projected roughly 20% increase in health insurance costs. Council agreed staff should coordinate meetings with library and county leaders to assess space needs and budget implications.