HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 2,1992
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CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
CLERK
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
and the
ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
(LIBRARY EXPANSION PROJECT)
JUNE 2, 1992
The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in
an adjourned regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 2,
1992, in the conference room of the City Hall Council Chambers
to consider a design concept for the remodel and expansion of
the City Library.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Ciraulo, Lojeski, Margett and Fasching
Councilman Harbicht
It was MOVED by Councilman Lojeski, seconded by Mayor Pro tern
Ciraulo and CARRIED to EXCUSE Councilman Harbicht.
Others in attendance:
William Woolard, Acting City Manager
Kent Ross, City Librarian
Robert Daggett, Architect, Planning
Commissioner
Library Board Trustees: Fee, Daleo,
Scott and Vanlandingham
At their May 21, 1992 meeting the Library Board discussed the
conceptual plans for a Library expansion prepared by Bob
Daggett, architect, and Emil Amato, electrical contractor.
They are both members of the City Planning Commission and, at
the request of the City Council, volunteered their services
for this project.
The Library Board felt that this plan offered many advantages
over the current facility, although certain aspects of the
plan, as detailed in the May 27, 1992 staff report, were of
a concern to them. The Board concluded, however, that though
they had some concerns it is their feeling that this plan
would certainly meet most of the needs of the Library over the
next decade.
PRESENTATION
LIBRARY
EXPANSION
CONCEPT
PLAN
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Robert (Bob) Daggett, Architect and Chairman of the Planning
Commission, presented and explained the proposed conceptual
plan for the expansion and rehabilitation of the City Library.
A floor plan and front elevation renderings of the proposal
were exhibited as Mr. Daggett explained the plan. The
drawings indicated a basic floor plan of the current facility
with the addition of two ancillary buildings of 4000 square
feet each in pod fashion at the northeast and southeast
corners of the existing facility. The two new buildings were
described as attached to the main building by vestibules, with
exterior walls separated by six feet from the older building.
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A 1500 square foot third building could house a book store for
the Friends of the Library organization. This building was
set near the entrance to the Library just to the west of said
entrance. A fourth 4000 square foot building, Mr. Daggett
explained, would be constructed totally inside of the large
courtyard/patio area off of the children's section of the
existing Library, inside the patio's concrete tilt-up walls.
A smaller building was seen to be located at the southwest
side of the existing building. These buildings, Mr. Daggett '1
noted, could be treated in an appropriate exterior fashion to
have a residential character. They would not compete with the
existing building and neither would they amplify its design
character which, he noted, was good when the building was
constructed in 1964 but is not good by current standards.
Also part of the plan is a small porte cochere or entrance
awning extending from the front doors on the Duarte Road side
of the building to the smaller Friends Book Store building.
Mr. Daggett further explained that the two pod buildings at
the northeast and southeast corners of the main building would
not abut the main building at the wall or roof line because
serious waterproofing problems are created by this
construction. The six foot space in between the structures
was referred to as a gallery which would create.an open space
for plants and possibly outdoor seating and would be secured
from intruders by large decorative locked gates. The walls
of the pod buildings on the gallery side would be of glass.
The edge of the roof would be lower than the roof line of the
existing building. It was noted later that the roof of the
older building would be replaced with a new roof formed with
little valleys to control drainage.
The question of the air-conditioning was addressed; each
building would have its own air-conditioning package unit.
If a unit in one of the buildings needs repair, the other
units would keep that area cooled during the repair. The
older building would still use the original main central air-
conditioning system after reducting. To prevent the older
system from leaking, Mr. Daggett suggested that a membrane be
installed beneath the air handling equipment and the cooling
tower.
In reference to the materials to be used for construction, Mr.
Daggett commented that the renderings reflect that the outside
of the new buildings would look like brick. The roofs would
look like tile; however, that is a design decision beyond the
concept he is presenting this evening. Further, the exterior
finish did not necessarily affect the cost of the new
construction which he and Mr. Amato estimate at $125 a square
foot plus an extra $25 per square foot for furnishings. The
estimate for refurbishing the interior of the existing
building is less than $40 a foot. Further, the figures were
arrived at after much discussion, and telephoning construction
contractors for estimates of each discipline. The total
estimate for the proposed project is something less than
$1,200,000 for the interior of the older building and
approximately $2,400,000 for the new construction.
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In response to Mayor Pro tem Ciraulo, Kent Ross explained that
he estimates this expansion as proposed would satisfy the
needs of the Library for possibly ten years, at which time he
expects the facility would again be outgrown. Mr. Ross added
that it would be very hard to predict beyond that period of
time because of changes in technology and population,
etcetera. Mayor Pro tem Ciraulo said that considering the
cost of this expansion, ten years is not very long. Mayor
Fasching commented that the facility after expansion would
last for 25 years. It was noted that the new construction of
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16,000 square feet would bring the total square footage to
44,000 square feet of floor space, some of which would be a
large storage area in the basement not available for public
usage. Mr. Ross commented that adding on to an existing
building does not produce maximum efficient use of the square
footage.
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Addressing the members of the Library Board, Mayor Pro tem
Ciraulo asked if it was the consensus of the Board that the
proposed expansion under construction "is the best way to go
at this time?" Library Trustee Vanlandingham stated in part
that the Board needs more information. A new Library could
be built for about $8,000,000 rather than the $16,000,000
stated some time ago when the City made application for State
funds. Referring to the proposed expansion, could there be
an alternate design which would better suit the needs of the
Library? Trustee Fee thought the expansion concept proposed
by Mr. Daggett was wonderful as far as it goes, but she would
like a second opinion because there might be another way to
go. Trustee Daleo expressed concern about the roof of the
current Library. Mr. Ross explained that a new roof for the
existing facility is included in this plan. Trustee Scott was
concerned about the security of the gallery areas between the
new and the old building. Mr. Daggett explained that these
areas would be secured with high locked gates.
In the exchange with the Library Trustees, Mayor Pro tem
Ciraulo commented that, "the question is, s~ould we have a
better improvement, or are we satisfied with this improvement
on an interim basis?" Mr. Ross commented that when Council
was considering an entirely new building the figures were
based on a square footage of S5,000...whereas a new 40,000-
plus square foot building, which would be approximately the
size of the proposed expansion plus the existing
facility.. . the entirely new building would make a more
efficient use of the space and at Mr. Daggett's calculations
of $125 a square foot would cost from $6,000,000 to
$8,000,000. Mayor Fasching noted that at $8,000,000 for a new
library as opposed to $4,000,000 for an expansion, the Council
would be hardpressed to come up with that kind of money at the
present time. The proposed expansion plan before them is a
plan that could be implemented this year if Council could
agree on the concept. Further, the need for a larger facility
in ten years is based upon growth in population which, unless
something drastic occurs in housing in the City, he does not
think the population will grow to 65,000 or 70,000 as
mentioned.
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Further discussion ensued related to structural integrity of
the existing library building. Mr. Daggett commented that the
exterior walls are of steel reinforced tilt-up concrete and
would last forever unless many sections were removed, which
would jeopardize the integrity of the building frame. The
possibility of spanning' the existing building with a second
floor was considered, although there are added costs involved
and deep supporting members would be required for a second-
story. Mr. Daggett again explained that a design concept
should be based upon space needs first; then how long do we
want that facility to last; if a 50,000 square foot facility
is needed, the next step is, what is the easiest way to get
the 50,000 square feet? Mr. Daggett believes that a
horizontal building is best and easiest, and the proposed pod
ancillary buildings are the easiest plan to obtain the needed
space at the least amount of money.
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ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
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The discussion turned to the size of the library in relation
to the size of the population. Councilman Lojeski stated that
he could not predict what new technologies may come in ten to
fifteen years; if the library was expanded at a cost of
$4,000,000 and an increase in the number of people using the
library occurred, in particular, those people from other
peripheral communities, would the proposed expansion plan lock
the City off with this kind of a concept? He also inquired
of Mr. Daggett if the $125 a square foot figure for
construction was realistic. Mr. Daggett responded, in part,
that the numbers he quoted are very contemporary. They came
from the contracting industry and were broken down into basic
disciplines as noted in the report. He and Mr. Amato are
comfortable with the figures as stated.
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More discussion ensued centered on space needs; new
technology, population growth; handicapped access; possibly
a different location for the library such as the Civic Center
area; the expenditure of $4,000,000 to build an addition that
may only accommodate the needs of the library for ten years;
a possible visibility problem to monitor patrons in the
proposed pod building concept; the possibility of a security
problem in the gallery areas between the pod buildings and the
exterior of the existing building. Mayor Fasching suggested
that this item be placed on the June 16, 1992, Study Session
agenda for further discussion. Mr. Woolard, Acting City
Manager, noted that if additional design development plans are
desired the next step would be to send out requests for
proposals to various architectural firms. . . probably those that
deal with libraries, and get proposals from several
firms. . . Council could then interview the three firms selected
by staff for their consideration. Mayor Fasching did not
agree that only architects that specialize in library design
should be contacted for proposals. Other architects, such as
Mr. Daggett, could design plans in conjunction with the
Librarian. The City Attorney commented that Government Code
Section 1090 basically precludes any appointed official from
being involved in a contract with the City. Mr. Daggett
agreed, and suggested as an interested citizen of the City
that the architects fee, if the City should solicit bids,
should not be based on a percentage of the construction but
on a fixed fee basis. The City Attorney added that the City
has a format for that type of a process and it worked very
well for the design of Fire Station No.2.
In conclusion Mayor Fasching stated that Council would give
the concept of remodeling and enlargement of the library more
thought, keeping in mind the concept presented this evening,
but also considering there may be other designs to look into,
but bearing in mind the same cost factors. This item will be
included on the Agenda for the meeting of June 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Fasching expressed the City Council's appreciation to
Mr. Daggett for his work on this design concept. Also
Council's appreciation to the Library Board for their
participation.
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At 7:30 p.m. the meeting ADJOURNED sine die.
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