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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 2,1992 1 I 34: OlS8 0110-':;0 060 .JJ? ,2 C-c. 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 Cl73o-70 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. -1- 6/2/92 34:0159 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. 1 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 -2- 6/2/92 34:0L60 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. 1 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. I 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. -3- 6/2/92 ADJOURNMENT ATTEST: j Alford, 34:U1b1 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. 1 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. I At 7:30 p.m. the meeting ADJOURNED sine die. /~ -4- 6/2/92