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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11c - Donation to Arcadia Library for the Purchase of Books DATE: January 21, 2025 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Darlene Bradley, Director of Library and Museum Services SUBJECT: DONATION FROM THE ESTATE OF ROBERT G. LOW FOR THE PURCHASE OF BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG READERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,926.28 CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Accept SUMMARY The Robert G. Low Estate has donated an additional $12,926.28 to the Arcadia Public Library, specifically to supplement regularly budgeted funds for the purchase of books for children and young readers. It is recommended that the City Council accept this generous donation to the Arcadia Public Library. DISCUSSION Mr. Robert G. Low passed on June 18, 2020, in Los Angeles County, CA, and was a resident of Los Angeles County. According to his will and subsequent probate orders, the estate assets were to be distributed to several organizations, including the Arcadia Public Library, specifically 5.5556% of the adjusted share. This distribution was presented to City Council and accepted on July 19, 2022. On December 13, 2024, a supplemental distribution was made based on a recent discovery of additional estate assets, which significantly increased the amount of the distribution by $12,926.28. The conditions for use of this supplemental distribution are subject to the terms and conditions of the previous distribution. The funds are to be used to improve, encourage, and expand reading skills and literary interests of young readers, and for the purchase of books and not for the purchase of computers, tapes, or videos. The Arcadia Public Library has set up a trust fund entitled the Robert G. Low Estate Trust Fund, and this additional gift will be added to the principal. The interest earned yearly will be used to purchase books and help supplement the Jerry Broadwell Children’s Room book collection. This is a very welcome and generous donation that will help the Library continue offering books for children and young readers beyond the current levels of City funding. A special book plate will be placed in each book purchased from this trust. Donation from the Estate of Robert G. Low January 21, 2025 Page 2 of 2 All gifts to the City over $10,000 are subject to approval by the City Council, pursuant to Arcadia City Charter Section 1218 and City Council Resolution No. 7514. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. FISCAL IMPACT The Arcadia Public Library has a finite budget and the additional donation of $12,926.28 from the Robert G. Low estate enables the Library to offer new books that improve, encourage, and expand reading skills and literary interests, above and beyond the current level of City funding. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and accept a donation from the Estate of Robert G. Low for the purchase of books for children and young readers in the amount of $12,926.28.