HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - CYN COUNTRY LIBRARY PROGRESS (2)D
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: George Caravalho
DATE: February 23, 1999
SUBJECT: CANYON COUNTRY LIBRARY — PROGRESS REPORT
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive progress report regarding efforts to collaborate with the County on various
services, including a potential new library facility in the Canyon Country area.
BACKGROUND
Over the past few months, staff has been meeting with the County Chief Administrator's Office
to discuss services in the Santa Clarita Valley. Several issues of concern to the public have
been discussed in detail including, parks, development outside the City, annexations, and
library services. It appears that the best possible service to the public in these areas will come
only as a result of collaboration between the City and County. As mentioned, a major
component of these discussions is the need for a larger library facility in the Canyon Country
area.
Efforts to Date
The following is a progress report on staffs efforts to date on the issue:
• At the December 1, 1998, Study Session, staff presented the Council with options regarding
the construction of a larger library in the Canyon Country area. The Council recommended
that staff continue negotiations with the owner of the property across from the Edwards
Theater Complex on Soledad Canyon Road and the County Library staff to work out the
details of such a project.
• At the City Council Meeting of January 12, 1999, the Council designated representatives
to meet with Supervisor Antonovich to convey the Council's support of a collaborative effort
addressing the issue.
• Recently, staff met with the property owner to discuss the key deal points that would be
required to build a new library as part of the proposed commercial center across from the
Edwards Theater Complex on Soledad Canyon Road.
• At the City Council Meeting of January 12, 1999, the Council directed staff to get the public
involved in the process. On Thursday, February 11, 1999, a public meeting was held at
Sierra Vista Jr. High to inform the public of the potential project and to solicit input
regarding a new library facility. It was a very positive meeting, attended by approximately
Agenda heW.-AA
150 residents, and virtually all of them expressed their support of the proposed site on
Soledad Canyon Road.
Work to be Done
It is clear that for this effort to be successful, it will require a partnership between the City, the
County, and the property owner. The following outlines the outstanding issues:
• The County's role:
• Funding Agreement — the County must commit to a combination of funding and
reimbursement to the City.
• Staffing & operating — the County must commit to staffing and operating the expanded
facility.
• Supplies — the County must commit to supplying the larger facility with books and
computers (books from the existing library will cover approximately half of the total
need).
• Sale of existing library - funds from sale of existing library must be committed to be used
as funding for the project.
• A detailed funding agreement must be entered into between the City, County and Developer
outlining each party's responsibility.
FISCAL IMPACT
Los Angeles County funds library services through property taxes and funds capital
improvements through the newly adopted Library Development Mitigation Fee. It is important
to note that the City does not receive funding for library services, but this project may require
an investment by the City to make it happen in the short term. Preliminary discussions with
the County and the property owner have included the possibility that the City would make a
contribution out of the General Fund (up to $3.5 million), and would be reimbursed through the
County's Library Development Mitigation Fee over time. There are two major drawbacks of
such a proposal:
1. The Library Development Mitigation Fee is based on new development, and there is no
guarantee of when enough units would be built to fully reimburse the City's General Fund.
2. Such a large expenditure from the City's General Fund would come at the expense of other
community needs, such as parks, roads, beautification, and other potential projects.
pe :library\ccMupd.do