HomeMy WebLinkAboutRDA O4 LIBRARY EXPAN. 08-20-01AGENDA REPORT RDA NO. 4 08-20-01 MEETING DATE: August 20, 2001 TO: FROM' William Huston, Executive Director Redevelopment Agency Staff SUBJECT: TUSTIN MAIN LIBRARY EXPANSION PROJECT SUMMARY The Tustin City Council Library Committee is recommending an approach to proceeding with the next phase of the Tustin Main Library Expansion Project. P~ECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Agency: 1. Authorize staff to proceed with preliminary architectural and property appraisal services related to a proposed Tustin Main Library Expansion Project; and 2. Appropriate $130,000 from unappropriated fund balance in' the Town Center Project Area. BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION The Tustin City Council in recent years have identified future expansion of the Tustin Library as a major priority with the Tustin City Council Library Committee taking the lead on the proposed project. Towards this effort, the following work has been completed: 1. A Library Needs Assessment and Facility Plan (DMG Consulting) 2. A review of library ballot measures undertaken in California 3. A survey of voters (Godbe Research) to determine voter receptiveness to a library ballot measure 4. A Community Facility District analysis and alternative tax spread models (David Taussig) 5. Coordination with the Orange County Public Library As the project has progressed the California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2000 (The Library Bond Act) was adopted which makes available $350 million of State Bond funds for the construction and renovation of California's public libraries on a competitive basis. The Public Library Construction and Renovation Board (The Library Board)is currently in the process of preparing rules, regulations and policies for implementation of the Library Bond Act. Jurisdictions such as Tustin and/or a Library District may make an application for state matching funds. Staff have monitored and participated in the rule preparation process and we believe that specific criteria and procedures being introduced into this process not originally envisioned by the Library Bond Act will make the application process extremely expensive and very competitive.' It is currently expected that them would be three rounds of funding with the State providing 65% in matching funds to 35% local matching funds on eligible project costs (based on maximum construction scale which is currently almost 50% less than current market costs of library construction). Costs for land and architectural fees paid by an applicant three years prior to an application submission may be credited toward the local matching funds. State funds will be disbursed by the six-member Library Board. Based on City Council Library Committee's consultation with the Orange County Public Library, it is felt that a two-pronged approach to a proposed Tustin Library Project would ensure success of the effort: pursuing both a Library Bond Act application as well as exploring a further potential ballot measure approach concurrently. The 1998 projected construction estimate of an expansion project was approximately $12 million. Increases in construction costs since 1998, the uncertainty of a Bond Act grant award, and the proposed limit on Library Bond Act grant awards necessitate that a specific strategy be developed to ensure financing of any City matching obligation or a full cost obligation in the event a Library Bond Act application is not approved. Pursuing a Library Bond Act grant award and/or a library ballot measure, however, will involve an outlay of Agency resources for basic preliminary architectural information required either by the State as part of the Library Bond Act application or to help educate and inform voters about the specifics of a proposed project in the event of a ballot measure. While County Library District funds will not be available for architectural services or for construction, the County Librarian has agreed to provide a preliminary Building Program for the project within 4-6 weeks at an estimated cost of $18,000. Additional costs necessary at this time are shown on Attachment A. Completion of these cost items would ensure the City's preparation for a Library Bond Act application submittal sometime before June, 2000 (the first cycle deadline currently projected which is subject to change). Staff will also pursue future actions necessary to determine whether Agency expenses could be recoverable (in the event of a future ballot measure or an approved Library Bond Act application). In the meantime, the Tustin City Council Library Committee would also explore the willingness of the County to support inclusion of North Tustin in any ballot measure and would return with a more detailed strategy and any additional recommendations for the City undertaking a future ballot measure. Christine Shingle~, Assistant City Manager TUSTIN MAIN LIBRARY Attachment A PRELIMINARY ARCHITECTURAL & OTHER PROPERTY SERVICES PRELIMINARY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES Assumptions: 30,000 sq. ft. building and services include Library consultant, Library space planner, a full team of technical consultants and substantial community participation in the design process. Site tope/boundary survey Phase I environmental Geotechnical Report ' ' ' Conceptual de, sign Construction cost estimate (independent) Grants applimfion/assistance " Estimated Cost TimĀ® to Complete $3,500-5,000 2-:~ Weeks $8.00b- 1'0,000 2-3 Weeks $15,000-18,000 4 Weeks ...... $48,000-,~4,(~00 12-~ 4 Weeks ' $4,000-6,000 2 Weeks ' '$10,000-12,000 2 Weeks Subtotal $88,500-105,000 Appraisal services $16,500 Subtotal $105,000-121,500 Contingency @ 5% $5,250-'6,075 Total $110,250-127,575