Public Library Board March 18

The meeting started with a brief staff presentation by the main library manager regarding programming efforts. Of possible interest is that starting in November 2023 the main library has become a GED testing site with several evenings available for testing. In addition, the library provides notary services, which are quite popular. They notarize on average about 60 documents per month.

There was a subsequent presentation by a member of the land acquisition group with Drees Homes who wanted to “start a conversation” about possibly purchasing some of the 40 acres of surrounding land owned by the library in Hebron. The proposal presented by Drees was for about 136 units on 17 acres the library owns on the west side of the building. (They would be interested in purchasing an additional 17 acres for more units if the library board is willing). Drees would set up an HOA that would fully maintain the property. The presenter also suggested putting in a public park off the road leading to the library itself.  The condominiums would be comprised of two units downstairs and three upstairs units providing single-floor living space. Drees indicated they bought the property now known as The Woodlands across from the library off Old North Bend Road for $30,000 per acre and proposed the same price, or a little more, for the library’s coffers. The property is still zoned public facility and would have to be re-zoned residential through the county’s Zoning & Planning Commission.  Board member Dr. Jackson asked if Drees was planning a population density study. The presenter indicated Drees would be willing to do so but felt there was a need for affordable housing in the area. The units would be primarily for retirees, empty nesters, etc. and would run from about the high $200,000s to the low $300,000s. The Board indicated they would discuss over the next two or three meetings and let Drees know if there was any interest. 

Director Herman provided an update on the Petersburg Chapin Memorial Library (CML) process in compliance with the Board’s previous requests. A survey was designed, planned and disseminated in several ways. Paper copies were placed at the CML site itself. They were also pushed out on the community’s Facebook page, and Director Herman’s staff attended a community meeting on March 11 to provide in-person assistance and answer questions. In addition, the survey was emailed to about 550 residents on February 28 via library card registrations, and records show 192 residents opened the survey. Also, postcards regarding the survey were mailed on March 1 to about 614 households. All survey responses were gathered on March 15. As of the meeting date, the staff had not had time to fully analyze the data, but it was presented in its raw state. Eighty surveys were received. Residents were asked whether they wanted a strictly express library, a fully staffed library, or a hybrid; the hybrid won. It appears residents want afternoon and evening hours three days a week, possibly Monday through Wednesday. The next steps will be analyzing the data, having a second community meeting then making a final presentation to the Board. Once approved by the Board, Director Herman will post for the positions to be staffed. 

With regard to the new Walton library, the general contractor moved the substantial completion date to June 2 with a final completion date of July 2. Director Herman recommends the library close May 31 and re-open in September so the staff can move everything to the new site. The staff is working on outreach to Walton library customers while the library is closed. A change order was submitted for an additional $289,000 to be added to the building budget for a solar panel to be placed over the EV charging stations. The Board determined this panel wouldn’t save that much on the library’s energy costs, so a motion was made and unanimously approved to decline the change order and forego the panel. 

Lastly, the Boone County Archive Commission requested a fundraiser for the Boone County Library’s Archive & History Center to be sponsored by the Boone County Library Foundation. The Foundation would then act as the fiscal agent where the funds from the Foundation could be used for various projects undertaken by the Commission. 

The Board has changed its meeting protocol, placing public input last rather than first. No reason was given. Twelve residents from the Petersburg area (regarding the Chapin Memorial Library) endured the delay, but meeting conflicts forced our BCRP representative to leave before the public input time.