HomeMy WebLinkAboutLib New Library Update and Kay Corlett FundAgenda Item No: 5.a
Meeting Date: February 2, 2015
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Library
Prepared by: Sarah Houghton, Library Director City Manager Approval)I
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SUBJECT: Status Report of New San Rafael Library and Resolution Authorizing the Establishment of
the Kay Corlett Memorial Fund
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the report and adopt the
resolution.
BACKGROUND: The San Rafael Public Library's downtown facility was built in 1906 and the last major
renovation that expanded Library space was in 1976. The 15,000 square foot facility serves a community
of 58,000. Industry standards dictate 1 square foot per resident, making the Library approximately 25%
the size it should be. Library leadership began lobbying for a new Downtown Library in 1970. Those
efforts continued in the 2003 City of San Rafael General Plan 2020 (section CA -11), which states that the
City should "renovate and expand or replace" the Library.
In 2004 the San Rafael Public Library Foundation was created with the sole goal of raising funding for a
new Library facility and that group's activities have increased in pace and intensity. The group has
actively been fundraising and advocating for a new Library over the past decade.
In November 2013 the San Rafael Public Library Foundation held a workshop with Library advocates to
begin the process of envisioning a new Library. The Foundation has also greatly expanded its
membership over the past year, to now include fourteen members: Gary Ragghianti (President), Linda
Jackson (Vice -President), Chuck Stuckey (Treasurer), Jeff Schoppert (Secretary), Albert J. Boro,
Maribeth Bushey, Ursula Davidson, Pam Dixon, Barbara Heller, Katherine Henderson, Ron Kappe,
Charles Litchfield, Joe O'Hehir, and Ann Rivo.
ANALYSIS: Recent months have seen a flurry of activity and energy surrounding the building of a new
Library for San Rafael.
The City has reserved $541,195 in a capital set-aside fund from the Special Library Parcel Tax. This
money is to be used specifically toward the purpose of building a new library for San Rafael.
In January 2015 the City Council appointed a New Library Subcommittee to address issues associated
with the exploration and building of a new Library for San Rafael. Members include Councilmembers
Maribeth Bushey and Andrew McCullough.
In December 2014 and January 2015 the Library conducted a community survey, online and in print, in
Spanish and English, in order to collect community opinion on a new Library for San Rafael. Using those
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SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
survey results as a starting point for community input, the Library is holding a Library Services and
Technology Act grant -funded two-day visioning workshop in March 2015, facilitated by ZingTrain. The
workshop will include a half-day of community participation. Concurrently, the Library will be working with
a consultant to conduct a formal needs assessment and building program analysis to assist us in potential
site analysis, size requirements, and service option analysis.
In January 2015 the Library received a generous donation of $462,120 from the estate of Kay Corlett. A
long-time San Rafael resident, Library user, and supporter of the Library Foundation, Ms. Corlett was
gracious enough to include the Library in her trust. The Library staff and community are immensely
grateful to Ms. Corlett and her loved ones. The funds will be put to good use in keeping with her activity
with the Library Foundation toward the goal of building a new Library that is accessible to all, a core
theme present in Ms. Corlett's communications with us over the years. As such, her gift has been set
aside in a memorial fund in Ms. Corlett's name for the purpose of building a new Library. The Library will
utilize the funds to honor her wishes that the library be accessible to all. We will discuss potential ideas as
the Library building begins to take shape, but one potential idea would be to name the meeting room or
auditorium in her memory.
In cooperation with the City Council's New Library Subcommittee and the San Rafael Public Library
Foundation, Library staff will continue work on this vital project. With the needs assessment and building
program analysis, as well as the vision for a new Library, work will begin in earnest in the coming months
on community outreach and engagement, potential site analysis, and fundraising planning.
FISCAL IMPACT: By adopting the resolution, the City is accepting the $462,120 donation from Kay
Corlett to establish the Kay Corlett Memorial Fund and limiting use of the funds to building a new Library
that is accessible to all.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: To date the City has conducted the following community outreach on this
project:
• November 2013 workshop with Library advocates
Annual Foundation fundraising and status update letters
• 2014/2015 community survey about a new Library
The next community outreach steps will include:
• Visioning workshop and community meeting in March 2015
• Community focus groups and other meetings as part of the needs assessment
• Numerous future community meetings, focus groups, surveys and City Council reports as the
project progresses
OPTIONS: Staff recommends option 1.
1. Accept the report and adopt the resolution
2. Reject the report and reject the resolution
ACTION REQUIRED: Accept the report and adopt the resolution
Encls. Resolution Authorizing the Establishment of the Kay Corlett Memorial Fund
RESOLUTION NO. 13875
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KAY CORLETT
MEMORIAL FUND
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL RESOLVES as follows:
WHEREAS, a Kay Corlett Memorial Fund in the amount of $462,120 has been
established with the understanding that these funds be used exclusively for the purpose of
building a new Library that is accessible to all.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of San Rafael does hereby resolve that
the $462,120 Kay Corlett Memorial Fund be recorded in the Library Fiduciary Fund where it
shall reside until which time the funds are expended for their designated purpose.
I, ESTHER C. BEIRNE, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City
Council of said City held on Monday, the 2 day of February, 2015 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
ROUTING SLIP / APPROVAL FORM
INSTRUCTIONS: USE THIS FORM WITH EACH SUBMITTAL OF A CONTRACT, AGREEMENT,
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION BEFORE APPROVAL BY COUNCIL / AGENCY.
SRSA / SRCC AGENDA ITEM NO.
DATE OF MEETING: February 2, 2015
FROM: Sarah Houghton
DEPARTMENT: Library
DATE: January 27, 2015
TITLE OF DOCUMENT: Resolution Authorizing the Establishment of the Kay Corlett Memorial Fund
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APPROVED AS COUNCIL / AGENCY
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NOT APPROVED
REMARKS:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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