At the 1-28-14 Board of Supervisors meeting the Copperopolis Library was once again the center
of discussion. With a final vote of 5-0 to approve rent in a new location, Callaway accepting the motion and Spellman seconding the motion.
The cause for open discussion was the 2013/14 county budget for the Copperopolis library which sits at $14,400 per year. The current rental agreement with the new owners is a month to month for $1,600.00 per month, $400.00 per month over budget.
Peter Racz of Valley Springs and Joe Kelly spoke during public comment at the BOS meeting questioning the validity of such an expense.
Racz introduced himself as a "rude, crude, obnoxious person" and asked "is this the best way under the circumstances that we have " to operate a library. "The County and the schools need to make libraries more effective." Whereas Kelly just wanted to make sure there existed an "exit strategy in case the county could not fund the expense."
Zachariah Collum, assistant CAO, addressed their concerns explaining the caveat for a 30 day notice to terminate lease in the contract. Collum also informed the BOS and the audience of his extensive search of available locations for the library.
Debbie Ponte announced that the current landlords did approach the Board "with a last minute bid" regarding a possible rent reduction for the current facility. Ponte requested their presence at the 1-28-14 meeting so that it could be discussed. At the time of meeting Ponte received a text stating they would not be able to attend.
Though Spellman did second the motion he added his concern that the new cost for the library sits at $19,600 per year, $5,200.00 over budget. "I believe the library is an integral part of society...I appreciate the sleuthing that occurred for the new location...the space rent (however) is the highest cost on the market and a hard pill to swallow." He continued, "Every district in the county has 2 libraries, my district has zero. We would love $19,000.00 for a library, we would love to have a library." He asked that the issue of his district sitting without a library be on the next agenda.
According to Maurie Hoekstr, head county librarian, The Friends of the Library are not being asked to offset the cost. However, "each Friends group has been asked this fiscal year to provide up to $4,000 towards the cost of library operations. That cost could be lower depending on the actual costs for utilities, how much is collected in fine revenues, etc."
of discussion. With a final vote of 5-0 to approve rent in a new location, Callaway accepting the motion and Spellman seconding the motion.
Peter Racz of Valley Springs and Joe Kelly spoke during public comment at the BOS meeting questioning the validity of such an expense.
Racz introduced himself as a "rude, crude, obnoxious person" and asked "is this the best way under the circumstances that we have " to operate a library. "The County and the schools need to make libraries more effective." Whereas Kelly just wanted to make sure there existed an "exit strategy in case the county could not fund the expense."
Zachariah Collum, assistant CAO, addressed their concerns explaining the caveat for a 30 day notice to terminate lease in the contract. Collum also informed the BOS and the audience of his extensive search of available locations for the library.
Debbie Ponte announced that the current landlords did approach the Board "with a last minute bid" regarding a possible rent reduction for the current facility. Ponte requested their presence at the 1-28-14 meeting so that it could be discussed. At the time of meeting Ponte received a text stating they would not be able to attend.
Though Spellman did second the motion he added his concern that the new cost for the library sits at $19,600 per year, $5,200.00 over budget. "I believe the library is an integral part of society...I appreciate the sleuthing that occurred for the new location...the space rent (however) is the highest cost on the market and a hard pill to swallow." He continued, "Every district in the county has 2 libraries, my district has zero. We would love $19,000.00 for a library, we would love to have a library." He asked that the issue of his district sitting without a library be on the next agenda.
According to Maurie Hoekstr, head county librarian, The Friends of the Library are not being asked to offset the cost. However, "each Friends group has been asked this fiscal year to provide up to $4,000 towards the cost of library operations. That cost could be lower depending on the actual costs for utilities, how much is collected in fine revenues, etc."
