HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.e. Library Site Selection ProcessN
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR DISCUSSION
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING DATE: Jan. 1 S, 2003
AGENDA ITEM: Library Site Selection Process
AGENDA SECTION:
Discussion
PREPARED BY: Jim Parsons
A
Community Development Director
ATTACHMENTS: Letter from Dakota County Library Board
APPRO
President Beverly Ekhohn
ZIL
Background
The Dakota County Library System is moving forward with its plan to build a branch
library in Rosemount. The library board would like to select a site in 2003, sooner than was
previously thought. Library Board President Beverly Ekholm has asked that the City work
with the library board to find a site for the library. One possibility is a joint committee of
City Council members and library board members. The library board would like the City to
donate the site for the library.
A branch library would be an important institution for the community of Rosemount.
The City Council has previously looked on a very preliminary basis at possible sites
downtown and elsewhere in the community. Staff is seeking discussion about the key factors
of bringing a library to Rosemount, including timing and funding, in addition to site
selection.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Direction regarding library site selection process.
COUNCIL ACTION:
V 4 1,
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
1340 Wescott Road
Eagan, MN 55123
651.68
Fax: 651.688.1530
LIBRARIES IN
APPLE VALLEY
Galaxie Library
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.891.7045
BURNSVILLE
Burnhaven Library
1101 W. County Road 42
Burnsville, MN 55306
952.435.7177
EAGAN
Wescott Library
1340 Wescott Road
Eagan, MN 55123
651.688.1500
FARMINGTON
Farmington Library
508 Third Street
Farmington, MN 55024
651.463.7990
HASTINGS
.Pleasant Hill .Library
-
1490 S. Frontage Road
Hastings, MN 55033
651.437.5286
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS
Inver Glen Library
8098 Blaine Avenue '
Inver Grove Heights, MN
651.552.7527
LAKEVILLE
Heritage Library
20085 Heritage Drive
Lakeville, MN 55044
651.365.3232
WEST ST. PAUL -
Wentworth Library
199 E. Wentworth Avenue
West St. Paul, MN 55118
651.457.8497
C O U N T Y
LIBRARY SYSTEM
January 2, 2002
Mayor -Elect William H. Droste
Rosemount City Hall
2875 145 Street West
Rosemount, MN 55068
Dear Mayor -Elect Droste:
Dakota County's Long Range Facilities Plan 2002 -2006 projects a
new Dakota County branch library in Rosemount to open in 2008.
Library Board members are very excited about this and have been
discussing it for several years. County officials have told us that the
only factor that may delay the project would be large cuts to the '
County of state funds.
Typically in Dakota County the city where the branch library is
located donates the library site. City staff and County staff work
together to identify and evaluate potential sites. Potential sites are
evaluated using County criteria for the location of libraries.
Last summer our Library Director Bill Asp, County Capital Facilities
Planning Director Ken Harrington, and County Public Services'and
Revenue Director Tom Novak met with Tom Burt and Jim Parsons.
At that meeting the suggestion was made that there be a joint
committee of two Dakota County Library Board members and two
Rosemount City Council members to work with County and City staff
in identifying and evaluating potential library sites. Ultimately the
Dakota County Board of Commissioners will make the choice of the
site. The Library Board will make a site recommendation to the
Board of Commissioners.
Later in the summer Mr. Asp met with Rosemount City Council
members to review the County Policy Statement on Provision of
Library Facilities and to discuss the Rosemount library project.
The Library Board members have observed the rapid growth and
development in the Rosemount area and have expressed
eagerness in having the library site identified soon. Advantages are
that there would be more desirable sites available to be evaluated,
j J
before they are acquired for commercial development, and the cost
of sites is likely to increase as commercial development continues.
It is our understanding that the Rosemount Capital Improvement
Program projects acquiring the library site in 2005. The Library
Board requests that instead we work together in 2003 to evaluate
sites and complete the selection process. if moving the process
ahead by two years creates financial problems for the City, County
staff could assist us in identifying potential solutions.
Library Board members stand ready to begin working with you as
soon as you are ready. We look forward to working together toward
our shared goal of constructing a Dakota County branch library in
Rosemount.
Sincerely yours,
ti
Beverly Ekholm
President
CC: Rosemount City Council Members
Jim Parsons, Rosemount Community Development Director -
Commissioner Will Branning
Dakota County Library Board Members
Tom Novak