LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport City Council approved moving forward with negotiating a contract for a feasibility study of the 96-year-old Carnegie Library.
The council unanimously approved a consultant selection committee's choice of San Francisco-based Garavaglia Architecture Inc., and directed staff to negotiate a contract and scope of work with the firm for the feasibility study, which is meant to determine a new and best use for the historic building.
The contract, not to exceed $10,000, will be paid for with a $5,000 grant the city received as well as $5,000 in city matching funds.
City Special Projects Coordinator Richard Knoll, who sat on the selection committee, said the request for proposals for the feasibility study was widely circulated, with outreach also made to local firms. A total of five proposals were submitted, he said.
Phil Smoley, president of the Lake County Historical Society, said the organization had submitted a proposal, and was interested in seeing the building used as a historical site and resource, with a docent available to help educate people about the area's history.
“We're definitely interested in the use of the building for that purpose,” Smoley said, adding that it also could be used for a meeting space.
He wanted to know if the $10,000 for the contract was meant only to study the building or if some of the funds would be available to be used for repairs.
Councilman Marc Spillman said the grant was specific that it's for study, not repairs.
Smoley said the historical society was excited about seeing the building used in one form or another. “It's such a historical gem,” he said, asking that the historical society be given due consideration when the city selects a use for the library.
City Manager Margaret Silveira said the city has been collecting ideas about future uses for the building, and has received good ideas from the public. She acknowledged receiving a proposal from the historical society.
She said the study will look at necessary upgrades and what uses for the building are the best for the community.
Mayor Kenny Parlet thanked the selection committee for its work on choosing the firm.
Knoll, who also thanked the selection committee for its efforts, explained that the Carnegie Library underwent a significant rehabilitation in 1997.
The upgrades completed at that time included a new roof, leveling of the basement slab, new exterior paint, and new electrical, phone and computer wiring. Knoll said new wall-mounted space heaters and a new attic-mounted heating and cooling unit were installed at that time.
“The building is actually in fairly good shape,” Knoll said.
While it needs some maintenance work, the building – which on the day of the council meeting marked the 96th anniversary of its opening – is “pretty stable,” he added.
Knoll, who worked in the building for a number of years, said that it can get cool in the winter and hot in the summer, and he suggested that there may be some additional work that needs to be done to update it.
Spillman moved to authorize city staff to negotiate the professional services contract and scope of work with Garavaglia Architecture, with Mayor Pro Tem Martin Scheel seconding. The council approved the motion 5-0.
Also on Tuesday, the council conducted a hearing and adopted an ordinance adding Chapter 17.39 to the Lakeport Municipal Code related to the establishment of density bonuses and other affordable housing incentives. No public input was offered during the hearing.
The council also approved a professional services agreement and development reimbursement agreement with the consulting firm PMC, which will work on studies and environmental documents for a new 16-pump gas station project Safeway is proposing to build at its 11th Street shopping center, as Lake County News has reported.
In other news, the council approved a contract for the housing program inspector with Robert Fogelstrom, approved a resolution reaffirming the necessity of AB 1600 development impact fees, approved a professional services agreement with Total Compensation Inc. for actuarial services and authorized Silveira to enter into a professional services agreement with Utility Safety Services for CalOSHA compliance services.
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