2013-31RESOLUTION NO. 2013- 31
COUNCIL MEMBER STEWART INTRODUCED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, libraries are an important part of a community's infrastructure by playing a vital role in
helping to educate our citizens, especially our children, the elderly, and people with limited incomes
through the enhancement of opportunities to read and access technology; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Blair have shown the benefit of and their support for the City of Blair's
library services by increasing the circulation of materials checked out from the library by sixty -five
percent (65 %) and by increasing their annual visits to the library by forty -eight percent (48 %) from
2002 to 2012; and
WHEREAS, the library has increased its collection by sixty -seven percent (67 %) from 2002 to 2012,
and has incorporated the addition of computer stations, laptops, a toy library, and various other
electronic and traditional resources for the use and betterment of the citizens of Blair; and
WHEREAS, the library presented 350 public programs in 2012, including 268 children's programs,
with a need to conduct many programs in different venues because of lack of sufficient library space;
and
WHEREAS, the Library Building Needs Analysis and Program Study, funded by the Library
Foundation and the Friends of the Library and developed HGM & Associates as assisted by George
Lawson in August, 2006 showed that the current library facility is inadequate to meet the needs and
desires of Blair citizens today; and
WHEREAS, the Library Building Needs Analysis and Program Study showed that a library of
approximately 24,000 sq /ft would be needed to support the growing needs of Blair citizens through
2026; and
WHEREAS, the Library Board, the Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library have all
expressed their desire to see a new library facility of a size in the range of 18,000 to 24,000 sq /ft be
built at a new location in the City of Blair; and
WHEREAS, the Library Board, the Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library have all
expressed their willingness to continue working on a capital campaign to raise funds for a new library
facility, and
WHEREAS, the Library Foundation fund raising feasibility study completed in spring of 2013 has
shown support in the Community for a fund raising campaign to help fund the construction of a new
library facility, and
WHEREAS, modern libraries have become community activity centers and technology centers,
providing citizens of all ages with opportunities to learn, use and explore technology, computers and the
Internet.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF BLAIR:
1. That the Mayor and City Council support and pledge their commitment to the concept of building a
new Blair Community Library and Technology Center in the City of Blair of a size in the range of
18,000 to 24,000 sq /ft.
2. That the Mayor and City Council accept the recommendation of the Blair Library Board and Blair
Library Foundation Board that the new Blair Community Library and Technology Center should be
built on Lot One of Deerfield Subdivision, which is currently owned by the City of Blair.
3. That upon the completion and occupancy of the new Blair Community Library and Technology
Center, the City of Blair shall determine whether the City of Blair has a need for the current library
building, and if determined to be excess property, the existing library building shall be sold and the
proceeds of the sale shall be used to fund the City's commitment towards funding the new library
and /or equipment to furnish the library as determined by the Mayor and City Council.
4. The Library Foundation will serve as the non - profit entity and/or work with the City of Blair to create a
non - profit corporation to design, build, and finance the construction of the new Blair Community
Library and Technology Center on Lot One of the Deerfield Subdivision.
5. The City of Blair and Library Foundation will work together to determine the best option available to
provide the financing of any funds needed for construction not available through grants and donations
to the Foundation.
6. The City of Blair will enter into a lease purchase agreement to cover the cost of any funds not provided
by the Library Foundation up to an amount agreed to by the Mayor and City Council.
7. That the Library Foundation will enter into a capital campaign with the goal of raising at least an
additional two million dollars, such funds to be added to the one million dollars already raised for the
new Blair Community Library and Technology Center.
8. That the City of Blair pledges to provide a commitment to fund up to two and a half million dollars for
the construction and furnishing of the new Blair Community Library and Technology Center from
sales tax and other sources, as may become available, through a lease purchase agreement, which shall
be matched dollar for dollar by the Library Foundation, allowing for a project of up to five million
dollars, to include, but not limited to, design, site work, construction, and furnishings.
9. That upon completion of construction, the City of Blair, through a lease purchase agreement, will agree
to operate and maintain the new Blair Community Library and Technology Center, including capital
maintenance and improvements, as may be necessary; and the Library Foundation pledges that any
excess funds not needed from the capital campaign or future donations for the construction of the
library shall be available for additional equipment, programming, and capital improvements as in the
future may be agreed to by the City of Blair and the Library Foundation.
10. The Mayor and City Council shall have final approval of all contracts for design, site work,
construction, and furnishings.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF
BLAIR, NEBRASKA, are hereby authorized to execute said Resolution on behalf of the City of Blair,
Nebraska.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSEN MOVED THAT THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED AS READ,
WHICH SAID MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHRISTIANSEN. UPON
ROLL CALL, COUNCIL MEMBERS STEWART, KEPHART, RYAN, JENSEN AND
CHRISTIANSEN VOTING "AYE ", AND COUNCIL MEMBERS HALL VOTING "NAY ", THE
MAYOR DECLARED THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 10
DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2013.
CITY OF BLAIR, NEBRASKA
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IMEN WHEELER, CITY CLER1
(SEAL)
STATE OF NEBRASKA )
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COUNTY OF WASHINGTON )
BRENDA WHEELER, hereby certifies that she is the duly appointed, qualified and acting City Clerk of
the City of Blair, Nebraska, and that the above and foregoing Resolution was passed at a regular meeting
of the Mayor and City Council of said City held on the 10th day of September, 2013.
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