Minutes 08-18-03f4ZNUTES OF THE f4EETZNG TO DZSCUSS THE L~BRARY EXPANSION PROJECT
HELD ~N THE L~BRARY PROGRAI~I ROOf4~ BOYNTON BEACH~ FLOR~DA~
ON f4ONDAY~ AUGUST 18~ 2003 AT 6:30 P.I~I.
Present
Commissioner Mack McCray
Commissioner Cad McKoy
Kurt Bressner, City Manager
Virginia Farace, Library Director
Members of the Public
The meeting began at 6:32 p.m.
Ms. Farace recognized the presence of Commissioners McCray and McKoy and welcomed
everyone to the third public input meeting regarding the Library Expansion Project. She
explained that this project began when the architect came on board. He worked with the
building program that was designed 21/2 to 3 years ago by the Library staff concerning the
needs of the Library. The community was surveyed. The building program was then sent to
the State Library to ensure that it met all the standards. The project was also approved for a
$500,000 grant. The architect worked with staff and ensured that public and staff input was
included in his design. Msi Farace explained there would be another presentation next week
because the East Boynton Beach Little League team is playing tonight and some people may
want to leave early to see the game.
After the last public input meeting, the specifications will be written. The bid will go out in
October to be ready for when the bond referendum passes in November. It will then go out for
contract in early December.
Commissioner McCray requested to know the dates of the first two public input meetings. The
architect said he would provide them.
Ms. Farace introduced Sam Ferreri, the senior architect from Schenkel Shultz, and his assistant,
Choli Lightfoot.
Sam Ferreri, Schenkel Shull~, presented the working model of the project. He said that the
project would be done in phases. He explained that there will be a new two-story building.
During construction of this building, the existing building will remain in service. After one year,
all of the collections will be moved into the new building and the old portion will be renovated.
The entrance will be in approximately the same location.
The area between the two buildings will be developed as a garden and will be a secured area.
There will probably be a shared parking study and a traffic study to ensure that there is
adequate parking. Mr. Ferreri felt that, with some reorganization, the parking can be
accomplished without a parking garage.
Meeting Minutes
Re: Library Expansion Project
Boynton Beach, Florida
Auqust 18, 2003
Mr. Ferreri gave an overview of the
by youth services and multi-media.
but now he believes they are down
building. The first floor of the new
night entry and a community room.
Library and used by the community
by the community when the Library
floor plan. The existing section of the Library will be used
Ms. Farace had originally requested ten new staff members
to three, based on the design and the organization of the
building will be for adult services, a new program room, a
The community room can be cut off from the rest of the
when the Library is not open. The night entry can be used
is closed.
The second floor will have study rooms, a reference collection, a non-fiction collection and
historical archives. These areas will be visible to staff.
The second phase is the existing building. There will be a circulation workroom with a
circulation office. The existing restrooms will be remodeled and all the ductwork will be redone.
Mr. Ferreri gave a Powerpoint presentation showing the various elevations. They are adding
some architectural features to tie the two buildings together.
Questions and Answers:
Will there be a music or arts department? (Mike Friedland)
A:
A:
Yes, there is an AV collection with listening rooms, typing rooms, computer areas and an
enclosed computer lab. (Mr. Ferreri)
Are you expanding the use of the Library to the community at large? (Alice Otis)
The Community room is predominantly for the public. There is a great need for
community meeting space. There will probably be guidelines composed by the Library
Board. (Ms. Farace)
Is there any space set aside for exhibits or traveling exhibits? (Commissioner McKoy)
There is not a large space. The community room could be used. There are also gallery
spaces. (Mr. Ferreri)
There was mention of an exterior wall facing Seacrest. Could this be used as a reading
garden? (Commissioner McKoy)
There will be a garden wall. They created this space to make it like a garden from the
inside. There is an opportunity to use that as an outdoor space in terms of
programming. He was not sure there is enough money in the budget. (Mr. Ferreri)
TS the $500,000 in addition to the total cost? (Beverly Agee)
The $500,000 from the State of Florida is included in the total project budget. (Mr.
Ferreri)
Meeting Minutes
Re: Library Expansion Project
Boynton Beach, Florida
Auqust 18, 2003
Q: Have the colors been chosen? (Beverly Agee)
A: There are three sets of preliminary colors being presented to staff. (Mr. Ferreri)
Q: What about the archival room? (Woman from audience)
A:
Q:
A:
This will be designed in three spaces. One larger area will be humidity controlled for the
collection items. One space will be for those who need to use the materials, and the
third will be a smaller area for a staff office. (Ms. Farace)
Who will ultimately decide on the colors? Does input from these public meetings help
determine the colors? (Man from audience)
The public can have some input. There is a site plan approval process that is part of
the City process. There will probably be a primary color choice by staff. (Mr. Ferreri)
City Manager Bressner explained that the City Commission approves the site plan including the
colors. The Community Redevelopment Agency will review the site plan first. The appropriate
time to make color choices/preferences known is prior to the project going to the CRA.
Q: Is there a time line for the project? (Man from audience)
A:
Q:
Q:
They hope to have the site plan application in next month. After it has been approved,
the project will go out for bid. The funding is still dependent on the bond issue. :If the
bond issue passes, the bid could be awarded in early December and construction could
start in 3anuary. Once the project starts, it will take between ten months to a year for
the new building and four to six months for the renovation. (Mr. Ferreri)
Is the current drive-up book drop currently being utilized? (Woman from audience)
The book drop is being used but not the drive-up window because of some operational
problems. They will be redesigning it and using newer equipment and it will be
operational.
Will there be a gift shop or a coffee shop? (Herb Suss)
They are creating a Friends of the Library room to sell used books. The infrastructure
will be installed for plumbing and electric that potentially could become a coffee or
pastry shop. He did not know whether that would happen, though. He has not seen a
public library with this feature. (Mr. Ferreri)
Will the new book drop accept videos and C.D.s? (Commissioner McCray)
will be set up so that books and videos can be returned. (Mr. Ferreri)
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Meeting Minutes
Re: Library Expansion Project
Boynton Beach, Florida
Auqust 18, 2003
A:
Commissioner McCray requested that at the next meeting, all attendees be given
handouts. He also asked whether there would be a presentation to the Children &
Youth Board. He felt that input from students was needed.
Invitations for every public meeting were sent to the Advisory Board on Children &
Youth, the Community Relations Board and the Education Board. (Ms. Farace)
Q: Will the kitchenette be for staff or the public. (Commissioner McCray)
A:
This is a small room that can be locked. It is intended to be supplemental to programs.
(Mr. Ferreri)
Q: Will the arches be used? (Commissioner McCray)
A: Their function will be as a sunscreen and as an aesthetic feature. (Mr. Ferreri)
Q: When will the fourth public meeting be held? (Commissioner McCray)
A: On Tuesday, September 4th, at 1:00 p.m. (Ms. Farace)
City Manager Bressner distributed a sign-up sheet for anyone wishing copies of the
presentation.
A:
Q:
How much more space for books will there be and is the Library short of space for
books? (Woman in audience)
:It will almost double the book area. The big benefit will be that there will be room for
people to study. These areas are very limited now. There will also be a lot more
computer space and sitting space. (Mr. Ferreri)
Have you designed other libraries in South Florida? (Man from audience)
Yes, the North County Library in Palm Beach Gardens approximately eight years ago and
a couple in Broward County. We did one about the same size as this one in Cape Coral.
Where would after school tutoring be done? (Valerie Pleasanton)
There will be a variety of spaces - the enclosed children's program room, double
conference rooms off the AV room and a smaller young adults conference program area.
(Mr. Ferreri)
Where are the study areas? (Commissioner McCray)
The study rooms are on the second floor. There will be eight one-person study rooms
two group study rooms and a larger group study room. They will have glass fronts.
(Mr. Ferreri)
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Meeting Minutes
Re: Library Expansion Project
Boynton Beach, Florida
August 18, 2003
Q: How many new staff positions will there be? (Commissioner McCray)
A: 21/2 and those are predominantly for the new audio/visual computer area. (Ms. Farace)
Q: What is the capacity for the program room? (Man from audience)
A: The program room will hold 180 and the community room will hold 75-90. (Mr. Ferreri)
Q: Are there any plans for the Civic Center? (Woman from audience)
A:
There are no plans to modify the Civic Center at this time. The City Commission has
requested that the CRA and a group of citizens develop an adaptive reuse proposal for
the Old Mangrove High School. If there is a viable program that can be funded, there
may be meeting spaces available there. The City anticipates continuing the activities at
the Civic Center. (City Manager Bressner)
Q;
What will be the safety features between the first and second floor? (Commissioner
McCray)
A:
The opening between the first and the second floor is actually not an opening. It will be
glassed in for security to allow light in and to keep the noise level down. The only real
opening is the grand stair. It will have railings and meet all safety requirements.
This concluded the question and answer session.
The meeting ended at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deputy City Clerk
(9/2/03)
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