By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Sep 09 2007 MORNINGSTAR
The future of an expanded library will be back before Vernon council Monday. Council members will use a committee of the whole meeting to debate their next steps after an alternate approval process blocked borrowing $20 million for a library/office complex. “The architect is coming up with stuff and the quantum surveyor is looking at costs,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. The other issue to work out is how the city will come up with the $20 million, whether it is through referendum, selling property or short-term borrowing and using reserves. “We are still committed to the library. It’s just how you do that,” she said.Coun. Patrick Nicol has supported going to full referendum, insisting that residents want an expanded library. “I’m hopeful we will stand our ground and take forward an idea that makes sense,” he said.
The proposal dominated part of Wednesday’s North Okanagan Regional District board meeting as the Vernon library also serves Coldstream and Areas B and C. The city also hopes the building would include the art gallery, which is funded by the Greater Vernon Services Committee, a NORD function. So far, GVSC has not entertained the matter. “We needed support from GVSC and a commitment to the building,” said Cunningham. Cliff Kanester, Area B director, questions the building design. “We’re always talking about these Taj Mahals but are they affordable?” he said. Kanester’s comments brought a quick response from Nicol. “This is not a Cadillac by any means,” he said of the proposed building.
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Don Quixote Note: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 8:40 AM. (Library/ Civic Complex only item on Agenda.) details at COW MEETING.
Meeting is open to public and hopefully it will be recorded and posted to web. Maybe CHBC will show up ??
They may also wish to discuss the funding for the Library's $9 million share of this project of which $8.4 million seems to be coming from future taxation (without counter petition or referendum opportunity ) as decided unanimously by the 21 man Library board. (The Library Debate - More real costs come to light .)
Library Board Members.
OKANAGAN REGIONAL LIBRARY Meeting SEPTEMBER 19, 2007
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