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Council puts library bond sale on hold

Posted on March 25, 2010March 25, 2010 by Staff

County offers said worth discussion first

BY KIRK ROSS
Staff Writer

CHAPEL HILL — The Chapel Hill Town Council will wait until at least mid-April and possibly late May before making a decision on issuing $16 million in bonds for the proposed expansion of the Chapel Hill Public Library.

The council talked over its options Monday night at a meeting at Town Hall after hearing from Town Manager Roger Stancil that county officials are interested in discussing an increase in the county’s allotment to the town for library services as well as a possible branch library near the Chapel Hill-Carrboro border.

Stancil said after consulting with the town’s bond consultants that the town could delay a decision on the bonds until late May, allowing time to hold further talks with the county. Town leaders have criticized the county for not increasing the annual funds for library support despite growing demand. About 40 percent of the Chapel Hill library’s circulation goes to residents outside of Chapel Hill.

The council cautiously approved the delay and authorized Stancil and Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt to hold discussion with county manager Frank Clifton and Orange County Board of Commissioners chair Valerie Foushee.

Council members Penny Rich and Sally Greene voted against the plan and said they were willing to move ahead with the library expansion.

“This is a project that needs to be done,” Greene said.

Several members of the library board and Friends of the Library also asked that the project move forward.

George Cianciolo, pointed to the recent residents survey, which highlighted a need for expanded selection of multimedia materials such as CDs and DVDs. “Right now we don’t have anywhere to put them and we won’t until you vote for expansion.”

Cianciolo suggested the council put the cost of the expansion into perspective and that the cost of the expansion would add about $34 to the average tax bill in Chapel Hill.

In other action Monday night, the town heard from citizens urging the town to move ahead on a proposed citizens review committee for the police department.

Robert Seymour said many towns have similar boards and it is high time Chapel Hill join them.

“My friends, this is not a radical idea,” Seymour said.

NAACP chapter president Michelle Laws, Barry Freeman and Seymour called on the board to move ahead with the review board.

The board also opened a public hearing Monday on proposals for the annual community block grant.

Several residents supporting EmPOWERment Inc.’s Career Explorers program lined up to ask for continued funding for the program. The program assists in finding employment and mentoring for young people.

Town officials have said they have concerns about the nonprofit’s ability to meet federal reporting requirements.

EmPOWERment director Delores Bailey acknowledged the organization had trouble producing the necessary paperwork for the program but said efforts are being made to improve the administration of the grants.

Council member Laurin Easthom said the town should consider giving the program another opportunity.

“We need to give these kids a second chance. We need to give these programs a second chance,” she said.

Also on Monday, the council:

• adopted a master plan for the Hollow Rock Access Area to the New Hope Preserve;

• heard an update on proposed improvements to the town’s skatepark;

• heard a report from OWASA on greater regional water planning and the utilities long-range water-supply plans;

• endorsed a timetable and approved funding and plans for the first phase of establishing a neighborhood conservation district for Glen Lennox and;

• referred a proposal to add the name of the late Dan Pollitt to those celebrated for their contributions to civil rights at the town’s Peace and Justice Plaza.

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