HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 05 - Grant Application, Acceptance, and Execution of the Grant Funds from the California5)Grant Application, Acceptance, and Execution of the Grant Funds from the California
State Library for the Critical Library Infrastructure Project
The next step is to Adopt a resolution of the City of Lake Elsinore authorizing the grant
application, acceptance, and execution of the grant funds from the State of California.
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REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:Shannon Buckley, Assistant City Manager
Date:November 14, 2023
Subject:Grant Application, Acceptance, and Execution of the Grant Funds from the
California State Library for the Critical Library Infrastructure Project
Recommendation
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE GRANT APPLICATION, ACCEPTANCE, AND EXECUTION
OF THE GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
Background
On September 25, 1908, the first Library was opened by Altha Merrifield in a corner of her father,
C.S. Merrifield's hardware store on Main Street. When her father's store burned down in late June
of 1909, citizens saved the book collection by carrying it across the street to City Hall. The Library
moved five times until 1989 when it was located at 600 West Graham Avenue and Renamed the
Altha Merrifield Memorial Library.
On May 28, 2019, the City Council voted to purchase vacant land on Sumner Ave between Main
Street and Spring Street, hoping to receive a grant to build a new Library.
In 2022, the County of Riverside and the City partnered on the Building Forward Grant Round 1
application for the Lake Elsinore Library Relocation Project. The Building Forward Grant Program
is the single largest investment in California's libraries in over 20 years.
The State Library received 275 applications for funding in Round 1 and conducted a deliberate
and rigorous review process, including review by an independent advisory panel of experts and
opportunities for applicants to provide clarifying information. On September 12, 2022, the County
was notified that our application was not accepted for Round 1 Phase 1 funding but remained
under consideration for Phase Two. On October 11, 2022, the County was notified that the
Building Forward Round 1 Phase Two application submitted for the project at Lake Elsinore
Library was not selected for funding.
Library Grant
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In mid-March 2023, the State Library released the Building Forward Round 2 Library Infrastructure
Grant Guidelines. On May 17, 2023, City Staff partnered with the County of Riverside to apply for
Building Forward Round 2 for the Lake Elsinore Library Relocation Project and applied for funding
for $10 million.
On October 9, 2023, the California State Library awarded the City of Lake Elsinore the Building
Forward Round 2 Grant for building a new 10,000-square-foot two-story Library. The City was
awarded $9,999,447. The State Library has also reviewed and approved our request for a 75%
reduction in the required local match contribution for the project. Matching funds of $2,499,862
are required, with the City contributing $1,4999,862 and the County contributing $1,000,000.
In this round, more than $172 million was awarded to 34 local libraries to address critical
maintenance needs, improve energy efficiency and sustainability, and expand digital and physical
access in 29 cities across 18 counties. Seven new library buildings will be constructed, 27 will
make energy efficiency upgrades, seven will expand or redesign spaces for public programming,
and 12 will repair critical roof, foundation, or exterior building issues.
Discussion
Altha Merrifield Memorial Library, established in 1989, attracts an average of over 5,800 monthly
visitors and organizes 87 educational and social programs annually. Despite being a vital
institution in this disadvantaged community, the Library's crucial structural and maintenance
issues discourage residents from fully utilizing its resources. The current facility spans 6,100
square feet and features a detached all-purpose meeting room closed to the public pending mold
assessments. However, the existing building fails to meet ADA standards, lacks a building-wide
sprinkler system, and requires immediate repairs such as roof and sewer replacement,
addressing ongoing flooding, repairing interior concrete structural slabs, fixing unsupported
ceiling tiles, updating the HVAC system, upgrading electrical components, and improving lighting
energy efficiency. The unsafe conditions associated with these issues pose a risk of closure by
the City's Building Official and Structural Engineer.
The City and Riverside County Library System (RCLS) have spent several years discussing plans
for the current Library, and due to the critical infrastructure deficiencies and maintenance, it was
determined that the best course of action would be to construct a new Library. The newly
constructed 10,000 SQFT Library will include ADA-compliant accessibility throughout the entire
interior and exterior of the building. Energy-efficient lighting and air-conditioning units will be
installed. Seismic bracing will be included on all bookshelves to mitigate tipping risks. In addition
to the main Library area, the Library will include one community meeting room, two study rooms,
a children's area, a teen area, and a public work room with individual workstations. The new
Library will provide the opportunity for signature architecture that reflects and celebrates the role
of RCLS in the community and will have a unique design that highlights the City's history and
residents. The new structure will be spacious, inviting, efficient, sustainable, flexible, adaptable,
and, most importantly, free of critical maintenance needs.
Library Grant
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The next step is to Adopt a resolution of the City of Lake Elsinore authorizing the grant application,
acceptance, and execution of the grant funds from the State of California.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact for the City of Lake Elsinore is the required 25% local matching funds. This
amount will be split between the City and the County of Riverside. The City's portion of $1,499,862
is budgeted in the 2023-24 to 2027-28 Capital Improvement Program budget.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE GRANT APPLICATION, ACCEPTANCE,
AND EXECUTION OF THE GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, the Legislature and Governor of the State of California have provided funds
for the program shown above; and
WHEREAS, the California State Library has been delegated the responsibility for the
administration of this grant program, establishing necessary procedures; and
WHEREAS, said procedures established by the California State Library require a
resolution certifying the approval by the potential grantee’s governing board either before
submission of said application to the State or prior to execution of the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant/Grantee, if selected, will enter into an agreement with the State
of California to carry out the project; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elsinore proposes to implement the Critical Library
Infrastructure Project; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elsinore has the legal authority and is authorized to enter
into a funding agreement with the State of California; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elsinore intends to apply for grant funding from the California
State Library for the Lake Elsinore Critical Library Infrastructure Project;
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elsinore, with acknowledgement of Riverside County Library
System (Lake Elsinore Library), intends to apply for grant funding from the California State Library
for the Critical Library Infrastructure Project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore,
hereby:
SECTION 1.Declares the above recitals to be true and correct and are incorporated into
this resolution as findings of the City Council.
SECTION 2.That pursuant and subject to all of the terms and provisions of the California
Budget Act, the City of Lake Elsinore City Manager, or designee is hereby authorized and directed
to prepare and file an application for funding with the California State Library and take such other
actions necessary or appropriate to obtain funding.
SECTION 3.The City of Lake Elsinore City Manager, or designee is hereby authorized
and directed to execute the funding agreement with the California State Library and any
amendments there to.
CC Reso. No. 2023-
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SECTION 4.The City of Lake Elsinore City Manager, or designee is hereby authorized
and directed to submit any required documents, funding requests, and reports required to obtain
grant funding.
SECTION 5.Certifies that the project will comply with any laws and regulations
including, but not limited to, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), legal requirements
for building codes, health and safety codes, the California Labor Code, disabled access laws,
and, that prior to commencement of the project, all applicable permits will have been obtained.
SECTION 6.Finds that approving a resolution to apply and for grant funding does not
constitute a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15378 as this action is an organizational and administrative act. if the
proposed action did constitute a “project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, this
action is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) as if awarded
the City will utilize the funds to repair and maintain an existing library.
Passed and Adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore,
California, this 14th day of November 2023.
Natasha Johnson
Mayor
Attest:
Candice Alvarez, MMC
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Candice Alvarez, MMC, City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, do hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2023- was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, at
the Regular meeting of November 14, 2023 and that the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Candice Alvarez, MMC
City Clerk