Title
Library Department recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 026-2023 accepting Building Forward grant award BF-1-21-105 in the amount of $410,000 for the South Lake Tahoe Library from the California State Library; and
2) Delegate authority to the Library Director to execute the Grant Agreement and all grant-related documents, including all associated documents necessary to secure grant funds that do not increase the Net County Cost and implement the approved grant program.
FUNDING: 66.7% California State Library Building Forward Library Infrastructure Grant Program, 30.3% General Fund, and 3% Myers Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Building Forward Library Infrastructure Grant Program provides California’s public libraries with support for capital projects addressing critical maintenance needs, improving energy efficiency and sustainability, and expanding access digitally and physically. The Building Forward Library Infrastructure Grant Program is the largest single investment in California’s public libraries. The California legislature allocated $439 million in one-time funds toward this project in 2021 (SB129) and an additional $50 million in 2022 (AB 179). In Round One of SB 129, the State Library awarded over $313 million in grants to 246 local libraries to address some of the most pressing life-safety and critical maintenance needs in 182 cities across 34 counties. El Dorado County was awarded three of the 246 local grants for our Cameron Park, South Lake Tahoe, and Pollock Pines Libraries.
The South Lake Tahoe Library project will include a natural gas generator, security camera system, updated IT/Broadband infrastructure, and installation of security and safety glass walls for the children’s areas. The total project cost is $615,000, Grant award is $410,000 with a 33.3% County match of $205,000.
The Myers Fund will provide $18,000 for the safety and security glass in the Children’s area, and the remaining $187,000 is being requested from the General Fund. The Registrar of Voters uses the library as a Vote Center and ballot box drop-off during the elections. To ensure security and safety, the Registrar of Voters has applied for a Security Camera Grant of $33,000. If the grant is awarded, the funds would offset the General Fund contribution.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
None
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decline the grant and not to install a natural gas generator, security camera system, the safety and security glass walls for the children's library areas, and update the IT/Broadband Infrastructure.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Facilities
Elections
IT
CAO
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Myers Fund will contribute $18,000 and a General Fund request of $187,00 for the remainder of the match. If the Registrar of Voters is awarded the grant, the funds awarded will offset the General Fund contribution. The funds will be budgeted in the FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget. The Library was awarded three "Building Forward" grants from the California State Library totaling $771,333; the total County match is $385,667. The Board is considering the other two grant programs on the same day as this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Signed resolution to Carolyn Brooks
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Carolyn Brooks, Director of Library Services, X5546