NOLS board backs library expansion project with resolution

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Months of planning, community outreach and architectural design toward expansion of the Sequim Library got its stamp of approval from its elected board last week.

The North Olympic Library System’s board of trustees voted on May 9 to approve a resolution for expansion of the 6,050-square-foot Sequim branch to a new, 17,000-square-foot facility, one that would require voter approval of a $12.4 million bond proposal slated for November.

The five-member library board unanimously agreed to back staff recommendations for the expansion that would see all-new construction at the branch’s current location at 630 N. Sequim Ave., but would more than double the library’s size, add meeting rooms, reconfigure parking and add other amenities staffers say is needed with the facility’s heavy use in recent years.

“(The vote) is a commitment on our part,” board of trustees chair Mark Urnes said.

Community members can get an up-close look at conceptual drawings and talk with staff from the library system and SKHS Architects at a community presentation and reception from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, at the Sequim branch.

See more about the project at www.nols.org/sequim-branch-expansion-project/.

The resolution, Library Director Margaret Jakubcin said last week, takes the expansion proposal “out of limbo” and focuses the library system’s intentions into one document — complemented by an 85-page final report from SKHS Architects (available online at www.nols.org).

The board also voted to spend $1 million of the library system’s funds toward the project that is estimated to cost $13.4 million.

SKHS Architects estimate the building will cost $8.8 million, with $3.6 million in “soft” costs (permits, sales tax, a 10 percent contingency), with the library dedicating another $1 million for other costs such as project management.

For the expansion to be realized, however, voters would need to approve two measures in the fall. That includes the creation of a Library Capital Facilities Area, or LCFA, that encompasses roughly the boundaries of the Sequim School District, with at least 50 percent plus one vote.

Voters would simultaneously be asked to agreed to the bond proposal itself, a $12.4 million measure in general obligation bonds to be paid off over 21 years, with at least 60 percent plus one vote.

Jakubcin pointed out that the City of Sequim would have to approve identical resolutions, since the Sequim Library is in city limits, for Clallam County commissioners to approve sending the measures to the November General Election ballot.

“The city is acting independent of this; there’s no guarantee as to what they’re going to do,” Jakubcin said.

Ballot resolutions must be submitted to the Clallam County Auditor by Aug. 7 for the General Election.

Dan Gottlieb, a public finance lawyer, said Library Capital Facilities Areas do not expire once they are approved but if a bond measure fails accompanying it library districts typically run the bond measure again within one or two years. They can only be rerun once, however.

This week’s presentation can help community members understand the scope of the project and the need, board trustees said on May 9.

“It’s a good starting point for people,” library board trustee Elaine Fredrickson said.

The library system does not have a specific group appointed to promote the bond as of yet, library staffers said.

“That will certainly need to happen,” Jakubcin said.

Expansion in the works

Discussions to expand the 1983 Sequim Library have been ongoing for years and the most recent push began more than a year ago when library officials and design firm SHKS Architects began making presentations with community groups in order to gauge design preferences and answer questions about expansion options following a feasibility study.

An ad hoc Sequim expansion committee was assembled to consider information provided by SHKS Architects to help consider design options.

They suggested and trustees agreed to pursue building a new library rather than remodeling the existing one.

Jakubcin said last week’s vote is another step in a years-long process of addressing the Sequim branch’s expansion.

“This was our theme two years ago, (that) the library really wants to solve this, but we can’t really solve it on our own.”

For more information, visit www.nols.org or contact Jakubcin at 360-417-8500 x7714 or director@nols.org.