Floor plan The final plans for a new Staples city hall and library building were approved by the city council and the project will be sent out for bids. The design allows the council chambers to also be used Graphic by Widseth Smith Nolting for library activities. The library features a children's reading area as a bump out (top of drawing) that will be called "The Roundhouse." The building entrance faces the center of the lot. A new city hall/library building is one step closer to reality thanks to action taken by the Staples City Council at their Mar. 10 meeting.

After some discussion the council unanimously approved plans and authorized advertising for bids for construction on the lot at 2nd Ave. and 6th St. NE.

Stan Carlson asked about the annual cost of operating the new building versus the cost of the current building.

Nate Mathews, city administrator, didn't have figures specifically for that, but noted that the cost to heat the current city hall building was about $4,000 in February and $5,000 in January. He contrasted that with the approximately $350 to heat the new police station in the renovated, former Mueller Motor building.

"So we can expect substantial savings with heat," he said.

He also told the council about the ice dams on the top of the current building that created a lake which caused leakage that filtered down to the library on the lowest level.

Brent Dammann, architect with Widseth Smith Nolting, added that with the receipt of the grant for library construction, certain "green" initiatives were required. One was that the building had to be 30 percent more energy effi- cient than code. Another was that the parking lot will be pervious paving to reduce run off into the city's storm water system.

The city received a $420,000 grant through the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Library Accessibility and Improvement Program. The grant will pay for nearly 50 percent of the public library's construction costs.

The energy savings will be a bonus, said Rob Schmieg, but he thought the space, safety and roof issues were also very important.

After a discussion of financing and a debt that will be retired soon, the council came to a very rough estimate of about $100,000 per year.

"Best case is $100,000 per year over and above what we're currently paying?" asked Carlson.

"Where is that supposed to come from?" asked Roy Miles.

"It's built into the debt service of the city," Mathews replied.

"Will it be an increase to the taxpayers?" Miles

asked.

Mathews said that was "hard to say" until they get

a look at aid payments from the state.

Another way to look at it is one and a half police officers, Carlson noted.

"I get a lot of support for the library from people who don't live in the city limits," he added. "There seems to be no way to share that cost."

The more people who come to town, the more who pass gas stations, other businesses, Schmieg said.

Carlson agreed that the library is a "great benefit for us, but I'm nervous as hell about what's going to be in front of us in the next six months. It's a great project, but we're looking at huge cuts."

"I share your concern but this building needs to be replaced," Schmieg replied, adding he didn't know if it was better to wait until the economy gets

better or to do it now when construction and other costs were low.

"If this isn't a good time, when is?" he asked.

Don Flaten said he also was concerned but thought the council should see how the bids come in.

JoEllen Einerwold said the discussion reminded her of when Lakewood Health System was considering their new building.

"There were a lot of opinions," she said, "but now look at the growth, the added benefit to the community, the jobs it's created."

Carlson said the difference was between a private

entity and a public one

and that the health system "could project added revenue.

For some of our taxpayers this could be the straw that breaks the camel's back."

Mayor Chris Etzler said he's looking ahead to possible development and "the increased customer base that I think this will draw."

Carlson agreed that there was an economic development piece, like people choosing to locate here because the school system has an orchestra.

Schmieg said there will be the added benefit of using local contractors.

Mathews said they were going to use the "best value contracting" system of giving weighted support to local bidders similar to what was used for the police station.

Carlson asked about plans for the current building.

Mathews said three scenarios were possible:

1) Demolition with the site prepared for residential lots.

2) Demolition with the site prepared for a water tower. The city is comparing the cost of repainting the current water tower or constructing a new one.

3) Giving the building, which was built as a hospital, back to Lakewood Health System. Mathews said Lakewood is reviewing site plans and evaluating if the building could be renovated for senior housing, similar to what they did for the former Rondorf Home, now Lakewood Manor.

The third scenario would save the cost of demolition which they "ballparked" at about $40,000, although no estimates have been sought yet.

The new construction plans call for the building to be situated on the northwest corner facing the center of the lot.

Dammann said additional parking was gained by orienting the building this way with a total of 69 parking spaces available.

Mathews noted a few changes from the plans first reviewed by the council that were made after consultation with the Friends of the Library.

The computer area was changed to stations along the wall rather than a separate room. This allows for more room for shelves. He also said some changes were made to the children's area, a circular bump out, which will be called "The Roundhouse."

Mathews reminded the council that the Friends of the Library have committed to raising funds for additional computers and for children's furnishings.

Einerwold asked about the book drop, saying she preferred a drive up option rather than an inside drop.

Mathews replied that the Great River Regional Library system, of which the Staples Library is a part, prefers inside book drops.

Gloria Palmer, president of the Friends of the Staples Public Library, added that books can be damaged using an outside drop. Einerwold said she hadn't been aware of that problem.

Miles asked about the flat roof design and commented on the problems experienced by other buildings with flat roofs.

Dammann replied this roof will be detailed in such a manner that he expected no concern about it. Northway Construction Services and his firm have collaborated on the plans and he is "fully confident" in this type of roof.

Mathews added that, unlike other roofs having problems, there will be no interior drains and no equipment on the roof.

Joel Quance said he was originally uncomfortable about the flat roof, but he said "technology and other things have changed."

Etzler agreed saying the trend is back to flat roofs and he puts his trust in the architect and construction firms.

Dammann said the plans would be to bidders by April 9 with the bids due by April 30. He expects to seek final construction approval in May. The project would be complete in the spring of 2010.