Chair Tierney explained
that the Federal Government made known details early last week for the
infrastructure program announced in the spring budget. Libraries qualify as
one of the recipients of the grants. He thanked the CEO and staff for preparing
the submission for the new Federal funding, and for organizing a quick
turnaround special meeting. He also thanked trustees for their attendance.
Danielle McDonald, CEO
explained that while it is in the CEO’s Delegated Authority to apply for
grants, the financial amount exceeded the CEO’s Delegation of Authority as recently
amended. In 2012, the OPL Board approved the facility renewal priority list
which identified Rosemount as number two, with Main being number one. Ms.
McDonald stated that going forth with the development of a Main Library was
not to be at the expense of other branches. Rosemount qualifies as a project
for funding. The Federal Government contribution from the CIP 150 will be a
maximum of 50 % of a project, up to $1 million, and the project must be
completed by March 31, 2018.
Chair Tierney added that
members of the Rosemount Expansion and Development Group (READ) were
supportive of the application as is Councillor Jeff Leiper, Kitchissippi Ward
15.
In response to a question
from Vice-Chair Bergeron with respect to other branches that could have
qualified, Ms. McDonald noted that Centennial was another branch.
In reference to a
question posed by Trustee McKenney related to her understanding that the $2
million would include the 800 square foot expansion, Ms. McDonald stated that
the funding would allow for most of the renovations, and that a detailed
scope of work will be used for the acquisition of architectural services to
determine if expansion is possible.
With respect to the
building being heritage status, Mr. Stark, Program Manager, Facilities
Development advised that the building is on the heritage level list but does
not have heritage status.
When asked by Trustee
Begg about the option of a 66% contribution to total project funding, Ms. McDonald
advised that they did look at that contribution level with the recent
pressures placed on OPL finances, including the Pay Equity Tribunal decision,
the 50% was in the organization best interest. Trustee Begg further asked
about the scale of the project and Mr. Stark indicated that various other
projects that were based on cost estimates were scaled back to stay within
the approved budget as no extra monies were available. The same would happen
here if required.
From a question of
Trustees Fisher and Begg about the full scale modernization of the elevator
at Rosemount being over and above, Mr. Stark advised that it is over and
above the budget required for the expansion as it will be completed through
life cycle renewal and replacement works to existing building assets.
Vice-Chair Bergeron
pointed out that it would look bad if the elevator was replaced and then
another one was put in. Ms. McDonald stated that if the application was
approved, the timing will be adjusted to have elevator repairs completed once.
In response to a question
from Trustee Wilkinson with respect to other RFID implementation being
deferred or delayed, Ms. McDonald noted that staff will be looking at the
minor impact on the RFID implementation schedule and final completion date,
and potential delays to other capital projects. She stated that funds will
come from the 2016 capital budget envelope through the annual budget process.
Ms. McDonald noted that staff will stay within the framework and complete
project timelines.
When asked from Trustee
Sweet about a plan for the 800 sq ft. scope of work being considering for
expansion of the ground level, Ms. McDonald advised that the $100K in capital
for the design work is available and design planning can begin immediately.
In reference to a
question from Trustee Higdon on how many projects are competing for the
grant, Chair Tierney stated City staff are working on a short list to submit
to Council as a whole. It was a challenge identifying what was a project and
difficult to guess how much Ottawa could potentially receive.
There being no further
discussion, the recommendation was put before the Board, and was CARRIED, as
presented.
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