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Monique Désormeaux, Deputy CEO provided an overview of the
Rosemount Business Case. She was joined by Richard Stark, Manager,
Facilities Planning and Jeff Sward, of Boxfish Consultants to respond to
questions. (Held
on file with the Chief Executive Officer).
Key highlights of the presentation included:
- Background to describe the context under which the work was
undertaken;
- Overview of Board direction given last fall;
- Summary of the options studied;
- Highlights of the findings;
- Staff recommendations; and,
- Next steps.
The Board then heard from
the following delegations:
Councillor Jeff Leiper acknowledged the engaged residents of Hintonburg in the
audience. He was disappointed the staff recommendations did not reflect a
new build facility and raised several points with respect to the
neighbourhood long-term needs, such as:
·
General
infrastructure and intensification concerns;
·
Granular
analysis of population growth happening in Hintonburg; and,
·
Density
not being captured for development charges, which he will be discussing with
City officials.
He thanked the Board Chair, CEO, library staff, and the
consultant for a thorough report, and for working with the community and his
office. He urged the Board to keep all stakeholders involved on the
renovation in 2018.
Chair Tierney thanked his colleague for his ongoing work on
this project. He mentioned OPL looked at other options, including applying
for a grant from Canada 150 Infrastructure funding in 2016 that was not
approved, leasing commercial space, building a new library or using space in
another city-owned building, partnership opportunities, and expanding the
current building.
Joshua Nutt, Chair, Rosemount
Expansion and Development Group (READ)* said the business case considered needs but the analysis
did not go into detail. Mr. Nutt spoke to statistics demonstrating that
residents in the Rosemount branch catchment area are grossly underserved by
the current facility. He provided comparisons of Rosemount with four
similar-size branches in the urban area, specifically: catchment population
size versus library size, circulation and visits versus library size, public
access to computers, seating, meeting rooms, programming, and dedicated child
and teen space. He recommended the Board commit to a plan that addresses the
current and future needs of Rosemount based on the high demand in the
Hintonburg and Wellington West communities. On behalf of READ, he requested
that the expansion and redevelopment of Rosemount at a new location be
included in the 2018 OPL capital budget.
Trustee McKenney thanked Mr. Nutt for his comments. She
said her perspective for the city is to invest in libraries and map them out
geographically in low-income areas. She asked Mr. Nutt, if he thought that a
central library on the west side of downtown (Lebreton Flats) would draw
people away from the Rosemount branch, and what effect or impact there could
be. Mr. Nutt mentioned that, to his understanding, funding commitments for a
central library are unknown at this time and went on to state that if the
Central Library did not proceed, that money could be provided to branches.
He noted that branches play different roles than a central library and argued
that the central-west community branch would still be necessary regardless of
a central library build. Councillor McKenney stated that the decision for a
central library had been made by Council.
Vice-Chair Bergeron spoke to the other elements identified
by the speaker saying funding is provided in the rehabilitation of Rosemount
to address the points made, such as functional programming.
In response to Trustee Moffatt’s question seeking
clarification on whether READ would not want money spent now in case there is
more funding in the future, Mr. Nutt reiterated that there is speculation that
funding is not secure for a central library, however, it wasn’t READ’s
intention that Rosemount lose money now or down the road. READ would like
the best library for the community.
Martha Plaine has lived in the Hintonburg community for 23 years and is
a Rosemount branch customer. She is concerned with the recommendations put
forth by staff saying $2M is a costly cosmetic fix. She thought the process
would be fair and raised concerns that a renovation will not meet the needs
of her community. She stated that the biggest challenge is the lack of space
the current branch has, and that the recommendations in the report will not
fix that issue. Ms. Plaine said staff should have planned ahead, too much
intensive growth puts pressure on existing services, libraries are a lifeline
and much needed in low-income communities. She referred to OPL’s impact
study and libraries having $256M in benefits. She said the return on
investment should be a larger branch for the Hintonburg community as space is
needed for programming. Ms. Plaine said OPL’s vision is inspiring, however,
does it mean it is equal for all or less equal for some.
Larry Hudon, President, Hintonburg
Community Association had concerns on the renewal option in the report. He
stated that library services need to match the growing community and the
challenge is how to fund development given the city has other priorities such
as Light Rail Transit (LRT), etc. Mr. Hudon referred to other cities, such
as Winnipeg, Edmonton, Toronto, New York City, and Chicago having long-term
library strategies and investing heavily in branch expansion. He urged the
Board not to skimp, stating it is the opportune time to pursue 21st
century values for Rosemount.
John Fraser is within walking distance of the Rosemount branch, which
he has been using for years. He stated that he can see how busy the branch
is; however, it is not over crowded and can sustain the future growth with
the proposed renewal. Mr. Fraser noted that nearby community centres can
assist with additional programming for the community. He spoke of the
heritage and historical value of the existing building and was content with
renewal, reusing, and recycling, saying the building has good bones and to
build on that. Mr. Fraser was concerned with the Boxfish report
underestimating the risk of using parkland for a new library saying the risk
assessment is flawed. He added his voice in support of the staff
recommendations and proposed that the Board use the existing building and
modernize the branch.
[*Individuals / groups marked with an asterisk above
either provided comments in writing or by email; all submissions are held on
file with the CEO.]
Questions from the Board
were then put to staff.
In response to a question from Chair Tierney regarding the target
threshold of 2031 for Rosemount referred by a speaker and the timeline for
the next facility study, Ms. Désormeaux cited the Nixey report (Library
Facilities Investment and Growth Planning Study) approved by the Board in
September 2016. The report explained the population was not growing as fast
to warrant an additional increase in branch size. She said any service gaps
would be identified in the next study. With respect to the timeline of the
new library buildings and library facilities investment and growth planning
study, Ms. Désormeaux noted it is every four to five years.
In response to a question from Trustee McKenney regarding
projected service gaps in the area when the Ottawa Central Library is built, Ms.
Désormeaux described what the next four years would look like in the ward and
the possibility that, library standards will be renegotiated based on growth
increases, serving to increase the standard with respect to availability of space.
Following up on a comment from Trustee McKenney on how the City
collects city-wide development charges for libraries, Ms. Désormeaux said OPL
funds are capped, 15% for operating and staff.
In response to a question from Trustee McKenney on whether any
consideration was given to expanded hours of operation for Rosemount, Ms.
Désormeaux stated that the question is a good segue to the upcoming
presentation of item four on the agenda.
With respect to the public consultation piece, Trustee
McKenney asked that the following be directed to staff:
Direction to staff:
That staff report back to the
Board on the public engagement process for the renewal of the Rosemount
branch.
Trustee Sweet commended staff and the consultant on the report.
She asked when was the last time an increase for grants from the province was
provided. Ms. Désormeaux answered that it was prior to 1999.
Following up on a question from Trustee Sweet regarding
current size and budget impact, Ms. Désormeaux advised that variance was
identified in last fall’s report, (i.e. 200-500 square feet depending on
design, staff space, public space, bookable meeting room space), which are
all included in the $2M estimate identified in the report.
Further to a question from Trustee Sweet regarding staff
looking at other locations and relocation to Parkland, Jeff Sward stated he
and staff worked with City of Ottawa’s Corporate Real Estate Office (CREO) to
examine and longlist all municipal lands then shortlist the hypotheticals.
Mr. Sward added that evaluations of properties are private until enacted.
Trustee Sweet asked if the report is deferred, how would
that affect the timing vis-à-vis the budget. Ms. Désormeaux stated if the
item is deferred, the Rosemount branch renewal would not be in the 2018
budget.
Trustee Wilkinson expressed concerns with development
charge funds for growth and challenges the city faces with respect to
flexibility. Ms. Désormeaux said with respect to development charges, there
is not a lot of manoeuvring to allocate eligible level of service funds.
There is $2.5M available on an annual basis in the library capital budget for
development charges, which are collected for library materials and
collections as well as equipment that is utilized to deliver services (e.g. Kiosks)
or assist with the circulation of the collection (e.g. RFID).
Trustee Wilkinson said she recognized what the public was
saying, however the reality is that Rosemount cannot be bigger than was is
being proposed. Part of the problem is that most of the development charge
funds go towards LRT. She said the community will benefit from additional
space and will be amazed how the programming will be kept flowing.
Trustee Fisher thanked the residents and the speakers for
their insights and passion regarding the value of Rosemount to the
community. She asked staff to build on the comment of additional hours of
service as well as the role Alternative Services and partnerships will play in
delivering programs. Ms. Désormeaux said there is a push to extend library
services with community development. Staff are continuously out in the
community, however, OPL deeply counts on community partnerships to deliver
programming.
Trustee Begg asked about Pay As You Go (PAYG) budget
implications and whether funding will drop off. Ms. Désormeaux stated that
there is always a question of prioritizing. The goal in 2016 was to reopen
Rosemount for the 100th anniversary in 2018. With respect to
other services, the Board will see that in the tabling of the 2018 budget at
the November meeting.
In response to Trustee Begg’s question regarding steps for the
next capital priority (Centennial branch), Ms. Désormeaux said the schedule
will slide as there is a limited budget: Rosemount, Ottawa Central Library, and
the potential new branch in Riverside-South. She said the three-year
forecast planning and construction will come forward at a later date.
Following a question from Trustee Begg on development
charges being available for Centennial, Ms. Désormeaux said Centennial will
be funded through PAYG or infrastructure funding. She added that one-time
funding could be seen in the 2019 budget.
Trustee Begg asked if staff will consult the public around
the temporary storefront location and Ms. Désormeaux replied no.
In response to a question from Trustee Begg regarding concerns
about access to computers raised by one of the speakers, Ms. Désormeaux
mentioned that there has been much technical evolution such as hand held
devices, etc. which is an approach being used at Rosemount.
There being no further
discussion, the Board RECEIVED the Business Case and CARRIED the report
recommendation.
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