05/08/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 5/8/2002 out that 100 or 300 holes have to be put in, quite obviously the geothermal system is not applicable. It will not work properly, and it will be too expensive. The only way to ascertain which is the best way to go, whether it's one utilizing duct work in the building or pipe work, is by getting basic information. This is a scientific, academic approach at this point in time to get data that enables us to make an intelligent decision. Mr. Lambert reiterated that the city is only obligated to give a conventional heating and cooling system. That's basically a gas fired furnace above ground and a cooling unit on the roof. The cost information can be obtained from any one of a dozen heating and cooling dealers in the city. An ordinance is not needed. Boring holes in the ground can be done outside of a brand new building anywhere if they want to do it. The city has to give them a building, but does not have to put tables and chairs in it. As with most projects, it's going to be difficult to do this project within budget. Let the library board decide if they want to pay for the boring and then present those figures to the city at a later time. It can be incorporated into the plans anywhere along the way. The city does not need to go that extra mile. Mr. Gareau commented that he looks forward to receiving from the azchitects, at some later date, an analysis of cost of the proposed geothermal system versus the conventional HVAC system. Mr. Lambert brought up a point in caucus which was very perceptive, that being the city supplies the building and the systems which may be more expensive up from in order to save the library money later on. It's a good point, and he hopes at some point in the future Council is apprised of the cost equation and how they compare. Mr. Miller said he too was concerned about what Mr. Lambert referred to as bells and whistles. We need also to remember that the residents agreed to tax themselves for a library and not necessarily bells and whistles. Council should be taking a close look at items that are not necessary; for example, a gazebo. We want to build bricks and mortar in that building and not take money away from it. If funds are left over, we should have them in reserve for anything necessary that might occur shortly after building. Further, he would ask that the Landmarks Commission also be brought in to look at the plans formally and give their input on the entire library plan. Law Director Dubelko said he wished to comment on Mr. Lambert's comment that we only have an obligation to provide them with a conventional heating system. That just simply isn't true. This Council approved the original cooperation agreement with the comity. There's nothing carved in stone one way or the other. Our obligation through the construction process is to secure the library's approval every step along the way for everything we do in constructing it. That's the way it was presented, that's the way it was approved. So the city cannot unilaterally simply say that no, we're not going to have geothermal. We have an obligation to explore it with the couirty library system and make a determination of what we're going to approve. It's a difficult issue and, in order for the city to act legally and appropriately, we have to explore it. Mayor Musial said one of the interesting aspects of the arrangement that we aze currently involved in with the library is that it demands cooperation as a true partnership every step of the way. Part of that partnership forces us to look at all of these options to make these determinations. Without basic, scientific data, you cannot make an intelligem decision. Of course, we are going to make an analysis between the two systems. If it's close, then our partnership agreement indicates that we should go through with it. But we don't know that. With regards to Mr. Miller's comments about the Landmarks Commission being brought into the picture, an open public session with regazds to the plans and specifications regarding the library was 12