DATE: June 12, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kelley Landano, County Librarian
Les Wright, Agricultural Commissioner
SUBJECT: Firebaugh West Hills Community College District - Shared Use Agreement for the District, the Library, and the Agricultural Commissioner
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Provide direction to the County Librarian and Agricultural Commissioner to negotiate an Agreement with West Hills Community College District to provide for office space, shared use, and occupancy of a co-located facility on the new West Hills Community College District campus to be located at 1511 Ninth Street, Firebaugh ($0).
REPORT
The recommended action will provide direction to the County Librarian and the Agricultural (Ag) Commissioner on proceeding with negotiating a proposed agreement for the shared use and occupancy by the Library, the Ag Commissioner, and the West Hills Community College District (WHCCD). The shared use of space will be for a co-located library and office space for the Ag Department in the new WHCCD campus in Firebaugh.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. However, there will be costs associated with staffing and operational startup typical for a library of this size, which will be funded with Measure B funds in future Org 7511 Requested Budgets. In addition, costs incurred by the Ag Department will be included in future Org 4010 Requested Budgets.
DISCUSSION:
Representatives from the WHCCD met with the prior Librarian in 2016 regarding the building of a new campus in Firebaugh and the potential for a co-located library. Funding for the new campus became available through a bond initiative which passed in November 2016 with funding included in the Governor’s FY 2017-18 budget. At this time, the WHCCD is currently in the planning and design phases for the new campus, which will be located at 1511 Ninth Street in Firebaugh. The County will not pay for space in the new facility.
The current Library serving the Firebaugh area is co-located with the Ag Commissioner in the prior Firebaugh courthouse, which was closed to court operations in 2012. The City of Firebaugh has approached the County and expressed interest in purchasing the Firebaugh courthouse for use by its police department. The City has indicated the County departments can remain as long as necessary until an alternative feasible location is available. Based on the potential sale of the Firebaugh courthouse facility and the need for an academic and public library to serve the WHCCD college students, faculty, and the public; the departments seek your Board’s direction to enter into agreement negotiations with WHCCD for office space for the Ag Department and a co-located Library in the new WHCCD campus. It is anticipated construction of the new facility will be completed in late 2021.
In order to proceed with this project, the Library and Ag Department currently seek direction from your Board on the following:
• Enter into negotiations for an agreement with WHCCD to co-locate a library and for office space with no charge for space occupancy; and
• Continue discussions with the WHCCD in order to finalize the design and development of the facility.
Issues that need to be addressed in the development of the agreement include, but are not limited to the County’s and District’s right to share in the use of the County’s library and the installation of their respective equipment, parking, and indemnification and insurance coverage. It is anticipated the Library and the Ag Department will bring an item to your Board for a proposed agreement with WHCCD at the August Board date.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Proposed Site Plan
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck