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HomeMy WebLinkAbout#09 - LIttle Free Library at Savona ParkSTAFF REPORT DATE: October 2, 2018 ITEM #: 9 TO: City Council FROM: Ben Prchal, City Planner AGENDA ITEM: Savona Park Free Little Library BACKGROUND: A resident has reached out to the City proposing to erect a free library in Savona Park. The Parks commission has had a chance to review the proposal and recommends approval of the installation as well as the recommendations from Staff. ISSUE BEFORE COMMISSION: Should the Council accept the donation of a Little Free Library at Savona Park? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: For maintenance reasons staff will ask that the supporting post for the library be at least six feet from the curb of the playground and at least three feet from the walking path. Beyond that there are no further comments on behalf of staff. Staff was also asked to look into the structure for ADA accessibility. At this point there is nothing specific established for little libraries. However, staff is inclined to ask that the bottom of the structure be no more than 41-45 inches off the ground. Attached to this staff report is a location map showing where the resident is proposing to place the free library. The resident will construct the free library and put it up. The resident has also signed a form that says the City will not be responsible for maintenance and will not be liable for damage to the structure. FISCAL IMPACT: The resident has stated on the donation/liability form that the City will not be liable for costs or maintenance associated with the project. OPTIONS: 1)Approve Resolution No 2018-113 2)Amend and then Approve Resolution No 2018-113 3)Do not approve the resolution to accept the little free library RECOMMENDATION: “Motion to approve Resolution No 2018-113 Accepting a Little Free Library in Savona Park.” ATTACHMENTS: •Photos of location in Savona. •Donation From •Checklist for accepting donations CHECKLIST FOR ACCEPTING DONATIONS Policy: For gifts of any size the appropriate committee is to evaluate whether it is in the City’s best interest to accept the bequest. In order to assist the committee in evaluating the impact of accepting the gift, the following checklist has been prepared. (1) Is the gift of lasting value to the community? Staff believes it does provide value. (2) Does it create potential liability issues for the City? That is, will people walk on it, sit on it, or under it? Will construction be inspected, is construction up to current standards (ADA accessible, for example?) Are the materials used acceptable for public construction? The materials will be wood. It was stated that the box will be made of wood as well as the post to hold up the box. (3) Will some member of the public find the item offensive; can it be construed as having a religious content, or offending members of a protected class? Staff does not believe that the library and its purpose would be any more or less offensive than a standard library. (4) What will the potential annual maintenance cost of the gifted object be? Do the costs outweigh the value of the gift? There is not a cost associated with the donation. (5) Does the gift carry implied duties that the City must perform? What is the cost of performance of such duties? Does the cost exceed the value of the gift? Staff does not believe that the gift has implied duties that cannot be reasonably maintained. If at the time that the library needs to be taken down it would take minimal effort. It is also a simple design and could be easily remade as well. (6) If costs, direct or indirect exceed the value of the gift; acceptance of the gift may still be warranted if a public purpose is being served and all understand the costs as well as the value of the gift. Staff does not feel that there are costs associated with the installation of the library. (7) Also, does the acceptance of the gift imply that the City will replace the gift when worn out, destroyed by vandals, etc? If the gift is found to be no longer of use in the future, may the City at that time, sell, dismantle or convert to another use? Staff does not necessarily believe that acceptance would be an implication to maintain once it needs to be replaced or reconstructed. (8) All agreements, prohibitions, etc, with respect to the gift should be noted in the minutes or Memorandum of Agreement for future reference. Meetings are video recorded as well as documented in written form. (9) All items donated to the Library for book sales, bake sales, rummage sales and memorial bricks will be exempt from this policy and procedure. This is not known to be affiliated with the local library. CITY OF LAKE ELMO WASHINGTON COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 2018-110 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A DONATED LITTLE FREE LIBRARY IN SAVONA PARK FROM KRISTIN SHANLEY WHEREAS, Minnesota Statues Section 465.03 provides that donations to the City be accepted by resolution of the City Council; and WHEREAS, Kristen Shanley has proposed erecting a little free library, donating time and material to the City of Lake Elmo; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo agrees that said contribution would be of benefit to the citizens of Lake Elmo; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota, does hereby acknowledge and agrees to accept said donation of a Little Free Library from Kristin Shanley on behalf of the citizens of Lake Elmo. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo designates the Little Free Library to Savona Park. APPROVED by the Lake Elmo City Council on this 2nd day of October, 2018. By: __________________________ Mike Pearson Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Julie Johnson City Clerk