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December 5, 2023
ITEM TITLE
Grant Award and Appropriation: Authorize a Grant Application and Accept Grant Funds from the California State Library for the Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program Civic and South Library Capital Project and Appropriate Funds
Report Number:23-0321
Location: Civic Library: 365 F Street, South Library: 389 Orange Ave.
Department: Community Services
G.C. § 84308: No
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting $ 19,470,000 in grant funds , and amend Fiscal Year 2023 /24 budget by appropriating said funds to the Library section of the State Grants Fund for the Building Forward Program . (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista Library System (Library) was recently awarded $19.47 million in state grants fund through the Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program. The Civic Library and South Library were each awarded $9.74 million in grant funds. The funds are expected by March 2024 and the projects must be completed by the year 2027. The Building Forward Program is the largest single investment made by the state in California’s public libraries. The equity-based grant program helps pay for capital projects for public library buildings that address critical maintenance needs, improve energy efficiency and sustainability, extend digital access, and expand physical access to library facilities. The City of Chula Vista Civic and South Library were ap proved to receive a total of $19,470,000 intended to fund the following project outputs and related activities:
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1. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Replacement
2. Electrical Upgrades
3. Elevator Replacement
4. Interior and Exterior Paint and Stucco
5. Flooring
6. Lighting
7. Asbestos Abatement
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because the proposed activity consists of a governmental fiscal/administrative activity which does not result in a physical change in the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060© (3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
The library has worked with its community groups such as the Library Foundation, Board of Library Trustees, and the Friends of the Library. The library has also worked with the community group that assessed all city facilities for deferred maintenance need s and prioritized the needs for each city facility. The library also hosted a Strategic Visioning Workshop in 2014 to address the future needs of the Chula Vista Libraries.
The library's current need is to address critical maintenance such as:
1) HVAC replacement: the current HVAC is failing to heat and cool the building which no longer allows us to be a cool zone to the community during the summer and continues to fail despite past repairs. The system is no longer sufficient for the building capacity.
2) Electrical system at the Civic Center Branch: the current electrical system from 1976 is failing and can no longer hold the threshold of electronic devices.
3) Interior and Exterior Paint: The library needs new painting 4) Stucco: External stucco is crumbling.
5) Flooring at the South Branch: Carpet tiles are threadbare. 6)Elevator replacement at the Civic Branch : Elevator is original to the building and has been cited by inspectors for replacement.
7) Lighting at Civic and South Branches: the lighting fixtures are original and need replacement. 8) Auditorium and Conference room AV systems at the Civic Branch : these systems have failed and need replacement.
9) Asbestos Abatement at the Civic Branch: the library still has areas that need asbestos abatement from the original 1976 construction.
Through all these changes, the library would be modernized and continue to serve the community needs of the present and future Chula Vista community members. By addressing these long overdue critical P a g e | 3
maintenance needs, the library would continue to be the hub for the community by providing access and experience of place, both physically and digitally, enhance a social forum that creates community connections, a nd diversify access by continuing to adapt to meet the evolving needs as the essential community service.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 1,000 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property -related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(7) or (8), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any Council Members, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in a one -time appropriation of $19,470,000 to the Library section of the State Grants Fund for Building Forward Program, including $9,735,000 to the Chula Vista Civic Library Project (GGV0271) and $9,735,000 to the South Library Project (GGV0272). The funding will offset the cost of the capital projects, resulting in no net fiscal impact. Funds for staff time have already been included in the Library’s fiscal year 2024 budget.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact as a result of accepting these grant funds.
ATTACHMENTS
None
Staff Contact: Joy Whatley, Deputy Director of Community Services Barbara Locci, Management Analyst II