February 7, 2023
Library and Community Services
DATE: February 7, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager, Community
Services
Christopher Larsen, Administrative Librarian
Subject:
Disposition of the Library Book Van as a Donation to the Richmond Public Library Foundation
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Disposition of fixed asset valued at $10,875 (400705- 29Z01).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 15, 2014
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Library Book Van, which has had a problematic
service history, has been vandalized and rendered
inoperable. Due to the cost to repair and continued
inability to securely store the vehicle, the Richmond
Public Library Foundation, which donated all funding for the vehicle’s purchase, has requested donation of the
vehicle so that the Foundation may recoup some of the
vehicle’s value.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing a donation of the Library Book Van, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Cargo Van, to
the Richmond Public Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3)
organization which donated funding for the purchase of
the vehicle to the City in 2014; and AUTHORIZE the city manager or designee to execute this disposition of the
vehicle – Community Services Department (LaShonda
White/Christopher Larsen 510-620-5524).
DISCUSSION:
AGENDA
REPORT
February 7, 2023
City staff is bringing forth a resolution for City Council approval authorizing a donation of the Library Book Van, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Cargo Van, to the Richmond Public Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization which donated funding for the original purchase of the vehicle to the City (Attachment 1). In 2014, the Richmond Public Library Foundation (Foundation) donated $68,000 to the City for the purchase of a used 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Cargo Van for service as a Book Van, primarily providing service to senior residential facilities. This donation was accepted, and the purchase authorized at the July 15, 2014, City Council meeting (Attachment 2).
The donated van was already configured as a book van but was not fully adapted to Richmond’s intended service. While the Book Van provided a welcome service at senior facilities, it encountered numerous difficulties. First among these was that as a Mercedes-Benz, the City was not equipped to provide service to the vehicle, necessitating trips to Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Other issues included several aftermarket components that caused battery drain, leading to the disabling of the backup camera and alarm system, a steep ramp that created safety issues for City staff, and problems securing book trucks within the Van.
In the past two years, a lack of secure parking for the Van has led to it being vandalized multiple times. Thefts have included the catalytic converter (twice), the wing mirrors, the multimedia/camera dash console, and the battery. The Van is currently parked at the rear entrance of the main library and is not in service. Due to the extensive service problems and the cost to repair and maintain the vehicle, as well as the continued risk of vandalism due to a lack of secure parking, the Library has designated the vehicle as surplus property.
Discussions between the Library and the Foundation about the issues with the Van and its current state have led the Foundation to request donation of the vehicle, so that the Foundation may recoup some portion of the monetary value donated for the purchase of the vehicle. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to support the Richmond Public Library and its services to the Richmond community. The current depreciated value of the vehicle is $10,875. The present Kelley Blue Book trade-in value of a comparable vehicle in fair condition is approximately $25,250 (Attachment 3).
This does not account for missing or inoperable components, which will likely decrease the value even further, in line with the depreciated value. The installed book van modifications are outside the scope of the valuation.
The Foundation, which donated all funding for the vehicle’s purchase, has requested the disposition of the vehicle so that the Foundation may recoup some of the vehicle’s value.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – July 15, 2014, City Council Minutes
February 7, 2023
Attachment 3 – Kelley Blue Book valuation