City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: January 24, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Erica Cuyugan, City Librarian, Library Services Department Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City to Accept Grant Funds from the California State Library's Building Forward Grant Program for the Main Library's Critical Systems Maintenance Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act.
2. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $268,948 from the California State Library’s Building Forward Grant Program for the Main Library’s Critical Systems Maintenance Project in the Library Department (“Grant”) and approve all renewals.
3. Authorize the City Manager to accept the Grant and all its renewals.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the Grant and approve all renewals.
5. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report.
Summary
The Library was awarded a $286,948 grant from the California State Library to support the Main Library’s Critical Systems Maintenance. The grant requires a local match of the same amount, which is available in the current adopted budget. Replacing systems and equipment will ensure continued uninterrupted operation of the Main Library and provide a safe and welcoming environment that meets our Strategic Plan goals as a Vibrant Learning Center and Dynamic Third Place for our community. Staff requests Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment A) authorizing the City Manager to accept the grant award and execute all necessary documents. 2 of 3
Discussion
The Main Library, a 104,000 square-foot facility, opened in 2006 and was awarded a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification. The building is now 16 years old and many of the systems and equipment require upgrades or replacements as they have reached the end of their useful life.
The Library, in collaboration with Public Works, applied for the Building Forward Infrastructure Grant Program administered by the California State Library. This grant is funded by the State of California Budget Act of 2021 (SB 129), which allocated $439 million in one-time funds to address the needs of public libraries throughout the State.
The grant provides California’s public libraries with support for capital projects that address critical maintenance needs, improve energy efficiency and sustainability, and expand access digitally and physically.
The Library requested funds to support infrastructure upgrades and replacements in the following areas: boiler system, HVAC system, auditorium audio visual equipment, security cameras and wireless equipment. On September 12, 2022, the Library was notified that all were approved except the auditorium audio-visual upgrades, which did not qualify for this round. The grant award amount is $286,948 and requires a local City match of the same amount, which is available in the current adopted budget.
Following the adoption of the resolution (Attachment A), the City will receive grant funds from the State through April 30, 2024. Once payments are awarded, funds will need to be expended prior to the end of the grant cycle.
Environmental Review
The acceptance of the grant is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15302 of CEQA. Section 15301 exempts Class 1 projects from CEQA, which include the “the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use”. Section 15302 exempts Class 2 projects which “consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new 3 of 3
structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced”. The grant funds would support upgrades, repairs, and replacement of the existing infrastructure systems at the libraries, and would not result in the expansion of the library systems such that a physical impact would occur. Furthermore, replacement of existing systems would be located on the same site as the system replaced and will have the same purpose and capacity. Therefore, the project qualifies for a Class 1 and Class 2 exemption.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to accept a grant from the California State Library with the following budget changes.
FY 2022-23 Grant Budget Changes
Establish Revenue Budget Appropriate Funds
Account Number(s) Amount Account Number(s) Amount
20150001.405900 286,948 C2008730.689000 286,948
Total 286,948 Total 286,948
If renewals are awarded, budget changes will be included in subsequent year budgets, contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Greco Venegas, Principal Librarian for Information Management Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Resolution-Building Forward Grant_2022-12-29_IB