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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item - 2026-06-02 - Number 16.1 - Resolution 26-30, Library Site Reuse Task Force 10.1 V o� 0 E 0 COUNCIL REPORT � — OREGO� Subject: Resolution 26-30, Composition and Creation of Library Site Reuse Task Force Meeting Date: June 2, 2026 Staff Member: Melissa Kelly, Library Director Report Date: May 22, 2026 Department: Library Action Required Advisory Board/Commission Recommendation ❑ Motion ❑ Approval ❑ Public Hearing ❑ Denial ❑ Ordinance ❑ None Forwarded ❑X Resolution ❑X Not Applicable ❑ Information Only Comments: ❑ Council Direction ❑ Consent Agenda Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 26-30 to create an ad hoc Library Site Reuse Task Force. Recommended Language for Motion: Move to adopt Resolution 26-30. Project/ Issue Relates To: Council goal initiative to "Develop a strategy for an expanded and modern library facility, prioritizing the West side of town and urban renewal funding options, allowing it to serve as an all-ages and all-activities community center." Issue before Council (Highlight Policy Question): ❑X Council Goals/Priorities ❑Adopted Master Plan(s) ❑Not Applicable ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL The existing library facility is reaching end of life and needs to be rebuilt on a larger site to meet community needs. Should the Council form an ad hoc Library Site Reuse Task Force to develop, analyze and present scenarios for future reuse of the existing library site? Respect. F,. PI'Pr,_P Trust. Se'vi. 503-635-0215 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY Page 2 BACKGROUND Building Condition The existing library facility has reached the limits of its useful life, with significant and worsening seismic, water intrusion, building system, and accessibility deficiencies. Estimated costs to address current safety and maintenance needs are approximately $10 million. While maintenance can extend operations in the short term, it does not resolve core building limitations or the constraints of the site itself. A replacement strategy aligns public investment with lifecycle value, risk reduction, and long-term community needs. Site Constraints In 1974, local voters approved a bond to construct a 35,000-square-foot library. In 1977, a citizen advisory committee found that the library should be rebuilt on a site of at least 2 acres. They also recommended that it be moved to the vicinity of Kruse Way and Boones Ferry Road. However, in the end the library was rebuilt on the 1.1 acre existing site at 706 Fourth Street. Due to the inherent constraints of the site, the facility was ultimately built 23% smaller than voters approved, opening in 1983 at only 27,100 square feet. The disconnect between community need and physical capacity is a decades-old challenge. In order to expand library services to meet community needs and expectations, a larger site is required. Council& Community Direction Since 2022, as part of the annual Council goal setting process, Council has included a goal around the need for an expanded library presence that would replace the failing building and include the space and amenities to serve Lake Oswego's current and future needs. Council's current goal pertaining to the library, adopted March 2026, is to "Develop a strategy for an expanded and modern library facility, prioritizing the West side of town and urban renewal funding options, allowing it to serve as an all-ages and all-activities community center." In 2023, the City launched a comprehensive "Library Visioning Process" to define the library's role for the next several decades. The process included input from nearly 3,000 residents, in the form of a Library Visioning Task Force, community survey, and dozens of consultant-led community interviews, open houses and focus groups. The process found that: • The community's vision for the library centers around an accessible, adaptable, and creative library that is responsive to both evolving user needs and the ever-changing information landscape. • Top priorities include addressing the library's facility needs, expanding services and programs, improving communication and outreach to all residents, and increasing accessibility and convenience. • Expanding the physical footprint in a location that is proximate to west side residents is crucial to achieving the community's vision. The library's existing geographic location in the NE corner of its service area is not accessible for most residents. To address this, different service models were recommended by the consultant and explored by staff, including one large library that would be more centrally located, one large main library with one small branch, and two sister-sized libraries. Respect. Excellence. Trust. Service N 503-635-0215 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY Page 3 When the findings and recommendations from the Library Visioning Process were presented to Council on July 18, 2023, Council gave firm direction that the City cannot afford the long-term operational costs of staffing and maintaining two locations, and that future work needs to be focused on one large library proximate to west side residents. Lake Oswego's 2025 community survey results highlight the top priority spaces that residents feel are needed in a new facility, including: • Multi-purpose rooms for large meetings, classes, storytimes, and events (79%) • Indoor children's play area designed for learning through play (79%) • Smaller rooms for meetings, workshops, or study groups (72%) • Makerspace with tools and technology to create, invent, and learn (70%) • Dedicated space for teens to socialize, study, and connect (70%) • Auditorium space for speakers, events, concerts, and community performances (70%) • Community outdoor space that connects to a public building (70%) These spaces are consistent with 21'century library design in the region and across the nation. As of 2026, the conversation has moved from "if" the library facility needs to be addressed to "how" the City can best deliver a facility that matches the community's high usage and expectations. A replacement strategy on a larger site is the only viable way to provide the space and amenities—such as large-scale public meeting rooms, expanded children's and teen areas, and a makerspace—that the 1983 building and constraints of the existing site simply cannot accommodate. Existing Site Considerations The existing library site consists of eight lots. Four of the lots were purchased by the City, and the other four lots were generously donated to the City by the Gray family for library purposes. The City Attorney's Office is working on evaluating the purchase and donation history, as well as the scope of any deed restrictions. That information will guide the City in evaluating future uses of the site. The future of the existing site is of high concern to the surrounding neighborhood and other key stakeholders. An ad-hoc community task force is recommended to help guide the decision- making around the future of the site. The task force would bring together key community stakeholders including, but not limited to, First Addition neighborhood members, downtown business owners, youth, City board and commission members, and a City Council representative. DISCUSSION To support the 2026 City Council goal to develop a strategy for an expanded and modern library, and to facilitate robust public engagement in this process, the creation of two task forces is recommended: a Library Site Reuse Task Force and a Future Library Task Force. Respect. Excellence. Trust. Service N 503-635-0215 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY Page 4 Staff propose that the Library Site Reuse Task Force begin its work first, staggered with the Future Library Task Force which is recommended to be formed in a few months' time. With the support of an experienced facilitator, staff propose that the Library Site Reuse Task Force be charged with: • Using the criteria set by Council to develop reuse scenarios for the existing site • Selecting and analyzing the top three scenarios • Presenting an analysis of the top three scenarios to Council • Based on Council's feedback, fine-tuning and analyzing Council's top two scenarios • Returning to Council with a final reuse recommendation The estimated timeline for the Library Site Reuse Task Force to complete this scope of work is August-December 2026. Guidance from the Library Site Reuse Task Force will support Council decision making about the future of the existing site and support the process of relocating and expanding the library to meet community needs. ALTERNATIVES If of interest, a secondary task of the task force could be to advise staff on neighborhood preferences for library microservices. Options include 24/7 hold pickup lockers, regular bookmobile visits, and library programming at the Adult Community Center and/or City Hall. A book return already exists at City Hall. FISCAL IMPACT Costs related to ad hoc Library Site Reuse Task Force will be absorbed by the Library Department's budget. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of Resolution 26-30 to create an ad hoc Library Site Reuse Task Force. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution 26-30, Composition and Creation of Library Site Reuse Task Force — Respect. c . �i �„.,p Trust. Vie- 503-635-0215 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLUTION 26-30 A RESOLUTION OF THE LAKE OSWEGO CITY COUNCIL CREATING AN AD HOC LIBRARY SITE REUSE TASK FORCE. WHEREAS, a 2026 City Council Initiative is to "Develop a strategy for an expanded and modern library facility, prioritizing the West side of town and urban renewal funding options, allowing it to serve as an all-ages and all-activities community center." WHEREAS, the creation of an ad hoc Library Site Reuse Task Force to bring localized and broad- based community knowledge and perspective would help Council in the development and analysis of reuse scenarios for the existing site, and, ultimately, would make a final reuse recommendation to the City Council, thereby supporting the process of relocating and expanding the library in the future; NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Lake Oswego that: Section 1. Creation. Pursuant to LOC 12.50.010(1), an ad hoc Library Site Reuse Task Force ("Task Force") is hereby created. Section 2. Membership. The Task Force's membership shall consist of not more than 20 community members, appointed and approved as provided by the City Charter, Sec. 19 and LOC 12.50.015(1). The membership shall include at least one representative from: • The First Addition Forest Hills Neighborhood Association • The Evergreen Neighborhood Association • The Old Town Neighborhood Association • The downtown Lake Oswego business community • The City Council • The City's Library Advisory Board • The City's DEI Advisory Board • The City's Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Advisory Board • The City's Planning Commission • The City's youth engagement network • The Adult Community Center's user group • The Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library Board Additional at-large community members will be selected through a public recruitment process. Section 3. Term. The term of the Task Force is from the date of this Resolution through March 31, 2027, unless its tasks are concluded earlier or the term is extended by resolution of the City Council. Section 4. Tasks. The Task Force shall be charged with: • Using criteria set by Council to develop reuse scenarios for the existing site Resolution 26-30 Page 1 of 2 • Selecting and analyzing the top three scenarios • Presenting an analysis of the top three scenarios to Council • Based on Council's feedback, fine-tuning and analyzing Council's top two scenarios • Returning to Council with a final reuse recommendation Section 5. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect upon passage. Considered and enacted at the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Oswego on the 2' day of June, 2026. AYES: NOES: EXCUSED: ABSTAIN: Joseph M. Buck, Mayor ATTEST: Laura) Hawkins, City Recorder APPROVED AS TO FORM: Erica Tatoian, City Attorney Resolution 26-30 Page 2 of 2