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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 19, 2010 5 LB Library Committee Presentation (continued) Ms. Nemitz commented that she did not want to pit two communities against each other. She indicated she would fight for the library but would be surprised if it stayed open. The community _ p y would need to find a good solution in order to save the branch location. Ms. Nemitz noted $500,000 of program aid was at risk at this time, which made for an even tighter budget. g g Mayor Harpstead indicated the demographics of the existing Arden Hills library patrons are the residents located west of Snelling Avenue. He understood the current library facility did need upgrades and improvements. Co-location was a captivating option and he encouraged the task force to continue to seek alternatives and share ideas with Presbyterian Homes or a public institution. Councilmember Holmes suggested Presbyterian Homes be approached further as a viable option. Ms. Crassweller stated libraries are community facilities and an enhancement to the City. She noted the library model may change and the transition could be a positive direction to serve the residents. Councilmember McClung felt it was important to keep a library in the City of Arden Hills. He stated he was open to the type of facility and that he believed the current location was ideal. The taxes paid by Arden Hills' residents to the County could be put to use this way to serve this community. Councilmember Holden indicated a partnership with affordable housing could be another option. Councilmember McClung stated there was talk about adding a library facility to TCAAP. He questioned if there would be an environmental focus to allow the library to co-locate on this site. Ms. Nemitz stated in 2003 the plan or hope was to partner with County Parks and Recreation for a nature center, along with the Children's Museum. The partners have since pulled out because of a lack of resources. She indicated she did not want to throw out the current site, but there were drawbacks. Ms. Nemitz further explained that the Ramsey County Library model has never been to utilized for a library in each community, but rather to serve multiple communities from each branch. The residents of Arden Hills are no more than four miles from a public library, even if the City's branch was to be closed. Councilmember Grant questioned who partnered with the City of Roseville to upgrade their library. Ms. Nemitz stated there was no partner and that their site was upgraded due to demand. Councilmember Grant explained that the Arden Hills library serves a pocket of people within the community. He stated that the seniors in the community would not visit the Roseville librar y if the Arden Hills branch were closed. Mayor Harpstead stated the real issue is the City needs a new facility and it needs to be funded.