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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL September 13, 2010 13 8.A. Review and Discuss Library Proposal (continued) City had given the County the land that the current library is located on and has worked with them in the past to reduce operating costs. The residents do not think the options being presented to the County for relocating the library are good options; they would like to see the library stay in its current location. The Library Board is asking the City Council to support one of the options and if the City wants to support the Presbyterian Homes location then there would be a financial commitment from the City with the granting of TIF for the redevelopment project. Councilmember Grant stated it is clear a library is an asset to the community and the community wants the library. He stated he felt the County should move slower on this item and keep the library open in its current location until a better option is identified. There may be other options available in the near future with the sale and development of TCAAP. The two solutions presented have drawbacks. He stated he would be in favor of keeping the library in Arden Hills and wants to encourage the County Board to keep it where it is. He pointed out that the County will be spending money either way and they could put this toward the current location and keep it open for now. Mayor Harpstead stated the library has been slated for removal for a while and unfortunately Arden Hills was not selected as a regional location. The library building is not usable long term in its current condition. The current library will not stay where it is and the current building will not be used. The County will not financially support keeping the current library open. The only viable option for the residents of Arden Hills to have a library in Arden Hills is to support the Presbyterian Homes location. Presbyterian Homes is in the process of redeveloping their property and they are willing to work with the City and the County to support having a library at this location. The New Brighton location is not as favorable an option for the Arden Hills residents. If the City is not able to provide the needed financial support then Presbyterian Homes will not be able to include the library. Councilmember Holden the City had presented a location to the County on County Road 96. They declined this location because it was too close to the Shoreview location. The Presbyterian Homes location is close to the Roseville library. The County spent a lot of money on the Roseville library and some of this money could have been used to update the Arden Hills library location. Councilmember McClung stated it is unfortunate the Library Director and the Library Board are moving so quickly with this project. He would like to see the library stay in its current location in Arden Hills but this is not what the County would like to see happen. He stated he has been led to believe that the there is not enough votes to keep the library where it is. Arden Hills should keep a library in the City and the proposal by Presbyterian Homes is a viable option. If the current building could be updated then it would be the best option for the City. Councilmember Holden stated this is something the City should fight for. She questioned how the Council could say they are going to stand up to Mn/DOT for the residents but they are not willing to do the same when it comes to the library. Some of the members of the Library Board are in favor of keeping the current location.