Politics & Government

Lafayette City Council Approves Purchase Of Old Library Site

The city will use $1.97 million from its general fund reserve to buy the facility from the county

The council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to spend $1.97 million to purchase the building at 952 Moraga Road.

The money will come from the city’s general fund reserve. The reserve is expected to be $7.5 million at the end of this fiscal year. Using the reserve to purchase the old library would leave slightly less than $5.6 million. That’s equal to about 45 percent of the general fund operating budget.

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If the library facility is converted into city offices, the reserve fund can be reimbursed through the city offices development fund. If the property is sold to another public entity, the reserve can also be replenished.

The agreement requires the county to place the funds minus the costs of transferring the property as well as maintaining the property into a fund that can only be used to provide books, new equipment and additional hours to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center on Mt. Diablo Boulevard.

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If the property is sold within the next 10 years, the proceeds must also be used for the library programs.

If the building is leased by the city, the proceeds can be used for general fund purposes.

One citizen spoke against the deal. Jim Burns said the set-up was a “breach of normal practices.”

“It doesn’t pass the smell test,” he said. “This is clearly a ridiculous situation.”

However, Councilman Brandt Andersson said the sale was a good deal with the city and was “the result of some smart negotiating.”

City Councilwoman Traci Reilly added it’s important for the city to have a say on what happens to this prime parcel of land that sits next to an elementary school.

“This is an important piece of property,” she said.

A library task force has been formed to make recommendations on what the former library should be used for. The task force is expected to have a recommendation by next summer.

The city is asking the public for their suggestions, too.



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