Tag Archives: Central Branch

Central at City Council June 26, 1 pm – postponed

Posted on June 25, 2024 | Leave a comment

City Council ran out of time, so the Library discussion was postponed until the next (July 17) or a specially arranged City Council meeting.

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CENTRAL LIBRARY IS ON THE AGENDA TOMORROW !
Go down in person, listen online or watch on Cable Regina (Channel 7 or 70).  The Council meeting starts at 1:00 pm.
Click on the red banner across the top of this page to watch online  https: //reginask.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx

The RPL’s $119M loan request will be discussed under item “CR24-74 Central Library Renewal Project Debt Financing Report”. Agenda https://reginask.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=14&ID=5069&Inline=True

A number of people and organizations have submitted letters and will be presenting. Some for building a new bigger library. Others like FRPL calling for a rehabilitation and expansion of the current building, some calling for rehabilitation only. (See the letters submitted here under Delegates .https://reginask.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=3280&Inline=True )
FRPL’s presentation. FRPL to City re RPL Central Debt Financing, June 24, 2024 – final

As recommended by the City Administration, Executive Committee, City Council decision will vote on June 26, (1) to defer the decision on the $19M loan for RPL. (2) But to approve a mill rate increase to save money for the “renewal” project.

 

City Council will vote on the following:

Recommendation That City Council:

1. Defer a decision to commit $92 million to $119 million in debt financing for the Central Library Renewal Project (CLRP), and direct Administration to return to City Council by the end of Quarter 3 2024, with a recommendation regarding debt financing for the CLRP taking into consideration updated debt financing needs for other capital projects including the Indoor Aquatics Facility/Geothermal Project (IAF), Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Expansion and the City of Regina’s (City) overall debt financing capacity; and

2. Approve, in principle, a dedicated Library mill rate increase of 5.5 per cent each year for five years starting in 2025 to allow RPL to accumulate funds in a reserve account until such time as they can be used for the CLRP.

Full City Council Agenda with detailshttps://reginask.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=5069&Inline=True
City Administration’s discussion of Library request: pages 170-179
RPL submission – pages 189-189, details of the request for Expressions of Interest re consortium partnerships: 190-205
City Administration discussion of debt financing available, timing of when money will be available, mill rates: pages 206-208
RPL wants $ in 2026. City says earliest is 2033 or 2038.

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City Council Dates – express your view about $119 M loan

Posted on June 16, 2024 | Leave a comment

City Council Dates– re agreeing to support $119 million loan for Central Library rebuild (on same site or another location, that has not been decided, tearing down the current building is their main proposed option)

For presentation requirements go to https://www.regina.ca/city-government/city-council/council-meetings/ Agendas are here https://reginask.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx

You can attend meetings in person or via teleconference or provide a written submission only

Friday – June 14 – in the afternoon – Executive Committee Draft Agenda available

Monday – June 17 – by 12 noon – register to talk to Executive Committee (written presentation not required)

Wednesday – June 19 – 9 am – Executive Committee meets at City Hall

Friday – June 21 – in the afternoon – Draft Agenda for City Council meeting

Monday – June 24 – by 12 noon – written presentation must be sent in to City Council

Wednesday – June 26 – 1:00 pm – City Council meeting

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Citizens denied voice at RPL mtg on Central Library

Posted on July 22, 2023 | Leave a comment

RPL Board denied the opportunity for FRPL and other citizens to make presentations to the RPL Board at a critical meeting about the future of Central Library.

The RPL’s draft agenda, posted on Friday July 14, for which citizens had only until Tuesday July 18 at noon to write a presentation and request to make a presentation, included:

8. Discussion and decision items

(a) Board Committees

iv) Strategic Planning Committee

(1)  Project Charter

(2)  Project Governance Terms of Reference

(3)  Colliers Statement of Work for Central Library Renewal Project

(4)  Colliers Statement of Work for Central Library Temporary Relocation Project

(5)  Branch renewal update

FRPL and other citizens sent in letters requesting to make presentations at the RPL Board meeting on July 25, 2023. In its letter FRPL restated our position that it would be better to expand on the new building, rather than tear it down and rebuild. We went on to ask questions about the criteria for future development and public participation processes. FRPL presentation FRPL to RPL Board July 18, 2023 – fina

On July 21 RPL sent the following email:

.. The topics represented in your submission do not align with topics on the agenda. The Library Board decision made in September 2022 is not under review and the Board’s work to move forward supports its decision to build a new Central Library, with a preference for the current location. The Library’s engagement of Colliers Project Leaders as its owner’s representative was undertaken over three years ago and is not under review. The Library Board does not have purview over how City Council allocates project funding. The many other topics you have included are not in question at this meeting.

As outlined in the Submissions and Delegations Policy, your submission will be included in the Board’s package for their information and later posted to the RPL website. …”

Similar emails were sent in response to Jeannie Mah RPL Board. July 2023 and Florence Stratton LIBRARY BOARD, CENTRAL LIBRARY, JULY 25 2023

The RPL Board continues its efforts to restrict public discussion of its decisions or future plans. Unlike City Council, the RPL Board does not release any details in advance about its agenda items. Reports given at the “public meetings” are not published along with the minutes. The minutes only appear publicly over 2 months after the meetings, after they are approved by the RPL Board at its subsequent meeting, then eventually posted on their website.

NEVERTHELESS, CITIZENS ARE URGED TO ATTEND THE NEXT RPL BOARD MEETING ON JLUY 25 AT 4:30 PM. Check details on the day of the meeting to confirm. https://www.reginalibrary.ca/about/leadership/board-meetings-2023

  • In person, at the RPL Boardroom on the second floor of Central Library..
  • Via Microsoft Teams – you must email the RPL in advance to be included on the list.
  • Or by teleconference: check the RPL agenda for the conference call-in number and password.

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Central plans at RPL Board July 25 – make your views known

Posted on July 16, 2023 | Leave a comment

RPL is moving ahead with plans to demolish Central and rebuild. Plans will be discussed at their July 25 Board meeting.  Draft agenda 0-Draft Agenda – posting 20230714 Go to the RPL website for the final agenda. https://www.reginalibrary.ca/about/leadership/board-meetings-2023

Requests for presentation to the July 25 Board meeting must be in by Tues. July 18 at 12 noon. https://reginalibrary.ca/about/leadership/presenting-to-the-board

Recent developments:

Please express your views by:

  • Sending in a letter, and a request for submission, to RPL Board by Tues. July 18 at 12 noon
  • Sending letters or email or phoning the RPL Board and your City Councillors
  • Attending the July 25 RPL Board meeting. to hear what the plans are for Central. This can be done in person, connecting by hone, or connecting through Microsoft Teams. You need to register in advance for connecting to Microsoft Teams, and also download the software. In-person: Central Library Boardroom
    Online: email librarydirectorsoffice@reginalibrary.ca for Microsoft Teams link
    Dial-in: 1 (647) 749-9317, meeting passcode 183 336 408#

Demolition of Central would have to be approved by

  • Regina City Council
  • Saskatchewan Heritage Properties Review Board (because Central is part of the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District)
  • What are the prospective timelines and/or deadlines?
  • How does the RPL Board justify the destruction of a heritage building?

Concerns and possible questions from FRPL

  • RPL Board interpretation and reporting to City Council of cost estimates inaccurate for upgrading the current building, resulting in claims that it is not possible to rehabilitate the building
  • Maintaining the current building
  • Preserving its heritage
  • Specifics about including preservation of heritage in the requests for proposals to architects
  • Costs of relocation (budget for the move, budget for the demolition and budget for new construction). Will there be financials in the statement of work documents?
  • What are the plans and timeline for securing the money for any changes?
  • Changes to current situation should not be approved until clear plans are in place.  We all know of the projects recently that have collapsed after the initial fanfare, think Centre Pointe and Namerind.  What contingencies are in place for unforeseen delays or overrun budgets?
  • When will project management reports, such as those being discussed at the July 25, 2023 meeting, be available to the public? (project charter and the two statements of work)
  • Colliers has been hired to project manage both the temporary relocation project and the rebuild.  What expertise and experience has Colliers got that give the public confidence about their competence, especially in new construction?
  • Does the Library Board do this directly or through a subcommittee of the Board?
  • How much is the City of Regina involved, such as a city project manager? What is the “chain of command” and where does the final accountability reside? Will there be opportunities for the public to review and comment on decisions throughout the process?
  • What are the plans for public consultation?  Will there be regular opportunities for engagement and the ability to question plans?  Will a public design charette be used to engage and explore how this rebuild will fit with the public’s expertise and knowledge of building design and desired uses of libraries? How will the disability community and individuals or those with specialized needs be engaged throughout the process?
  • Will this rebuild be a net-zero carbon building?  What opportunities will there be to capture or reduce the carbon footprint of this rebuild?  Will this be put into the request for proposals?

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Catalyst Conversation Nov 24 will include Library

Posted on November 17, 2022 | Leave a comment

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 24, 7:30 pm: CATHEDRAL CATALYST CONVERSATION, CATHEDRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE, 2900 13TH AVE

A chance to learn about, provide feedback on the city’s Catalyst Projects. Ward 3 City Councillor Andrew Stevens will be there to answer questions.

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Tours of Central: Oct 25 to 29

Posted on October 26, 2022 | Leave a comment

Regina Public Library is hosting tours from Oct 25 to 29, 2022 “to share information about the history of the building and some of the issues we are facing. Join us for a guided tour to hear about key concerns and remediation RPL has been undertaking to keep it safe. There will be opportunity to ask questions along the way. This tour provides a chance to learn more about the Central Library Renewal (CLR) project, one of the infrastructure projects being reviewed by the City of Regina’s Catalyst Committee. Tours begin in the lobby and will last approximately one hour. Tues, Oct 25 2:00pm – 3:00pm, Wed, Oct 26 2:00pm – 3:00pm, Wed, Oct 26 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Thurs, Oct 27 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Sat, Oct 29 10:00am – 11:00am For more information, and to register for a tour: https://central.reginalibrary.ca/” You must preregister – have your library card handy or be prepared to sign up for one.

Note that these tours are supposed to talk about the heritage aspects of the building, but their main focus will be on the problems with the building, to justify the RPL Board’s decision to tear it down. So be prepared for this line of thought, and your questions about the building.

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Deadline Oct 31st: letters to Catalyst Committee

Posted on October 26, 2022 | Leave a comment

Deadline Oct 31st:  Send presentations that were given to the RPL Board, presentations given at Catalyst Committee and other thoughts to Catalyst Committee.  

It has been suggested to us that it would be good to have your presentations and letters sent to the Catalyst Committee by the end of October.

Send to:  Attention Co-chairs Tim Reid + Bob Hawkins at catalyst@regina.ca and

Tim Reid at tim.reid@real1884.ca and dakota.schmidt@real1884.ca 

Bob Hawkins at  bhawkins@regina.ca 


Cc: Regina City Council Clerks at clerks@regina.ca  – to forward to Mayor and all Council.

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Public can listen, present at Catalyst Ctte

Posted on October 16, 2022 | Leave a comment

Reminder of this week’s meetings of the Catalyst Committee. See important articles and letters to the editor https://friendsofrpl.ca/central-branch-2021/media-coverage-central-library-2022/

Information on the Catalyst Committee https://beheard.regina.ca/catalyst-committee Regina Residents Invited to Provide Input on Once-in-a-Generation Catalyst Committee Projects, October 7, 2022 https://www.regina.ca/news/Regina-Residents-Invited-to-Provide-Input-on-Once-in-a-Generation-Catalyst-Committee-Projects/

Their report to Council in January 2023 will have a major influence on projects that will receive City Council support in the future.

Sessions Oct. 17 to 20, 11 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm
AGT Lounge, enter by Northwest door at Mosaic Stadium. Use Elevator 2 to the 3rd floor.
Parking in nearby lots, bus #12

Project proponents will make first presentation of about 30 minutes.
Members of the public can make presentations, 5 to 10 minutes is suggested, but there is no set time limit. You don’t have to submit your presentation in advance. You can bring PowerPoint presentations on a USB stick.

Monday: Multi-Purpose Event Centre
Tuesday: Regina Aquatics Centre
Wednesday: Multi-Purpose Outdoor Baseball Event Centre & Synthetic Outdoor Field Project (joint presentation)
Thursday: Modernization of the Central Library

People can sent in emails / letters to the Catalyst Committee. For full consideration, get them in by the end of October. Email questions and submissions to clerks@regina.ca with the subject line  “Catalyst Committee”.

The BEHEARD survey will be posted on the City of Regina website (www.beheard.regina.ca/catalyst-committee) starting on October 17th.  

There is no arrangement for broadcasting the event on the internet, so no ability to make a presentation remotely or to hear what is being said.

People can create display storyboards, to be at the AGT location by Friday Oct 14 or befor 11 am on the 17th

There is no downtown location for a discussion of the downtown.

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Library at Catalyst Committee Oct. 20th

Posted on October 8, 2022 | Leave a comment

Just posted by the City of Regina on Friday at 2:30 (ish) pm before the long weekend, a media release outlining the “opportunity” of 4 hours time to comment on the RPL proposal about Central Library. This Committee will make recommendations to the City of Regina about City support of major projects, including Central Library. 

Regina Residents Invited to Provide Input on Once-in-a-Generation Catalyst Committee Projects, October 7, 2022

https://www.regina.ca/news/Regina-Residents-Invited-to-Provide-Input-on-Once-in-a-Generation-Catalyst-Committee-Projects/

  • Consultations will be from 11 am to 1 pm and 5 to 7 pm from Oct. 17 to 20
  • Central Library will be discussed on Oct. 20
  • People can go there and make a presentation – apparently a 30-minute time limit.
  • Currently there is no arrangement for broadcasting the event on the internet, so no ability to make a presentation or to hear what is being said.
  • People can create display storyboards for display, to be at the AGT location by Friday Oct 14 (presumably at close of the business day?).
  • There is no downtown location for a discussion of the downtown.
  • There will be a BEHEARD survey on the City of Regina website (www.beheard.regina.ca/catalyst-committee) starting on October 17th.  
  • You can currently send them questions now. 
  • In an interview with Paul Dechene of Prairie Dog Magazine, Councillor Hawkins, co-chair of the Catalyst Committee, said they will be accepting written submissions.  Written submissions or questions should be emailed to clerks@regina.ca with the subject line as Catalyst Committee.
  • Paul Dechene’s Oct. 6th interview “Catalyst Committee Interview With Councillor Hawkins” where the goals of the Committee are explained. Queen City Improvement Bureau Podcasts  http://queencityib.com/podcasts/2022/10/7/oct-07-2022-catalyst-committee-interview-with-councillor-hawkins

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RPL Vote Sept. 27, 2022

Posted on October 3, 2022 | Leave a comment

On Tuesday September 27th the RPL Board voted to demolish Central Library building and build a completely new building on the same site. However, the recommendations of the City’s Catalyst Committee, heritage designations and public views can still have a major influence on the next steps for Central Library.

On the 27th, after hearing presentations from members of the public asking for a delay in the vote to give people more time to review the reports related to the future of the Central Library building, the Board still went ahead and voted in favour of a tear down and construction of a new building.

The Motions: Three motions were passed by the RPL Board on Sept. 27. Six Board members voted in favour (See list of Board members https://www.reginalibrary.ca/about/leadership )  Mayor Masters and Councillor Findura voted against all the motions. Final votes were 6 to 2 on the motions.

That the Regina Public Library Board concur in the Central Library Renewal Needs Assessment and Project Plan conclusion that “A New Build option is the preferred approach to meet project outcomes and balance functional needs with value for money” and, further, that the preferred location for a New Build is the historic location on the Library’s property at 12th Avenue and Lorne Street.

Second motion, notes from a recording of the meeting. “… that the determination of next steps be referred to the strategic plan committee” (The proper name of the RPL Committee is the Strategic Planning Committee. https://www.reginalibrary.ca/about/leadership/board-committees

Third motion: For the Board to “… receive and file the Central Library Renewal Needs Assessment and Project Plan, the Stakeholder Engagement Summary and the Polling Report.”

What’s involved with a New Build

With the New Build, something has to be done with the “old” building. The Board voted to build again on the same site, so the site would not be sold.

Description from page 57 of the Needs Assessment and Project Planning report:

Option 6 : Design & Construct New (“New Build”)

 Design and construct a purpose built space in downtown Regina to meet the functional and operational requirements of the Central Library

 Disposal of the current facility and, if required, site

 Selection of appropriate site to meet Central Library requirements

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