The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTC Agd Pkt 2012-07-25 (5)z 3 2a,2 TOWN CLERK TOWN OF TIBURON C4~ Page 1 of 1 Diane Crane lacopi From: Peggy Curran Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 10:08 AM To: Diane Crane lacopi; Dan Watrous; Scott Anderson Subject: FW: library Margai-etA. (Peggy) Curran To\•vn Manager, ToXNT of Tiburon 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 949`-'o 415-435-7383 ~curran u?ci_ti~ittr~r~_ca.us t11•~l~'. Ct . t tb tt J.'O t1. Ca . tt 5 From: Jim Fraser [mailto:jsfraserl@comcast.net] Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 5:07 PM To: Peggy Curran Subject: FW: library From: Drew, Lawrence [mailto:Lawrence.Drew@ucsfinedctr.org] Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 4:26 PM To: 'jsfraserl@comcast.net' Subject: library Dear Jim-we met at a cocktail party in Pt. Tiburon several weeks ago and discussed the library. My wife and I are residents of old Tiburon since 1969 and we wholeheartedly support the expansion. I have attended several presentations of what it will look like and am very excited by our future. The design is superb and the size is barely enough to meet present need let alone the future. Although the overall size of the community may be plateauing, the population of children-the users of the future-is large. This is our chance to do something that will be cherished by the citizens of tomorrow. 7/23/2012 Page I of I Diane Crane lacopi From: Peggy Curran Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 9:59 AM To: Diane Crane lacopi; Dan Watrous; Scott Anderson Subject: FW: Library expansion AaagaretA. (Peggy) Currant ToN--Nrn Manager, Town of Tiburon 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 415-435-7383 ~_c;urran_~%c.tburUri.caus n.ca.us From: Jim Fraser [mailto:jsfraserl@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 6:38 PM To: Peggy Curran Subject: FW: Library expansion From: Enid Rubin [mailto:enidrubin@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 4:56 PM To: JSFraserl@comcast.net Subject: Library expansion I support the Library expansion. Please vote in favor of this expansion Enid Rubin 25 Via Capistrano Tiburon Enid Rubin 7/23/2012 Page 1 of 1 Diane Crane lacopi From: Peggy Curran Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 9A8 AM To: Diane Crane lacopi; Dan Watrous; Scott Anderson Subject: FW: Library extension Margaret A. (Peggy) Curran Town Manager, Town of Tiburon 1505 Tibtiron Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 415-435-^;,83 pcurran_ zi,til7uron ca.us ,A,xvw.Ci.tiburon.ca.us From: Cena Bessolo [mailto:cbessolo@comcast.net] Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2012 12:35 PM To: Peggy Curran; Mayor, Jim Fraser; Vice Mayor, Emmett O'Donnell; rctib2@gmail.com; askalicenow@usa.net; Councilmember Frank Doyle Subject: Library extension Re: proposed library addition The Story poles outlining the proposed addition to the library are massive. Based on size alone it is easy to see why so many oppose this project. The fiscal considerations, however, are paramount. Is the entire project and ongoing maintenance and staffing to be paid for private funds? Is this funding guaranteed? If the taxpayer is liable for any of the cost, the project should be put to the vote. Forcing this project on the people and taxpayers without their approval would be governmental malfeasance in my opinion. Please respect the taxpayers of our community. Sincerely, Rodney J. Bessolo, MD 19 Paseo Mirasol Tiburon, CA 435-5043 7/23/2012 Page 1 of 1 Diane Crane lacopi From: robbie williamson [rbwilliamson23@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 9A3 AM To: Diane Crane lacopi Subject: Library Expansion Attachments: Library LetterOfSupport.doc Diane- I have attached a letter of support for the library. Would you please be certain that the Council receives this before 5PM today? Thank you for your assistance. Roberta Williamson 7/23/2012 N 0 N 0 N ti N U ct3 N 10 4..j a4 O vo ct3 vn N O C" U :3 ct C) cn ;_o F: p 4, 0 C/) C/) ct C) C/) N U ° U U O bA F. m U VD as u C13 ct ~ CSC rS C*l ct as ct3 o p O 7:3 CIO cn N m .-0 C~3 V) U U p U N U N b N U Q ° U o cl U U C~3 V) o C,3 rA t4-4 4 c ct ::s as c~ C) 0-4 u L) q u C.) C) ct ct3 N ~ N ~ U bA ~ U N U a4 Page 1 of 2 Diane Crane lacopi From: Peggy Curran Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 9:41 AM To: Diane Crane lacopi; Dan Watrous; Scott Anderson Subject: FW: In support the library expansion Margaret .A. (Peggy) Curran Toivn Manager, Town of Tiburon 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 415-4:35-738" ~ct~rran_~u_ctburu~ica.«s w1~~•.ci.tiburon.ca.us From: Jim Fraser [mailto:jsfraserl@comcast.net] Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 5:12 PM To: Peggy Curran Subject: FW: In support the library expansion From: Bolger, Ann [mailto:abolger@medsfgh.ucsf.edu] Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 5:05 PM To: 'jsfraserl@comcast.net' Subject: In support the library expansion 20 July 2012 Dear Mayor Fraser, want to share with you my great excitement regarding the expansion of the Tiburon-Belvedere Library. As a longtime resident of Belvedere, I have been anxiously awaiting progress on this effort, and have enjoyed watching the plans take their current shape. This expansion will have obvious visible benefits to the town, as it creates an inviting plaza with a view corridor to the previously obscured Zelinsky Park and marsh. The community- coalescing aspects of the library can extend outdoors to this space, where people will be able to meet, linger and create a sense of a true town center. The sense of "are we there yet?" that visitors have as they drive down Tiburon Boulevard will really change: rather than peering anxiously ahead, past conventional commercial grocery and drug stores, to catch sight of the Main Street area, instead they will know that they have truly arrived in the charming town that they expect as soon as they see the Plaza. As important as these improvements will be to the public ambiance of the town, the impact of expansion on the functionality of the library as a learning and resource center for all ages is even more impressive. The library, as beautiful as it is, has been woefully undersized for its roles since its opening. Its popularity and high usage have it bursting at the seams. The up swell of both digital and hardcopy information is prompting more and more visits to the library every year. It is clearly essential that a community with the resources and values of Tiburon and Belvedere respond to the needs of its families and individuals for an adequate, forward-thinking, multifunctional and cross-generational learning facility. The expansion as currently proposed will accomplish that at no cost to taxpayers, and bring the scope of service into line with the needs of our towns. Thank you for your help in bringing this project forward. 7/23/2012 Page 2 of-') Sincerely, Ann Bolger MD Professor of Medicine University of California, San Francisco 121 Belvedere Avenue Belvedere CA 7/23/2012 Pabe 1 of 2 Diane Crane lacopi From: Peggy Curran Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 9:39 AM To: Diane Crane lacopi; Scott Anderson; Dan Watrous Subject: FW: Support for Library Expansion Margaret A. (Peggy) Curran ToNNm Manager, Town of Tiburon 1505 Tiburon Poulr.-vard Tiburon, CA 94920 415-435-7383 pcurranLt ci tibt ron ca =us 411-t~~'.L'.l.tibuT'OJl.Ca.Uti - - - - From: Jim Fraser [mailto:jsfraserl@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 8:35 PM To: Peggy Curran Subject: FW: Support for Library Expansion From: Ron Helow [mailto:ron@helow.com] Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 9:49 AM To: jsfraserl@comcast.net Subject: Support for Library Expansion Dear Mayor Fraser, I am a member of the Library Agency Board and, not surprisingly, am writing to endorse the proposed library expansion. While there are many points to the discussion, I consider these to be the most important. Size. When I joined the Agency Board a year ago, I didn't understand why the expansion needed to be so large. After months of reviewing the plans, talking with Library staff, and discussing options with the architects, I now believe that the proposed expansion is necessary and reasonable. I am comfortable that the design is efficient in its use of space and contains no frivolous functions. The "Why So Big" document in your packet addresses this topic in much more detail. While the expansion could certainly be smaller, doing so would have two major disadvantages. First, this is almost certainly the last expansion that the library will ever undergo. We must provide enough space to last for the coming decades, not just for the here and now. Second, nearly one million dollars have been spent to date on design, environmental impact studies, and other costs related to the approval process. Going through another design review process will add hundreds of thousands of dollars of cost and months of time. In my opinion, the architects have done a terrific job of preserving the look and charm of the existing library. 7/23/2012 Page 2 of 2 While it is certainly larger than Town Hall, the library serves many more people per day. A building's usage should dictate its size - not other purely arbitrary measures. View. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Where some see a view of St. Hillary, I see a view of cars in a parking lot. I believe that the new plaza will connect the Library with Town Hall in a way that is much more inviting and attractive than the current view. The plaza will also open up views to Zelinsky Park and the marsh that are now obscured. Finally the plaza will create a dynamic public place as'a new gateway to Tiburon versus the rather ordinary approach until you reach Main St. I ask for your support for the proposed expansion. 7/23/2012 Diane Crane lacopi From: Peggy Curran Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 9:05 AM To: Diane Crane lacopi; Dan Watrous; Scott Anderson Subject: FW: Library Expansion Margaret A. (Peggy) Curran Town Manager Town of Tiburon 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 (415) 435-7383 pcurran@ci.tiburon.ca.us www.ci.tiburon.ca.us -----Original Message----- From: Jim Fraser [mailto:jsfraserl@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 1:14 PM To: Peggy Curran Subject: FW: Library Expansion -----Original Message----- From: Ken Weil [mailto:kweilsf@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 12:43 PM To: JSFraserl@coincast.net Subject: Library Expansion Dear Mayor Fraser I whole heartedly support the expansion of the proposed library. While I respect the concerns of others about the project, I believe an expanded library will better meet the overriding needs of residents of all ages and will enhance the desirability of living here. A great community deserves a great library. Please consider supporting this most worthwhile endeavor. 686 Hilary Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 H. 415.889.5139 C. 516.650.9428 1 Page 1 of 1 Diane Crane lacopi From: Fredric Postle [ric.postle@lpl.com] Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 6:45 AM To: Diane Crane lacopi Subject: FW: Library Expansion Support Letter Attachments: Library Ltr 7-23-12.docx Diane, Please find attached my letter in support of the library expansion that has been emailed to the Town Council. Thank you, Ric 7/23/2012 Fredric Postle 110 Marinero Circle Tiburon, CA 94920 July 23, 2012 Dear Town Council Members; From the first time I ever stepped into the library I felt that it could use more space. There was always something slightly cramped about it particularly when compared to the Mill Valley Library. I noticed rolling carts full of books, CDs and other media stacked at the circulation desk and books on every square inch of shelving. I therefore read with added interest the special needs assessment created by library planning consultant Catherine Page. Her conclusions seemed reasonable to me, particularly considering that what's being proposed will undoubtedly be the final library for several decades to come. Importantly, nothing in the study appeared excessive but rather a reasonable expansion of the current facility. I've always found discussions of "too big" or "let's scale it back" to be based not on any objective assessment of the needs of the library but rather on matters of personal opinion. I've never, for instance, heard any objection to the size of any particular room in the library but rather a cacophony of "lets shrink it" by some arbitrary percentage- 15%, 30%, or more. Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it seems to me that a decision on future capacity should to be based on an objective, professional study. In the absence of something to the contrary, I'm satisfied with the dimensions specified in the needs assessment. I'm also am not troubled by what I would call the "view corridor" concerns. In my own case I've lived in Tiburon since 1999 and I've calculated that on average I drive into town four times a week. That translates into eight passes of the library, town hall, and the space between it every week for 13 years. I'm in town roughly 44 weeks a year and so if you do the math I have probably passed the buildings and the "corridor" in question about 4500 times. I can honestly say that I never in 4500 times noticed the "view corridor" mainly because the demands of driving down Tiburon Blvd. required my undivided attention. I trust that other drivers who are more concerned with safety than "grabbing" a microsecond gaze at St. Hilary's have had the same experience. But to test this hypothesis I've spent the last year asking the many people I know in the community a simple question: can you see old St. Hilary's church from the space between the library and Town hall? The answer invariably has been the same. "I suppose so, I never really noticed." They, like me, undoubtedly were more focused on navigating the road ahead. Ironically, I think the new library will enhance people's experience of Saint Hilary's. There'll be large picture windows looking out at that tranquil hillside view sweeping up to the chapel and that will allow people at their leisure to enjoy the lovely scene. In driving past the library you have, perhaps, 1 full second to quickly glance over your shoulder to the view before snapping your gaze back to the road ahead. Hardly comparable to what the new library will provide. Finally, can anyone honestly say that they will miss that eyesore of a parking lot that separates the 2 buildings? I think not!!! firmly believe the expanded library will make an extraordinary contribution aesthetically as well as culturally and intellectually to the community for generations to come. Thank you, Fredric Postie Diane Crane lacopi From: Julianne Tantum Duli_tantum@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 10:05 PM To: Diane Crane lacopi Subject: Cove Road Letter Attachments: Cove Rd Assoc Libary Expansion.docx Cove Rd Assoc Libary Expansion... Dear Diane, Attached please find a letter for the Tiburon Town Council regarding the proposed library expansion from the Cove Road Neighborhood Association. Thank you, Juli 1 Diane Crane lacopi From: Mary Fishman [mcf614@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2012 9:39 PM To: Diane Crane lacopi Subject: Library Expansion - Please distribute to Town Council To Mayor Fraser and Tiburon City Council Members I urge your approval of the revised design for the Bel-Tib Library expansion as it will be presented at the Design Review on July 25, 2012. Everyone is in agreement that more space is essential for the library to function adequately for the entire Bel-Tib community. Libraries are no longer"just about books" - they are continually evolving into contemporary "learning centers" so residents may fully utilize all that's new in information technology. The Library Agency and the Library Foundation have been conscientiously striving for almost 5 years to assess library needs for now and into the future and select an outstanding. architectural firm to realize the best design. There have been countless meetings and workshops all open to the public. Questions and concerns have been adequately addressed re environmental impacts, as well as the location of the building and its appearance which blends beautifully with the original building. Improved landscaping is a plus and the much loved heron sculpture will be moved further away from Tiburon Blvd. to a quieter location where people can sit to read or talk while enjoying the view. No detail has been overlooked. Zelinsky will be enhanced with a plaza and promenade from Tiburon Blvd. The Library expansion project began in 2007. It is time now to move ahead with these plans so Belvedere and Tiburon can have a library to be proud of for many years to come. Mary C. Fishman 205 Paradise Blvd. 435-0631 1 July 19, 2012 Re: Library Expansion Dear Tiburon Town Council, We are writing to express our concern regarding the proposed library expansion. Cove Road is the closest residential street to the library, and we feel the proposed building is too large, too close to Tiburon Boulevard and could overshadow our properties. Several of our neighbors would be directly impacted due to lost views of the St. Hilary open space and lights from the new library shining into their windows at night. Furthermore, many of the trees which provide screens between our backyards and Tiburon Boulevard will lose their leaves this winter-resulting in a further loss of privacy from the imposing building. The story poles have been erected while many of our neighbors are taking summer vacations, denying them the opportunity to fully understand the impact on their homes. This process appears rushed, and the families on Cove Road share many concerns regarding the design, its proximity to the street and the need for such a massive structure. We urge you to vote against this design. Thank you for your consideration. Cove Road Neighborhood Association John & Juli Tantum Barry & Roberta McMullan Lucy, Henry, and Charlie 33 Cove Road 27 Cove Road Phillip & Ginny DeMaria Jerry & Anne Butler 23 Cove Road 25 Cove Road Bob & Connie Peirce David Lipschultz 36 Cove Road 19 Cove Road Katherine Ferguson Herb & Anne Briggin 21 Cove Road 7 Cove Road Place David & Julie Finkelstein Doug & Becky Scott 17 Cove Road 37 Cove Road Hugh & Muriel Harris Sid & Teron Gorham 14 Cove Road 35 Cove Road PacTe 1 of 1 Diane Crane lacopi From: Richard Weiskopf [richardweiskopf@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2012 10:53 PM To: Mayor, Jim Fraser; Vice Mayor, Emmett O'Donnell; rctib2@gmail.com; askalicenow@usa.net; Councilmember Frank Doyle; Diane Crane lacopi Subject: Library Dear Council Members and Ms. Crane: It is my understanding that the letter I sent previously as an attachment did not make it through. I have put it in the email below. Apologies if you did receive it earlier. Richard Weiskopf 21 July 2012 To: The Tiburon Council I regret that I will be traveling and unable to attend the 25 July meeting regarding the plans for the library. However, that regret is minor compared to my regrets and horror at the proposed plan that will essentially convert the library to a community center with an accent on a place for teens to gather. I love books and libraries. They have always been a center of my life. I would support a minor expansion if it were truly needed for additional housing of books, but not for community center activities or administrative offices. If the town wishes to have a community center, that deserves a separate, thorough discussion. A library is a place for reading and quiet contemplation. Period. The so-called "consultant" did not have this view. A consultant's opinion is of no consequence; it is solely the view of the people of Belvedere and Tiburon that matter. There have been many times when I have been disturbed in the library by noisy gatherings of some sort of function. Furthermore the building plan converts the open-space frontal appearance to an unacceptably encroaching edifice that is not in keeping with the character of our town. I regard this entire process as having been rather imperious, with insufficient concerns about community input. Additionally, of course, there is the issue of financing and continuing costs, with which I am not sufficiently informed, but understand are of considerable concern. I am unalterably opposed to this project and urge you and the Council to reject this ill-conceived self-centered expansion of the library. Richard B. Weiskopf 275 Round Hill Road Tiburon From: richardweiskopf@hotmail.com To: jsfraseri@comcast.net; emmett@vikingind.com; rctib2@gmail.com; askalicenow@usa.net; standingstone@sbcglobal.net; dcrane@ci.tiburon.ca.us Subject: Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2012 09:18:33 -0700 Dear Council members, and Ms. Crane: Attached is a brief letter regarding the proposed library expansion project. Ms. Crane: I would appreciate confirmation of receipt of this email and attachment, as I am out of the country, and on occasion sending attachments from other countries is unsuccessful. Thank you, Richard Weiskopf 7/23/2012 Page 1 of 1 Diane Crane lacopi From: Richard Weiskopf [richardweiskopf@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2012 9:19 AM To: Mayor, Jim Fraser; Vice Mayor, Emmett O'Donnell; rctib2@gmail.com; askalicenow@usa.net; Councilmember Frank Doyle, Diane Crane lacopi Attachments: Weiskopf. Library. doc Dear Council members, and Ms. Crane: Attached is a brief letter regarding the proposed library expansion project. Ms. Crane: I would appreciate confirmation of receipt of this email and attachment, as I am out of the country, and on occasion sending attachments from other countries is unsuccessful. Thank you, Richard Weiskopf 7/23/2012 21 July 2012 I regret that I will be traveling and unable to attend the 25 July meeting regarding the plans for the library. However, that regret is minor compared to my regrets and horror at the proposed plan that will essentially convert the library to a community center with an accent on a place for teens to gather. I love books and libraries. They have always been a center of my life. I would support a minor expansion if it were truly needed for additional housing of books, but not for community center activities or administrative offices. If the town wishes to have a community center, that deserves a separate, thorough discussion. A library is a place for reading and quiet contemplation. Period. The so-called "consultant" did not have this view. A consultant's opinion is of no consequence; it is solely the view of the people of Belvedere and Tiburon that matter. There have been many times when I have been disturbed in the library by noisy gatherings of some sort of function. Furthermore the building plan converts the open-space frontal appearance to an unacceptably encroaching edifice that is not in keeping with the character of our town. I regard this entire process as having been rather imperious, with insufficient concerns about community input. Additionally, of course, there is the issue of financing and continuing costs, with which I am not sufficiently informed, but understand are of considerable concern. I am unalterably opposed to this project and urge you and the Council to reject this ill-conceived self-centered expansion of the library. Richard B. Weiskopf 275 Round Hill Road Tiburon