HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-054 CCR RESOLUTION NO. 75 -54
WHEREAS, in a letter dated January 11, 1974 to Hennepin County Library
Director Robert Rohlf, Brooklyn Center City Manager Donald Poss offered the
services of his City staff to assist the County with development of plans for
the Brookdale Regional Library which, according to the news media, was
scheduled to open in 1975; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager reported that he subsequently met with Library
Director Rohlf on February 7, 1974 at which time Rohlf confirmed that the schedule
called for an opening of the Brookdale Regional Library in mid 1975, indicating that
architect selection was pending at that time; and
WHEREAS, a letter dated February 22, 1974 was directed to Hennepin County
Administrator Stanley Cowle by City Manager Donald Poss confirming an earlier
telephone conversation wherein they discussed the feasibility of establishing a
Hennepin County satellite center within the impending Brookdale Regional Library,
as well as discussing the 1975 construction of the library facility; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager reported that on May 14, 1974 he engaged in
follow -up clarifying conversation of the matter with County Administrator Stanley
Cowle; and
WHEREAS, during late 1974 it became increasingly apparent that Hennepin
County authorities were not proceeding on the longstanding commitment to the
construction sequence of the Brookdale Regional Library; and
WHEREAS, on February 21, 1975 the City of Brooklyn Center was served with
a copy of the proposed Hennepin County Capital Improvement Budget and Program
recommending deferral of the Brookdale Area Library to 1977 -78 in favor of the
Ridgedale Area Library; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County has scheduled a public hearing to consider the
Capital Budget and Program on March 3 and 4, 1975:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Brooklyn Center to strenuously express its objection to the proposed reversal of
longstanding plans to construct the Brookdale Area Library in a sequence following
the Southdale Area Library, to object to the secretive and misleading manner in
which the proposed scheduling reversal was conceived and promulgated and to urge
the Hennepin County Board to reject the proposed reversal of construction sequence
and restore the Brookdale Area Library schedule to its rightful and long term
committed position in sequence of construction.
Member Tony Kuefler introduced the following resolution and moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 75 -54
RESOLUTION OBJECTING TO PROPOSED BROOKDALE AREA LIBRARY
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
WHEREAS, the then Village of Brooklyn Center exercised its community
initiative to erect its own municipal library for operation by the Hennepin County
library system and dedicated the structure for opening in December, 1965; and
WHEREAS, in October, 1966 SUA, Incorporated presented a report
entitled "Analysis of Library Needs" to the Hennepin County Board; and
WHEREAS, said SUA report recommended acquisition of the Brooklyn Center
Branch Library and expansion of same to a Regional Library in the period 1967
to 1970; and
WHEREAS, effective January, 1969 the City of Brooklyn Center at the
request of Hennepin County sold its library building to Hennepin County and
leased to Hennepin County the underlying land; and
WHEREAS, effective October, 1973 the City of Brooklyn Center at the
request of Hennepin County sold to Hennepin County the land underlying the
Brooklyn Center Library; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 1970 the Hennepin County Library Board requested
and the Hennepin County Board initiated acquisition of taxpaying properties
adjacent to the Brooklyn Center Library building for the purpose of constructing
the planned Regional Library; and
WHEREAS, commencing in 1970 Hennepin County representatives, including
both elected and top administrative officials, provided tentative assurances to
City of Brooklyn Center counterparts that it was the intent of the Hennepin County
Board to expand the concept of the regional libraries to embrace "mini -court house
service centers" pursuant to a Hennepin County government decentralization concept;
and
WHEREAS, since 1970 Brooklyn Center officials have been continually,
informally assured by Hennepin County Commissioners and top administrative
officials that the Brooklyn Center Regional Library and Mini Service Center was to
be the second such facility constructed following erection of the Southdale Regional
Library; and
I
RESOLUTION NO. 75 -54
February 24 1975
Date Mayor
ATTEST: (14
Deputy Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by
member Robert Jensen, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted
in favor thereof: Philip Cohen, Tony Kuefler, Robert Jensen and Maurice Britts;
and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was
declared duly passed and adopted.