##VIDEO ID:https://stpaul.granicus.com/player/clip/5123?view_id=37&redirect=true## a I's here. Here. Maker here. Chair Jones. It. 6 present one member believe use. The first item on the agenda is the approval of minutes minutes. 24 Dash 50 approving. DECEMBER. 11th 2024 board minutes. Minutes, there any discussion? motion from the council over Nck or to approve the minutes on favor. Say Aye, aye, any opposed. 6 approved? No, none opposed. The minutes have been approved. And I'll jump in here really quick. We're going to reorder few items on the agenda. So we're actually going to go to the staff reports next. And then we will go to the resolution that's under discussion. Staff report. 25 Dash one transforming where there is a Great be over deputy director here to give her presentation of the update on transferring libras. And every kid from Mosul. Such well, thank you for having us We're getting an update today just on the status of our chance, something libraries project. You heard a lot about this to board meetings last year and through the budget process and I'll start off by saying we are immensely grateful for the work you all updated. Securing further funding for transforming project through the budget process. It is critical to our success these projects as we go forward. end the standoff, which is some. background where we're at things you've heard before. So go over this briefly. The transforming libraries project facilities investment in 3 of our Live Relocations hate Heights. Hammond midway in Riverview Hammond midway being total new construction and pavement review being some pretty significant renovations of the spaces. We're also looking at across all of our locations, developing technology, ridge spaces and reassessing design a play spaces for children and families. strategic goals related here is that we want buildings that meet our current and our future we want places where everybody in our community feels safe. Welcome ingesting the library. They see themselves reflected in the operations, library and the programmatic offerings in the collections that And you can find access to tools they need to be able to, as we've often said to life at the library spaces. And then our play and spaces, we want really dynamic spaces for children and families can be together in this space, adults with their children can do what they need to do other in a play and learn space, children get the opportunity to to learn and grow those spaces and we'll cover a little bit of community engagement. I'm going to say if you've got more questions on this process, I'll turn it over to America and her part because she was actually here I was not in my position during this time. But there was significant community engagement that went into developing the transforming libraries project as well as the earlier strategic directions alive or that inform the transfer project. A large portion of the community was surveyed in the the real efforts to reach people who are current live or users, people who not live areas as people have never been in the library to find out what we're missing and the services that were offering what's preventing people from coming in, what people who are coming in want to see cases. What we heard from the community was that people want to live or is to be accessible. And we're talking about all types of accessibility here. Not just ada, accessibility, but opportunities for programming opportunities with our facilities, but unity access to different community services. They want spaces that are flexible. We want spaces that are environmentally responsible we're looking at changing up our spaces. We want to be consistent with what the city's schools are related to sustainability. Energy usage. And they want spaces that are safe and welcoming. We've heard a lot about that to the presentations that done over the last year here. We also want each of these to reflect the cultures of the neighborhood. We have a number of different locations throughout love mobile library. And there's some very unique, different cultural communities that are represented in our live location. So how can we have the library just like that character of a neighborhood that a cange and they want to see elements of the history of the neighborhoods that are in there, too. So we want to be talking to do that as we're redeveloping the spaces. One of the most important parts for us in 6 success of project is our partnerships. We are not doing this on our own in a vacuum as a library or even as a city. But we are really working together with you all with the elected officials of the city of Saint Paul to help us realize the opportunities that are out here, help us cover the budget gaps that exist and we're working really closely with the friends of the Saint Paul Public Library hear from them after this, who are running a capital campaign for us to raise a significant portion of the funds for this project. With the Office of Financial Services who helps us find creative solutions to be able to maximize the dollars that we have leverage grant dollars with city dollars. Intergovernmental relations, making connections with our legislative partners to be able to get U.S. Federal and state funds for the project. Our city attorney's office who seen us through significant time of litigation on Hammond Midway Library and advise the projects. And I have local here. But our federal state, local delegation legislative positions, he's been critical as well. Some of the opportunities and challenges that we've seen so far. We've had some really good achievement with federal earmarks from calling for Haiti Heights and Riverview. We have another pending earmark. They're waiting to see the status of that. But we're really hopeful in that. The investments from the city, through the work that you of that in the last budget process, the bonding that we received for handling way library prior cip process funding solutions from ofs. And now, you know, a really big. Does that and midway underway. Will talk a little bit more about that building still looks the same, but you'll see some changes very soon. And we continue to pursue grant opportunities for working with the friends and our partners. Now in the grants office at all with to help us find every opportunity can and go after that. The challenges, obviously we've got increased construction costs. We had a two-year delay on him and midway. Construction costs went up significantly in that time. We'll talk a little bit about that. But we're going to see some more of that as we look at a project that we're talking about going on 2, 3, 4, years down the road. We have uncertain federal funding outlook. None of us really knows what's going to happen with funding for the new administration. So Making the best protections that we can with the knowledge that we have at the time. We have also, you know, we struggle that and we need your help. And the health of our external partners to maintain support for this project, enthusiasm for it over multiple years. We're talking about work that's going to happen in 27 2028 and some of these projects. It's it's hard to get people to realize that and keep that is as I'm alive. But we're hoping that what we're doing with projects right now, the building had midway. Can help people see that. Yes, this is a vision that's being realized. Here's what's going to happen. The other projects. Finally, I'll talk a little to to some of the costs. When we first talked about this project in 2022, we had a total projected cost of 24.8 million. You'll see. Now it's 27.0. 8 million. Big driver of that is having midway and the two-year delay. We had litigation push that project up 2.3 million dollars. So that's really significant. We had. The city bonding dollars there to cover a lot of that cost. We have a 0.1 million dollars in city funding. Now we've got to add a difference too, this big Hayden Heights, where we stand right now projections from architect is over 700,000 over what we initially thought. Riverview look at the designs up to 100%. And at the time we do that pending any canges and what what's happening with the cost of man at the time? Will realize what the projected increases there, our technology ridge and play in space. Is there still that what we projected the man initially and we're confident that we're going to be able to realize those with these figures. So we're good there. And we're gonna start games and demonstration. Think you're talking about that at this pace. Is it? In this year? Actually. So I think that is it for my portion. I'm going to turn it over to make us a because our tax and special special special special projects and initiatives know get the order makes I read has been really critical in developing this project from the start was here through the litigation was deposed. And they had to prepare to be on the stand. So it's expert in this dissipated really critically in the community engagement This is really a questions go as Thank you. quick and thank you both of both e the cost sos 27.8 million. That was up 3 million dollars from what was originally projected. So those costs for so him and midway is under way now. So construction cost would be based on this year and maybe into next year. The other projects are those construction costs page based on future dollars, anticipating that they'll be built in 2027 2028. And construction costs will be higher. Yeah, protected as projected it out for us for Hamlin. We've actually got a couple of estimates from them saying if you started it here in the beginning 2025, he's going to get back starting 8.25, here's 26. So this is what we're showing for the time when that we have right now. So break. We'll talk about the and one time we're sticking to what their initial projection is here because we're consistent with that timeline for Payton Heights. That one is based on their projection right now. We could see when we submit that packet and get a general contractor board, could be some change at that time. So these other estimates based today's So those could go up. Thank you for having me again. And America stand at the special projects and initiatives manager overseeing the transfer military's project. So service Hamlin, we're so excited to be able to move forward on as you know, we've got this projected cost right now of 10.4 million due to the litigation delay. So we have 0.1 million dollars with the cip funds that we are moving forward that previously committed to that project. Just a reminder that this is what it's going to look like. We're so excited to have a one story building in this neighborhood that will be deeply accessible and also quite a bit safer. And bigger and better use of the land space. And there's all sorts of reasons why this is going to just a phenomenal resource for that neighborhood. excited to move forward and it the timeline is that in October of last year courts ruled in our favor that we MAY demolish the existing building and we moved very quickly to move to get going on that. So NOVEMBER and DECEMBER, we removed all items, including the hazardous materials that were in there. And we've salvage his many materials as we could for the building for And then now and early 2025. We construction bids are open. We met we had private meeting yesterday for construction. We're going to be starting right now in the permitting process for the demolition, we have beginnings salvaging the brick, the blood in the stone arch. They for the new building within the next few And we know te timeline on that and I'm sure you'll be updated. But right now we we know that it will take not too much time and then we will start with construction. Construction will take about 16 to 18 months for him to get going. Moving into the hated Heights Library. Like just said, total project cost went up about 700,000 just because of timeline from the 2022 project in that we had. Are still seeking remaining funds to fill that gap before we move forward on that project, have a couple of activities here, including the federal digital that are still holding out. Hope for. We've got the nda capital Grant in the age friendly, Minnesota Grant for looking at grants big and small to fill that gap. That funding at and that's included in the city legislative priorities for 2025 Again. A preview of what we're hoping to. Do with the Hayden heads Library, which I keep being told it has really good bones and it's really great structure but has not been remodeled and significantly since it built in 1978. And it could really use some a plus, including some visibility. That's a big piece you can see here. So more visibility insight will help with people understand in the library's. There also will keep people feeling safe as walking in. And as walking out of the building. It will be down to the studs and the inside will be re orienting the building to make sure that we're making the best use is that generous floor plan that is already there and making sure we have a flexible, a community room, flexible space for partnerships study rooms for virtual spaces, lots of green space on both sides of the building for both visibility and also access for families to be spending time street and gardens. The hidden Heights timeline I that right now in 2025 Elysee Architects they had previously gotten our designs up to 75%. They are now currently working on finalizing those designs and getting them up to 100% so that when that funding gap is closed, we will be ready to move. We're working on completing the fundraising to the sufficient risk level and then develop the full timeline when that funding is secured. And then next is the refund you library? We are continuing to use the 2022 projected costs because we have not gotten those designs up to 100%. So right now it's at 7.7 million dollars are still seeking the remaining funds to fill that gap. Up to 7.7 million dollars. Do anticipate ad going after the 2026 Cip request. It is also included say that a slate of priorities for 2025. A reminder that that space is going to look like. This is a significant addition to the building itself really keeping that historic feel, making sure that the visibility is there to see. You can see the historic archways building at that as it stands is not going to be Change, take too much. And really that addition is going to be bringing everything up be a single story library. So bringing the bathrooms up to the that main floor bringing this the community meeting rooms, a wellness room, study rooms community flex room and a staff workroom on to that first floor. So everyone can be on the same level. Everyone enter through the same door. We don't have and they'll check Cecil door on the side. And then the current stairs will remain, but they become planters. That door will be a doorway to a patio where people can go and enjoy the outdoors from the main pack, the library. But and making it extremely accessible for every news entire library. Space. The Riverview timeline is that in 2025 we are identifying the elements of the projects that we can complete within the existing funding. So right now we have remarks, but federal earmarks that we could use. And we're looking to see if we can complete some relief for the exterior masonry repair before w have the full funding so that we could start the project again, getting the neighborhood excited and seeing that we are making progress on the building itself. We will continue fundraising and then it will be preparing for the next cip round. Next. We're so excited about having technology, spaces and all of our libraries and we get are getting going on that actually right now we are working on making sure that there are spaces for people to use technology. In addition to increasing the technology now by all of our libraries. So all of our libraries will have this. We're starting with a few this year and I took photos. Right now. We're going to be we're looking at the implementation of technology which sites at Race Street and Marian Park as part of a specific grant that received to friends and then also judge. Let him Central Library has the Nicholson comments which be completed. Likely later this month where we have a new study rooms built and those will serve a way for us to show funders and the public what we mean when talk about technology, which faces really bringing people in and seeing how we engage with co-working or virtual conferences. People being to reserve space is to be able to take meetings. Second thing. This investment is not only technology bills of furniture, hardware, all. It's making sure that study spaces and then technology meeting room. So making sure that some of this technology is available to the public. We are continuing the engagement in each of our neighborhoods to determine the changing community needs. So making sure that we're not just assuming we kow but people have needed in the past, but what they're going to need in the future. So and when we are going into these live at specific neighborhoods, will be doing some engagement to hear what at what, where we could moved in the future. The Nicholson upgrades are on the main meeting room of the second floor of judge item Central Library. So staff at any time to see this, the Nicholson has an annual endowment. So we've been really able to get to work toward some of these schools immediately on that with that money. And so we did some community engagement. A couple years ago and it highlighted the broom needed to be more welcoming and empowering and flexible for people who might want use the space for a co-working or for meeting spaces are using it as like business space. So we've got some temporary walls up and what you can see in the picture on the left. Which they put their building to study rooms on the inside. It's right behind the service desk. It's going to a wonderful fixture in the space of people can take phone calls, video conferences, do something or have a noisy or conversation with colleagues that kind of Those walls are coming down next week. So will start seeing the and the study rooms and they should be open by the end of the month. If all goes well. So and so excited. So that's what it looks like on the right right now is as the finishing at. The other large project that we're doing throughout all of our library says the planned initiative and that is to make sure that all of our libraries have spaces for families and children to be able to play and learn. Know that plays the work is they use a need to have access for that. And we know that there are fewer and fewer spaces for families to build to do this in doors that are safe and and free to the public and that where people can hang out as long as they need to with their families. So looking at making sure that we have not only the toys and the furniture, but also accessible things for the families as well. Chairs for for older adults to sit in, for example, and making sure that we're looking at that are looking into the spaces as as a whole, not just implementing at the little bit of furniture or games or a mural. The whole case. So we will be putting out an rfi early this year to talk to People who who do this work. So to see what's out right now, it's all right now. We've got rfi out to detective vendors that that do build spaces for use and families so that we can see what's out there. Get the best. The best practices from them. The timeline for that is that the rfi as current right now we are soliciting those consultants. And we will doing focusing on a demonstration site. Once that rfi is completed and we will identify demonstration site and develop that at last one this year so that we can again show show the public and show our funders what we mean. And MAY talk about a holistic plan space. Believe that's the end. Yes, that's the end city. We had like to open it up at this time for questions for, you know, myself. Counselors, I know that it's gonna skews me it is impossible to just get a list of like the cnstruction. The construction or fees verify solicitations just get the links and stuff we want to echo of them being open currently accepting visions that. Yeah, we were actually just talking yesterday about a strategy to get more eyes on rfi, particularly for the plan space is we can send that link out to you all and broadly and widely as you can share that with your networks would be great. Thank you. I appreciate. Just being able to pull that out. Couple in a car. Thanks, chair. A question of the comic press release. The plan learned spaces. You mentioned the demonstrations site the rfi. I know that we already have a number of planned learns faces all across the city in our library. So. And this is probably just a misunderstanding on my part. But we talk about something fundamentally different with these planets bases or sounds like we are. But what way and why not just keep doing what we've been doing really well in other at home. A comment until mentioned a case stick to it. Appreciate that Yes, we are. And looking to go a little bit beyond what we've been able to do in the past and te past we've been given really lovely amounts of money to refresh spaces that have already existed and trying to get the furnishings to where we like them. We're hoping to do a little bit more of a holistic look at the whole and how to the families come into this space. But kind of community artists might engaging with instead of putting furnishings into a space. Take some of the furnishings out and build the space with the artists are with worker's or what it might be instead putting in additional furniture into a space that was already kind all righty. I guess it's the difference between them getting new furniture for a room and like completely remodeling it. So we're going to be looking at the entire space. They are very, very close. We will be not prioritizing the spaces that recently upgraded solely Rondo and Arlington. We a couple spaces that are just beautiful right now. And we know that those are in for a street is another run at. Very close. And so those will be buildings to get. At this plan. Then upgrade. But we do think that there's some things with this kind of ivestment that we could be doing. That would be a little bit sustainable more engaging in the community. So. And then make my fellow or separate comment was just I appreciate hearing the timelines and the scene. The construction. Starting at him and that way is super And all of us have a real sense of urgency for this work continue and to complete. And one of the things that I I had mentioned the check-in call about this recently is that I think it's it's also important to have information on all of the different funding possibilities that we're considering. Not just the gaps and the ones that we're pursuing now, but it's difficult to see right now with those big denominators. And to your point chair growing denominators, the more time it takes more expensive. These become to really see written out. What are all the different, you know, federal, state, local opportunities grants, earmarked center that we're pursuing. I think that's also probably helpful for a private fundraising efforts because it just shows the cities not just abstractly committed but completely committed to this fundraising at also helps us know when it comes to budget time. You know what is a meaningful amount of investment from any source to make what's going to really help us close a gap that you're looking to us for rather than just more is always better. Yeah, rally appreciate that. And check your heart. And I had a conversation earlier this week after we had met, you know, wanted to put together that higher level overview for you all, particularly on those elements of city funds where we potentially have the capacity to draw like from our fund balance or through the city's budget process. To give you some real figures of what would make meaningful impact on these projects. So we're not just thinking is it $500,000 again this year? Is that the number we can put some some thought behind that and give you an overview. We'll also d as much protection as we can on the grants that were able to see that picture is a little more of a limited window just because of the knowledge that we have an opportunity is available to us. But we're working really closely with the fans and now the grant office Fs 2 do as I guess prospecting as we can advance to find out opportunities that are going to be coming down the fence is a really great eye on that for us all the time and keeps he's continued looking and checking for when notices a fund opportunities are released. But we can certainly put together kind with dashboard of all of those as they relate to each project. So you've got a better sense of. What you're advocating for when you are doing that advocacy through the budget process. Yeah, I think that that sounds that's what's to be share that with with all of us. And as we get closer to the next Are there any other questions? Council PRESIDENT, just want thank al of you and the friends of the library here and then also my colleagues. The midway rebuilt has been a long time coming and it was very desperately needed. Good news coming last 3rd of last year to get really the delegation from the court the city has the right legal and values authority to rebuild this facility for our neighborhood that needs and also that. The last several I would have been marked by an uptick in safety issues and stress in the neighborhood and I fundamentally believe that when we divest from or don't have high functioning public space for everybody that that does correlate to the outcomes that we see. And I believe that in our neighborhood, young people deserve a place to go. They deserve a place to get into a positive thing that a negative thing people who need help deserve whether they have a home are not able to come and use the Internet to be somewhere warm. Like all of that is a part of the values of our library. And so I just think that city investment matters a lot for the community that I represent and part of why I have been very, very steadfast in saying we are going to get this built and those delays are We have to balance community process with the community cost of like delaying or deferring decisions. And I feel you all have lived those values very well. And then lastly, just to my colleagues, I just want to sincerely thank you for your patience and support of that because I really believe that all of her words are stronger when we have these facilities and show with the city's investment looks like that library happens to be in work for. But neighbors in come a visit that library all the time. Neighbors and frightened. Is it that library? It actually serves a region neighborhoods in the heart of our city. So thank you for your support along the way as we have turn the corner in 2024. And I'm excited to see it. Start getting built in 25 and through next year. Thank you, council PRESIDENT I just want to echo ecitement gratitude to everyone that's been helping helping with those projects forward. I mean, that's really what the transfer Libras project is about is making sure that there's access to the spaces for everyone in every part of our city. And we know that we we don't currently have that. No, but that is what we are aggressively trying to move towards, especially with as council PRESIDENT Ali mentioned the the increase in the cost that we can anticipate. So it's important to all of us into the public for so many reasons to get these projects don't assume as possible. I had a couple of questions. Going for the Hamlin. Midway projects. You mentioned the bid opening was really 225 1 would that be awarded? And believe JANUARY. 21st is when it closes. Yes, okay. Facing. And one more question. The Riverview projects to do what the progresses of the design documents for that. You mentioned that hate heights was moving towards 100% is Riverview do percentage reviews that. lse is not currently - engaged bringing those up to 100% yet. So we will. When they're closer to closing that funding gap, we will bring them back on to to get to 100%. So it was intentional that they stopped and then bringing them back on number closer to closing Yes. Okay. Great. Anyone else have any Yes, consultants. Just a a follow-up to that, wll as be able to see just kind of like what the funding stack like. What is the funding gaps or what is the current like? I appreciate knowing how much the projects cost. I'm just wondering from each individual project like how much power to track on the caught fire. It's coming along or like what the fndraising. Looks like. We be able to kind of just see what you know, what's raised, what's left to be raised yet? We've we've got attracted. We can certainly put that together and share. Thanks and we'll make sure doesn't have library's but Im pretty supportive of Hayden Heights in the work that's going to be theirs. And he said just really personally and general curious more so than not. Would love to just kind of see how ech project is going to. It we had it look further into Woodway because those waiting for vacation set to be pending and to be no longer penned in its own ad that we're in a space where it seems fairly rather optimistic that we're moving ahead and positive directions for all 3 projects really curious see how we're doing financially. Will send it, but it's got it. Here. Then are there questions on the transfer libraries? Update? ok, well, thank you. Thank you very much. And I think on to the next item, the next item on the agenda is staff report. 25 Dash 2. The friends of the Saint Paul Public Library update. Don't come up. That springs to present to us. This update. So pleased to be with yu today. My name is best friends and the staff. PRESIDENT Of the Friends of the same public library. And thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. My presentation is going to be very aligned with what you just heard from. We've gotten in to give you a little bit more background on the fence itself just because I think a year into some of your role that's helpful to revisit like for their friends. What did they do and then speak specifically about how we working to show up on behalf of transforming libraries. You experience that directly in some ways, but also to make sure, you know, a little bit more about other work that we're doing. So. Were founded in 1945 last month. Maureen talked to you about the wonderful Perry Jones she invoked in this space and she is the founder of the Friends. And I realized today staffers, it's her 80th anniversary. We were founded in 1945? So welcome to the 80th anniversary of This is our mission statement and really our vision is for a dynamic library at the heart of every communitcommunity defined by geography, but also by identity and so really committed to this idea that a dynamic libraries when the changes involves and grows to meet the needs of the community that it is of and that its We are a charitable nonprofit 501, c 3 organization. So we exist separately. And then in partnership with the city department, that is the library we have governing board of directors and our focus is really on 3 things. Fundraising advocacy and programming. These are values. This is probably a really dense slide of text, but you'll have it leaders. If you want to go back and read our values, I want to make sure to just let you know that that first value we believe in libraries is essential. It seems obvious. But our belief in the power council PRESIDENT, appreciated your comments and just the role that libraries playing community, the people, the space is the services of libraries that drives all of our work. So fundraising. The first of our 3 pillars. We are committed to raising 10 million dollars toward this vision for transforming libraries. And I'll talk more about that later in the presentation. We also provide annual operating support to the library on the city. And thanks to you and the work that you did, particularly in this last budget cycle to ensure sufficient funding for so many aspects of the library's ongoing operations is essential. We are also very proud to be able to contribute to the annual work of the library often what our dollars fund our innovative new pilot programs that if and when they achieve proof of concept and are clearly a needed service in the library on ongoing basis. That's when you start hearing about us are hearing from advocacy front. We worked very hard to create an inclusive donor community so that every person in Saint Paul can feel and see themselves in helping realize and make library work happened. Advocacy. This is how you know us best over the last year. Certainly you have heard from us probably as much as maybe more than you want to about this important conversation around adequate investment, not only for transforming libraries, but to ensure that that ongoing operating budget of the library mets the current and future needs of every resident of Saint Paul through all of the library locations and through the bookmobile. So you we are very grateful for how you have made yourselves available for these conversations with your constituents and neighbors. And that is who makes up the fence. We that's who we are. We also really work to lead efforts that defund public awareness of even what the libraries do today. A lot of people MAY still live in a space and be familiar with libraries from and the stealth experienced as a child that is much more book oriented than maybe libraries are today. We will always support as many books on library shelves as possible and available digitally. And then all of the ways and libraries are so many things across our community. So we considered a privilege to be advocates for raising the public awareness of the true breadth and scope of the role that libraries, plane communities and then finally, we continue to partner with the library to help activate residents to get into our library spaces. We change so many behaviors over the last 4 years and are grateful to be able to work with the library to get people in these wonderful buildings. Uk's probably see this less in your role on city council. And as the library board, the defense also is very active in programming. We have a number of goals related to programming that have evolved over 80 years. And much of that wrk happens in Saint Paul, but not all of it. So for the purposes of just continuing to build awareness of the scope of our work, I do want you to be aware of 3 things beyond how we're usually in conversation with you. First is that we are the Minnesota Center for the book, the Library of Congress designates one entity in all 50 states to be there. Basically their branch o the library of Congress in each state in 47 states. That is a government agency at humanities commission or a state library. We're the only friends organization in the United States to hold the role of center for the book and our program director Elaine is actually in a leadership are working on strategy at the national level on the center for the book Initiative for the Leverage Congress. So that's punching above our weight hearing in Saint Paul. We also produce the Minnesota book Awards for that for the state. That's part of the work of the Center for the book. It's both an awards ceremony but also a statewide program to connect readers and writers in libraries that would have a very challenging time bringing in a writer like Aliya Yang to Fergus Falls on their own. We facilitate that to make sure that those conversations are building bridges between urban and rural areas of our state and then finally, because we've been doing this awhile we actually monetize our as another revenue stream back in 2007 we establish library strategies. And in this past year, we have consulted with dozens and dozens of libraries and library support organizations around the country. And it's everything from helping a small library in Wisconsin to a capital campaign of their own to build a new library. 2 working in Jackson, Mississippi, to reopen libraries that have been closed due to crises that that community has been dealing with to working with the state of Idaho, how to maintain public libraries in a very challenging political climate. So really interesting work happening there. All of that comes back and fits what we're able to bring into Saint Paul. By the numbers were pretty large organization. We have 16 staff that work at the fence. We have a very large board of directors. But those board members come from all of your words. They represent every area of the city. 8600 people consider themselves supporters of the friends. You heard from a lot of them. I hope and through the course of this budget process last year and then 1700 of them are actually active donors to the friends. And that number continues to grow. Transform libraries. How do we show up for this campaign that we're all ivolved him first, it starts with gratitude. Thank you. Sincerely for the work that you did during last budget session to make sure that the city's investment continues toward realizing this full vision. And we have a lot to do as was pointed out, some of our numbers look different in this and try to explain why. And I appreciated your budget questions. Council member Johnson happy to go as deep in the weeds as you But we are shopping as a private fundraising opportunity as a 28.0, 8 million dollar partnership. So obviously our numbers from last year don't take into account the count. The cost escalations that you've heard we we talk about the city's commitment 18.8 and that what that does for private donors is really gets them excited and what we feel like we can do with that through a feasibility study that we conducted is bring 10 million dollars to this project. We are well on our way with that. Our 10 million will not, although to the bricks and mortars, that that was described today in transforming libraries. We threw our conversation. A feasibility study in the nonprofit world is us going out and talking to potential donors and saying what are you interested in funding? How much frankly do you think you're going to give us and then bringing that back together? And that's where that 10 million comes from. We believe that we can achieve 6 million dollars in cash toward the physical projects that have been described today. But there's also a part of our community interested in the endowment fund. So we're going to be growing. A new endowment up to 3 million dollars that will kick off money every year in perpetuity so that the library has flexible funds to continue to spend on children, youth and family programming. And then it cost money to run a campaign. So that's what capacity building looks like over the next 4 years. So we started our work. In 2022, we have begun the quiet phase of our campaign just this past year that 2023 pause is our version of Hamlet. Midway. We were it was really challenging for us to go out and find a cohesive narrative in the community. While there was a very loud conversation going on about what should the future of that building But super excited to have finally in 2024, said we got to move forward. There's a lot of energy for this. What are we going to do? We've got to start raising money we're in what is called the quiet phase. The fact that I'm here in front of you today means it's not a silent Fay it just means that we are not broadly asking our whole community to show up right now for this campaign. We are talking to key investors who are close to where who we know value the work that the library does to get a long way toward our 10 million dollar call. There will be a public portion of this campaign because Iwant to invite every members of our community to be a part of this work to make their contribution, whether it's $5 commitment or a five-million-dollar commitments com, if you have But to to be a part of this campaign and be able to look at these libraries win that completed and say I helped do that. I mean, that library happened. That's what fundraising looks like is inviting people into the work so that they know they're a part of it. But right now we're having a lot of conversations with individual and corporate and foundation donors to get to our part of the call for my performance review. This year, I went back and counted. How many campaign meetings I did last year? I didn't 94 meetings just about the campaign. The result of that along with a lot of my colleagues, we have an amazing fundraising team at the We had really good first year. We sort of had silently said to ourselves, we really want to get to 5 million dollars in that first year. And we are in DECEMBER. So this isn't even the final end of your numbers. But we know we're at 5.4 right now. And that No small thing. We are we have donors who are wanting to make give specifically for Riverview. We have donors who are making a gift specifically for so that we can bring a little bit more to the table to start covering that gap. We have folks who are very interested in playing folks who have made gift toward the technology component of the campaign. We have a number of folks who've made what we consider leadership gifts. Those gifts over $100,000. Some of them not all of them listed here. And I just want to say again, thank you to our work in the coming year is going to continue to be about fundraising ad advocacy. You will hear from us again, really pushing on that city commitment. Capital campaigns historically in Saint Paul for the library have been public-private partnerships between the friends and the city. And when the public sector, when you invest in the library, that gives confidence to the private community like we should make these investments. We have some really key conversations coming up this year, million dollar asks to donors in this year. We don't get to 10 million dollars $5 at the time. We still have major gift work to do. So your continued investment is key and I will specifically naming 0.2 conversations and be thinking about that 2026 cip allocation in order to really moved the needle and get all 3 of these libraries built particularly attentive to Riverview in this way. Cip funding has gone. It has a major investment has got to be a part of it. As far as we see. I don't see another road map. And s we will just transparently say we will be advocating that a large portion of that cip allocation that becomes available in 2026. Be directed toward transforming libraries. There probably isn't a big enough pot of money anywhere else to get us there. And with the common sent taking care of a lot of infrastructure needs across a lot of other areas of our city. We have been told by city leadership that because those investments are for other areas of the city that frees up funds like So really look forward to those conversations with you and please know we will continue to do everything we can to meet and exceed our 10 million dollars goal so that we can bring as much to the table as possible to make sure that this whole campaign happens. And I am happy to take questions. Also. Well, thank you. Thank you very much. And thank you so much to you and the friends for all of your work. So have any questions. Consular e. It's toast. What about use of refresher? But I learned so much in your presentation of it, especially the part about programming. And how you do what you do. I don't know, but I'm sure he has to do with having a really phenomenal teen. You at the friends do such a great job. Keeping us in the loop about here. We're getting a status updates and what the I really appreciate most about conversations I had with you and your team is just how chance parent you are an open. You are about about where your donors are yet to and wanting to see this city deliver on on our piece of the pie. And I know that's something that we all are very committed in. And so I just really appreciate all the conversations that we've had with you because I really see that the public and private partnership here is really what allows us to make more possible to be even more visionary and be very bold. And I really saw you like deliver all of that here presentation. And so just really say thank you for the work that you and your team, your donor supporters, everybody from the friends, really a plus the work that our our staff are doing? And I just really love how with the work of everyone doing this together, we again are able to make more possible, say feel even more confident about us getting to the finish line for the chance for me. Libraries project with you being here with us. More on the way to so thank you Thank you. Councilmember eating PRESIDENT Jos Live reporter. Just sorry. I'll just give you We are really grateful for the partnership to is a cannot overstate how important it is. That te public and private sides work together it gives us the confidence to move forward and the ability to be in conversation. But I do believe in you look at that 5.0, 4 number that we have achieved in terms of pledges this year. Our development director, Diana cannot cause phenomenal and she says it best. Now is the time for libraries. I think the political climate, requires us to not take libraries for granted to not take public spaces for granted to not take the kind of services that are available and the values that are held and lived every day in our libraries. There are a lot of donors who are responding out of the sense of urgency tat now is the time for libraries. But there's also so much beauty in this campaign that we are talking about technology. We are talking about how families are served in libraries. We are talking about how elders and community members see themselves reflected in our library spaces and how staff are supported through spaces that are both accessible and safe. It's a dynamic and evolving conversation but grateful to be able to carry this out in our community. Hey, thank you. Councilmember Johnson. And I just wanted to ask a clarifying question. Did the South 5.4 million dollars raised? And what about time? A pledge around a lot of time in 2024. And if it's a really incredible space, too t be. And I think it's just a testament to the work. I was like. Just by way of cloud evident from what I like. really dislike. I'm not surprised I think it's speaks to the the commitment of our both like the team members within difference, the public library and also just like I think testament to the work of city staff, a small that yes and the buildings and so overall, I jus think that's a pretty incredible number somebody who understands how hard it can be, too obtain any sort of like grant funding or especially when you're talking about fundraising. I'm sure, you know, some folks are like you come off the feasibility study like we're going to 10 million dollars. I don't know how we're going to We're going have a And were year later. I hope that that give some of you all a lot of information about the direction you're headed and also the tent ability of those findings. So that's kind of to see. And yes, thank you for that. And I my clarifying point will be that these are dollars pledged do have a lot of cash in hand. But campaigns take place over were saying for years, so many of these donors have made a commitment of our largest gift to date is $900,000. And that gets paid from from one entity that gets paid out over a schedule. So we're not sitting on 5.4 million dollars cash right now. But those pledges have been secured. They are documented and we are frankly, ahead of where we had thought we would be in terms of cash on hand, which has been really exciting as well. So thank you for that. I hope you guys take some time in your 80 year anniversary to celebrate. He said the problem with fundraising organization says on JANUARY it's a whole new fiscal year. So you have 100% of goal to raise So even if you make your previous year's goal, start Any other questions or comments? Just got a couple, before a saw and we still items like anything else for that. Thank you. Thank for the on to our last item. The final item on the agenda resolution. 25 dash 18 authorizing certain activities to support a cooperative relationship between the Saint Paul Public Library and the friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. So this item speaking of the friends, basically annual renewal of our partnership with the friends of the Public Library and simple Public library. So we are able to work together, according event's accept donations. And I think you. The friends been able to so much it's just there's kind of a long list of things. But that's basically what this item is. Does anyone have any questions or questions from the? For many council members? Director of a new job. Anything you want just want check will take a motion from Councilmember Nick, you to approve the all in favor. Say Aye, Any opposed. 7 and favors or oppose. Resolution has been adopted. Great. Well, that is the end of our agenda. I think I just want to thank everyone again for being here today. And our first, you know, big meeting of 2025. And so really looking forward to all of our work together as library board and drector Hartman and the friends and and al of or staff and everyone in the community. So thank you so much. And with nothing else to come before us, Mayor Richard,