Town to look into Beach Library expansion issue
Although it doesn’t have any direct jurisdiction in the matter, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council is planning a work session to discuss accountability regarding an expansion issue of a separate taxing authority -the Beach Library. Town officials are expected to engage in conversation with their attorney once he looks into the matter at a greater length. The discussion may happen as soon as the scheduled Jan. 3 work session.
The action was inspired after seven residents of Estero Island utilized public comment to express opposing views on the proposed expansion of the Fort Myers Beach Library. The 30-minute input session about the practicality of the expansion prompted council members and its legal representative to share their personal views on the matter.
The Beach Library is expected to break ground on an expansion effort in the near future -one that would nearly double its existing 18,895 square feet to 34,190 and cost more than $7 million.
On its website –www.thenewbeachlibrary.com– there is a statement about the need for expansion due to the steady increase in collections, services and programs to ‘meet the needs of beach residents and visitors’ and that the addition will ‘open the door to offering a wider range of resources and activities, including public meeting space, gallery and performance space, specific areas for youth and a computer lab.’ A 23-percent increase in Jan. 2010 was referenced.
Beach resident Jim Stevens said he conducted his own survey and witnessed “only 21 people in the present building at any time.”
With a crumbling water utility infrastructure facing the Town, the general collective feeling among the public speakers conveyed upgrading water pipelines would be better usage of taxpayer money.
While jurisdiction on the Beach Library falls under the direction of the library’s board of directors, town officials may have found a legal loophole to arrange a discussion with library officials.
“They are, as a special district, subject to the Uniform Special District of Accountability Act in Chapter 189,” said Town Attorney Jim Humphrey, when asked by Mayor Larry Kiker on his thoughts about the library.
“The council can take a position and ask for a workshop or joint session with the special district. I think it would merit first a discussion with this council and our review of Chapter 189 with you about what some of the provisions are.”
Council members were attentive to an overriding plea from Beach residents who asked council members to use “power and influence” to stop the expansion. Cries of ‘taxation without representation’ and ‘we don’t need another social club’ were repeated statements from the speakers who also questioned the ethical standards of the library board’s elections.
“It’s most important to remember that the people at the library wanted to do this, and they were surrounded by people who wanted it done. Times have changed now, and the amount of money seems excessive now to us,” said Councilwoman Jo List.
“There are certain legal, ethical and practical considerations that can be discussed,” said Councilman Alan Mandel. “Is there a higher or better use for that money?”
Town Manager Terry Stewart and Kiker have discussed certain concerns with library officials in the past.
“As a professional, I was disappointed, saddened and somewhat shocked to learn that the visit that the mayor and I had with Beach Librarian Dr. Hommerding was characterized 180 degrees opposite the way the meeting actually took place,” said Stewart.
The anticipated workshop is expected to draw a lot more feedback from residents for and against the proposed library addition.
“Some of the issues that came up seem to hold some relevance in terms of the elections and the expansion. It appears to me what this group is asking is what can be done to get all of the voters on the island to participate in a referendum,” said Kiker. “If the council chooses to look into the matter after Mr. Humphrey’s work effort, it would be more appropriate and proper to contact officials at the library and look for ways to work together.”