REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adoption of a Resolution of Necessity and Introduction of an Ordinance Ordering the Submission to Sunnyvale Voters at the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election of a Proposition Incurring Bonded Indebtedness for the Purpose of Financing the Cost of Acquisition, Construction, and Improvement of Certain Municipal Improvement Projects (New Main Library)
Report
BACKGROUND
In 2017, City Council adopted the Civic Center Modernization Master Plan (RTC No. 17-0835). The Master Plan contains a long-term, multi-phased vision of the entire civic center campus.
The adopted Master Plan includes three phases. Phase 1 included a new City Hall, a Public Safety building renovation and addition that includes a new Emergency Operation Center (EOC), and site improvements. Phase 2 includes a new Main Library, playground, and site improvements. Phase 3 is a new Public Safety Headquarters building.
To move Phase 2 forward, Council awarded a contract on September 12, 2023 to Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc. for Main Library design and community outreach. The consultant and staff presented Council with options during a study session on April 9, 2024, and Council narrowed the design options under consideration to two: a 2-story new 95,000 square foot library estimated to cost $240 million and a 3-story new 120,000 square foot library estimated to cost $290 million. Both options included LEED Platinum rating, achieved Net-Zero energy, and excluded underground parking. Council also directed staff to conduct public polling to gauge voter support for a potential ballot measure to fund the project.
The City retained the services of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) to conduct a voter opinion survey on a potential revenue ballot measure to approve a General Obligation (GO) Bond payable from ad valorem property taxes to fund the construction of a new Main Library. At the May 21, 2024 workshop, Council received an update...
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