Charles City library to be standalone facility after supervisors’ vote

For approximately one month, Charles City supervisors admitted numerous sleepless nights after hearing comments from citizens on the location of a new library. Hopefully those county leaders will be able to rest their eyes for at least one night after a decision was made at the board’s Oct. 25 regular meeting.

A motion passed 2-1 for the construction of the library on the south lawn of the courthouse complex, foregoing a recommended study to build the facility adjacent to the old historic courthouse.

County leaders reflected on comments made at a Sept. 26 public forum made by 15 speakers with concerns of having the library built near the historic courthouse and connecting it with a walkway. Of those 15 speakers, a dozen of them voiced to have the building as a separate entity, something District 2 leader Bill Coada commented when the topic arose during the county administrator’s report.

“It’s time to make a decision to put the wheels in motion,” he said, commenting that the process was already behind schedule. “I think that the study we requested on alternative building of the library got what we wanted.

“However, as one board member, with that parking lot there [adjacent to the historic courthouse] I just can’t see the library there and hooking it to the old courthouse,” Coada continued. “I do agree we got to do something with the old courthouse.”

District 1 representative Gilbert Smith kept his statements to a minimal.

“I appreciate all the comments made at the public forum,” he said. “I’ve loss some sleep over this as well and I considered all that were made.”

District 3 supervisor and board chairman Floyd Miles Sr. favored the library’s location next to the historic courthouse, saying that funding would assist in the restoration of the building.

“A lot of effort has been put into this,” Miles commented. “I have had numerous meetings with library representatives and I think it’s in the best interest of the county to put it next to the courthouse to help the renovations.

“From previous conversation and talks, if the building was placed on the south lawn that walk is cumbersome,” the chairman added to wrap up his comments.

Dialogue continued among county leaders before Coada commented that even with the library as a standalone building, funding from the bond referendum is still available for the courthouse restoration.

“According to my research, we can use funds from the bond referendum to help with the renovations of the courthouse as long as it’s used in conjunction for the library and the history center,” Coada said, receiving a head nod from county attorney Randy Boyd to confirm the accuracy of his statement. “That building can be used as a meeting room and a lot of other programs,” he added, mentioning the possible housing of documents and hosting programs.

“The original plan with the library campaign was to borrow $2.5 million and they were going to raise $2.5 million,” added the District 2 leader. “Our referendum only allows us to borrow $2.5 million and that’s what my motion will be.

“I motion that $2.3 million of the money be allotted for the construction of the library building on the south end of the courthouse complex and that $200,000 be used to renovate the old courthouse to be used in conjunction for the library and history center,” Coada motioned.

However, Floyd Miles Sr. interjected with a substitute motion.

“I motion that $2.5 million be used for the construction of the library at the location adjacent to the old historic courthouse,” the District 3 supervisor said.

By law, Miles’ motion had to be voted on first. It failed 1-2. Coada’s motion passed 2-1, with Miles casting the lone dissenting vote.