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During this time, the Commission also directed that the Building Department "go fully <br />digital" by January 2024. This was accomplished. However, the tools that were needed <br />to perform this work fully digitally required larger monitors to review plans. These I -Plan <br />tables require a great amount of space. Space that was not available on the 3rd floor of <br />the Government Center. Suggestions such as moving part of their operation to the first <br />floor were neither practical nor functional for several reasons, not least of which is the <br />need for the first floor meeting room by all departments on a regular basis. Additionally, <br />this is not good customer service or functionality to have the department split into two <br />areas. These are carefully considered business decisions. <br />Taking this directive from the City Commission, I presented the City Commission with <br />three options. One was to rent space from another entity and pay rent for the space that <br />was needed, another was to build the Police Station and create space at the Government <br />Center, and third was to renovate the former Tony Roma's building to meet the needs of <br />the Building Department, the Annex option. The Commission decided to move forward <br />with the Annex option. (Attachment 11) <br />This was neither manipulative nor done in secret. This was discussed at public meetings <br />and administration moved forward with the consensus of the Commission. <br />Following the last meeting in which the library concept came to light, we immediately <br />researched this option so as to ensure that we are fulfilling the direction of the City <br />Commission. Below is additional information from what was presented at the March <br />Commission meeting: <br />Claim - The library would pay for it <br />o Fact — per the Director of the Library, they would only pay for the build <br />out of the interior space. The bulk of the cost would be the responsibility <br />of the City. This is the same as the original agreement between us for <br />the existing library space. We could apply for grants but that will take <br />time and there are no guarantees of funding. This would cost the City an <br />estimated $2M and be a multi-year project. They do not pay rent. Their <br />current agreement and any future agreements, would require them to <br />pay for utilities and janitorial services only. This does not meet the <br />Commission directive of generating income at this property. <br />■ The library also indicated that the current space at the annex is <br />not large enough. With the cafe, only 6,757 square feet is <br />available for the library without adding on to the building. They <br />would need 10,418 square feet to have the same space as they <br />have here. They utilize our meeting room for programming. They <br />would want the meeting room for programming to be located at <br />the same site so they are not crossing the driveway. <br />• Commissioner Joseph inquired if a second floor could be added. <br />The building foundation was reviewed by our structural inspector, <br />and it was determined that the existing pile foundation and footers <br />do not have the capacity to support an additional floor added on <br />to the building. <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />392 <br />