PCPL now receiving bids for parking lot project

Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Banner Graphic/Jared Jernagan Formerly the site of a small residence, the property at 126 E. Walnut St. was purchased by the Putnam County Public Library last fall and is currently serving as a gravel lot for parking. The PCPL Board is currently accepting bids to pave the lot.

The Putnam County Library is currently receiving bids for its parking lot project. The library board is set to approve one during its regular meeting on March 22 at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis Room.

During its regular meeting last week, the board approved asking permission from the Putnam County Council to use library improvement and repair funds (LIRF) for the parking lot project, currently estimated at about $70,000 to $150,000, during the council’s next regular meeting on March 21.

The cost estimate was provided last month by engineering firm CECon, which will help in securing the bids but will not itself submit a bid or perform construction.

The $150,000 estimate includes changing traffic flow, adding 16-18 spots, more landscaping and better lighting. The $70,000 estimate includes redoing the parking lines, improving drainage and paving the gravel lot to add 12-16 more spaces.

Although Director Grier Carson said last month the more expensive estimate was “not feasible,” the library will be receiving bids for both project plans from each bidder.

Carson listed the library’s priorities for the project in order of importance: More and better parking, improving the look of the lot, improving drainage and curbs and improving traffic flow.

“I’m confident that the addition of 12 or more parking spaces will make a significant difference for patrons who drive to the library,” Carson said. “And we’ve already seen evidence of this by the use of the gravel ‘placeholder’ lot.”

The space for the proposed projects was made when the library purchased the property at 126 E. Walnut St. last fall. The home was demolished last fall, with the “placeholder” lot installed in its absence.

In other developments:

-- Adult literacy program: Carson announced that the adult literacy program is currently seeking grants, but is still on track to launch this fall.

-- 2017 budget: This year’s library budget has been approved at $975,940 for the general operating fund and $122,000 for the rainy day fund.

Carson said the library plans to improve collections, programming, special events, marketing, staff compensation and library facilities.

-- Claims: The board approved claims at a total of $57,884.79, an increase from January of $24,644.02 and of $12,322.01 from the 12-month average.

-- CPA: The board approved renewing the library’s use of Hammer Inc. for its certified public accountant (CPA) services.

-- Legal counsel: Having been without general legal counsel for a year, the board approved retaining attorney Stacy Barclay of Sutherlin, Zeiner and Barclay at an annual retainer fee of $300.

-- Treasurer: The board approved re-appointing Lisa Barker, library business operations manager, as the board treasurer for 2017.

-- Website: Krystal Becker, marketing director, announced that the library will update the website sometime in the future.

-- Absences: Secretary Lisa McCoy and Amy Weliever were absent.

The next Putnam County Library Board meeting will be March 22 at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis Conference Room.

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