--- What are affordable alternatives? ---

Rinconada Library in Palo Alto, CA renovated by Group 4

The City’s support and rebuttal argument fails to discuss the issue of affordable alternatives, something that we did not fail to mention in our against and rebuttal arguments to the City.

One project consultant admitted they were not allowed to make any decisions regarding site locations for renting or leasing beyond the few sites provided by City staff. Importantly, several Newark residents suggested alternative sites that were not part of the offered site options. Once again, it is clear that the reasons for this was to force the consultants to only study specific situations preferred by City staff. There is no indication the consultants were allowed the ability to properly analyze all alternative vacant office space locations throughout the City.

Not only that, the Consultants only presented a lease for 30 years, when residents asked them to study a lease for five or ten years. Essentially, enough time for the City to continue building up a reserve. For a fraction of the cost, the City can temporarily rent needed buildings. In fact, it is already sending staff to work at the Community Center.

Only recently did the City decide to raise developer fees, long after the huge Area 2 and Area ¾ housing developments among others were far into approval. Instead of placing the majority of the burden on residents, they should be looking to get developers which have profited handsomely from our significantly lower fees to help. The tax on hotels is another area the City ought to look into to help decrease burden on taxpayers.

Concerns of darkness in the Library can be resolved by replacing the existing translucent fiberglass skylights with glass as well as upgrading the lighting systems with current fixture types and any additional fixtures as required. Light cannot enter the building through the UV damaged fiberglass (essentially plastic). It would make a world of difference glass as natural light would enter the building and brighten up the entire space. Essentially, the basic maintenance one would expect the City would undertake on its own buildings. Expanding the library would resolve the needs for specialized sections and study rooms. Renovating the library would mean less opportunity for hidden cost overruns, which are more likely in this age than ever before. New signs would make obvious the Library exists and has been renovated. These four small things can make a huge difference to our current investment in our current library.

Removing the extra overhead on the ballot measure calling for funding to services we already pay for would help lower the debt owed by the City. Additionally, making it policy to pay down the debt with surplus tax revenues, rather than keeping it for discretionary reasons, could cut off years from how long the sales tax would have to be in effect.

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