Library bond is premature, FWL says

WASILLA — While some Wasilla City Council members are revving their engines to bring a $20 million public library proposal to voters this fall, some in the community are waving the “caution” flag.

Members of the Friends of Wasilla Public Library, a nonprofit organization with a mission to support and enhance the services and programs of the Wasilla Public Library, said it is premature to add a $20 million bond question to November’s ballot.

Council voted last week to hold a public hearing on the proposal June 9, a move that could be a prelude to putting a bond question to a vote. Some of the issues expected to be discussed include design, building costs and a possible location for a library.

Liz Potter, a Friends of Wasilla Public Library board member, said that while the organization is pleased the council is on board with bringing a new state-of-the-art library to Wasilla, too little has been discussed and rushing a bond proposal to voters would be a mistake.

“As a group, we had talked about having time to educate the public first, making sure that they understood the dynamics of what this will entail. It just hasn’t happened yet,” Potter said.

Potter said with a presidential election coming up this fall and rising gas prices, a poorly planned bond proposal could be shot down by voters without enough information.

“We want to make sure that when people are voting that they know that our sales tax would be funding the bulk of it, not the individual pockets of those in our city,” she said.

Potter said as well as an undetermined price tag — $20 million has been a rough estimate — the city also doesn’t have any specific design plans in mind.

“What we’ve seen is not even a definitive proposal yet or discussed where the new building will be,” Potter said. “A drawing was seen, but they took all the ideas and came forward with a plan too early.”

Councilwoman Dianne Woodruff said the city isn’t jumping the gun or trying to rush a question onto the ballot. At this point, the public hearing June 9 is the best platform for the public to discuss the issues and offer input on the what the community would like to see in a new library.

“We’re hoping we have a lot of folks come out and share their vision for the library,” Woodruff said. “We’re still in the early stages, deciding what we need and what it will encompass.”

Woodruff said some discussion about where the new library will be built has taken place with architects, including the possibility of building at the Valley Performing Arts Center’s location, but that nothing has been set in stone.

Woodruff also said that while the city continues to pay off bonds for the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex, residents may not be keen on adding another $20 million to that figure, which could mean a possible sales tax increase.

“The bottom line is that [Councilman] Steve [Menard] put this measure out there, but it may be too early,” she said. “At this point, we plan to talk about the approval of the bonds and discussions will commence. The public could come in and say this is premature. The Friends of Wasilla Public Library have indicated they are pleased this current council supports the new library and new facility, but that we need to have a plan.”

Wasilla Councilman Marty Metiva said he voted against the June 9 public hearing because he’s afraid the council is putting the cart before the horse by pushing a bond proposal.

“Before bringing things forward on this issue, it should be approached strategically,” Metiva said. “I think we need to examine every avenue. We know nothing at this point: location, figures, parts involved. If this becomes a ballot initiative this fall, and if we don’t get it right, it’ll most likely be shot down.”

No one knows at this point how much a proposed library would cost, Metiva said, adding the $20 million figure may not be close at all depending on more concrete amenities and design points.

“If the public sees a negative with the library, it won’t budge,” he said. “I think we all agree we need a new facility, but with no details, I believe it’s premature at this point. We should do it right the first time.”

Potter said public work groups should be formed immediately with community members and supporters designing a blueprint for a future library.

“Our concern is the time,” she said. “We need more information and time to talk to the voters.”

Contact J.J. Harrier at valleylife@frontiersman.com, or 352-2269.