Document text
Ashland may change library plan Some think cost cutting may second-guess voters By Sara Murphy ASHLAND � The City Council agreed Tuesday to take a closer look at proposed cost-cutting changes in the city�s $5.96 million library expansion project. Concerned that modifications to fit the project within its budget may "substantially" alter voter-approved plans, the council voted to hold a study session, inviting recently elected members-to-be, to review the changes and to give the governing body final approval of the building contract. The study session is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Dec. 19. The council�s vote came after nearly three hours of public discussion in which about 15 citizens argued either in favor or against the controversial renovation and expansion project. Though the project was twice approved by voters, some citizens have become increasingly concerned about the "negative" implications of the Carnegie expansion plans, which include limited parking and removal of about two dozen trees and shrubs. Supporters of the project argue that the council shouldn�t "second-guess" the voters and that the city may be held financially liable for bonds already issued to Jackson County to improve libraries across the county. In the midst of the controversy, bids on the project came in at least $732,500 over budget last month � forcing the city and the project�s architects to re-evaluate priorities and look for ways to trim costs without substantially altering the project. SERA Architecture of Portland has been negotiating with the low bidder, 2G Construction from Eugene, to bring the bid to target. Proposed changes include substituting a metal roof for the previously proposed zinc, replacing wood floors with steel and using an air-source heat pump rather than a ground-source heat pump. Architect John Echlin told the council he�s confident the budget can be met without compromising quality or functionality of the building. To be certain, the council decided to reserve approval of the plans before City Administrator Greg Scoles signs a contract with 2G. That decision is not expected this month. The project�s opponents, who have questioned whether voters understood the implications of the project when they approved funding in November 1999 and again in May, argued that the project is now moving further from the original plan. "I�ve heard several people tonight say they don�t think the voters are getting the building they voted for, and that seems true to me," said Ashland resident Bob Taber. "I�d also like to say the voters did not know what building they voted for when they voted." Supporters say the project was discussed over and over at public forums and the voters have spoken � in favor, twice. "Democracy isn�t about reruns, getting a second-chance to vote," said Friends of the Ashland Library President Barbara Ryberg. "Democracy is about responsibility, obligation � "I would be ashamed to admit I voted on something that I didn�t understand." Meanwhile, an initiative movement to stop the project by saving the library trees hangs in legal limbo. Taber filed papers to petition for an initiative that would amend city code, forbidding the removal of trees on the library property unless they were dead, dying or dangerous. Ryberg�s husband, Charles, has challenged the ballot title � written by City Attorney Paul Nolte � in civil court. A hearing scheduled for Tuesday was canceled by Taber�s attorney. Taber said it�s a moot point: He doesn�t have enough time to gather the necessary signatures and have them verified by the Jackson County Clerk�s Office before Dec. 12, the deadline to place the issue on the March ballot. "The petition thing is dead," Taber said. "We don�t have the time to do it. "That was the purpose of the challenge, I think," he added. "To occupy time. Time was so valuable." Unless Taber officially revokes his proposed petition, however, Ryberg�s civil case �which names Nolte as the defendant � will likely carry on. Nolte said he requested an expedited hearing Tuesday. "I don�t know of any way to stop the train that�s on the track," Nolte said. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Sara Murphy at 482-4655, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.