The New Oakley Library Learning Center Committee is excited by the City Council’s instructions to City Staff last night to prepare all necessary documents to place a Ballot Measure to build a new Oakley Library Learning Center on the June 07, 2016 Ballot for voter consideration.
With the Council Chamber filled with nearly 200 supporters, Committee Chair Craig Leighty provided a detailed report on community engagement already undertaken by the 15-member resident group which overwhelmingly shows support for the proposed new library learning center to be built downtown.
Formed in early 2015, the Committee has been working in conjunction with the Friends of the Oakley Library, Contra Costa County Library, and the City of Oakley gathering feedback on interest for the proposed new building which will serve all residents and support the modern growing community which Oakley is recognized for.
According to Leighty, “Committee members spent much of last year undertaking an extensive listening campaign with residents, business owners and community groups via interviews, an online survey and going door-to-door throughout neighborhoods to determine public’s interest in supporting a 2016 ballot initiative.”
“Initial outreach efforts have shown there is a need and desire for a new 20,000 sq ft building providing expanded access to computers and WIFI, additional stations for personal computers, small group study/meeting rooms, community meeting areas, dedicated children and teen areas, open space for displays such as local art and a tech center/computer lab. The building will also be senior friendly and within easy walking distance to shopping and dining. There will be ample parking including near entry handicap spaces.”
Close to 400 residents participated in the online survey, 38% of which were non-library users and 47% were long term Oakley residents of 10+ years. Results from the survey showed 91% of participants believe a new library is a good investment for Oakley and 89% agree the library should be located downtown.
With the Council’s instructions to progress this Ballot Initiative to the next stage, the Committee is committed to expanding their reach to interact with Oakley voters on this important initiative and will launch a website and Facebook page this week to share information about what the Ballot Measure process will be, more information on the proposed facility and it’s services, and the value it will bring to our community.
Editors Notes:
The Oakley City Council Voted 5-0 to Move Library Tax Forward for June Ballot at a cost of $93 per parcel over a period of 30 years. This tax will cover the design, construction, furnishing as well as operation of the library.
City staff will now begin to create the necessary documents to place the library on the June 7 Primary Election at a cost of about $40,000—the City’s participation in the educational outreach materials and efforts related to the ballot measure could cost up to $10,000.
During public comments, Oakley resident and East Bay Regional Park District Trustee as well as Contra Costa County Supervisor candidate Diane Burgis spoke in favor of the project and stated she was putting her support behind the project.
“When I was on the council, I had some misgivings. The cost of putting it on the ballot was a lot more expensive at the time and I wasn’t convinced that people would vote for it because statistically it wasn’t likely to happen because of the statistics that we were seeing. I was worried about putting it on the ballot at a time when people were not necessarily going to be voting and I didn’t feel that was transparent enough. I wasn’t sure that we had a grassroots support to help make it happen and we didn’t have a vision at that time,” explained Burgis. “Today is a very different day. The cost to put it on the ballot is a lot less, we are going to be putting it on the ballot when people will be showing up. This grassroots effort is amazing which is what I was hoping to see because statistically even if its not likely to pass, these folks can make it happen. We have a vision. As a council, we helped create that picture so people can see what their voting for.”
Burgis further highlighted her love for books and going to a library since she was a kid while highlighting the benefits a library has on the community.
“Adding a library to our community will add value to our homes because it’s an actual amenity that actually makes our community better. It contributes the education and safety. A lot of the people moved here because we want the good schools and good education. We want safety and that is what it provides. It also improves quality of life because groups like Friends of Marsh Creek and other non-profits can come meet there. I really support this and I am putting myself behind it,” explained Burgis.
Oakley Councilwoman Vanessa Perry highlighted she was looking forward to this and thought it was a great idea after multiple residents spoke in favor of the project.
“Even those that have internet, when I was in San Jose State, I went to the library every day. My house had my husband, roommates, it wasn’t quiet. I needed to get away so that I could actually learn,” said Perry. “If this goes forward, I am looking forward to having meeting space, I think that is something we desperately need because there are not many places you can go where you aren’t at a restaurant and feel forced to buy food or at someone’s house and you have to clean and that is not very fun.”
Oakley Councilman Doug Hardcastle stated having a new library would be an asset.
“Walnut Creek has a really great library, I want to say kudos to Andrea (Freyler) who in her survey answered all of my concerns. She shared ideas with me and they did a great job in the survey this time around as the previous time. It’s much more professionally done where we can show the public there is that need for the library,” said Hardcastle. “It would be a great asset.”
Hardcastle further stated that this action by the council allows the community a chance to vote on the issue of having a library or not.
The group’s proposal came after more than 100 face-to-face conversations and a survey of 380 people. On Tuesday night, the committee provided the following results:
The survey highlighted:
- 89% of surveyed residents believe there is a need for a new Library & Learning Center
- 91% of users and non-users think a new library is a good investment for Oakley
- 89% of those surveyed agree the Library should be in the Downtown area
- The desired services at a new library included:
- Availability of computers and Wi-Fi
- Small group/meeting rooms
- Community meeting areas
- Dedicated teens and children’s areas
- Local art displays
- Tech center/computer labs
According to the staff report, the current library has been located at Freedom High School since 1999 and is just 3,000 square feet with limited space and options for use—such as collection, technology, space, parking and visibility.
The group argues the current library is inadequate by stating its size is too small and has not kept up with the pace of growth in the community while stating it causes challenges for Freedom High School and the students.
19 comments
Yeah, this will pass…NOT.
A new library is a great idea, but not when it’s looking like so many agencies want to dip their fingers into our wallets this year.
The $40k could be much better spent.
Sounds good to me!
You will have to weigh your options. Fire protection or a library. Get rid of your city manager first.
@Julio
OR ? BS. The BOS just took paramedics away, fire is adding a fee. NO more on the tax thing. They just took my vote away.
Even though the BOS didnt take the “paramedics” away…..At this point it’s no, no and hell NO! No more taxes dammit!
Unome, if you want to sway people with your comment, keep it honest. It’s the least you can do.
@Bo,
I keep all my comments honest and factual. Maybe you are ignorant in math. Let me make simple for you. 2015 and 20 years prior we had 2 QRV paramedics provided by the county. Pay attention now. 2016 we have 2 less QRV with paramedics taken away by the BOS. 2 minus 2 is Two Less.
See previous article by ECT for facts. This is where I got math from. You can remove foot from mouth now. We have gotten screwed by tha county period.
Hey Unome, I don’t speak for others but if you were paying attention to ALL the articles, you would see that two things differ from your projections.
1. The QRV’S have been replaced with additional ambulances, presumably carrying one EMT and one Paramedic (if you are mathematically challenged that is a net GAIN).
2. The Fire department, the County EMS division, AMR and all the fire Chiefs including Henderson developed this response plan.
But hey, if you want to insist on blaming the Board of Supervisors for improving service, freeing up fire engines and trying something innovative theng go right ahead and keep up your dirty work. SMH
Talk about dense. We already had ambulances AND QRVs. Are you just math stupid? Net LOSS of two paramedics. It’s not rocket science. The Chiefs are not the financial decision makers, the BOS are.
Unome, you are missing the point. The QRV’S were staffed with ONE person and Could NOT transport and thus could NOT free up a much needed fire engine with THREE emts.
They have been replaced with ADDITIONAL ambulances which are staffed with TWO people and CAN transport and thus DO free up much needed fire engines with THREE emts.
Since you don’t seem to comprehend simple math I’ll put it into a simple word problem for you.
Old- QRV’S and Fire engine = 4 personnel w/ fire engine stuck on scene.
New- Ambulance and Fire engine = 5 personnel w/ fire engine released from call for other emergencies.
Hopefully that will help you with your mathematical impediment.
The Fire Chiefs and EMS division provides direction and recommendations to the BOS, you don’t. It’s not rocket science.
@SMH
Again your math is wrong. Simply said , available in east county Was 2QRVs with At least one ambulance and three fire EMT , that my friend equals Six available ! Now we have four. Two Less Paramedics. Unless you can tell me they took 2 QRVs and replaced them with Two plus one existing ambulance we got screwed by the BOS. So do we now have 3 ambulance in Far East County? NO.
Don’t spread lies to protect the guilty.
I guess it’s true after all, you can’t fix stupid.
The QRV’S have been replaced with ADDITIONAL ambulances, each carrying an ADDITIONAL E.M.T.
It’s pretty simple, even a cave man would get it.
Question is, why aren’t you getting it?
Stupid should hurt…..
SMH
@SMH
You state that the QRVs have been replaced with ambulances. Ok, so where are the three ambulances housed east of Antioch ?
If you can’t answer that then your right about not being able to fix stupid. If we have three ambulances housed east of Antioch I will humbly apologize. If not, as I suspect dumb must be painless for you and we did get screwed by the BOS.
Yep, just as I thought, you can’t and won’t take call the responsible parties. It’s not my job to do your homework. I know how it works, i speak with the people that make the decisions….you don’t.
Sorry for the reality slap but life’s a bitch and Karma’s a motherf—er.
SMH out.
Shocking to see folks in here getting negative. I’m an Oakley resident who will be voting for this. Considering how many low-income, many of them Seniors, use libraries for internet access, meeting spaces, and fulfill other needs is been a need that should have been fulfilled years ago. The tax is less per month than getting Starbucks with my Wife and I. Glad to see the city of Oakley is working to improve the community.
Sean, it’s fairly simple…after the big jump to “full market value” on my home, my annual property taxes are now 20% more for the year than I bring home in a month…without all these additional taxes that everybody wants. If I’m lucky, I’ll get a 2% raise this year but my benefits costs have already gone up 15%. It has to stop somewhere.
You are right, it is simple. It is $8 a month to fulfill a need the community has.
I’m happy to skip ordering desert once a month at a restaurant, or a few beers so that my community can have a library. Not only is it something low-income residents really need, it’s embarrassing that we as a community are mooching off the school district for space for a library.
One of the things I love about Oakley is how the community comes together like a small town to build something. I’ve seen it many times in the short few years I’ve lived here. For me, I’m happy to help in some small way to keep making our community better.
Your not mooching off the school district. They get other funds for the library public access. Don’t fool yourself.
It’s not just “low income” who utilize the libraries. We’re not low income, but as of last year, we’re utilizing the libraries for the first time. There are people who “have to” and “want to.” We’re saving two to four thousand a year on books, and our taxes are paying for libraries anyway. As avid readers, I just wish we’d done this years ago, and not paid full price for best sellers because we could “afford it.” Better late than never!
I think it’s the stigma of “low income” that keeps people from using the libraries. Unless they’re students. A friend of mine in Lamorinda uses the computer at the library to “get away.” He has four teenagers, and a lot of money! The library is quieter than his spacious house.
Here is a thought!!!!! How about we think about PRESERVATION OF LIFE BEFORE QUALITY OF LIFE. Common sense!!!!!!!! We have a problem people. Priorities correctly.
Let’s Save the Fire District,
Let’s Spend Tax Money Wisely
By Bryan Scott
At their December 7, 2015 meeting the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Board voted 9-0 to accept a self-appointed task force’s recommendation of short term funding from the cities of Brentwood and Oakley, as well as the County. This one-time money will allow the ECCFPD to open a fourth fire station for less than two years.
The money is needed because the ECCFPD is unable to provide adequate fire and emergency medical services to the residents of the district, according to Fire Chief Hugh Henderson and Gus Vina, Brentwood’s City Manager who leads the task force. The ECCFPD receives the lowest property tax funding rate of any fire district in the county. This inadequate funding has forced the closure of five of its eight fire stations in recent years.
The County’s Auditor-Controller, Bob Campbell, has estimated that within the fire district a total of $154,000,000 is raised for government purposes through the 1% property tax. All real estate, except that property owned by government agencies, schools and religious organizations, is assessed the property tax. That translates to roughly $1,400 of property tax money allocated for government services for each of the 110,000 residents of the 249 square mile fire district.
The ECCFPD budget states that the district will receive $11,654,565 in property tax funding this fiscal year. This translates to about $106 for each of the 110,000 residents of the district. Of the total property tax district residents pay ($1,400), just a small portion ($106) is allocated to the life-preserving services the ECCFPD provides, only 7.57%.
Other county fire districts receive much more of this property tax funding. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District receives $349 per person for each of their 169,000 residents, and the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District receives $366 for each resident they serve.
The most recent Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) examination of fire districts puts the county average of property tax funding at 12%. The ECCFPD would need to have their property tax funding increased by 63%, just to reach the county’s “average” funding level. LAFCO is the county agency responsible for overseeing most forms of local government boundary change, including incorporation, annexations, and special district formations.
Elected government officials work for the people of the community, the residents and tax payers and voters of the fire district. We, the people, need to allocate more of the property tax dollars collected within the fire district to the life-saving services provided by the ECCFPD.
The city councils of Brentwood and Oakley along with the County Board of Supervisors need to change the allocation of the property tax. Each of these elected bodies recognizes the need, as evidenced by their recent contributions of one-time money to the ECCFPD.
In order to make a solution permanent the leaders and members of the East County community need to agree to re-allocate property tax funding allocation percentages so that ECCFPD has a level of funding comparable to other parts of the county.
It is time we stop asking the ECCFPD to provide adequate fire and emergency medical services with inadequate funding. Each body needs to hear from the residents they serve. They need to hear from the community that it is time to correct this under-funding situation.
# # #
“East County Voters for Equal Protection” is a grass roots citizens action committee formed to address the unequal funding of fire and emergency medical services existing in 249 square miles of Eastern Contra Costa County. About 110,000 residents, as well as those who work and play in Eastern Contra Costa, have services funded at a level one-fourth to one-third of those levels in other parts of Contra Costa County. For more information contact committee Co-Chairs Hal Bray at [email protected] or Bryan Scott [email protected]. The group’s Facebook page is located at https://www.facebook.com/EastCountyVoters/ on the Internet.
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