FogHorn October 1 Meeting
Posted by Editor: FDBobko
The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
Article by Stacy Trevenon
Photos by Liz Schuck
Program: The New Library
President Dave introduced another Dave who has stood at the presidential podium before, en route to becoming our District Governor: Dave Cresson, who President Dave called “a treat and a treasure to hear.”
But Mr. Cresson just modestly called himself “a reluctant speaker,” who came today to talk about the potentials around a new library for Half Moon Bay.
First he acknowledged the hardworking volunteer group the Friends of the Half Moon Bay Library. Then he pointed out the importance for all of us to pay attention to what's going on in our town, and be critical thinkers about decisions that we may face around our community. He said that we need a new library that is modern, will serve the Coastside's diverse residents, reflects new technologies, and with which the public should have a say. The Friends have spearheaded the project, he said, and when we build it we will thrive.
But Mr. Cresson just modestly called himself “a reluctant speaker,” who came today to talk about the potentials around a new library for Half Moon Bay.
First he acknowledged the hardworking volunteer group the Friends of the Half Moon Bay Library. Then he pointed out the importance for all of us to pay attention to what's going on in our town, and be critical thinkers about decisions that we may face around our community. He said that we need a new library that is modern, will serve the Coastside's diverse residents, reflects new technologies, and with which the public should have a say. The Friends have spearheaded the project, he said, and when we build it we will thrive.
He gave a lot of numbers to support and inform his talk. The current library building, he said, measures 7,800 square feet while a proposed new one would measure 25,000 square feet.
He listed issues to consider: of that large size, half of it would accommodate group meetings and events; the cost of a new library and how it would be funded have to be considered; it should meet with the approval of local citizens and be voted on; and the uses of the space should be considered and discussed.
Dave said he had caught onto this as a community issue some time ago, with the town anxious to develop a new library for a while. He cited Measure O, which called for a sales tax meant to fund a new library and which came up for vote last November but lost. He cited a HMB City Council meeting last February which involved a vote in favor of a new library to be funded with lease revenue bonds, and mentioned that money was already available.
He spoke of Group 4 as consultants having been approached for the project, and workshops and displays of plans proposed for the new library having been put out to the public to see. Last summer, he said, a couple of alternatives were suggested: 30,000 and 25,000 square feet respectively, of which the City Council favored the latter. The council, he said, supported the idea of funding through revenue bonds, and he added that a project manager and architects were on board with groundbreaking considered for 2016.
He compared the Half Moon Bay project to a similar project in Pacifica. Rotarian EP thanked Dave for his fair and informative presentation and asked him to explain what lease bonds are, and he explained that it had to do with building a building occupied by a tenant that would generate income to pay for the lease, and could be applied in this case.
He addressed concerns that the new library might be too big, that we might wind up with a major construction project that would be underutilized. He cited several libraries in adjoining Bay Area communities for comparison to this proposed project. Then he offered a breakdown by percentage, of how library space would be used: for visitor assistance, 6 percent; for collection of library materials, 19 percent; for individual work areas, 14 percent; for space for groups and group meetings or activities, 40 percent; for infrastructure, 21 percent.
He listed some other local entities that provided some form of group space, including the Boys and Girls Club, emergency operations, the Senior Coastsiders/community adult center complex, the middle school, the I.D.E.S. Hall, churches, the New Leaf community room and the current Half Moon Bay Library.
Rotarian Robin Jeffs complimented Dave on his thorough information, and voiced concerns for spaces being underused or going empty. Discussion ensued as to construction costs per square foot, with the high cost of a new library. There was brief discussion about other possible locations, funding sources and aspects including the city's budget.
Though, as Dave pointed out, costs would not stop once the library was built, his enthusiasm over his topic and the level of detail and preparedness that he had put into his presentation was impressive.
He listed issues to consider: of that large size, half of it would accommodate group meetings and events; the cost of a new library and how it would be funded have to be considered; it should meet with the approval of local citizens and be voted on; and the uses of the space should be considered and discussed.
Dave said he had caught onto this as a community issue some time ago, with the town anxious to develop a new library for a while. He cited Measure O, which called for a sales tax meant to fund a new library and which came up for vote last November but lost. He cited a HMB City Council meeting last February which involved a vote in favor of a new library to be funded with lease revenue bonds, and mentioned that money was already available.
He spoke of Group 4 as consultants having been approached for the project, and workshops and displays of plans proposed for the new library having been put out to the public to see. Last summer, he said, a couple of alternatives were suggested: 30,000 and 25,000 square feet respectively, of which the City Council favored the latter. The council, he said, supported the idea of funding through revenue bonds, and he added that a project manager and architects were on board with groundbreaking considered for 2016.
He compared the Half Moon Bay project to a similar project in Pacifica. Rotarian EP thanked Dave for his fair and informative presentation and asked him to explain what lease bonds are, and he explained that it had to do with building a building occupied by a tenant that would generate income to pay for the lease, and could be applied in this case.
He addressed concerns that the new library might be too big, that we might wind up with a major construction project that would be underutilized. He cited several libraries in adjoining Bay Area communities for comparison to this proposed project. Then he offered a breakdown by percentage, of how library space would be used: for visitor assistance, 6 percent; for collection of library materials, 19 percent; for individual work areas, 14 percent; for space for groups and group meetings or activities, 40 percent; for infrastructure, 21 percent.
He listed some other local entities that provided some form of group space, including the Boys and Girls Club, emergency operations, the Senior Coastsiders/community adult center complex, the middle school, the I.D.E.S. Hall, churches, the New Leaf community room and the current Half Moon Bay Library.
Rotarian Robin Jeffs complimented Dave on his thorough information, and voiced concerns for spaces being underused or going empty. Discussion ensued as to construction costs per square foot, with the high cost of a new library. There was brief discussion about other possible locations, funding sources and aspects including the city's budget.
Though, as Dave pointed out, costs would not stop once the library was built, his enthusiasm over his topic and the level of detail and preparedness that he had put into his presentation was impressive.
October 1 Meeting Recap
Article by Dwight Wilson
Photos by Liz Schuck
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Liz Schuck reminded everyone that the Pumpkin Festival is the weekend of October 17, and if you have not signed up for your assignments, please do so. Liz left pumpkin sugar cookies at each table.
Dave Andrews began the meeting, and Doug Adams led the Pledge of Allegiance. Warren Barmore gave a prayer blessing today’s rain and Rotary for our Inspirational Moment.
Visiting Rotarians
Andrea Palm from the Foster City Rotary and the District Membership Chair.
GUESTS
Dave Cresson introduced long standing community member, Chad Hooker. Doug Adams introduced his oldest son, Mike Adams. Dan Miller introduced Glenn Kessleman.
Happy/Crappy News
Dan Miller talked about Chad Hooker and his experience with him as he did the home inspection on his first house. Stacey Trevenon talked about the humpback whales being sited at Surfer's Beach.
Announcements
Liz Schuck reminded everyone that the Pumpkin Festival is the weekend of October 17, and if you have not signed up for your assignments, please do so. Liz left pumpkin sugar cookies at each table.
John Evans reminded that the Interact Club is helping us in our booth, and this would be a great opportunity for members to help at their booth. They have 3 hour shifts; and if interested, please let John know. He also said all the Rotary exchange students would be at the Pumpkin Festival and staying in several of our homes.
Dan Miller reminded us about the 4th Saturday of the month is the Carter Park Clean-up.
Andrea Palm from Foster City Rotary stated the Foster City Rotary was holding their annual Rib Fest this weekend. If anyone was interested, she left her card to contact her.
Dave's CHEERY (actually was cheery this week) Quiz of the Week: Today it is about Shakespeare. He was considered one of the most creative and prolific writers of our time. Hence, the questions for today.
- What is one of the most commonly used prefix Shakespeare used? “Un”
- What play opens with “Muse from fire”? "Henry the 5th"
- In "Hamlet", what was the meaning of Nunnery? “Whorehouse” (Editor's Note: Check your Shakespeare experts on this one; most hold Shakespeare actually meant a convent here.)
- Queen Elizabeth required Shakespeare to write a play to marry off Falstaff. What was the name of the play? “Merry Wives of Windsor”
- What play killed or was eaten by a bear? “Winter Tales”
- Joe Brennan mentioned that "The Tempest" that is being put on by Pan & Teller in Chicago is excellent!
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL REMINDER
