The Dell Rapids Carnegie Library project will move forward after a decision made by the Dell Rapids City Council on Monday, June 16th. During the council’s regular meeting, the council voted to use general fund dollars to offset the gap the library had in their building fund for the addition/renovation project. The Council approved an amount of $360,000.
Prior to the approval by the council to give the library the amount of money needed to move the project forward, a proposal was defeated that would have loaned the amount to the library over a 10-year period of time. The vote for the loan was defeated with five ayes and two nays. A 2/3 majority was needed to approve that proposal.
City Councilman Dave Sommerfeld stated he would be in favor of the acceptance without the loan stipulation on the money. City Councilman Paul Miles moved to approve the amount without the loan stipulation. Councilman Mark Crisp seconded the motion. The motion passed with a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Chad Andrews voting nay. Councilman Lee Burggraff was absent from the meeting. The approval of the $360,000 also brought some changes to the original plans. The SEH contract will be changed to reduce the amount of on-site visits from twelve to six, and attendance at meetings will be teleconference in order to save costs on the project.