The purpose of this report is to update the City Council on staff's preparation and follow-up work completed before scheduling a community meeting, and the next steps in the reuse of the old Buena Vista Library.

After the approval of the new 28,198 square foot Buena Vista Library on April 10, 2001, a committee was formed to explore opportunities for the reuse of the old Buena Vista Library. The committee conducted several brainstorming sessions to consider a variety of possible public uses for the site. Staff created a matrix that identified the uses that were explored. The uses looked at various factors including minimum required building and lot size, cost, and neighborhood compatibility. Most of the proposed uses were deemed not appropriate for the site considering the size of the property and neighborhood compatibility. After additional analysis, the committee focused on four options centered on single family residential uses and childcare uses.

On July 17, 2001 staff presented the four options: 1) standard single family residential development - up to 5 units, 2) small lot single family housing - up to 9 units, 3) a childcare center utilizing the existing building, and 4) a newly constructed childcare center. The single-family housing options were determined to be compatible with the single-family nature of the neighborhood. It has also been determined that the existing building could be rehabilitated to accommodate a 100 space childcare facility. The site could also accommodate a new childcare facility. The two options involving development of a childcare center were presented due to the serious unmet demand for quality childcare within the City as evidenced by long waiting lists and high childcare tuition rates. Furthermore, a childcare center would not impact the neighborhood on evenings and weekends due to the hours of operation of childcare centers (i.e. typically Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.).

Several articles have been published within the last few years citing the need for quality, affordable childcare across the state and nation. In Burbank, childcare facilities have waiting lists, at times with more than 100 names on the lists. Despite the fact that the City is working with M. David Paul to build a 92-space childcare facility in conjunction with the Cottages residential project, far more childcare is needed.

The fiscal impacts of the four reuse options are as follow:

After a discussion of the four reuse options, City Council authorized staff to hold a community meeting to receive public comment on the proposed four options.

Before holding a community meeting, staff felt it was important to more fully develop the details associated with both operations. With respect to the residential options, staff reanalyzed the site to confirm the design and spatial requirements of the 5-unit standard, single-family residential development, and the 9-unit small lot, single-family housing development. In addition, perspectives were prepared for both residential options in order to get a better idea of massing and neighborhood capability.

Prior to evaluating the childcare option, staff determined it was necessary to ascertain what financial resources are available to the City for developing a childcare facility. Staff also investigated what, if any, the City could expect in the area of corporate support for a childcare center before land use decisions are made. As stated in the Cost Analysis above, the initial capital expenditure required for a childcare center is substantial, and does not include other potential annual operating expenses. The capital costs and operating expenses are often too expensive for cities or individual businesses to undertake on their own.

Staff considered different public financing options for childcare facilities including: 1) redevelopment agency funds; 2) grant funds; and, 3) bond proceeds. The M. David Paul childcare project was financed with Redevelopment Housing Set-Aside funds because of the residential component associated with the project. Unfortunately, the old Buena Vista Library site is only half the size of the M. David Paul project, so a similar residential and childcare development is not spatially possible for the site. It is also important to note that the old Buena Vista Library site is not in a Redevelopment Project area. Therefore, in order to use non-housing Redevelopment Agency funds, a finding of benefit to one of the project areas would have to be made.

Staff has also explored the use of grant funds to fund childcare facilities. Staff has found that grants for childcare facilities are limited and primarily geared toward state or educational agencies. In addition, grant funds are targeted to priority zip codes as in the case of Proposition 10 that formed the California Childcare and Families Commission. The third financing option is the use of Redevelopment Agency bond proceeds. On January 14, 2003, the Burbank Public Financing Authority approved the issuance of Golden State Revenue Bonds that may produce approximately $4,000,000 that can be used for capital improvement projects anywhere in the City.

Another possible way to provide the childcare needed by our community is through public/private partnerships. A Childcare Corporate Support Package (Exhibit A) was prepared and sent to over 200 businesses to determine whether there is interest in the business community to provide support for a new childcare center.

These corporate support packages outlined two participation options by businesses: a one-time contribution toward capital improvements, or an annual contribution to reserve spaces at the center for their respective employees. The packages were delivered, emailed, or distributed to major employers (50+ employees) in the City including Warner Bros., NBC, Disney/ABC, St. Joe�s Medical Center, New Wave Entertainment, Westwind Media, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon to name a few. In addition, packages were sent to all City Departments, and other smaller businesses such as media and post production businesses that may have an interest in providing childcare to employees. Despite numerous inquiries from several businesses including New Wave Entertainment and IKEA, there have been no commitments to date.

In addition to preparing and distributing the childcare package and following up with businesses, staff has had several discussions with Warner Bros. on participating in a childcare center. The proposed childcare facility at the Old Buena Vista Library site is suggested to be a high-quality, nationally accredited facility, and is in close proximity to the WB campus. It would provide WB employees an additional childcare option. At this point, however, WB has not made a commitment toward securing spaces at the proposed childcare center.

With the renderings completed, and feedback from the business community on the corporate support package for a childcare facility in hand, staff is now prepared to hold a community meeting.

While staff still believes some questions remain unanswered about funding a potential childcare facility, staff believes there are two options for community outreach: a community meeting focusing on the area immediately surrounding the old Buena Vista Library, or a general community meeting. In the neighborhood community meeting, property owners and residents within a 2,500 square foot radius from the site will receive written notice of the meeting. The meeting would be open to the general public and advertised in the local paper(s), cable, etc.

The second option would be to hold a general community meeting publicized through the local paper(s), cable, etc. If a general community meeting is held, staff would suggest special notification for the immediate area.

The property has operated as a library (public municipal facility) for 54 years (dedicated July 26, 1948). Therefore, a general community meeting may be a more appropriate forum for determining the appropriate use for the property, while also allowing the immediate neighborhood to provide input on the reuse of the site.

The following is a summary of the two types of community meetings and their pros and cons:

MEETING NOTICING ADVERTISEMENT PROS/CONS

If a community meeting is held, staff will return to the City Council with a comprehensive report on the comments received from the community.

It is recommended that the City Council direct staff to conduct a General Community Meeting to receive public comment for the proposed four (4) re-use options.

Exhibit