construct/expand facilities where necessary.

The plain language of Measure S required use of Measure S funds for the modernization, upgrade, and repair of the existing local library branches—not community centers. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): As described in Exhibit A of Resolution No. 2016-001 for the Santa Cruz Libraries Facilities Financing Authority (LFFA) Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 2016-1, the types of public facilities to be financed included but weren’t limited to library facilities in Aptos, Boulder Creek, Branciforte, Capitola, Downtown Santa Cruz, Felton, Garfield Park, La Selva Beach, Live Oak and Scotts Valley, but excluded library facilities in the City of Watsonville. Pursuant to Exhibit A, Measure S allowed for existing or new library facilities in these locations and supported various improvements and needs. This included any of the following: new construction, building renovations and service model upgrades needed to provide service desks, an area for displaying materials, separate areas for teens and children, flexible spaces and/or meeting rooms and study rooms, places to display art, new flooring, paint, shelving, furniture and technology, power/data to support library technology, and other upgrades. This is consistent with Measure S, which explicitly stated that the funds are to be used, among other things, to “construct/expand facilities where necessary.”

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries website states that Measure S funds would be used to address the “most urgent needs” identified in the Facilities Master Plan, which stated no new library branches were needed and focused only on the needs of the existing ten library branches—likely misleading voters. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) website provides general information on the facilities master planning process conducted in 2013. This eventually led to the development of the LFFA and related CFD No. 2016-1, which placed Measure S on the ballot in 2016. The Facilities Master Plan (FMP) was conducted prior to Measure S and covered needs at the time. The FMP was not part of the Measure S ballot measure language and voter materials. However, as stated on pages 3 and 4, the FMP identified the need to upgrade, renovate or replace the Downtown Branch Library. The FMP also identified the need to create program space for the Live Oak Branch Library. Since program space could not be accommodated at the Live Oak Branch Library, it was done at the Live Oak Library Annex. The new facility is explicitly authorized under the plain language of Measure S.

Voter materials disclosed how Measure S funds would be divided among the Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ Member Agencies, but did not disclose the allocation of $5 million to a Live Oak Library Annex within the Live Oak Community Center— likely misleading voters. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Measure S funds are not limited to existing branches, and the division of Measure S funds was identified in the LFFA’s Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). This information was not required as part of voter materials. Member agencies were given an allocation of funds in the JPA, and their governing bodies could determine how those funds were spent. The JPA provided member agencies the flexibility to determine how their allocations would be used on existing or new facilities in their jurisdictions.

The Annex is an expansion of the Live Oak Community Center and not an expansion of the Live Oak Branch Library. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): As identified in the FMP and stated previously, there wasn’t adequate program space at the Live Oak Branch Library, and the Live Oak Library Annex (Annex) provides that space. The Annex is an expansion of library facilities in the Live Oak community. It establishes a learning center with meeting/study room space that complements the existing Live Oak Branch Library and provides additional opportunities for library-related activities and services that the existing Live Oak Branch Library could not accommodate. SCPL can provide digital literacy classes, job training, coding, and other programs for youth and adults that are not possible in the existing Live Oak Branch Library due to size and noise constraints.

The County’s decision to use Measure S funds for the Live Oak Library Annex in the Live Oak Community Center will impact the Santa Cruz Public Libraries operating budget. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Establishing the Annex with Measure S funds will not adversely impact SCPL’s operating budget. As part of future budgets, the Library Joint Powers Authority Board will consider offering programs and services at the Annex that would have been provided at the Live Oak Branch Library if there were space to accommodate them. SCPL is also exploring establishing a small free library of materials and resources at the Annex that will also not have an adverse impact on the operating budget. Library patrons will be able to use the Annex for program and meeting or study space.