Title
Dept/ Agency: Office of the Mayor and Agencies
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Confirming Intent
Purpose: Resolution supporting the Newark Public Library’s Application to the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act Grant Program and declaring intent of the City of Newark to provide matching funds.
Additional Information:
The Newark Public Library, of 5 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102
Matching funds required ($4,500,000.00 Newark Municipal Capital Bond) to support at least fifty percent (50%) of the cost ($9,000,000.00) of the Project(s).
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WHEREAS, the New Jersey voters approved a $125 million public referendum in November of 2017 authorizing the State to issue bonds for the construction, reconstruction, development, extension, improvement and furnishing of New Jersey’s public libraries; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Library Construction Bond Act is to improve New Jersey’s public library facilities in order to ensure the well-being and success of New Jersey’s residents; and
WHEREAS, grant applications to the State Library Construction Bond Fund will be evaluated via a competitive solicitation process in multiple funding rounds; and
WHEREAS, the Newark Public Library intends to submit a grant application for eligible projects that will vastly improve its facilities and access for citizens to collections, technological resources, and services regardless of age, color, race, religion or creed, gender or sexual preference, socioeconomic level, or disability; and
WHEREAS, the Newark Public Library has prepared a Master Plan for the Main Library in preparation for its submission of grant applications to the State Library Construction Bond Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Newark Public Library also intends to improve access to two Branch Libraries via construction of elevators; and
WHEREAS, the Newark Public Library retained qualified consultants to design eligible projects based upon the aforementioned Master Plan, which mirror the State Funding Priorities; and
WHEREAS, the total costs of the projects submitted in the grant application will be Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($4,500,000.00); and
WHEREAS, approved grant applications must provide matching funds to support at least fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the Project(s); and
WHEREAS, the Newark Public Library requested Nine Million Dollars and Zero Cents ($9,000,000.00) from the Newark Municipal Capital Bond; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 15:24-5.2(b), within three months following notification of eligibility for a grant award, the applicant shall submit evidence that funds have been appropriated or bonds or debt have been authorized for financing of the project. Such evidence shall include copies of the ordinance of appropriation passed on final reading and approved. Other evidence of funding, such as resolutions, bank statements, and grant award notifications shall be deemed acceptable at the discretion of the President and State Librarian; and
WHEREAS, the Newark Public Library has requested a resolution of intent to provide funding and expressing the City of Newark’s support for the grant application.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The City of Newark hereby supports the Newark Public Library’s application to the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act Grant Program.
2. The City of Newark hereby intends, subject to the availability of funds, to provide matching funds in support of the Newark Public Library’s New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act Application.
3. The City Clerk shall provide certified copies of the ordinance of appropriation, or other relevant evidence, to the Newark Public Library to be submitted to the State within three (3) months after the notification of grant award.
4. The Mayor and/or his designee, the Corporation Counsel, are authorized to provide a letter of support for Newark Public Library’s New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act Application.
STATEMENT
This Resolution hereby supports the Newark Public Library’s application to the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act Grant Program and declares the City’s intention to provide matching funds, subject to the availability of funds, to support the Newark Public Library’s construction project and authorizes the Mayor and/or his designee, the Corporation Counsel to provide a letter of support.