If you haven’t had a chance to join us for a Library Board meeting -- this one slated for Thursday, April 8 could be very critical for our community!
For the first time EVER in this effort’s history and in the Lake Nona community history of the last 16 years or so, we appear to have an available, affordable, viable option for a library branch that’s ready to go.
Please add this info to your calendar RIGHT NOW and make plans to join us!
Library Board Meeting
Thursday, April 8 at 6 p.m.
Zoom link - https://zoom.us/j/94736804296?pwd=SHg0anl0TVJHZ0xZcEpnb29OVXhMdz09
Meeting ID: 947 3680 4296
Passcode: 12345
Or attend in person: Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32801
Link to packet with agenda and last meeting’s minutes: https://www.ocls.info/sites/default/files/April2021BoardPacket.pdf
At the last Board meeting, the library executive director shared that the library leadership is evaluating 5 possible Lake Nona area library sites. The most promising is an opportunity with the City of Orlando to co-locate a branch with the City’s upcoming government center on Dowden Road for an approximate $17,000 per year lease and piggyback off of their contractor.
The OCLS would not have to purchase any land saving about $4 million -- the estimated costs of other possible parcels in the area. Our City of Orlando Commissioner Jim Gray spoke at the meeting and shared that the City could lock in the rate (City Council approval needed) of the parcel in Horizon West that the Board intends to purchase for a branch in that area of the County. By accepting the City’s offer, the Library and taxpayers would save millions for the Lake Nona area site and the Board could serve BOTH the Lake Nona area and Horizon West communities, not have to choose one over the other. The executive director shared that the City is ready to move forward with the government center and is awaiting a response from the Board before it proceeds.
We do not know if this specific opportunity will be discussed at the upcoming Board meeting. There is, however, an agenda item for Thursday’s meeting titled, “Financing Opportunities for Branch Development & Construction” and we are very interested in this discussion and any possible actions.
Here’s how you can help!
ONE - Please plan to attend the meeting and invite all of your contacts in the Lake Nona area. You do not have to sign up to speak in order to attend the meeting. But if you would like to make a public comment, here is the link - https://www.ocls.info/board-trustees/submit-a-notice-intent-speak
TWO - Make sure you share this library petition
THREE - Consider sending emails expressing your support/interest in the City of Orlando partnership. Please also thank them for our new return drop box at Valencia! Here are the email address pasted again below.
Mary Anne Hodel, OCLS Executive Director & CEO
comments@ocls.info
Crockett Bohannon, President, OCLS Board of Trustees,
bohannon.crockett@ocls.info
Nicole Benjamin, Vice President, OCLS Board of Trustees
benjamin.nicole@ocls.info
Danielle Levien, OCLS Trustee
levien.danielle@ocls.info
Richard Maladecki, OCLS Trustee
maladecki.richard@ocls.info
Lizanette Tam, OCLS Trustee
tam.lizannette@ocls.info
City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net
City Commissioner District 1 Jim Gray
jim.gray@cityoforlando.net
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings
Mayor@ocfl.net
County Commissioner District 4 Maribel Gomez Cordero
district4@ocfl.net
THANK YOU! And Happy Easter to all who celebrate. :)