Cadott Village Board - Library should come in under grant budget

In recognition of their bravery and heroism, during a recent fire that destroyed a Cadott home, five first responders were recognized, May 5, at the Cadott Village Board meeting. Saving the life of Deb McGregor (middle) and her daughter (not pictured), left to right, were Tom Bourget, Gilbert Pecha, Jeremey Kenealy, Mike Seeley and Officer Tony Halstern. “The actions of a lot of our first responders saved their lives, essentially,” said Cadott Police Chief Daryl Pries. Photo by Joy Dain

By Ginna Young

Approval was needed by the Cadott Village Board, May 5, to seek bids for the Cadott Public Library building project. The project is on a fast track, because of the requirement for the grant the village received.

While most of the plans remain the same as they did, engineers of the project did have to address water laterals that were not previously located, that serve the historical buildings.

“We got it corrected, we have a plan of action, we’re moving forward,” said Cory Scheidler, with Cedar Corp.

With the materials that were chosen for the building, everything will be as energy-focused and long-lasting as possible.

“You’re looking at a 100-year facility here,” said Scheidler.

Village resident Randy Rykal questioned what interior components are part of the $3.7 million grant and what is excluded. The grant is for the building, including the parking lot, and furnishings.

What is not included, would be minor furniture, and items such as a pen cup or a clock.

Rykal is concerned, because the library is looking to raise additional funds, than the grant. Resident/Library Board member Cookie Kaste spoke to that, as the funds will be directed toward paying for more staff, if patron involvement increases, with the new facility and accessible location.

It’s what Kaste calls a five-year sustainability plan. “We want to make sure this library not only lasts the five years, but it lasts for generations,” said Kaste.

Through the capital campaign, cleaning, snow removal and lawn mowing will be taken care of as operational costs, without putting a burden on the taxpayers, especially since the village has been forthright, that they will not and cannot, give money toward the facility.

“The grant is for the actual library, it’s not to sustain it going forward,” said Lynn McIntyre, Cedar Corp. “The library is well aware of those costs.”

In addition, at least one audit, if not two, will be needed, once the building is complete, to fulfill a requirement of the grant.

“They have to do single audits, because they’re receiving federal funds,” said McIntyre.

“It’s no doubt a blessing, to get a grant this size,” said Rykal.

Rykal was invited to the monthly Library Board meetings, if he has any further questions or concerns. Eric Weiland, village board trustee, appreciates Rykal’s due diligence, but informed him that much of the discussion is past and that the Library Board has a game plan to make that fundraising for ongoing operations happen.

“Until that comes to be an issue, I don’t really know much what we can discuss about that,” said Weiland.