Auburn Library grant acceptance on Placer Supervisors agenda

Although a majority of the agenda will be focused on Tahoe-specific items, the Placer County Board of Supervisors will consider approving an agreement to accept grant funding for the Auburn Library on Tuesday. The Budget Act of 2021 (SB129) allocated $439 million in one-time funds to the California State Library to address critical maintenance and life-safety needs of library facilities throughout the state. The California State Library announced the Building Forward Library Infrastructure Grant Program in early 2022 to prioritize funding for libraries in high-poverty areas, which the board approved applications to be submitted for the Auburn and Kings Beach libraries in March 2022. The state notified Placer in September 2022 with the intent to award $4.9 million in grant funding for the Auburn Library and its Critical Maintenance and Modernization Project. According to the staff report, the project will consist of upgrading or installing building systems, including telecommunications, heating ventilation and air conditioning distribution, and life safety fire sprinklers. The report notes most of the targeted improvements have not been upgraded since the library opened in 1973. The total project cost is estimated at $9.8 million. An agreement, which includes the scope of work and budget detail, is required between the state and county for Placer to receive the funding. According to the report, Placer is also required to complete a dollar-for-dollar match of the award and grant funds must be utilized by March 2026. Tuesday's meeting is scheduled at 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend at Granlibakken Tahoe, 725 Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City, or online at placer.ca.gov/boslive. The agenda can be found at placer.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/68995/2023-050923-FINAL-Agenda.