The council chambers were filled with spectators at last night’s (Monday) Carroll City Council meeting as interested citizens attended to show their support and await the council’s decision on the acceptance or rejection of the recent Commercial Savings Bank Building donation made Feb. 23 by the Moehn and Milligan families.
City employees and council members spent the last several weeks gathering information, talking to principal parties and constituents as well as touring the building at 627 North Adams Street to determine the viability of relocating city offices. They also discussed the feasibility of then using the vacated city offices as space to expand the library, which is the sole purpose of the gift. City Manager, Gerald Clausen, said there are many steps needed as they move forward, including assessments of both buildings, conceptual planning and cost estimates for renovations as well as funding decisions. He also supplied a projected timeline.
Jacob Fiscus, president of the library board of trustees, was in attendance and said, though not officially voted on in a meeting, the board was in favor of this option. A letter was also presented from the Library Foundation board of directors stating, “If approved, they would conduct further fundraising efforts to provide private funds to expand the Carroll Public Library at the current site.” In addition, “All current funds in Foundation accounts that were previously raised for a library project will be dedicated to this expansion.” Council member Brandon Vonnahme said this shows a true commitment from the entire community.
The council’s decision has mirrored the overwhelming feedback members received about this being the best possibility yet for the library, and the Moehn and Milligan families were thanked for this truly generous offer.
