Jay Rigdon, Warsaw Community Public Library’s legal counsel, was present at the meeting to discuss the library’s options on funding for a dry fire protection system. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

WARSAW — Protection against fires and viruses was the main topic of discussion at the Warsaw Community Public Library Board of Trustees’ meeting on Monday, March 9.

Jeff Kumfer, SRKM Architecture LLC, Warsaw, received four bids for the library’s dry fire protection system project. Milestone Construction, Syracuse, presented the lowest base bid at $244,200, while the highest base bid was from Shambaugh & Son, Fort Wayne, at $483,300.

“All the bids included replacing the dry sprinkler system, which is in the ceiling space above the upper floor and also in the attic space,” said Kumfer. “The bids also included some drywall and ceiling tile repairs, where there’s been leaks in the past. We’re trying to fix all of that in one fell swoop.”

The lower level of the library has an active wet sprinkler system, which will remain untouched.

WCPL Library Director Ann Zydek asked Jay Rigdon, the library’s legal counsel, to attend the meeting in order to discuss options the library has on funding for the project.

“If it’s small enough, you can just go to a bank and ask to borrow the money,” said Rigdon. “That’s always a possibility. Secondly, there is Indiana Bond Bank. It’s designed to help all kinds of governmental entities with short-term, what they describe as, cash flow or funding issues.”

Rigdon said since the library does not currently have any outstanding bonds, there would be no difficulty in obtaining one.

“With the bonding process, you could do it in phases,” said Zydek.

WCPL Board President Chris Merrill then asked how much all of the library’s tentative brick-and-mortar projects would cost. Zydek said in total, all of the planned projects are estimated at up to $2 million. The projects include installing new LED lighting and carpeting, as well as updating the library’s sidewalks, curbs and parking lot.

The board voted to table the discussion on the dry fire protection system for its April meeting in order to determine which financing route will be best for the library.

In other business, Bruce Hively, WCPL facility supervisor, informed the board of what he and library staff are currently doing in regards to cleaning, especially with the recent COVID-19 outbreak.

“We put informational signs up in all of the restrooms explaining what people should be doing,” said Hively. “There is no more hand sanitizer left in Warsaw. I’ve talked to my suppliers that I use and they’re saying the manufacturers are basically holding it for hospitals and emergency places. I’ve talked with the reference and children’s departments and asked them to clean keyboards a couple times in the morning and couple times in the afternoon. Mainly everything I’ve read is about washing your hands.”

“I really appreciate you talking about this,” said Board Member Tim Keyes. “There are many, many discussions in higher education right now and there are already schools and universities that have closed and gone into online education because of this. We really have to think about worse-case scenarios, especially since we have active cases in the area.”

The library’s website has information regarding COVID-19, which includes tips on preventive actions people should take. The website also mentions signing up to access the library’s digital collections if anyone has to stay home due to illness.

“We have a policy that we can close,” said Zydek. “If the City of Warsaw says we can, that’s what we would do.”

The board’s next meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday, April 13.

WCPL Board President Chris Merrill listens to Jay Rigdon discuss the library’s options on funding. In the background is Jeff Kumfer, SRKM Architecture. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.