Kentucky Administrative Regulations
Title 725 - EDUCATION, ARTS, AND HUMANITIES CABINET - DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES
Chapter 2 - Libraries
Section 725 KAR 2:015 - Public library facilities construction

Universal Citation: 725 KY Admin Regs Service 2:015

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 3, September 1, 2024

RELATES TO: KRS Chapter 13B, 171.027, 171.125, 173.040, 173.340, 173.480, 173.725, 198B.032, 198B.050, 227.300, 322.010(3), 323.010(1), (2), 323.020, Chapters 341, 342, 344, 42 U.S.C. 12101

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 171.027 requires The Public Library Facilities Construction Fund to assist local public libraries and other governing bodies in debt service payments relating to library construction or renovation projects. KRS 171.027 requires the Department for Libraries and Archives to promulgate administrative regulations to establish:

(1) the application process;

(2) the criteria for project selection;

(3) the minimum level of local participation required; and

(4) the process to be followed in the construction of facilities.

This administrative regulation establishes:

(1) definitions;

(2) general requirements for eligibility;

(3) application procedures for the applicant and the department;

(4) the construction process; and

(5) procedures for the payment of funds.

Section 1. Definitions.

(1) "Application packet" means the packet of materials KDLA sends to each applicant library, containing:
(a) A copy of the MOA currently being used;

(b) A copy of this administrative regulation;

(c) The criteria used to determine minimum matching requirements; and

(d) Other relevant material needed for completion of an application for assistance.

(2) "Architect" is defined by KRS 323.010(2).

(3) "Available local revenue" means the annual local funds available to pay down debt, not expected to decrease the level of normal and customary programs and services offered by the public library.

(4) "Award of assistance" means the annual grant payment awarded, for a period of not more than twenty (20) years, to a local public library to pay down debt incurred to construct or renovate a local public library facility.

(5) "Construction grant coordinator" means a consultant designated by KDLA for the purpose of coordinating and consulting with Kentucky public libraries on construction grant issues.

(6) "Engineer" means "professional engineer" as defined by KRS 322.010(3).

(7) "KDLA" means the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

(8) "Local board" means:
(a) The local public library board of trustees established under KRS 173.040, 173.340, 173.480, or 173.725; or

(b) The official local governing body responsible for the operations of a local public library.

(9) "MOA" or "memorandum of agreement" means the written, long-term agreement between KDLA and a library awarding a PLFC Fund Grant to pay down debt incurred to finance a library facilities construction or renovation project, including each term and condition agreed to and stipulated by each party on the memorandum of agreement.

(10) "PLFC fund grant" means the annual grant awarded by KDLA, over a period of not more than twenty (20) years, to a local public library or governing body to assist in the payment of debt incurred to construct or renovate local public library facilities.

(11) "Public library" is defined by KRS 171.125(2).

(12) "Punch list" means an inventory of work that remains to be completed and signed by the owner, the architect, and the contractor, to show that they agree the items on the list represent the work that remains to be done.

(13) "Responsible bidder" means a person, business, or organization that has the capability in all respects to perform fully the contract requirements, and the integrity and reliability to assure good faith performance.

(14) "State librarian" means the official established at KRS 171.130.

(15) "Written building program" means a textual description, often in bullet-point form, of the proposed facility and the spaces within the facility. It will establish construction items such as square footages, building systems, building materials and finishes, space adjacencies, utility and data requirements, furniture needs, and collection spaces.

Section 2. Stipulations and Conditions.

(1) A public library building shall be constructed in compliance with the:
(a) Uniform State Building Code, KRS 198B.050, as administered by the Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings and Construction, KRS 198B.032;

(b) Standards of Safety related to fire prevention and protection, KRS 227.300;

(c) The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12101;

(d) Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Insurance, KRS Chapters 341 and 342; and

(e) The Civil Rights Act, KRS Chapter 344.

(2) The local board of a public library applying for assistance from the PLFC fund shall comply with the KDLA requirements established in paragraphs (a) through (i) of this subsection.
(a) A building or renovation shall be planned, and construction shall be supervised by an architect or engineer whose credentials have been confirmed by KDLA.

(b) A contract for an architectural or construction service shall be in a standard form used by the American Institute of Architects.
1. Information about American Institute of Architects forms and where they may be obtained is available on the Institute's Web site, www.aia.org, and on the Web site of the Kentucky Society of the American Institute of Architects, www.aiaky.org.

2. An architect shall maintain professional liability insurance, including errors and omission insurance, in accordance with the limits established in the construction grant contract.

(c) Each plan for construction that supports an open floorplan and is supportive of a functionally flexible library shall be approved by KDLA.

(d) The site and facility shall be owned by the local board. KDLA shall approve an alternative facility ownership or use arrangement if it is determined by KDLA to be in the best interest of the state, the local board, and the population served by that library. An applicant shall request KDLA approval for a proposed site prior to purchasing the site. A letter indicating approval or disapproval shall be sent to the local board by KDLA. Property not approved shall be ineligible for construction funds. A building owned by a local county or city government shall be approved if an authoritative letter is obtained establishing the local board's right of possession and use of the building for at least twenty (20) years.

(e) Purchase of an existing building for conversion to library use shall qualify for a PLFC fund grant if:
1. A structural engineer or architect certifies that the building is structurally sound and suitable for conversion;

2. The existing building is of open construction, supportive of a functionally flexible library; and

3. The service and economic considerations for conversion outweigh the service and economic considerations for construction of a new building.

(f) A library building constructed using KDLA funds shall:
1. Remain open to the public; and

2. Maintain appropriately-qualified library personnel.

(g) An application shall include:
1. A written building program; and

2. A current long-range plan.

(h) A project shall:
1. Demonstrate a plan for future growth; and

2.
a. Meet KDLA minimum standards for a public library facility; or

b. Be included in a countywide master facility plan designed to meet KDLA minimum standards within a reasonable time, with reference to the Kentucky State Data Center's ten (10) year median population projection.

(i) A local board shall provide free countywide library services, without discrimination, to the citizens of the county in which the public library facility is located.

Section 3. Application for Assistance.

(1) Preceding each fiscal year that funding is available through the PLFC fund, KDLA shall distribute an Intent to Apply notice to every public library in the Commonwealth. A library intending to apply for assistance for the following fiscal year shall submit to KDLA a Notification of Intent to Apply.

(2) KDLA shall send the following to each public library requesting fund assistance:
(a) Notification of the amount of funds available for PLFC grants; and

(b) An application packet.

(3) An incomplete or late application shall not be considered unless the delay will not interfere with the awarding of the PLFC grants and there is a documented, unusual circumstance as established in subsection (4) of this section.

(4) An unusual circumstance shall include a delay by a third party in certifying that the proposed site is not located in a flood plain or other documented circumstance beyond the control of the local board.

Section 4. Review of Applications for Assistance From the PLFC Fund.

(1) KDLA shall establish a construction review committee to:
(a) Review applications; and

(b) Recommend to the state librarian the applicants considered eligible for a PLFC fund award.

(2) The committee shall be composed of five (5) members.
(a) The state librarian shall appoint two (2) Division of Library Services consultants, to serve a term of one (1) year.

(b) The state librarian shall appoint two (2) members each of whom has been involved, within the previous eight (8) years, in the completion of a building project valued at a minimum of $500,000. Each member shall be a:
1. Library director;

2. Trustee; or

3. Staff member.

(c) The construction grant coordinator shall serve:
1. For the duration of his or her position; and

2. As nonvoting chair of the committee.

(d) The state librarian shall appoint a replacement for a member unable to complete his or her term.

(3) KDLA shall establish the Construction Review Committee ¢â,¬o Preliminary Score Sheet to rank the PLFC fund award:.

(4) The criteria for award shall be:
(a) Need:
1. Assessment of existing facilities and service;

2. Analysis of population data;

3. Minimum square footage;

4. Available local revenue; and

5. State library and library association standards;

(b) Planning: the extent to which the proposed facility addresses the applicant library's long-range plan for services;

(c) Partnerships: the extent to which the project strengthens the applicant library's relationship with other organizations in the service area;

(d) Project budget: the extent to which the applicant library's project budget addresses anticipated expenditures, including at least five (5) percent for contingency;

(e) Local contribution to the annual debt retirement shall be as established in subparagraphs 1. through 3. of this paragraphs.
1. For applicant libraries with annual revenue from all sources of less than $100,000, a minimum yearly contribution to the annual debt retirement payments for this project shall be $1,000.

2. For applicant libraries with annual revenue from all sources of at least $100,000 but less than $500,000, a minimum yearly contribution to the annual debt retirement payments for this project shall be $10,000.

3. For applicant libraries with annual revenue from all sources of $500,000 or greater, a minimum yearly contribution to the annual debt retirement payments for this project shall be $30,000;

(f) Sustainability: the extent to which the local board can realistically afford to operate the proposed project;

(g) Completeness of application: the extent to which the applicant library has fairly and accurately provided required information on the application form; and

(h) Timeliness of meeting required reporting deadlines: the extent to which the applicant library has filed the KDLA annual report and Department for Local Government reports on or before the designated deadlines in the past two (2) years.

(5) The state librarian shall take one (1) of the following actions, based on the recommendation of the construction review committee:
(a) Approve the application and offer an award of assistance;

(b) Approve the application at a reduced level or based upon funds availability;

(c) Approve the application with restrictive conditions; or

(d) Reject the application.

(6) KDLA shall notify each applicant, in writing, of the result of the state librarian's action approving or rejecting the application.

Section 5. Informal Appeals.

(1) An applicant aggrieved by a decision of the state librarian may file an informal appeal with KDLA.

(2) Procedures.
(a) The local board shall notify KDLA of its intent to appeal:
1. Within twenty-one (21) days of the date of the letter of notification;

2. In writing;

3. Stating the basis for appeal; and

4. By registered mail to the state librarian, return receipt requested.

(b) Upon receipt of a notice of intent to appeal, the state librarian shall:
1. Convene a board of appeals composed of three (3) members. The board shall be composed of:
a. One (1) public library user nominated by the State Libraries, Archives, and Records Commission;

b. One (1) public library director nominated by the Kentucky Public Library Association; and

c. One (1) certified public library trustee nominated by the State Board for the Certification of Librarians; and

2. Designate one (1) of the appointees to serve as chair.

(c) The board of appeals shall notify the appellant and the state librarian, in writing, of the date and place of the hearing. Within twenty-one (21) calendar days after the hearing, the appeals board shall notify the state librarian and the local board of its recommendation.

(d) The state librarian shall consider the recommendation of the appeals board and shall, within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt, either adopt the recommendation without comment or adopt the recommendation with modifications. If the appeals board's decision is modified, the state librarian shall provide a written explanation of the rationale for the modifications to the libraries impacted by the decision.

(3) A party aggrieved by a final decision of the state librarian may file a formal appeal. An appeal shall be in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B.

Section 6. Award of Assistance.

(1) The state librarian shall notify each eligible library of:
(a) The amount of assistance it will receive; and

(b) The requirements to be met in order to accept the award.

(2) KDLA may make an award to a public library if the total of all awards of assistance do not exceed the amount of PLFC funding that is available. An award of assistance shall be subject to availability of funds appropriated for this purpose in each biennium.

(3) Within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of the award, the public library board shall notify KDLA of acceptance or rejection of the award of assistance. A public library not responding within thirty (30) days shall be declared ineligible and the award of assistance withdrawn and redistributed to the eligible recipients. Upon written request within the original thirty (30) day period, the state librarian may grant a single thirty (30) day extension if extenuating circumstances exist. Extenuating circumstances shall include problems with:
(a) Finalizing the terms of financing;

(b) Obtaining title to the property;

(c) Obtaining surveys of the property; and

(d) Similar circumstances beyond the control of the local board.

Section 7. Procedures After Acceptance.

(1) After a local board decides to accept an award of assistance, the local board shall:
(a) Establish a building committee, the meetings of which shall be attended by the regional librarian and the construction grant coordinator, if possible; and

(b) Complete the following:
1. An agreed-upon MOA between KDLA and the local board, signed by both;

2. The building committee membership list and schedule of meeting dates;

3. Holding company contract, if needed;

4. Construction plans approved by KDLA; and

5. Other documentation, such as financial documents and engineering reports necessary to ensure compliance with this administrative regulation.

(2) Funds for projects receiving assistance shall be distributed according to a payment and reporting schedule contained in the MOA between KDLA and the local board.

Section 8. Construction Procedures.

(1) The local board shall retain an attorney to act as advisor on contracts and other legal matters during the term of the construction project.

(2) The architect shall proceed with the working drawings and specifications for submission to KDLA for final approval by KDLA before the project is advertised for bids.

(3) After KDLA has approved the working drawings, the plans shall be completed and advertised publicly for construction bids. The advertisement shall include notice that a builder's risk policy shall be required as part of the construction contract.

(4) The architect shall notify the construction grant coordinator at least one (1) week before the building is ready for inspection and punch list. The completed building shall be inspected by KDLA's designated official. A KDLA representative may make site visits during the project term.

(5) KDLA may, upon request of the local board, assist in selecting and ordering the furniture and equipment for the project in accordance with state law governing state agency advertisement, bidding, and purchase from a state price contract.

(6) Each payment to a contractor or supplier shall be made promptly, upon approval by the architect. Retainage shall comply with KRS 371.410.

Section 9. Expenditure of Funds.

(1) Funds from a PLFC grant shall be used only to pay a cost directly related to the construction or renovation of a local public library facility.

(2) A cost may include:
(a) Site acquisition;

(b) Architectural and engineering services;

(c) Financial and legal services; and

(d) Equipment.

(3) Site acquisition cost shall be limited to the lesser of:
(a) The actual cost of acquiring a site; or

(b) The fair market value of the site as determined by a licensed realtor.

(4) Construction cost shall:
(a) Include fixed or movable equipment; and

(b) Not include consumable supplies.

Section 10. Incorporation by Reference.

(1) The following material is incorporated by reference:
(a) "Memorandum of Agreement", 7/21;

(b) "Notification of Intent to Apply for State Fiscal Year ____ Public Library Facility Construction Funds", 7/21;

(c) "Public Library Facility Construction Fund Application for Fiscal Year____ Construction Grants", 7/21; and

(d) "Construction Review Committee - Preliminary Score Sheet", 9/21.

(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department for Libraries and Archives, 300 Coffee Tree Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 171.027

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Kentucky may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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