HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5.2 Piano Donation to City
CITY CLERK
File # D[[][3J[l2]-[2]Ll1]
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: March 20, 2007
SUBJECT:
Written Correspondence: Donation of Piano to City
Report by Diane Lowart, Parks & Community Services Director
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Correspondence for Necia Omo
RECOMMENDATION: ~ . 1'\ / Determine if the City should accept the donation of the piano and
.), r fA1 r notify the donor ofthe Council's action
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT:
Estimated costs associated with moving, tuning and keyboard lock -
$600 - $800
DESCRIPTION: Correspondence has been received from Necia Omo with an offer to
donate her late mother's baby grand piano to the City of Dublin to be placed in the Community Room of
the Dublin Library (Attachment 1). In order to evaluate the offer, Staff has reviewed the current uses of
the Community Room and discussed the offer with the Dublin Library Branch Manager.
The Community Room is available for City, Library and public use and is scheduled by the Parks and
Community Services Department. The fire code capacity for the room is 122 for assembly and 77 for
dining. With the closure of the Shannon Community Center, the room is predominantly used for Parks
and Community Services Department classes and programs, as well as meetings sponsored by the City.
When not in use by the City, the room is available for use for Library programs and for public use.
In reviewing City use, it is unlikely that the piano would be used. Although music classes are offered
through the City's Parks and Community Services Department, the classes are usually held off-site at the
contractor's studio. Since there is not a piano currently at the facility, it is unknown if private users would
take advantage of a piano if one was available. However, Staff has been advised that the Dublin San
Ramon Women's Club, who has monthly meetings in the Community Room, would use the piano if it
was available.
In discussions with the Dublin Library Branch Manager Lee Jouthas, she indicates that the library has
wanted to do more musical programs so a piano would open up new programming possibilities. However,
COpy TO: Necia Orno/Lee Jouthas
Page 1 of2
ITEM NO.
5.2.
G:\COUNCIL\Agenda Staternents\2007\3-20 Piano Donation.doc
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Ms. Jouthas is concerned about the space that the piano would take and whether it would affect available
occupancy. The Friends of the Dublin Library use the Community Room twice per year for their annual
book sale and they use every comer of the room so the piano could have an impact on the book sales.
Additionally, she is concerned that the piano could be subject to vandalism as it is not possible to lock the
Community Room doors from the Library lobby due to fire code issues.
In reviewing the size of a baby grand piano, Staff estimates that it would occupy approximately 30sf of the
room, probably in southeast comer of the room. This would reduce the assembly capacity by four to 118
persons. Regarding security of the piano, Staff would recommend installing a 10ck on the keyboard so
that it could not be tampered with when not in use.
If the City Council is in favor of accepting the donation of the piano, Staff estimates that the cost
associated with moving and then tuning the piano once it is moved to be $500 - $700. Additionally, it is
estimated that the cost of a keyboard lock is $100. Thus, the total cost to the City would be $600 - $800.
Sufficient funds are available in the Library Building Maintenance Budget to absorb these costs.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council determine if the City should
accept the donation of the piano and direct Staff to notify the donor of the Council's action.
Page 2 of2
111 i
City of Dublin
Ci~c Center 1 00 Ci~c Plaza
Dublin, California 94568
March 3, 2007
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Dear Mayor Janet Lockhart and Richard Ambros,
I am contacting you regarding the following. My mother, Mary Jane Hyde, passed away recently. As her daughter, I am
following through on her wishes and the instructions which she arranged and prepared.
She wants to donate her baby grand piano to the City of Dublin to be placed in the Community Room of the Public Library.
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of this request. The piano is in very good condition and has been well cared for.
We look to sell her house within a month or so and would hope that this donation be moved along as soon as possible.
I appreciate YOUfConsideration in this important matter. Please feel free to contact me at my mother's home phone. It is 925
828 0318. Thank you for your help and assistance.
Very Truly Yours,
Necia Orno
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ATTACHMENT 1