Velma Teague Community Meeting Public Comment Report (added 10/18/2024)*

COMMUNITY SERVICES 
MEMORANDUM 
 
 
 
 
Page 1 of 11 
 
Date: 
October 18, 2024 
 
 
To: 
Mayor and Council Members 
 
 
From: 
Jean Moreno, Director 
 
 
Subject: 
Velma Teague Library Community Meeting & 
Public Comments Report 
 
 
 
 
 
On September 19, 2024, a community meeting was held at the Velma Teague Library 
(VTL) to provide an update on the status of the VTL Design Study project and to gather 
additional feedback regarding the services and amenities that the community would like 
to see at VTL.  The meeting was specifically marketed to VTL cardholder emails, in  
Cactus and Ocotillo district newsletters and the library e-newsletter, and was posted on 
the library’s social media.  Staff was later informed that the Glendale Historical Society 
also sent an email to their membership as well.  Twenty members of the public attended.   
 
At the start of the meeting the audience was asked to signal by show of hands if they 
were VTL patrons and approximately four members of the auidence raised their hand.  
Each member of the audience was provided with a comment card as well as material for 
a dot-polling exercise.  The attached public comment report provides the detailed staff 
notes documenting the questions and comments from the meeting as well as the 
verbatim comments from each of the comment cards completed at the meeting.   
 
The dot-polling exercise results are also attached.  This exercise included categories 
similar to what was included on the community survey and asked participants to identify 
their top priority with a green dot while identifying three lesser priorities with yellow dots.  
The highest priority identified by meeting participants was outdoor gathering space 
accounting for 17% of the total.  The next highest category was meeting rooms (11%), 
followed by computer lab, arts & cultural exhibits and one-on-one asistance (9% each).   
 
After the meeting, staff in the Mayor, Council, and Manager’s offices received public 
comment which is also documented in the attached public comment report.  Staff at VTL 
were also directed to offer public comment cards to any interested patrons.  Staff fielded 
a few questions, and received two comment cards.  Lastly, residents that had already 
provided public comment also spoke at the October 8, 2024 City Council meeting and 
the October 9, 2024 Library Advisory Board meeting which is included in the summary 
below.  In total the city received 20 unduplicated public comments:  18 requesting to 
leave VTL in place, 1 neutral, and 1 supportive of relocation. 
 
• 
20 community meeting attendees 
• 
14 comment cards completed at Community Forum 
• 
2 unduplicated emails from residents  
• 
2 unduplicated phone calls 
• 
2 unduplicated VTL comment cards 
• 
6 duplicated speakers at the October 8, 2024 City Council meeting 
• 
4 duplicated speakers at the October 9, 2024 Library Advisory Board meeting  
 
1

Velma Teague Library Community Meeting
September 19, 2024
Dot Polling Exercise
Poster Topic
Green Dot  
(Highest 
Priority)
Yellow Dot  
(Priority)
Dot 
Totals
% of 
Total 
Dots
Outdoor Gathering Space
6
5
11
17%
Meeting Room
1
6
7
11%
Computer Lab
4
2
6
9%
Arts & Cultural Exhibits
3
3
6
9%
One-on-One Assistance (Tech, Research, Homework)
1
5
6
9%
Study Rooms
1
4
5
8%
Library of Things
0
5
5
8%
Teen Hangout
1
3
4
6%
Technology for Checkout
0
4
4
6%
Tween Space
0
3
3
5%
Makerspace
1
1
2
3%
Help with Resumes and Job Searching
0
2
2
3%
Technology Space
0
2
2
3%
Early Childhood Play Space
0
2
2
3%
Craft Space
1
0
1
2%
Testing Center
0
0
0
0%
Help with Taxes
0
0
0
0%
Way to Pay Utility Bills
0
0
0
0%
66
100%
2

Velma Teague Library Design Study
Public Comment Report
As of October 16, 2024
Type
Name
Question or Comment
Staff Response
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
Are the former restaurant's cooking equipment still there in the Palmaire option 
and could we use it for cooking classes?
It is unlikely, but could be evaluated.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
Can the Palmaire option fit what the VTL current space has?
Yes, based on the fit assessment 
conducted by Holly Street Studios.
Meeting 
Discussion
Theodora 
Hackenberg
Drop ceiling is to help mitigate noise—do you have another noise plan without 
the drop ceiling?  In a large room, noise gets amplified
Noise mitigation is something that 
would be included in a final design by 
the appropriate design experts.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
Noise of the parking structure, how do they plan to deal with the noise of the 
cars going up and down in the parking garage (7-8 pm car racing on the 
garage—throughout the night).
Activating the facility will help deter 
undesirable activity that is taking place 
now because it is vacant/perceived to 
be vacant.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
The parking garage is full of hidden areas of the and full of transients – this is a 
bigger issue than in murphy park too – mentioned transient dead on a bench.
That is something that would certainly 
be addressed as part of the operations 
if this option moves forward.
Meeting 
Discussion
Bud Zomok
A public meeting with Holly street with 100 people—do not move the library 
was the big takeaway from that meeting; homeless is fed by a business each 
week that causes more issues with the homeless, odor, trash, and transient 
issues.
Comment only, no staff response.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
Street parking -- will the business owners lose their street parking at palmier?
On-street parking and drop-off areas 
would be evaluated as part of the final 
design.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
ADA piece is weak in presentation—Manistee Park (main) has a larger issue 
than at VTL; the parking garage would be still a trek for the ADA people than 
the street parking at the current VTL.
Comment only, no staff response.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
I didn’t get the survey that was sent out to the homes.
The survey that was a direct mailer 
was a random sample of homes in the 
Ocotillo and Cactus districts, not every 
home was intended to receive a direct 
mailer.
3

Velma Teague Library Design Study
Public Comment Report
As of October 16, 2024
Type
Name
Question or Comment
Staff Response
Meeting 
Discussion
Jamie Aldama Did the survey have the three options of the builds? If the community is saying 
to keep the library in the park and not to grow the park space, then how do we 
take this to council.
No.  The focus of the survey was about 
the services and amenities the 
community would like to have at 
Velma Teague.  That is the first 
priority, then we have to figure out 
if/how could we deliver those 
amenities.
Meeting 
Discussion
Jamie Aldama The cost of the tenant estimates versus the renovation of VTL for today? Can 
we afford to do the 12 million today?
We have not looked at whether we 
can afford $12 million cash right now, 
but it is important to note that if we 
wait until 2028, the cost will be higher 
than it is today.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
Redoing city hall, enlarging the amphitheater—if they wanted to keep the park, 
then they shouldn’t have expanded the amphitheater. There has been a library 
since the 1920s in this park. If you can take down city hall and rebuild it, you can 
do the same to VTL. The library is the emotional heart of the city. If they go 
overbudget in city hall, then they should go overbudget to do the library here.
Comment only, no staff response.
Meeting 
Discussion
John 
LeGendre
That location (Palmaire) has been the kiss of death for every business that has 
been there. Nothing has ever succeeded there. It’s a terrible location, I can’t 
help it. The library won’t succeed here. When they showed Velma the plans of 
the library, she said she liked the plan—where’s the park? The parking lot was 
where the park was. She handed the plans back to the city manager and told 
them it was not acceptable. put the park back. (VT great-nephew)
We agree that retail businesses have 
struggled at that location which is why 
having a destination such as a library 
or other city services makes the most 
sense.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
You would have to bus people there (Palmaire).
Comment only, no staff response.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
Palmaire: The road is very narrow. Parking on both sides. Riding a bicycle 
–having traffic going on both sides will be quite tight.
Comment only, no staff response.
4

Velma Teague Library Design Study
Public Comment Report
As of October 16, 2024
Type
Name
Question or Comment
Staff Response
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
What’s the conversation about if VTL is demolished, what will happen to this 
space? Another building, more park? Deed restriction mentioned  
This is not staff's decision, but the 
recommendation is that it would 
return to being a park.
Meeting 
Discussion
M. Garland
How far into the future will the modern design serve us? The library of the 
future design concept (JM: movable stacks, flexibility—things can be changed 
more fluidly)
The idea is that you have a flexible 
design with movable stacks and fewer 
hard walls allowing things to be 
changed more fluidly so that you can 
adapt to the needs of the community 
for many years.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
The park’s first meetings: the city park was always here and always had a library 
in it. I don’t see why we need to change it?
Comment only, no staff response.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
In the green shirts meeting, desert scape of the park—no, we want green and 
do not move murphy park library
Comment only, no staff response.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
Part of the save murphy park, we wanted to save the trees, but the 
amphitheater took over that space. It’s not the city hall campus—it’s murphy 
park and the library. The city hall just has the city hall.
Comment only, no staff response.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
People don’t want to walk around the library to get to city hall—I’ve never 
heard that. We need to walk around more. You didn’t talk about the new build 
in murphy park option enough. If you did this option, then it would open up the 
park for the city hall people—I remember being greeted by the librarian when 
we first walked in. We have done away with all the events we had down here in 
murphy park. We need to bring them all back here (chocolate affair, arts 
events)
Comment only, no staff response.
Meeting 
Discussion
Bud Zomok
At the presentation, had a conceptual drawing of the breezeway through the 
library—the survey was not having the option about moving the library, I worry 
that you are taking this to council without community feedback about moving 
the library.
This presentation tonight is part of the 
public participation process.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
Want to make sure that it is brought back to council that they do not want to 
move the library from the park.
Comment only, no staff response.
5

Velma Teague Library Design Study
Public Comment Report
As of October 16, 2024
Type
Name
Question or Comment
Staff Response
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
At the Main library people need the computers and are on their cell phones 
while they are working on the computers (because they need assistance or to 
conduct their business). Can we have a few computers so that they could 
conduct their business privately. Maybe two in each location?
Having publicly accessible meeting 
space and quiet rooms would 
accommodate this.
Meeting 
Discussion
Unknown
Neither of my husband nor I got the survey and live in Cactus district.
The survey that was a direct mailer 
was a random sample of homes in the 
Ocotillo and Cactus districts, not every 
home was intended to receive a direct 
mailer.
6

Velma Teague Library Design Study
Public Comment Report
As of October 16, 2024
Type
Name
Question or Comment
Staff Response
Comment 
Card
Theodora 
Hackenberg
I want to see Velma Teague stay right where it is. From the city’s history this is 
where it belongs. I heard that it limits redesign because of the concrete 
columns, but really the walls can still be moved and columns used creatively.
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
Thomas 
Varela
Being a member of the Cactus District, and am a pastor at New Life Church. Our 
Community wants to keep the library in Murphy Park. Thank you. 
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
Paula Siebert
Please keep Velma Teague at Murphy park. 
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
John 
LeGendre
It’s the Velma Teague Library remain in the Murphy Park? Don’t move it. 
Cameras can be used for visibility. Promenade on Palmaire location hasn’t had a 
successful business ever because of the location. 
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
Jessica Koory Do Not Move Velma Teague!! We have most of the important things on the wall 
charts here!! Barrel District  
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
Linda Moran 
Whittley
My thoughts are that there hasn’t been a lot of concrete info shared with the 
community about “is it moving to city hall building (a rumor), can we really find 
funding to keep the existing location, just nothing concrete because the 
discussions continue to change. Our Community wants the library where it is. 
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
Bud Zomok
Keep the library in the park – IT’S THE HISTORY OF GLENDALE—Prior meetings 
stated this as well. Parking Garage structure bad idea. 
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
Martha 
(Marty) Cole
Do not move the library from the park. This has been expressed by the 
residents time and time again. 
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
Martha 
Dennis
History – Don't move Library. No  to moving library to parking garage area. 
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
"Mick" 
Jeanne 
Talbot
I agree the Library needs to remain in Murphy Park. Modern visual/observance 
space may be good for security and safety but removes intimate, cozy, 
comfortable spaces. Walls can also offer security. If more space needs to be 
added perhaps 2nd story lofts.
Comment only, no staff response.
7

Velma Teague Library Design Study
Public Comment Report
As of October 16, 2024
Type
Name
Question or Comment
Staff Response
Comment 
Card
April Greer
I work at a City of Phoenix Public Library... what is security like with the 
Glendale library? I tend to be in and out, usually just grabbing holds. This 
meeting is wild! It really is great to see so many people that care about the 
library. I really am happy Glendale did not do heat relief like Phoenix did as that 
has made me like the library less. 
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
Davita Solter Leave the library in the park. Can the Promenade be used as the temporary spot 
while Velma Teague is renovated? As a City Council, bring back events 
downtown. I work in Ocotillo and Yucca District
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
M. Garland
I agree to relocate. Just advance as far into the future as you can.
Comment only, no staff response.
Comment 
Card
Carol Castle
Promenade -- ? Whole area; Cooking availability? Don’t move the library. Re-
design to include more creative space for community programs.
Comment only, no staff response.
Email
Nancy 
Widden
Please leave the Velma Teague Library where it is.  It is one reason downtown 
Glendale is as charming as it is.
Comment only, no staff response.
8

Velma Teague Library Design Study
Public Comment Report
As of October 16, 2024
Type
Name
Question or Comment
Staff Response
Email
Maria Anaya-
Mejia
Good Afternoon, Councilman Baldenegro, My name is Maria Anaya-Mejia, a 
lifelong Glendale resident and descendant of la families Anaya and Lopez, 
whom settled and started a business in Glendale in 1922. There's been talks 
about the council having plans to close and demolish our beloved library. Before 
business and greed cloud their minds, there's a whole history and community 
attached to the heart center of Murphy Park. Our library is a historic landmark 
and should not loose its life over plans to expand the amphitheater or council 
buildings. I truly hope architecture plans are not in place. The community has 
the right to defend our history. Past, present, and future families, tourists, 
history-lovers, and local businesses depend on buildings like this to keep the 
small-town charm alive and thriving. Social media influencers and local 
businesses have the library and park making appearances to appeal their 
followers, for example, Blue Corn Bakery encouraged a fun day of checking out 
books at Velma Teague, and going to grab a coffee or a sweet treat. There is a 
resurgence of book-lovers right now and their power to connect community 
with adventure and imagination is detrimental to the quality, health, and 
longevity of our downtown for many generations to come. Our library is a safe 
haven for those who need sanctuary, education, inspiration, and more. Anyone 
who's ever lived or set foot in Glendale knows about the park and the lovely 
library that's nestled within. My love for books and career in storytelling started 
because of visits to our local library, Velma Teague.  Please let me know what 
can be done to help protect and preserve this historic site and lifelong comfort 
for Glendale families and beyond. Please feel free to forward my email to 
anyone who needs this reminder. 
Comment only, no staff response.
9

Velma Teague Library Design Study
Public Comment Report
As of October 16, 2024
Type
Name
Question or Comment
Staff Response
Phone Call
Amanda 
Robles
Voice mail details:  Resident of glendale and I am calling in to express my 
opinion about the information that was shared at a recent meeting about 
Velma Teague Library.  I am honestly very upset and aghast that anyone would 
to think it is a good idea to completely tear it down.  It's our library, it's been my 
library since I was a young teen and I moved to Glendale.  I take my children 
there, we've spent so many hours there and it just honestly makes me want to 
cry to think that anybody would want to tear that down.  We don't have a lot of 
historical places in Glendale.  Peoria has done a really good job I think of 
preserving their downtown area but we, I don't think that Glendale has.  We 
have huge new districts and lots of money gets poured into that area and what 
happens to our quaint, beautiful downtown area that makes us feel like we live 
in a small town vs. a huge city that we actually are but it really is a big and 
important part of our history, so I want to make my concerns known that the 
whole park, all of Murphy park, the grass, the trees, all of it is so, so special, and 
without that it would be completely change the feel of that downtown area and 
Catlin court and all the surrounding areas and I think it would just really um 
change Glendale completely.  We live closer to, we actually moved closer there 
on purpose to be part of that small town feel and I want to express that I am 
very upset that this is even being considered and it would just completely ruin 
Glendale for me.  
Staff returned the call and shared the 
information that was shared at the 
community meeting to ensure that the 
resident had been provided with all 
the information including that the 
building is not historic, is not the first 
library location, the goal to address 
community needs, and the cost 
difference between renovating in 
place and the tenant improvement, 
and that information would be 
presented to Council for direction on 
October 22nd.   
Ms. Robles stated, "I stand by my 
statement, everything can’t be based 
on fiscal needs."
Phone Call
Bobby 
Casares
Called to express opposition to the proposal to move the library.
Comment only, no staff response.
10

Velma Teague Library Design Study
Public Comment Report
As of October 16, 2024
Type
Name
Question or Comment
Staff Response
Phone Call
John 
LeGendre
Mr. LeGendre called to add additional comments:  Doesn’t lend itself to foot 
traffic, has put out something on a neighborhood group so far it is 50 to 4 
opposed.  One person asked what would become of the bricks the library has 
sold in the past. Said the Promenade location was built in the 1980’s.  He said it 
is a very emotional issue and the library should stay in place.  
 During the conversation, I let him 
know the Promenade location was 
built in 2008.  I explained that I agree 
it is a very emotional issue and my job 
is to do everything I can to take the 
emotion out of the fact-finding 
process and make a recommendation 
to the City Council that is based in fact 
about the future needs of Velma 
Teague Library and its patrons. I 
explained that I am trying to find the 
best solution for VTL patrons into the 
future and that they deserve to have 
the best space, programming, 
amenities and facilities as it serves 
neighborhoods with the highest 
concentrations of poverty in the city.
VTL Comment 
Card
Bernadette 
Bolognini
I've lived in downtown Glendale for over 30 years and used Velma Teague 
Library.  Customer service is wonderful and staff always there to meet my 
needs.  This is a wonderful library, definitely a community center feel to it with 
all the activities for adults and children.  The building itself is so wonderful, very 
welcoming and comfortable. [Stated to staff that she does not want the library 
to move]
Comment only, no staff response.
VTL Comment 
Card
Karla Brown
Don't move the library
Comment only, no staff response.
11