Architect Robert Garrison with rendering of proposed Sea Isle City library.

SEA ISLE CITY — Residents here are cool to the county’s offer of building a new library branch for the city.

At an Aug. 28 council meeting, a crowd of more than 50 citizens raised numerous issues with the county’s proposal for an 11,000-square-foot “state-of-the-art” facility at the site of the presen library on JFK Boulevard.

The county proposed its plans to the public Aug. 21 at the current library location.

County Administrator Stephen O’Connor, Freeholder Ralph Bakley Sr. and library Director Deborah Poillon were present to explain the county’s plans for a $3.5 million two-story building that could be completed by next summer.

Many residents at the council meeting said the location of the library would be a problem.

Tom Henry, of the city’s taxpayers association, commented on the lack of parking at the site asking how the facility would accommodate the two large meeting rooms that hold 250 people each. He also noted that only two handicapped parking spaces were planned at the site.

Another resident said he especially has parking problems in the summer.

“When I need to return a book, my wife drops me off and I run in,” he reported. “She drives around the block and picks me back up.”

Several others expressed concerns with the facility being located next to a bar. La Costa Lounge adjoins the property.

Council President Mike McHale joined residents in their concerns about the location while Councilman John Divney said he liked the location and thought a new building would help beautify the entranceway to the city.

Councilman William Kehner agreed with Divney and said by the time the new library would be done the city would have a trolley service that would help with the lack of parking.

Other sites being considered by officials and residents are the elementary school at 4501 Park Ave. and a city owned lot on 48th Street.

Henry said both sites were preferable to the present location. The school would offer room for future expansion and the parking situation at 48th Street would be better.

Residents weren’t impressed by Robert Garrison’s architectural design for the new building saying it didn’t match the surrounding structures.

Others said they didn’t like the county’s plan for equipment and services inside.

“The county system is antiquated,” one resident remarked. “Libraries today aren’t just places to borrow books. They’re used for wireless technology as well as lectures, arts and entertainment.”

Most of all, residents were concerned with the city’s seeming rush to judgment.

Councilman Frank Edwardi, who likes the current site because the library has always been there, said that if the city waits too long the library won’t be done by next summer.

Resident Gary Egnasko said it seemed like the county’s deal was being forced on the city.

“I feel like I’m in a car dealership and the salesman is trying to get me to sign right away,” he said.

George “Pat” Haffert, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor this year, said city officials owe it to the residents to consider all options.

Seeing the success of neighboring communities with municipal libraries, Avalon and Ocean City, Haffert and others called for Sea Isle to break from the county system and build their own library.

Others said that with the threat of a pullout the city is in a great bargaining position with the county.

“Our old library was a disgrace 20 years ago and hasn’t been improved since,” Henry remarked. “The county owes us a new building but we don’t’ have to take their first offer.”

Council, which was scheduled to vote on endorsing the county offer, tabled the issue for further discussion. Members said they would form citizens advisory committees to investigate the pros and cons of both choices.

Mayor Leonard Desiderio, who is also a freeholder, was not at the council meeting but has said he approves of the county plan.

There will be a special Cape May County Library Commission meeting on Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. to discuss the situation in Sea Isle and Stone Harbor, which is also scheduled to have a new branch built. The meeting will be held in the Board Room of the Cape May County Library, 30 W. Mechanic St.