Split vote keeps copper in Red Wing library’s replacement roof

Even though it will up the price tag, the City Council decided to replace the Red Wing library’s copper trimming with new copper.

The council voted 4-3 to replace fascia, the band that runs around the top of the building and into the roof, with new copper after the roof is ripped off and redone.

Redoing the roof will allow for fixes including drainage changes so water won’t leak into the building’s basement.

Staff had recommended replacing the fascia with a similar-looking painted metal, but that was met with objections.

The library is part of the historic district and should follow those building rules, Lisbeth Butler, chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission, said.

“There’s a requirement that like be replaced with like,” she said. She noted the current copper at the library is in good condition and only needs to be replaced because the roof is being rebuilt.

The HPC members also told the city if it did not follow the historic preservation rules they would be harder to enforce in the future.

“In this case it’s the particular obligation of the city to do the right thing and maintain the integrity of its assets,” HPC member Gary Stone said.

“I don’t like the idea of taking our own rules and breaking them,” Council member Dean Hove agreed.

Council President Ralph Rauterkus pointed out while the library itself is not considered historic now, it will be in just a handful of years.

Others chose the copper because it likely would last longer.

“I don’t mind spending money on something that’s going to last a very long time,” Hove said. “We really need to look at longevity here.”

Public Works Director Rick Moskwa said painted metal comes with a warranty, would more closely match the current look of the library and is less expensive.

The library’s board recommended a painted metal on a split vote, while the HPC favored the copper.

In order to use the painted metal, the council would have had to appeal the HPC’s decision. That motion failed Tuesday evening.

Council member Mike Schultz wanted to re-use the current copper, but the contractor said that would not be possible since it is so integrated in the current roof that has to be removed.

Council members Hove, Rauterkus, Dan Bender and Marilyn Meinke voted to include copper in the project. Council members Schultz, Lisa Bayley and Peggy Rehder voted no.

The council also unanimously approved a new fire station roof.

The library project is roughly $418,000. Extra funds to cover the copper will come out of the general fund contingency, but that price is variable since the city will get some money from the scrap copper. The fire station roofing will cost about $196,000.

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