City officials in Sidney are weighing their options for upgrades to the public library’s HVAC system following recent equipment issues during a heat wave.
During a recent City Council meeting, members reviewed estimates from Lynn Furnace for either a full replacement of the building’s nearly 20-year-old system or partial fixes targeting the air conditioning units or furnaces.
Library Director Brenda Benedict reported that the air conditioners — original to the building — were not working properly. Mayor Justin Shirley noted that the issue became apparent as temperatures climbed.
Cost estimates presented to the council include:
- $35,600+ for a complete HVAC overhaul
- $21,000 to replace all three air conditioners
- $7,315 to replace just the inoperable unit
Shirley said the city is seeking additional bids before moving forward, though the issue is not currently deemed an emergency due to the two functioning units keeping up with demand.
Additionally, council members discussed relocating the system's condensers back to the west side of the library for improved efficiency. Shirley explained the condensers had been moved to the south side during the construction of an outdoor reading area, which required running extra copper lines.
In other updates, the council addressed sidewalk repairs at the library, specifically an ADA-accessible ramp that began cracking. The issue was linked to settling beneath a decorative brick wall along the building’s north side. The city hired a local mason to stabilize the wall, allowing contractors to repour the ramp, which is now complete and available for use.