Leaky roof repairs move to T.O. Library

Water leaks seem to be a recurring challenge in the city of Thousand Oaks.

Like the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, the Thousand Oaks Library on Janss Road has experienced water intrusion since it was opened in January 1982, according to a city staff report.

To fix the problems, the city council has approved spending $5 million. Century Contractors Corp., the company that's repairing the leaks at the Civic Arts Plaza, will also fix the library. The company had the lowest bid of four that were received by the city to correct the problem.

The leaks have been so bad that during Christmas break, rain tarps had to be used to protect library books, according to construction project coordinator Elizabeth Perez.

The city received a $1.3-million litigation settlement from one of the original library architects. That money paid for repairs in 1994-95.

That settlement was a compromise that didn't fully cover the cost of a new roof.

The new work will include new windows and flashing, removal of skylights, a new PVC membrane roof and rehabilitation of internal roof gutters. Construction is expected to begin in April and should be completed by November in time for the next winter rainy season, Perez said.

Councilmember Claudia Billde la Pea asked Perez if $5 million would cover the work. Perez said there could be surprises once the project begins, including the presence of mold.

"I'm fairly confident it will be okay, but you really don't know until you start a project. Whenever you're going into a space you can't see, there can be problems," Perez said. "Any major issues will come back to the council."

--Sophia Fischer