The legal pros, cons of library initiative | Read the opinions

The Renton City Council tonight will consider Mayor Denis Law's recommendation that the council decline to place on the ballot an initiative that would keep the downtown library over the Cedar River.

By Dean Radford • April 2, 2012 1:32 pm
The Renton Public Library has stood over the Cedar River on Mill Avenue for decades.
The Renton Public Library has stood over the Cedar River on Mill Avenue for decades.

The Renton City Council tonight will consider Mayor Denis Law’s recommendation that the council decline to place on the ballot an initiative that would keep the downtown library over the Cedar River.

Citizens for the Preservation of Renton’s Cedar River Library, which gathered enough signatures to validate the initiative, will hold a rally at 6 p.m. today (Monday) at Renton City Hall in support of the initiative.

The council’s meeting starts at 7 p.m. at its council chambers, seventh floor, Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way.

The city have over-flow seating available  in the Conferencing Center near the council chambers.

Law bases his recommendation on an opinion from City Attorney Larry Warren.

The citizens group has obtained an opinion in support of its initiative from the Bellevue law firm, Groen Stephens & Klinge LLP. The opinion is written by Richard Stephens, who, according to the law firm’s Web site, is an experienced litigator against excessive government regulation.

Here are legal arguments for and against the library initiative:

Renton city attorney (along with other documents)

Citizens for the Preservation of Renton’s Cedar River Library