Session
04-12, a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to
order on
December 7, 2004 at 6:04 p.m. by Chair Mauger at the Homer City Hall
Conference
Room located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT
BOARDMEMBERS:
MAUGER,
WAGNER, LORD, HAWFIELD, SEAMAN
STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVE: HARRISON
STAFF:
LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL
DEPUTY
CITY CLERK JOHNSON
APPROVAL
OF THE MINUTES
The
Regular Meeting minutes of November 2, 2004 were corrected and approved by consensus
of the
Board.
HAWFIELD/LORD
– MOVED TO APPROVE THE CORRECTED MINUTES OF NOVEMBER
2, 2004.
VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion
carried.
APPROVAL
OF THE AGENDA
The
agenda was approved by consensus of the Board.
HAWFIELD/LORD
– MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion
carried.
LIBRARY
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A.
Statistical
Report for November 2004
Library
Director Hill reported her staff continues to have weekly
teleconferences with
the architects working out details on the work areas of the new library. The proposed library fees approved last June
by the LAB will be forwarded to the City Council. Mrs. Hill
asked for the Boardmembers input on
increasing the priority
mail item from $3.50 to $4.00 to cover postage costs.
She explained that sets of videos may be
ordered and the lending library might send a few at a time. All tapes and videos must be sent by priority
mail. She said library users need to be
aware that there may be separate mailing charges and that they are
responsible
for the full cost of postage. The resolution to increase fees for late
books,
lost materials and priority postage will go before the City Council next week. The
cost to use the library has not increased, but costs of abusing library
privileges
have. Library Director Hill said she and
other library directors are working on a proposal to obtain money from
the
Borough based on per capita population with the money being divided
based on
percentages of library service populations.
Library
Director Hill added she has spent time working with Anne Marie Holen and others on the EDA Grant (Economic
Development
Administration). At this time she is
purchasing books under the current year’s budget. The
pajama party last Friday night was
successful with over 65 people in attendance.
There were many little kids in pajamas and Jolee placed a tarp
in the middle
of the floor and used table lamps to soften the atmosphere to a
resemble a cozy
home setting. They served hot chocolate
and each child took home a jingle bell and popsicle
stick reindeer as souvenirs.
Library
Director Hill passed out statistical summaries for the month of
November.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
A.
Capital
Campaign Committee
Boardmember Lord reported the CCC met November 30th
and discussed
funding. Contrary to the report in the Homer News there has not been a setback with
federal funding
as there are two sources currently pending, both being an issue of time. Ms. Lord said she had written a letter of
clarification to the Homer News. The group
is proceeding with the Kresge Grant. Opportunities for donors
to be recognized was
discussed. The CCC is hoping for more
corporate donors. There was discussion
with the architect about placement of the plaques.
The committee talked about another means of
recognizing the donors that fall into other categories between the fish
level
and the major donor level. An artistic,
interpretive book that would recognize all the people that participated
in the
project from ground level up was discussed.
The book would also document the construction of the library
under the
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.
Boardmember Lord added that Anne Marie and Claudia
are working on the quarterly
newsletter with seniors helping with the mailing. Claudia
sent out a year-end mailing to the
donors from last year asking for contributions this year.
Claudia will be gone for a month during Christmas
and other members will need to step in to help.
Chair
Mauger reminded the Board that last week the 1.2 million dollar grant
from Rasmuson Foundation was announced. Boardmember Hawfield told the LAB that Helen Howarth
with the Rasmuson Foundation was owed a
world of gratitude
for selling the idea. He was told that
she had an extremely positive report stating that the new library
project was something
that needed to happen. Boardmember
Lord said it was a credit to the job the CCC
did with the site visits. She said Wells
Fargo made a donation and they will have a window seat in the
children’s
room. Ms. Lord said Susan Kernes and Julie Woodworth were instrumental in
the
donation from Wells Fargo.
Boardmember Hawfield
said a donor request has been
forwarded to First National Bank.
Library Director Hill added that two forms were requested and
she filled
them out and sent them back in time to be reviewed at their annual
board
meeting.
Library
Director Hill said the Paul Allen Foundation contacted her yesterday
and
interviewed her. She had information
fresh in her mind from working on the EDA Grant. They
called in response to the announcement
from the Rasmuson Foundation about their
grant.
B.
Publicity
Committee
Boardmember Keffer was
not available for a report. Boardmember Lord said
raffle drawings for the quilt and American doll have been completed,
with
combined contributions of $2,300. The Homestead dinner is back on the agenda for April
with new
coordinators. It should be a happy event
for celebration, as the funding should be in place by them.
C.
Building
Committee
Boardmember Wagner said the last BC meeting was the
second week of November. The group met
with the chosen artists for the
1% art within the library project.
Changes have been made to the art proposals already accepted due
to
modifications to the building. Leo Vait turned in a lower bid price for the lounge
fireplace. Most of the conversation
circled around
funding and how it will affect the bid process.
The USDA funds come with stringent requirements on the bid
selection
process, voiding the City’s local bid preference. Bids
are awarded to only lowest bid contractors;
often times coming back later with change orders. The
BC had hoped to ask for a contractor with
LEED experience. Without that it puts
the weight on the construction manager who is hired by the
architectural firm working
as their go-between with the contractors.
Since the funding will be in stages it was discussed that the
USDA could
be used for basic construction and then focus on black boxing. Ms. Wagner explained that would be to have
the low-bid contractor build the infrastructure for specific things and
not
install them. As additional funds come
in the infrastructure will be in place for skilled workers to install
it.
Councilmember
Stark said an ordinance may need to be changed to avoid a conflict with
the
City’s local bid preference clause. He
said doing it sooner rather than later when there is a bid award would
be the
best bet.
COMMUNICATION/VISITORS
A.
Councilman Stark
Councilmember Doug Stark told the Board he appreciated the
opportunity to
chat with the LAB. He is frustrated that
the LAB and City Council meeting has been postponed.
He questioned what the LAB proposed to do
with the four lots between Lucky Shot and Poopdeck.
Boardmember Wagner said the Building Committee has
discussed putting trails
through to connect with the Poopdeck Trail
for an
amphitheatre, children’s story garden or sculpture garden in later
years. Since the four lots are so close to
the Town Center acreage there has been criticism for not
building the
library on that side of the lot.
Preserving a green space in the center of the town was part of
the
concept of the library site as it would be a sense of community space
inside
and outside. The library would be part
of the pedestrian pathways and have family space, not just a parking
lot. The unused acreage allowed for bonus
points
with LEED, as it encouraged green space, walking and more trails.
Councilmember Stark said the proposal includes
the pedestrian
easement between Lucky Shot and Poopdeck
and doesn’t
connect into Town Center, but rather into Poopdeck Street. Petro
Marine property is the perfect blocker for going into Town Center. Mr. Stark
continued that his proposal is to provide money, by turning the
property into
money. The value of the property was put
into several grant applications and it is desirable to have the money
go to the
library project. How much money is
needed will not be known until the bids come in. Mr.
Stark said the City needs to move ahead
to get an appraisal, and the City Council action on the 13th will tell
the City
Manager to get an appraisal. If the
property is going to be sold it needs the appraisal first, and that
could take
two months or longer. It is the assumption
the parcels would be sold separately rather than as a block. Councilmember Stark explained that the City Council has to look at all the needs of the city
and its citizens,
not just the people who want libraries and parks. Should
there be enough money to build the
library, the 2.1 million dollars of library support the citizens of
Homer
approved by vote could be offset by proceeds of $340,000 from the sale
of the
four lots. One of the library’s major
supporters
owns property in back of the lots that would be a conflict of interest,
as it
would be in their interest for the lots to remain vacant.
Frank
Vondersaar said he understood the western
lots were
to be used as a parking lot to fulfill the parking requirements for the
library. Boardmember
Wagner
said there are enough parking spaces on the west side which is
compliant with
the Homer City Code. Mr. Stark said the
plans he has seen show two parking lots to the east of Lucky Shot. Ms. Wagner answered there is a small lot on
the Poopdeck Trail that holds 6 or 8
parking
spaces. Chair Mauger questioned how the
proposed easement through the lots would affect the salability of the
lots and Councilmember Stark answered the value of the
lots would be
reduced. When asked if the owners or
City would be responsible for putting in the trail Councilmember Stark answered the City.
Boardmember Seaman said when selecting the library
site the university had more
land and a nice atmosphere. She added it
was a big issue in cho9osing the current site that the additional lots
be
retained to allow for trails and a connection to the city square. Chair Mauger said it was the LAB’s recommendation to the City that the eight
lots be
retained as part of the site. Boardmember Lord added the City adopted that
position that
would be the library site. She said it
would be a reversal of the City’s commitment to now decide to have the
lots
appraised for some other use. Ms. Lord
said the City wouldn’t want to spend money on the appraisal unless they
had
decided they wanted to sell the property.
Councilmember Stark said the LAB talks as if
there were negotiations
on what the site would be. He said the
site was selected upon past Councilmember
Ray Kranich’s motion that the lots be used
for the
library site as they would be wonderful.
Mr. Stark said the motion passed with most of the Council sitting around the table with their
mouths
open. He said a large segment of the Council both then and now would prefer that the
land go in
the Town Center. He added
as late as last December
there was a strenuous effort to move the library site back to Town Center. When that
didn’t happen one of the Councilmembers remarked “the train has left the
station”.
Boardmember Hawfield
explained that money has been
raised with the building and the whole space as the image.
He said the overall site was a major part of
funding and support effort. He said the
LAB had worked hard to come to a decision of the best piece of
property,
keeping the costs of the new library down.
Mr. Hawfield added that the site
counts for a great
deal and to reverse course now would have a negative impact on those
folks
committing to the vision. He said it is
exciting that money has been raised to meet unanticipated costs, yet it
was too
premature to consider disposing of the asset connected to the library.
Councilmember Stark pointed out that it was not
disposing,
but rather turning the properties into money. He said the lots are
zoned
Central Business District with water and sewer connections. He said with property tax, sales tax, and
water and sewer revenues it would help the City pay the 2.1 million loan on the library.
Boardmember Lord said the City Council identified
other City properties and is evaluating them for potential sale. Councilmember Stark said all of those properties
have
restrictions except for one at Mattox and East End Road.
Boardmember Wagner said with the public meetings and
input she personally feels
responsibility to the people that were told green space would remain. The citizens voted on it.
She said it would be interesting if the assessment
would include a guesstimate of the sales taxes, property taxes, and
utilities
revenues that could be generated. She
questioned
if it was a budget shortfall that needed fixing by a short term sale of
land to
fix a long term budget shortfall. Councilmember Stark answered that the budget
shortfall did
not relate to the sale of lots as those revenues would go directly to
library
by reducing the amount of the loan. He
said the people that generally support libraries have the same types of
personalities that they support parks, trails and green spaces. He said it becomes a confusion of trying to
develop a library or a park. He said
there is little justification from the library standpoint to retain the
lots.
Chair
Mauger reminded Mr. Stark that in October 2004 63% of the voters said
they
wanted the same vision. She stated she
does not agree with Mr. Stark’s assessment that personalities in
support of
parks and green spaces also favor libraries.
Boardmember Wagner said the sale of the old library
seems cut and dried, and now
it is questionable. Councilmember Stark said it would be cut and
dried unless
there is a covenant that it could only be used for library purposes. Boardmember Wagner
said she thought the City Manager was stalling on the sale of the
property. On one hand she was hearing
from the City that they will find money and now she is hearing they
need to
sell the lots to get the money. Councilmember Stark responded that he was
unaware what the
City Manager was talking about unless there is a restriction to prevent
the sale
the library will be gone with the opening of the new library. He added he hopes it sells as quickly as
possible as the southeast corner of the building is in need of repair.
Boardmember Lord added that some City Councilmembers had expressed an interest in maintaining
the
property. The LAB had thought all along
it was best to sell the old library and get it back on the tax rolls. Councilmember Stark said The City Manager was a
very
cautious person and the last thing he wants to do is to say anything
that contravenes
with what the Council wants to do.
He said he himself is less cautious and that the old library
property
will be sold and put back on the tax rolls where it belongs.
Councilmember Stark said the amount of money
needed won’t
be known until all the bids come in and the grants are received. He said can’t believe there will be enough
money from grants that the 2.1 million dollars won’t be needed. Mr. Stark added if there is enough money
without using the $340,000 from the sale of the lots the City doesn’t
need
additional indebtedness as there is no way to make the payments. He said that will change, but as of December
7, 2004 that is
the way the
story is.
Boardmember Hawfield
questioned why there is a sense of
urgency to take on the idea now rather than later.
He said there are a number of grants being
pursued and asked if it wouldn’t be better to think of the sale of the
lots
further down the road when they may be in trouble.
Councilmember Stark answered that first an
appraisal would
be needed which may take two months.
Then the property would need to be sold.
He said the proposed resolution for the appraisal would require
an
ordinance and Council vote, public hearing and then the sale. He said getting the process going would
prevent running out of time when the costs of the bids would need to be
covered.
Boardmember Hawfield
said the City Manager told the LAB
the City has resources to front the costs and he seemed confident as
long as
there were assurances from grant funders. Mr. Hawfield said
down the road if the project was $300,000 short the sale of lands could
be
explored. Councilmember Stark reminded the LAB that three
years a
group of wonderful people came before the City with the idea for a
seawall to
prevent an erosion problem. The group
said the seawall would be at their expense but the City would have to
put up $1
million dollars. Now they say we’re
going to sue you, we don’t want to pay for it.
Now the City can’t sell bonds to the Bond Bank and get the $1
million
dollars. The City is now short $1
million dollars and the City is at the bottom of the barrel. Mr. Stark said he believes in being prudent
and looking at the long run interest of the City.
Boardmember Hawfield
said it was premature and there
have been successful energies in raising money.
He said the appraisal would give signals that wouldn’t help
fundraising
efforts. He is in favor of finding
funding from all available sources rather than the taxpayers. He added there is value in retaining the
green space with the library. He said
there may be a time down the road when in order to pay the bills action
will
have to be taken. He said there is a
dream and the community has bought into the dream with the vision of
the building
and space. Mr. Hawfield
said the area behind the buildings need as much natural beautification
as they can
have.
Councilmember Stark said he supports the library
and parks
and can assure the LAB the requests for non-profit organizations will
be
funded. He said the last three years the
non-profits have been funded, and with his own budget recommendations
to
increase revenue they could all be funded.
Boardmember Hawfield
said he knew Mr. Stark believed in the library and it was a help to all. He said the energy and devotion the people
working on the project have shown is impressive. Councilmember Stark said he didn’t want to skate
on the
edge, because sometimes you fall in.
Boardmember Lord said the sales tax proposal will be
introduced and it could be
promoted. Councilmember Stark said it will be voted down
and there is
no case. Boardmember
Hawfield said an advocacy group is needed
to tell the
community how important it is. Councilmember Stark said it was a slap in the
face to go
back for another vote as the voters already said they didn’t want the
sales tax
increase. He said it would be nice to
get the LAB to support the sale of the lots but he knows everyone is
against
it.
Boardmember Hawfield
said as the City Council works out a new approach for sales tax
there are
people in the LAB that would be willing to get involved.
Boardmember Lord
added that sales tax never passes the first time and generally takes
several
tries. It is an educational thing and
the voters need to understand why the sales tax is needed.
Chair
Mauger thanked Councilmember Stark for bringing his ideas to
the
Board. She asked if an appraisal went
forward the one on the old building should be first.
Chair
Mauger called for a recess at 7:25 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 7:29 p.m.
Councilmember Beck said she was in awe of the
LAB as they
work so hard. The Get-Out-The-Vote
committee worked so hard meeting every week.
She said it a thoughtful, great process with a lot of hard work
as well
as successful. She said the LAB and all
the committees within it are so well organized and on task. She said the group looks professional from
the outside and is managed professionally.
Ms. Beck said she doesn’t know what the City is, says or wants
because
she doesn’t know who the City is.
Sometimes the City is referred to as the electorate and other
times from
here to Anchor Point and Port Graham.
She added nothing is certain until there is a vote from the Council. She said
when she offers a suggestion or someone else does it is not the City
speaking. She added the eight lots are
the library’s until there is a resolution to change or replace it. The land is community property and was given
a designation by the City Council for the project.
That can’t be changed unless the City Council goes through the process of changing it.
The
Boardmembers thanked Councilmember Beck for participating in the
Get-Out-The-Vote committee. Councilmember Beck said she learned a lot; the
Board said
they likewise learned a lot from her.
The Board said the constant support from Ms. Beck was
appreciated.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
NEW
BUSINESS
A.
Preparation
of
Meeting with Council members at Committee of the Whole, December
13, 2004
Library
Director Hill advised the Board that the meeting with the City Council had been postponed to January
10, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. All LAB
members present
reported they had distributed the library material packets and talked
with a
City Councilmember. Chair
Mauger asked the Boardmembers to think
about strategies
for more difficult issues that could arise.
Boardmember Wagner said it would be
difficult
to develop the four lots with the extreme steep slope, an easement and
walkway
it would be a boardwalk. Boardmember Seaman asked if the City made a
profit on water
and sewer services and Councilmember Beck answered yes, that they were
enterprise
funds to help support other aspects of the City infrastructure.
COMMENTS
FROM THE PUBLIC
Frank
Vondersaar said if there was no plan for a
parking
lot on the west end of the lots that would need to be defined. The Boardmembers
said there was a plan for the six to eight parking spaces at that end
of the
lot.
COMMENTS
FROM THE BOARD
Boardmember Wagner said Pat Gibson, who does tile
and stone work, would like to
donate his time, energy and skills towards the circulation desk project.
Boardmember Lord questioned if the
LAB should attend the December 13, 2004 City Council meeting and it was
decided that Chair Mauger would represent the LAB at that meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to come before the Advisory Board, the
meeting was
adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The next
Regular Meeting is scheduled for January 4, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the Homer City Hall Conference Room
located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIAL
_____________________________
JO
JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Approved:
____________________