Session 04-07, a Special Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on July 19, 2004 at 6:15 P.M. by Chair Mauger at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT: BOARDMEMBERS: MAUGER, KEFFER, WAGNER, HAWFIELD STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE HARRISON
ABSENT: BOARDMEMBERS: SEAMAN, LORD, BURSCH (all excused)
STAFF: LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL
DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN
WAGNER/HAWFIELD - MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 2004.
VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
MAUGER/WAGNER - MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
4.A. Statistical Report for June 2004
Library Director Hill suggested that she give her report after New Business because of the number of people in the audience. The Board agreed and this report was given after New Business. [1]
Library Director Hill said that the Homer Office of Connections, the testing place for independent study, closed their office for the summer and the college testing office has closed due to construction so the library has been proctoring many tests. She will be talking to the Connections office to see how this can be avoided next year. Ms. Hill reported that the library has 100+ internet users a day now. The summer reading program is going well with about 200 participants in the program. Story hour has continued as they are having good attendance this summer. She sat in on the Friends of the Homer Library Strategic Planning session in June to discuss the mission statement for the current library as well as goals in planning for the new library. She is currently writing annual reports for City of Homer and the State Library. Ms. Hill distributed a print out of the statistics for the month of June.
5.A. Capitol Campaign Committee
Chair Mauger informed the group that the USDA grant that was applied for has been declined, not because anything was lacking in the proposal for the grant, but projects that had more home security strength were selected, and the grant can be applied for next year. She said that they might have to think about changing the timeline for the Capital Campaign, reworking the budget or when to bid on the project. Chair Mauger said that they were invited by the Rasmuson Foundation to submit a full proposal. The Capital Campaign Committee will meet again on August 4, 2004.
Board member Hawfield reminded the board that this particular grant was a long shot. He said that there are other options and grant opportunities that the board is perusing and to keep working towards those.
5.B. Publicity Committee
Board member Keffer reported that the last meeting of June 2nd dealt primarily with the upcoming Salmon Bake. The July meeting was cancelled because of the push toward the Salmon Bake. She reported that the Salmon Bake grossed approximately $1800. She is expecting another meeting to be scheduled for early August.
Chair Mauger said that she heard a lot of positive feedback about the project while at the Information Booth at the Salmon Bake.
5.C. Building Committee
Board member Wagner reported that she had received a lot of negative feedback regarding the building. Brian Meissner, the architect, was at a public meeting two weeks prior and also received negative response to the exterior design of the building. Mr. Meissner sent a copy of a new design that was presented to the board. Board member Wagner spoke to the board and audience about the changes Mr. Meissner made. The board discussed the changes to the design, possibilities of products, other than cedar, to use for the exterior of the building and the possibility of other recycled materials from another torn down building.
The next building Committee Meeting is July 27, 2004 at noon in the City Hall Conference Room. Board member Wagner would like to further discuss the new design and get feedback to Mr. Meissner as he would like to present the design at the August 18th Planning Commission meeting.
Ken Castner said he liked the old design and there is lots of room for creativity and people to get involved in the landscaping and other areas. Mr. Castner stated that, as the recycled materials become available there needs to be a process for people who make decisions and people who make acquisitions. He said the LAB is a place to start the discussion as to how to involve the City, Building Committee, Architect and the Friends of the Homer Library in making acquisitions of recycled materials.
Board member Wagner spoke about the large quantity of maple flooring that was just received and that storage is an issue. She also brought up the concern about having money transferred from the City to the Friends of the Homer Library to pay for items that come to the project from other demolished buildings or other avenues. She said that Jay-Brandt, for example, needs payment for recovery costs for the flooring and the check needs to come from the Friends of the Homer Library for write off purposes.
Chair Mauger asked Claudia Haines, Coordinator of the Capital Campaign Committee for her input regarding the funds to be paid out. Ms. Haines said The Friends regularly transfer donation funds to the City account. She said there is a minimal amount of money left in the Friends account and that there should be discussion at the next Capital Campaign meeting as to dealing with the money when items do come in.
Board member Wagner also wanted to know what the protocol is going to be when other items are offered, and who makes the decision as to what they can buy. Chair Mauger recommended that someone from the Building Committee should be at the next Capital Campaign meeting to discuss what the process will be.
Kurt Marquardt said he thought these questions should be redirected to the architects to see how the recycled products will fit into the budget. He said he was pleased by Brian Meissner’s response to the feedback of the people and the new design.
Representative Paul Seaton said his concern is about operation and maintenance budgets. There is major cost and time needed for the upkeep of cedar. He said that if the architect could present some larger samples of the composite cement and colors that it could be stained, people might get a better idea of what it would look like.
City Manager Wrede commented on money and strategy. He said even with the loss of the USDA grant there are still other opportunities out there. He encouraged the LAB to keep the push on the City Council to have the election this fall to give the Council authorization to borrow the money. Showing local commitment will help with the Grant writing process.
Chair Mauger asked Mr. Wrede what the timeframe would be for the City Council to apply for the loan and if a payback strategy would be determined before the loan was accepted. Mr. Wrede said more research needs to be done to make sure there is a clear understanding of it all.
Representative Seaton spoke again, regarding an Educational Bond issue that the Legislation has been dealing with. He recommended that the Friends of the Homer Library talk to the school district about getting the new library identified as a priority project for the Lower Peninsula as an educational project. Mr. Seaton said, that way, the Legislators will have a better way of using local input to identify the library as an educational project to try to receive some funding.
Dave Anderson said that he liked the discussion and ideas that had been brought up about adding color and different accents to the building.
Jack Lentfer commented that he hopes they keep the inside design the same.
None
8.A. Update on Ordinance to Approve Long-term Loan
Chair Mauger stated that Ordinance 04-30 is before the City Council for the second reading, which will take place at the July 26 City Council meeting. She said the LAB has not weighed in on anything about the ordinance and it would be appropriate for them to do so.
Library Director Hill asked if Board member Hawfield or Dave Anderson from the Vote committee had any information for them regarding the ordinance.
Board member Hawfield and Mr. Anderson reported that the committee is focusing on the city taking on long-term debt via the USDA loan. Pursuing long-term debt will show city and community investment and support for this project. They stated that having the commitment is imperative to future donations and grants and that the LAB needs to encourage City Council to let the people have a say whether or not they will express the commitment to have a new Public Library.
The board discussed the concerns of the people not supporting taking on the debt without having some idea of how it is going to be paid back and what could happen if the long-term debt is accepted but the sales tax issue is voted down.
Chair Mauger wanted to submit a memo to be included in the City Council packet for the July 26 meeting. She read section 1 through 4 of Ordinance 04-30.
Claudia Haines raised her hand and Chair Mauger called on her to speak. Ms. Haines voiced her concerns that volunteers are expecting to be done with their fundraising efforts by the end of the year. She said she isn’t sure what will happen if they have to be called again for another vote.
The board discussed what verbiage to use in the statement from the LAB to the City Council and responded to feedback from Ms. Haines, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Castner in the audience.
HAWFIELD/WAGNER - MOVED THAT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT BE PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL AT THE JULY 26, 2004 COUNCIL MEETING: THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL ADOPT ORDINANCE 04-30 TO ASK THE VOTERS TO ACCEPT LONG TERM DEBT OF NOT MORE THAN 2.2 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW LIBRARY PROJECT: A COMMUNITY PROJECT WORTH 6.5 MILLION DOLLARS. FUNDERS ARE WAITING TO SEE THIS VOTE OF COMMITMENT FROM THE HOMER COMMUNITY.
VOTE: YES: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
8.B. CIP/Legislative Request 2004-2009 - LAB Review of Projects
The board reviewed what was added and removed from last years CIP list and what other Committees have recommended.
Board member Hawfield made a motion to recommend that the LAB adopt the following list in this particular order: the Library, the Basic Town Square Infrastructure, Downtown Restrooms, Skyline Fire Station, and Traffic Calming as their recommendations to the CIP.
Student Representative Harrison stated that she felt that a Skyline Fire Station would be a lot more important than Downtown Restrooms for safety reasons.
MAUGER/KEFFER - MOVED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CIP BE MOVED TO UNFINISHED BUSINESS AT THE AUGUST MEETING.
VOTE: YES: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Dave Anderson told the LAB that he is resigning as the coordinator for the vote campaign because he is accepting the Interim General Manager position at KBBI. He said he had a replacement in mind if the board wanted his input.
Ken Castner said that people are excited about the Library project and that the vote is very important and to keep trying to get the community support.
Board member Wagner welcomed Hannah and said she appreciated her input.
Board member Hawfield welcomed Hannah.
Board member Keffer welcomed Hannah and said her input was appreciated and valuable.
Student Representative Harrison said she would do her best but isn’t quite sure what her job is.
Chair Mauger said she is hoping Hannah might be able to coordinate the students to help encourage parents and friend to get out there and vote.
Library Director Hill said speaking of voting, that she and Student Representative Harrison are the non-voting members of the LAB Board, and even though Ms. Harrison doesn’t have a vote her fresh young opinions are great.
Chair Mauger said good job to everyone and that she appreciates everyone being involved.
MAUGER/WAGNER - MOVED TO ADJOURN
VOTE: YES: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M. Then next Regular Meeting is scheduled for August 3, 2004 at 6:00 P.M. in the City Conference Room located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
[1] Clerks Note: Please be aware that the
Library Advisory
Board Bylaws Article V Section 4, says that
a motion should be made to suspend the bylaws in order to make changes
in the agenda after it has been approved.