Session 05-06, a
Regular Meeting of
the Library Advisory Board was called to order on
PRESENT:
BOARDMEMBERS: MAUGER, WAGNER,
BURSCH, KEFFER, SEAMAN
ABSENT:
LORD, HAWFIELD
(both excused)
STUDENT:
STAFF:
LIBRARY
DIRECTOR HILL
DEPUTY
CITY CLERK JOHNSON
CITY
MANAGER WREDE
APPROVAL
OF THE MINUTES
A.
Minutes of the
The Regular Meeting
minutes of
APPROVAL OF THE
AGENDA
WAGNER/SEAMAN –
MOVED TO HEAR
UNFINISHED BUSINESS ITEM A. NEW LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE AFTER
APPROVAL OF
THE AGENDA.
VOTE:
YES. NON
OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS
CONSENT.
Motion carried.
WAGNER/KEFFER –
MOVED TO APPROVE THE
AGENDA AS CORRECTED.
VOTE:
YES. NON
OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS
CONSENT.
Motion carried.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
A.
New Library Construction Update
City Manager Wrede
reported Public
Works Director Meyer is optimistic on the library’s progress as
foundations are
to be placed next week and the steel has been ordered.
The ground conditions are encouraging, as the
soils test and the monitoring wells show less water than first
anticipated. City Manager Wrede
explained how the wetlands on the library site were discovered, after
the
official wetlands map indicated the area was uplands.
Public Works followed procedure on the
permits, looking at the flood plane maps and coastal project
questionnaire. Simultaneously the City
has commissioned a wetlands mapping project through a grant from EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency). The
mapping project is Borough-wide and should produce a more accurate map
that will
help both the permitting staff and developers.
The maps are to delineate between high and low value wetlands
and assign
functions for the different values of the wetlands.
Presently the maps are 30% to 40% complete
and out in a draft form. The Corps of
Engineers and EPA are using the draft maps for permitting purposes. Between the period when the City applied for
the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and the final zoning permit the maps
became
available. The Planning Department’s
advice was to contact the Corps of Engineers as there may be wetlands
on the
western lots. Public Works Director
Meyer contacted the Corps of Engineers and a representative came to
Homer to
look at the vegetation. Their assessment
revealed wetlands on the western site but not on the library building
site. The City was told to have an
expert determine the wetlands and then go through the permitting
process. The Corps allowed construction to
proceed while
the permitting and possible mitigation measures are explored on the
western
lots. A consultant arrived in Homer last
week and after examining the site voiced the need for more studies. The newly discovered low value wetlands may
cost the City a little more money. There
is a nation-wide permit that allows for filling up to a quarter of an
acre that
could cover the parking lot. Other
options may be needed, including boardwalks instead of gravel pathways. At this point the City is waiting for the
consultant’s
instructions and will then begin the permitting process for the
wetlands.
Chair Mauger asked
if the City owned
permitting rights for low value wetlands and City Manager Wrede
answered
affirmatively, under the old maps. It is
not the case with the new maps, which are far from being adopted. The new maps depict more than a half of
downtown Homer as wetlands.
City Manager Wrede
does not think the
wetlands discovery will slow the construction progress.
When asked by Boardmember Bursch
if the parking lot and trail were part of the funds awarded, City
Manager Wrede
answered all the EDA (Economic Development Administration) money is
earmarked
for site work, including the $115,000 obtained later.
Additionally, the western lots are obligated
for security for the EDA grant, but not the USDA (United States
Department of
Agriculture) grant.
City Manager Wrede
detailed the events
that reduced the new USDA loan from $500.000 to $400,000.
It came to the USDA’s attention there is no
local command in their organization to approve a $500,000 loan,
although they
do have authority to approve $400.000.
The City had to decide what action to take upon learning of this. In order to borrow the full $500,000 the City
would have to begin the six to seven-week loan process.
Waiting for the loan process would risk the
4.25% interest rate that will be locked in the loan the end of June. City management made an executive decision to
borrow the approved $400,000 rather than the $500,000.
Means to cover the $100,000 are being
explored. The Legislature’s proposed
award for Homer along with the value engineering process with Jay Brant
may
create a $200,000 savings.
Chair Mauger
questioned the process of
the Governor signing the bill. City
Manager Wrede explained within 30 days the bills will be signed and
suggestions
will be made to the City
City Manager Wrede
said the MOU
(Memorandum of Understanding) draft between the Friends of the Library
(Friends),
the LAB and the City has a great mission statement.
There are a few subjects in the MOU that need
clarification such as the statement there will be no transfer of funds
to the
City. Instances may arise when the
Friends do need to transfer funds to the City for operational costs. Additionally the MOU states the Friends will
come up with money for the City. City
Manager Wrede said consultation with the City as to how the money will
be spent
is required. This would alleviate
unneeded purchases and articles that may increase the City’s costs such
as
equipment to maintain or something that requires additional staff. He said it is important the City, Friends and
LAB compliment each other and coordinate their efforts to alleviate
independent
decision making which may lead to trouble.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S
REPORT
A.
Memorandum from Library Director to
Mayor and
Library Director
Hill offered a thank
you to Representative Paul Seaton and Mayor James Hornaday
for their work in the $1M library construction inclusion in the Capital
Budget. She referred to her memorandum
to the Mayor and City
Library Director
Hill said after
talking with the
B.
Statistical Report for May 2005
Library Director
Hill reported
statistics are comparable to last year. Overall
attendance and Story Hour participation is higher.
Students in a 3rd grade class were
interested in the library and how to find books, with Star Wars being a
big
hit. Volunteer hours for the
A letter to the
editor from Kathryn
Shelton, acting director of the State Library, was distributed to the
LAB. Additionally Ms. Shelton provides a
weekly
bulletin to all library directors. In
the most recent report the
Steven Abrahm,
keynote speaker at the Library Director’s conference in Barrow,
provided
economic reports to show the value of libraries to communities. She said it is a great source for library
advocacy. Library Director Hill said the
Talking Book Center in
Summer Reading
Program handouts were
given to boardmembers.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Currently there are
no committees.
COMMUNICATION/VISITORS
Frank Vondersaar
said in hearing City Manager Wrede’s
comment that
maybe now we can afford the new fireplace, he asked if a decision had
been made
of the fireplace or the waterfall. Chair
Mauger said she has heard more about a fireplace than a fountain. Mr. Vondersaar
said
at the grand opening a blanket could be placed on it and at the last
minute it
could be revealed. Library Director Hill
said Bill Allen is supportive of the fireplace, but the funding is not
in place
at this time.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
A.
New Library
Construction Update
This item was moved
to follow APPROVAL
OF THE AGENDA.
Library Director
Hill said she talked
to Public Works Director Meyer today and there are loose ends that are
being
pulled together. The excavation is going
well and forms will be poured in the next week or two.
When asked if pictures were being taken, Mrs.
Hill responded that is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design)
requirement. She said a time capsule is
needed and could be placed next to the building near the heated
sidewalk. A time capsule is a tradition
with a civic
building. Years later when the building
is replaced or crumbles important matters in the community at that time
will be
discovered. The Friends of the Library
are being asked if they would like to follow the idea through.
B.
Planning for the
Future: Roles of the LAB and Friends
of the
Homer Library
Chair Mauger would
like the inclusion
of Boardmembers Lord and Hawfield
before further action is taken on the MOU.
It was the consensus of the Board to defer this item to next
month’s
agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Review of Budget
Planning Process
Chair Mauger said
it was a good time
for the Board to send the
Boardmember Bursch asked if there was anything City
Boardmember Keffer asked if it would be possible to get an
estimate
from the architect of the energy savings of a LEED certified building. Library Director Hill said graphs and pie
charts provided comparisons of a LEED certified versus a regular type
building
and their costs. Boardmember
Wagner explained LEED focuses on the materials used and energy
efficiency is
just one aspect. Chair Mauger read a
letter written by the Friends to the Skaggs Foundation that stated
although the
initial design and construction costs are greater for LEED buildings,
an
analysis of projected costs show savings of over $830,000 for the Homer
Library
over the first 20 years of operation.
Chair Mauger said
gifts to the library
from individual donors can be considered and it would be helpful to
provide an
explanation “what your $2,000 donation could do for the library”. She urged the LAB to think rather than being
picked upon, they have been identified as a very creative and
successful group
and are being challenged to continue that good work.
She asked that boardmembers
not feel as they are being singled out in a negative way, as they have
a lot of
ideas to contribute to the City.
The LAB discussed
increased revenue
from the new fines and fees imposed February 1st. Library Director Hill said the increases have
prompted library users to be more careful about calling in to extend
the
check-out time on books. The deterrent
is working which may prevent the increased costs from making much
difference,
but Library Director Hill is optimistic revenues will be higher than
last
year’s $18,273.24.
Library Director
Hill said in
Chair Mauger asked
if there was a
computer available to allow extended (beyond the ½ hour courtesy) usage
of the
Internet for a fee. Library Director
Hill said there are waiting lists now and it could be a problem if
there were
fewer computers to access. In the new
library a paid computer station in the coffee kiosk area was discussed. Library Director Hill said with wireless and
inventive handheld electronics, waiting in line for computers may not
be an
issue.
The LAB decided the
memo regarding the
library operating budget will be on the City Council’s June 13th
agenda.
BURSCH/SEAMAN –
MOVED TO HAVE THE MEMO
PREPARED FOR THE CITY COUNCIL PACKET WITH THE DISCUSSED EDITS.
VOTE:
YES. NON
OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS
CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Chair Mauger said
the LAB may need to
consider forming a finance committee to meet with Library Director Hill
and
Finance Director Dean to work through the issues.
COMMENTS FROM THE
PUBLIC
Frank Vondersaar
questioned where the funds from the sculpture piggy bank and the
Internet tip
jar go. Library Director Hill answered
the proceeds go to the Friends and have brought in $2,000 over the last
three
years.
COMMENTS FROM THE
BOARD
Boardmember Bursch said former LAB member Dan Coyle has
written a new
book that will be out this month. It is
called Lance Armstrong’s War and there is a lot of buzz about it. He said he has read the book already and it
is great reading.
Boardmember Keffer said Dan Coyle’s movie has been on late
night
television twice in the last six months.
She questioned when the jar was put by the sign-up sheet at the
library,
stating that it could be noted in the memo as an increase in revenue.
Chair Mauger
reported she went to the
Parks and Recreation Commission meeting last month for the Land
Allocation Plan
agenda item. The Commission had
questions about the library site and were
not clear
about the western portion of the lot.
She gave public testimony about the strip and its use for
library
purposes. Ms. Mauger told the Commission
that the LAB would like to work with them as the trail portion is
developed. In the Parks and Recreation
Commission minutes she noted a recommendation to the Council that all
the lots
be used for library purposes.
Additionally Ms. Mauger told the Commission if a new committee
is
instituted two representatives from each the LAB and the Parks and
Recreation
Commission could be used. Ms. Mauger
encouraged all LAB members to read the minutes
approval memo from the City Clerk. The
minutes are forwarded to everyone before approval and represent a
healthy
discussion and dialogue about the issues.
She encouraged everyone to feel welcome to speak their mind as
it is
merely a discussion. Communication with
the Council is done by formal recommendations, actions, and memos with
the LAB
acting as a body. The LAB’s
function is to communicate with the City Council and
the minutes are an expression of the active discussion and
thoughtfulness in
arriving at the recommendations. Chair
Mauger encouraged members to speak their mind, even though they are
accountable, and hopes everyone feels open to discussion.
Library Director
Hill commented that
minutes are like email in the respect that humor and body language does
not
show. She said there is no control over
that aspect.
ADJOURNMENT
WAGNER/SEAMAN –
MOVED TO ADJOURN.
VOTE:
YES. NON
OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS
CONSENT.
Motion carried.
There being no
further business to
come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIAL
A.
Memorandum
from the Clerk’s Office re: Minutes Approval
____________________________________
JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY
CITY CLERK
Approved:
_________________________