LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD                                                                                                  UNAPPROVED

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 3, 2008

 

 

Session 08-05 a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on June 3, 2008 at 6:05 pm by Chair Michael Hawfield at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:          BOARDMEMBERS WAGNER, MARTIN, SEAMAN, LARSON, FAULKNER, HAWFIELD

 

ABSENT:           BOARDMEMBER LORD (EXCUSED)

 

STAFF:             LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL

                       

Welcome was extended to the newest member Flo Larson.

 

Approval of the Agenda

 

FAULKNER/WAGNER – MOVED TO MOVE ITEM 10. C. LIBRARY IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO ITEM 6. A. UNDER VISITORS AND COMMUNICATIONS ON THE AGENDA.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

The amended agenda was approved by consensus of the Boardmembers.

 

Public Comments Regarding Items on the Agenda

 

There were no public comments.

 

Reconsideration

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

Approval of the Minutes

 

A.                  Regular Meeting Minutes from May 6, 2008          

 

Chair Hawfield requested a correction from biology to biography under Chair Hawfield’s comments regarding new Boardmember Flo Larson.

 

FAULKNER/WAGNER – MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Visitors and Communications

 

A.         Friends Report – Nancy Lord

 

Library Director Hill reported she did attend that last Friends meeting and it was a typical meeting, they did report earning $2000 from the book sale. The Street Fair has been cancelled again. There will be no Salmon Bake again. This really brings in a lot of new people into the Library. It was suggested that the Farmer’s Market area be considered. Boardmember Wagner suggested that the Concert on the Lawn could be used as a venue.

 

B.         See item 10. C Library Improvement Plan for minutes.

 

Library Director’s Report

 

A.         Director’s Report for June 2008     

 

Library Director Hill passed out the monthly statistics for May. She asked for any questions. There were none. Ms. Hill commented that she did speak to maintenance regarding the water faucet in the ladies room. Boardmember Wagner pointed out that anyone was invited to go and weeding the dandelions. Ms. Hill stated that Ms. Hagerty did flag the front area about two weeks ago but since then it has been destroyed, whether by natural circumstances or outside influences has been unable to be determined. The security camera did not show anything since it was not focused on that area.

 

                                     

B.                   Monthly Statistics – May 2008                 

 

Library Director Hill reported that due to staff absences the statistics are incomplete in some areas and the following:

1.                   Circulation and attendance is slightly lower which is unusual. This may be due to the slow start to the season.

2.                   Issued more cards and more new and summer people overall.

3.                   Internet usage is up, although the numbers are not included.

4.                   Volunteer hours are still short a significant number.

 

Committee Reports

 

A.         Art Selection Committee Report – Eileen Faulkner

 

Boardmember Faulkner reported on the official unveiling ceremony held Friday, May 31, 2008 the Machetanz painting that was a commissioned piece by the Uminski family and will be displayed in the library for an unlimited time period. There were approximately 35 people in attendance, the Homer News and Tribune, and KBBI. She extended a big thank you to the members of Friends for their assistance and help. She is confident that they will have a number of offerings from the Art Request that has been released. There is a need for a volunteer to hang the artwork. There will be no meeting for June or July. There are also numerous projects submitted from McNeil Canyon Elementary School.

 

Chair Hawfield offered his comments regarding the evening for the Machetanz. Library Director Hill stated the Friends donated desserts, and Boardmember Faulkner confirmed that the Grog Shop donated beverages.

 

B.         Landscape Committee Report – Linda Martin

 

Boardmember Martin will have a report next month.

 

Public Hearing

 

None.


 

Pending Business

 

A.         Planning for the Future – June 2008

 

There was no discussion.

                                               

B.         Library – Comments, Responses, Issues, and Challenges

 

There was no discussion.

 

C.                  Library Improvement Plan

(1)    Outdoor Signage for the Library

(a)    What is an RFP?

(b)    Sample RFPs.

(c)    Sign Codes

(d)    Budget amount from City Manager.

(e)    Forming a committee.

 

Chair Hawfield gave a brief introduction that the Library Improvement Plan (LIP) was discussed during their worksession. He introduced the City Manager who was present to discuss two items included on the LIP - the Landscaping and Outdoor (Big) Sign.

 

City Manager Wrede initially apologized for missing the worksession since he did not want to repeat information or items discussed. He stated that it has been a long time since he attended a Board meeting but thanked the boardmembers for serving and volunteering their time. He expressed that the City Council and Administration appreciated their dedication and hard work.

 

City Manager Wrede explained that they (City) would be seeking guidance from the Boardmembers to address the landscaping issues. He briefly described the history leading up to the problems and that the City Council has approved the budget of $30,000.00 for landscaping. He stated that the hard part was done. Now what is being asked is the Landscape Committee to review the original plans and see if this was still agreeable with the Boardmembers or for them to make recommendations of a new landscape design.

 

Boardmember Wagner clarified what the intent of ECI Hyer had with the landscaping design. She referred to the use of very dense plantings of native plants that were colorful and very low maintenance to minimize weeding. She confirmed that the Committee has not met yet to address this.

 

City Manager Wrede explained who Ms. Hagerty was and her responsibilities for the newest member. He further explained that there were many volunteers when the Library was first built who wanted to take care of the gardens and it was another issue that needed clarification on what responsibilities were to be under the City Parks Maintenance department and what responsibilities would be handled by the various volunteer groups and individuals.

 

Chair Hawfield received clarification on the duties of the Landscape Committee regarding meetings and the task of designating a plan of action regarding usage of the volunteers, selection of plant materials, etc.

 

Further discussion ensued covering the following topics:

1.                   Research on availability and obtaining native plants.

2.                   Copies of the original landscape plans.

3.                   Getting recommendations from local experts on types of plants resistant to moose and best places to purchase these recommendations.

4.                   Recommendations to City Administration.

5.                   Addressing small garden areas designated for individual volunteer groups.

6.                   Establishing continuous and consistent volunteer maintenance.

7.                   Develop care, maintenance and volunteer policy for landscape.

8.                   Adequate funding to cover the selected areas.

 

The first meeting date for the Landscape Committee was discussed and agreement reached to Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at the Library at 2:00 p.m. City Manager Wrede will send the information to Carey Meyers and Tammy Hagerty regarding attendance at the meeting.

 

Chair Hawfield then opened discussion on the big sign for the library. City Manager Wrede explained that the sign was initially removed as a cost savings to the budget. The biggest reason other than cost was the original sign design did not fall within the Homer sign code. The sign was over in height and illumination. The budget for this sign was approximately $30,000.00.

City Manager Wrede was not sure if that price included the electrical portion of the project. The location for this sign was originally at the entrance to the parking lot on Hazel Street. Library Director Hill pointed out that a more logical location would be at the corner of Heath and Hazel Streets. It may not need to be illuminated but have accent lighting. He explained that there is some money left in the budget but he did not have the figure at the time but during discussions with Carey Meyer and Ms. Hill they agreed that a budget of $10,000 dollars was suitable for a sign. He is willing if needed to go back before City Council to request additional funds.

He would like to recommend issuing a Request for Proposal from local artists, businesses and craftsman for design and installation. The Boardmembers would be tasked to determine the parameters required for the sign design, such as the type of sign, height, and man-made or natural materials, similar to the library. He stated that they would be giving guidance on what they would like from the artists.

 

Discussion following encompassed the benefits of continuity of City signs, comments on the existing college sign, and staying away from typical neon type sign. Additionally, that a Task Force has already been assigned, Boardmember Wagner is the Chair and will organize the first meeting date; that they will not have to create a Request for Proposal (RFP) from scratch, they could reference the examples included in the packet, but there are boilerplate documents that will be available; addition of a person from the Public Arts Committee (PAC) to assist the Task Force and City Manager Wrede offered the assistance of Dru Corbin since she had prior experience with the Public Arts Committee last two RFPs. A selection committee including a couple of members from the PAC can be discussed at another time. It was pointed out that the Task Force would not be required to submit their recommendations to the Board for approval prior to submitting to the City Manager for the RFP; the Board will take part in the selection of the design.

 

Chair Hawfield summarized the decisions discussed for the Sign Task Force.

 

City Manager Wrede made additional comments regarding the survey and the Library Capital Improvement Plan and recommended that they lay the groundwork now and prioritize their list, since the City Council will start working on the budget in the fall. He announced that the sale of the library has been finalized and funds received on June 4, 2008 in the amount of $415,000.00. THis will be applied towards the Library debt.

 

Chair Hawfield requested that the LIP be on the July agenda and discuss several scenarios to increasing operating hours. He requested questions for the City Manager and hearing none thanked him for his attendance at the meeting.

 

D.                  Survey - Results

(1)    Decisions made at worksession.

(2)    Article to newspapers.

 

The results were still unavailable and the topic discussed at the worksession was changed to the Library Improvement Plan to make good use of the time. Chair Hawfield went into further details regarding the status of the Survey from Sue Coble. It was reported that the work should be done in June, but he will be out of town starting June 9, 2008. He will be gone for the July meeting. He spoke to Nancy and she will not be available most of June, July and possibly August. He explained what Sue Coble was doing in relation to the survey for new Boardmember Larson.

 

Boardmember Kyra commented that it would not be relevant to talk about item B under New Business, Summer Meeting Schedule at the end of the meeting since it was apparent that they may not have a meeting.

 

Chair Hawfield responded to a query from Boardmember Martin regarding the process for submitting the guidelines, parameters and processes established by the Landscape Committee. He confirmed that it was to be submitted directly to City Manager Wrede, that they did not need to lengthen the process by having the LAB members review. The Committee can submit a report at the next meeting.

 

Chair Hawfield commented that Library Director Hill should relay any sign or landscape issues to Boardmember Martin or Wagner. Ms. Hill stated she will be in town on the weekends and if needed Boardmember Martin or Wagner had any questions she would be more than happy to meet with them on Sundays and she will be checking her email.

 

There was a brief discussion on minor details of the Landscape Committee and Sign Task Force.

 

Chair Hawfield directed the discussion back to the Survey. He asked Boardmember Faulkner to be the contact person regarding the Survey and will forward her contact information to Sue Coble. Chair Hawfield did not want the Survey to get stalled. Boardmember Faulkner recommended that he make a recommendation that the during the July meeting the Board start review and start making decisions and postpone the LIP until the September meeting until Library Director Hill was in attendance.

 

Chair Hawfield commented that they address the options for extending the library operating hours. The value of the survey shows that there is a need by residents and there is support from Council too. Boardmember Wagner proposed working on it during the July and August meetings and Helen could review and submit in September to make it timely for the budget process.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

NEW BusinesS

 

A.                  Elections of Chair, Vice Chair and Friends Liason

 

Chair Hawfield opened for discussion by commented that Boardmember Lord has offered to continue as the Liason to the Friends if the Board wanted and he offered to continue as Chair.

 

Mike Hawfield was unanimously re-elected as chair.

Eileen Faulkner was elected vice chair.

Nancy Lord was unanimously re-elected as the Liason to the Friends.

 

Chair Hawfield reassured Vice Chair Faulkner that he would be present for the remaining meetings.

 

B.         Summer Meeting Schedule

 

Discussion covered the attending members attendance for the July and August meetings and it was determined that there will be a quorum for the July meeting and the August meeting was very questionable.

Chair Hawfield gave some recommendations to Vice Chair Faulkner regarding the agenda for July.

 

 

Informational Materials

 

A.         Appointment of Flo Larson

B.                   Resolution 07-11 Agenda Format

C.                  Homer City Code Chapter 1.48

 

There was no discussion on the materials.

                                               

Comments from the PUBLIC

 

none.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

 

Library Director Hill extended a big thank you to Vice Chair Faulkner for all her hard work with Art and reception and she emphasized that she would be checking her email once a day so if anyone needed something they could email her.

 

Comments from the Board

 

Boardmember Martin commented regarding the budget for the landscaping. She thanked Flo Larson for her suggestion; and extended an invitation to all who wanted to come and help bring their gloves and trowels.

 

Boardmember Wagner welcomed Flo and stated they were usually not so goofy but Renee was not sitting there typing and looking at them making them feel all official like.

 

Boardmember Seaman told Helen to enjoy her summer in Anchorage read a few good books, rest and enjoy herself.

 

Vice Chair Faulkner welcomed Flo; she wanted to acknowledge Angie Newby and Sue Coble for their help.

 

Boardmember Larson commented it was very informative; in April when Mike asked her to join she did not know what she was getting into; she felt that the library should be as beautiful outside as it is inside referring to the landscaping; she stated it was nice to meet Helen and wished her the best.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Hawfield again thanked Flo for volunteering, and Bette for staying with the landscape committee. He stated that Helen was to enjoy herself and that the other members were very envious of her summer of reading. That she was not to worry every thing would go great.

 

adjournment

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chair Hawfield adjourned the meeting at 7:27 pm.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for July 1, 2008 at 6:00 pm in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

                                                                       

 Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

 

Approved: