Session 06-03, a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on March 7, 2006 at 6:04 pm by Vice Chair Hawfield at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska. 

 

PRESENT:       BOARDMEMBERS HAWFIELD, MAUGER, SEAMAN, KEFFER, BURSCH

 

ABSENT:        BOARDMEMBERS LORD, WAGNER (Both Excused)

 

STAFF:            DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

                        LIBRARY PROJECT MANAGER GIBSON

                        PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MEYER

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

 

A.                 Minutes of February 7, 2006

 

The minutes were approved as written by consensus of the Board.

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

Boardmember Keffer requested that the Library Construction Update be heard before the Library Director’s report.

 

The amended agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission. 

 

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

           

            A.        Statistical Report for February 2006

 

There was no Library Director’s report or statistical report as Library Director Hill was absent from the meeting.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

COMMUNICATION AND VISITORS

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

A.                 New Library Construction Update

 

Library Project Manager Gibson acknowledged that the Board had recently been to the new library site and said that since their visit the glass frames separating the children’s room have been installed, most of the drywall is in and about a third to half of the building has been painted.  He reported that he, Library Director Hill, Public Works Director Meyer and  Karen Zaccaro are going to meet with the architect to start with the furniture selection.  Mr. Gibson mentioned the western parking lot trail and brought a drawing to show what they are considering.  He explained there is a need to deal with a drainage seep that would spill into the parking lot, which is a cost the City will have to bear.  A thought being considered is to build the trail to connect to the Town Center rather than the gravel parking area.  He pointed out that there is still some uncertainty as to whether the road adjacent to the library site will be developed.  There was discussion of funding for the parking lot and trail and the contingency funding.  Boardmember Mauger commented that there would likely be a lot of volunteer efforts to assist with the trail and landscaping.  Public Works Director Meyer said that the Corp of Engineers would be able to come out in the spring to mark any area on the western lot that may be wetlands, so at this point the location for the trail is not set.  It was discussed that a portion of the trail would be gravel, the area closest to the library would possibly be paved and they are looking at an 8 to 10 foot trail.  It was requested that the Board be provided a list of what has been cut from the project so they will have ideas of what is needed for future fundraisers.  Mr. Meyer stated that the library sign is one of the items.  Boardmember Mauger expressed that she thought they could get support for a sign for the new library. 

 

B.                 Policies for New Library

 

BURSCH/MAUGER MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Vice Chair Hawfield gave a brief overview of the changes provided by Chair Lord. 

 

Regarding the first section of the Display and Exhibit Policies, the Board discussed petitioning on the library grounds and inside the library.  He explained he had contacted the City Clerk’s Office and was advised that information regarding the rules for petition could be obtained from the Police Department.  The Board concurred that it wasn’t allowed inside the building, but there was question as to the requirements for the library grounds.  Vice Chair Hawfield commented that the revision to the policy states, “No solicitation or active distribution of literature is permitted inside the library or at the entrance to the library.”   There was discussion to whether there is a need to better specify what the entrance to the library is.  Some suggestions were:

 

The Board agreed to discuss this further when Library Director Hill was in attendance to offer her insight to the situation.

 

In discussion of Section two, regarding spaces suited for displays by non profit organizations and other not for profit enterprises engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual or charitable activities, it was pointed out that the issue of community standards is an important idea and is something they need to be prepared to deal with.  Vice Chair Hawfield commented that he spoke to Asia Freeman from the Public Arts Committee.  He said Ms. Freeman had expressed the Committee’s understanding that there would be displays in the library that will be rotated on a regular basis and there would be someone from the Building Committee, the Public Arts Committee and the Library Director to form a selection panel that would respond to proposals by artist or institutions to have their work shown.  Mr. Hawfield suggested perhaps there could continue to be an active Building Committee that would now be focused on operations and helps to define policies and give advice on building use, including display activity. 

 

There was further discussion regarding community standards and the need for a policy.  Boardmember Keffer suggested language she has seen in other policies that the displays be appropriate for all ages.  Point was made that there are different ideals as to what is appropriate and regardless of personal beliefs, there are lots of children there and that idea has to be taken into consideration.  Boardmember Mauger suggested that artist be required to explain how their display is appropriate for a public space in their display request.  Vice Chair Hawfield said he would take on flushing this out further as a draft and bring it back to the Board to review.

 

Boardmember Bursch commented that he doesn’t feel they have to be too “vanilla” in their wording for this policy as there are other venues for artists to display their work.  He stated he would be disappointed if someone doesn’t come to the library or bring their kids because of what’s hanging on the wall.  He is not a supporter of censorship, but realizes, as others should, that this space is for everyone.  Mr. Hawfield responded that is why the selection panel would be beneficial; it would allow controversial issues to have a hearing.  Mr. Bursch agreed that a committee with a variety of people could look at it from different directions.

 

The Board reviewed the draft Gift Policy.  Boardmember Keffer questioned whether insurance policies and trusts need to be included.  She agreed to take this policy on for further review.  She suggested there may be things they may want to discourage as there is a difference between a gift of artwork, a gift of furnishing and a gift of labor.  Boardmember Mauger added that at the end of the project they will have a better list of what is still needed for the new library.  Mrs. Keffer questioned if they wanted to be more specific about the conditions under which they would not accept some of these things or if it should stay broad.  Ms. Mauger reminded the Board this had come up in discussion of the MOU and a lot of the determination came from maintenance costs of what the gift was.  She suggested some of that language may be appropriate here.  There was discussion of items of value that are not valuable to the library.  Vice Chair Hawfield shared a story of a boat that was donated to the Pratt Museum.  The museum sold it and made a little money and the donor was able to write it off.  It was agreed that is a possibility for the library, but when an item of that nature is donated it has to be understood that the library or the Friends must have control of the fate of the item. 

 

Lastly the Board discussed the library space use policy.  There was concern regarding groups coming in, the need to deal with potentially controversial subjects during library hours and how to deal with groups using the space during the time the library is open to the public.  Boardmember Seaman agreed to take on this policy and bring information back to the next meeting.

 

            C.        Bylaws

 

The Board confirmed the meeting of the Bylaws Committee on March 13 and agreed to discuss the bylaws after their meeting.

 

D.        Discuss Orientation for Newly Appointed Student Member

 

Boardmember Mauger commented that Student Representative Lettis is out of town and will attempt to meet with her before the next meeting. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

There were no comments from the public.

 

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD

 

Boardmember Bursch asked Frank Vondersaar about the status of WiFi in the Library.  Mr. Vondersaar replied that it is supposed to be on line next week.

 

Boardmember Mauger shared an article from the magazine Alaska Business Monthly February 2006 issue about LEAD construction programs in Alaska.  She pointed out that Brian Meisner, the architect for the new library is quoted and there is reference made to the new library building.  She said she would get copies for the Boardmembers. 

 

Vice Chair Hawfield commented that he missed Library Director Hill and her insight at the meeting.  He is looking forward to meeting the Student Representative and Chair Lord and Boardmember Wagner’s return  He thanked the other Boardmembers for taking on their roles.  He asked for a motion to adjourn.

 

MAUGER/BURSCH MOVED TO ADJOURN.

 

There was no discussion.

VOTE:  NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2006 at 6:00 pm in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska. 

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL

 

A.        City Council Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2006 Regular Meeting

            B.         Open Meetings Act

C.        Resolution 06-06 Re: MOU between LAB, City of Homer and Friends of the Homer Public Library

            D.        Resolution 06-11 Re: Margret Pate Memorial Garden  

E.         Mayor’s Appointment of Melissa Lettis

 

 

 

 

                                                                                   

MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: