MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

October 27, 2005

 

1.            CALL TO ORDER:

 

            In the absence of President Kawase, the Secretary, Mrs. Britt, called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.

          ROLL CALL:

 

Present:          Mrs. Britt, Mr. Buck, Mr. Georgieff, and Mrs. Mann

 

Absent:           Mr. Kawase

 

 Staff:              Al Milo, Library Director

                        Joanne Hardy, Adult Services Library Manager

                        Ed Maurer, Librarian

                        Betty Schwarzkopf, Administrative Secretary

                        Rob Zur Schmiede, Director of Redevelopment and Economic                                                                         Development

                        Ramona Castaneda, Redevelopment Manager

           

Guest:             Nancy Lee, President, Friends of the Library       

             

2.                APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 a.      September 22, 2005 (Regular Meeting)

 Mrs. Mann moved and Mr. Georgieff seconded that the minutes of the regular meeting of September 22, 2005 be approved.  The motion carried.

b.     October 6, 2005 (Special Meeting)

 

 Mr. Georgieff moved and Mr. Buck seconded that the minutes of the Special Meeting of October 6, 2005 be approved.  The motion carried.

3.      WARRANT REGISTER OF OCTOBER 2006:

Mr. Georgieff moved and Mrs. Mann seconded that the October warrant register in the amount of $27,626.60 be approved.  The motion carried.

4.      EXPENDITURE SUMMARY OF OCTOBER 2006:

Director Milo noted that the fiscal year is 33.3 percent completed and 26.5 percent has been expended.  The report was accepted and filed.

5.      REPORTS:

          a.       Library Director

 

The report was accepted and filed.

b.       Friends of the Library

 

Nancy Lee, President of the Friends of the Library, said the Friends are very pleased that Huell Howser will be the centennial speaker at their annual meeting in November 2006.  

 

Ms. Lee reported that the daughter of one of the Friends had written a letter requesting that any leftover books from the book sale be sent to the high school library in Spanish Fort, Alabama.  The school district furnished text books for the new school but no books for the school library.  The Friends responded by sending seven boxes of books and plan to send more in the future.

c.       Library Foundation

 

Ginger Britt reported to the Foundation Board at their October meeting that the Board of Trustees is planning an expansion project of the Main Library. 

 

The Foundation Board had a discussion regarding the Bastanchury property.  Several members reported that former Library Foundation Board member and Library Board of Trustees member, Fred Mason, had called them advocating for a library branch near the site.  There is no support for a branch from any of the Library organizations at this time. 

 

There was also discussion on the Foundation’s author luncheon planned for the centennial.  A date and place have been confirmed but they are waiting to confirm an author for this date.

 

 

6.      ACTIVITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2005:

 

The report was accepted and filed.

 

7.     NEW BUSINESS:

 a.      Library Website Presentation

 

Adult Services Manager, Joanne Hardy, and Librarian Ed Maurer presented the new Library website that will be launched during the Library’s centennial year (2006).  With support from the Library Foundation, staff created and designed the website.  It is temporarily found at www.fullertonlibrary.org/fpl100.  Plans to unveil it to the public are set for February 2006 at a City Council meeting.

b.     Redevelopment Bond

 

Director Milo distributed copies of a list of questions the Board had submitted for the Redevelopment Director, regarding access and use of Redevelopment funds.  Responses to the questions were included.

 

Redevelopment Director Rob Zur Schmiede explained that Fullerton’s project areas will expire in 2016 – 2017.  After that date, the City can no longer collect taxes for this purpose except for a ten-year period to meet already established indebtedness. 

 

The reasons the City decided to act now are:

1)     The limited time frame before expiration.

2)     The City has unmet capital needs.

3)     The current financial situation makes this a relatively good time to issue debt (interest rates).

If the Redevelopment Agency approves the bond, the funds could be available as early as February 2006. 

 

The total bond will be between $62 million and $73 million.  Mr. Zur Schmiede said staff will make recommendations for Redevelopment projects and the Agency will determine how the funds are distributed.  In response to an inquiry, he said bond funds could also be used for space planning and architectural drawings.

 

Mrs. Britt suggested that in addition to contacting City Council members, the Board of Trustees invite them to a luncheon or breakfast meeting.  Staff said there could be a problem with the Brown Act but will investigate the issue.  

Mr. Georgieff moved and Mr. Buck seconded that the Library Board of Trustees invite the City Council to a breakfast meeting to raise their level of awareness of the needs of the library.  The motion was approved.

c.             Winter Holiday Closure

 

                        Director Milo explained that City Hall will observe a Holiday Closure from Saturday, December 24, 2005 through Monday, January 2, 2006.  He recommended the same closure dates for the Library.

 

Mrs. Mann moved and Mr. Georgieff seconded that the Main Library and the Hunt Branch observe a Holiday Closure from December 24, 2005 through January 2, 2006.  The motion carried.

 

d.     November/December Regular Meeting Dates

 

Because of the November and December holidays, staff recommended that the regular meetings be changed to the 3rd Thursday of each of the two months.

 

Mr. Georgieff moved and Mrs. Mann seconded that the dates of the regular meetings in November and December be moved to November 17 and December 15, 2005.  The motion carried.

e.     One City/One Book

 

Following a discussion on choosing a book for the centennial year celebration, staff recommended that the Board of Trustees visit the Library of Congress website for ideas on books other cities have chosen:  www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/one-book.html.  The agenda item will be continued at the November regular meeting.

8.                OLD BUSINESS:

a.       Santiago Library System Membership Update

 

Director Milo reported that on October 20, the Library of California Board approved the acceptance of the Fullerton Public Library as a member of the Santiago Library System effective July 1, 2006.   Beginning January 2006, non-resident fees will be prorated. The charge will be $12.50 until July 1, when the fees will cease completely.

b.       Library Centennial Update

 

Staff distributed an updated schedule of events for discussion.

9.      ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS/DONATIONS:

 

Mrs. Mann said she was thrilled to move acceptance of $7,112.92 in gifts and donations to the Library.  Mr. Georgieff seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.  Included in that amount was a $7,000 contribution by the Library Foundation in support of the Library’s new website.

 

10.       CORRESPONDENCE:

 

There was no correspondence to report.

 

11.        BOARD MEMBER ROUND TABLE:

 

Mr. Buck reported that he had recently gone on a Metropolitan Water District tour of the Colorado River.

 

Mrs. Britt said if Mrs. Mann does not reapply for appointment to the Board of Trustees, she will miss her.

 

Mr. Georgieff suggested that the secretary send a letter of appreciation to Division Manager, Joanne Hardy, and Librarian Ed Maurer for their presentation of the new Library website to the Board.

 

12.    ADJOURNMENT:

 

Mrs. Mann moved and Mr. Georgieff seconded that the meeting adjourn at 5:05 p.m.  The motion was approved.