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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-17; Library Board of Trustees; MinutesApproved: MINUTES L/d//&?J f MEETING OF: DATE OF MEETING: May 17,2000 TIME OF MEETING: 4:OO PM PLACE OF MEETING: LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Library Board Room CALL TO ORDER: Chair Karen Gleason Huss called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM. ROLL CALL: Present: Library Board Trustees, Baron, Gleason Huss, Kamenjarin, Page and Tarman. Absent: None Also Present: Cliff Lange, Library Director Geoff Armour, Assistant Library Director Heather Pizzuto, Head of Public Services at South Library Chris Holt, Manager of Cole Library Dana Hartshorn, Library Senior Management Analyst D&id Stillman, Carlsbad Associate Engineer John Cahill, Carlsbad Municipal Projects Manager Mark Steyaert, Carlsbad Park Development Coordinator Mig Chaney, League of Women Voters Observer Carolyn Hoard representing NSDCGS Liaison Steve MacPherson, Friends of the Library Liaison Chair Gleason Huss called the Meeting to order at 4:OO PM and informal introductions were made. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the April 19, 2000 meeting were approved as submitted. MONTHLY LIBRARY DIVISION HEADS REPORTS AND LIBRARY BOARD COMMENTS: Trustee Page asked about the fire vandals had set in the building where Adult Learning is held and Chair Gleason Huss asked what protection did we have on the contents of the leased space. Library Board of Trustees Minutes of May 17,2000 Meeting Page 2 Library Director responded that all City owned property is insured; however, there would be a considerable loss of records and documents. There was some discussion on relocating records to another site or possibly purchasing fireproof filing cabinets for on site. Chair Gleason Huss asked why the Adult Learning computers were not part of the City network and did not have the ability to electronically check out items, Library Director Lange explained that the cost to wire the facility for that purpose is considerable, and that moving the program is still being considered. In view of the pending move, it did not seem advisable to initiate the wiring at this time. Trustee Kamenjarin mentioned having attended the Adult Learning Program annual celebration and being both impressed and moved by the event and delighted that this City sponsors such a program. Chair Gleason Huss and Trustee Tarman, who also attended, echoed the comment adding that the staff did a wonderful job on the event. Trustee Tarman mentioned the large number of items purchased for the Cole Library as reflected in the Collection Development report for April. HANDICAP PARKING AT DOVE LANE LIBRARY: Trustee Kamenjarin mentioned that as he came into the building for this meeting he noted that there were only two cars parked in the handicap parking spaces. Library Director Lange explained that the library had received a number of complaints from patrons on the current location of the handicap parking spaces and the Board had asked the City Engineer to address the possibility of moving them. At the Library Board meeting last month, the Board rejected the initial recommendation from Engineering and asked that the City Engineer investigate all possible alternative locations for at least some of the spaces. The item was on the agenda again this month, and both the City Associate Engineer, David Stillman, and John Cahill, City Municipal Projects Manager were present to report the findings and answer any questions. Mr. Cahill began with the history of the design team and the site layout for the project and the discussion over the placement of handicap spaces. The conclusions reached were reviewed and approved by both the Planning Commission and the City Council and called for the spaces to be located at the north side of the building for two reasons: first for convenience of the patron and second for safety. He continued that there had been a great deal of concern about placing handicap spaces that would force the individuals to walk across the travel lanes to enter the building. Library Board of Trustees Minutes of May 17,2000 Meeting Page 3 Mr. Stillman pointed out that relocating the parking spaces to either the front of the building or on the south side does not improve or decrease the walking distance markedly. He recommended an occupancy study of the spaces to determine how often the spaces are filled to capacity. Trustee Page suggested that the board should consider the viewpoint of those who use the spaces, and that the seemingly few patrons parked in the designated spaces could indicate that many handicapped individuals will choose to park out front because they perceive it as more convenient. Mr. Cahill pointed out another reason for the under usage of the handicap spaces could be the lack of adequate signage pointing to the handicap spaces should you enter the parking lot from the south. Mr. Stillman agreed that the additional signage was needed and will process the appropriate work order to remedy the problem. When asked by Trustee Tarman about the number of complaints, Assistant Library Director Amour responded that there had been about thirty and that he had called everyone who had left their telephone number to explain the reason for the location. preference was to have the parking spaces at the front and center of the building. , He said the majority of them were satisfied with the explanation although their first Trustee Kamenjarin commended the City staff for the study and was prepared to vote on the recommendations presented. Trustee Baron remarked that the record reflects her position on this matter. She did notice as she came in that there were no cars in the handicap spaces now; however, she is not convinced that handicapped patrons don’t use the first line of spaces in front of the building as an alternative. She continued that she is not concerned about the safety issue, as we need to be concerned about children as well as the elderly and handicapped. She was concerned about the projected costs reflected in the report. There was discussion about where the slope exceeds the 2% grade in the parking lot. Engineer Stillman commented that the construction documents he is working with are not necessarily accurate and he is waiting for the “as builts” for final determination. In areas where the grade exceeds the 2%, it would be necessary to construct barriers. Trustee Baron expressed disappointment in the results of the second study as she saw the addition of barriers as creating more problems. The possibility of splitting the location of the spaces, four out front and leaving four at the side was suggested; however, Mr. Stillman pointed out that the slight reduction of walking distance by moving any of the spaces would not seem to justify the cost of the . Library Board of Trustees Minutes of May 17,2000 Meeting Page 4 project. In addition, the California Building code states that handicapped persons should not be required to cross traffic lanes where practical, and this is being accomplished by leaving the spaces in the current location. Trustee Tarman moved to accept the staff recommendation to leave the parking at the present location, and Trustee Kamenjarin seconded the motion. In the discussion that followed, Trustee Baron acknowledged the cost, inconvenience, the need to meet the statutory and legal requirements, but as a Trustee wants to meet the emotional needs of all the patrons as well. Where the distance might seem insignificant to an able bodied person, it is significant to those who are not. In addition to the perception that it is a greater distance, there is the additional concern that the spaces are out of the line of sight. Should a handicapped person fall, no one inside the building would be able to see them and render assistance. There are psychological benefits for the spaces to be in front of the building, and there are emotional issues as well as physical issues to be considered. Trustee Page agreed with Trustee Baron and asked for more information, especially with regard to actual costs for the project. She felt that thirty complaints was a significant number and the board needs to investigate all alternatives. The motion to accept the staff recommendation did not pass. The Board vote was split, two to two, and Chair Gleason Huss broke the tie with a “no” vote. Trustee Page moved to have the issue returned to Engineering requesting further study of all options for relocating the spaces, including relocating only four of the existing spaces to the front of the building. Trustee Baron seconded the motion. The motion carried three to one. LIBRARY AND ARTS CULTURAL PLAN: Library Director Lange reported that the consultants were preparing a report based on the “key informant” interviews and would return on June 22nd to review the results and make recommendations for the next step. The funding for the second year is in the budget and it is anticipated that it will be approved. LIBRARY BOARD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Library Director Lange referenced the letter from the State Librarian that was part of the agenda package and asked if the Board was interested in participating in the project. Trustee Baron asked what benefits this board and consequently the library would derive from participation in the project. Library Board of Trustees Minutes of May 17,2000 Meeting Page 5 Library Director Lange explained that he was not familiar enough with the contents of the program to answer her questions but offered to make some inquires and return to the Board next month with additional information. REFERENCE SERVICES OVERVIEW AND TOUR: This item was trailed. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Budnet - Staff has been reviewing the budget requests with the City Leadership Team and it appears that requests for the Cole Library staff will be approved (1 full time position and 5.5 FTE positions) but that additional FTE’s for the Dove Lane library will not be approved. The proposal for Sunday hours will be recommended to the City Council for approval. Also of note is the major increase in the book budget for next year. Passing of FR. Driver - FR Driver, Episcopal priest and the father of Ann L’Heureux, former Library Board Member, passed away over the weekend. FR Driver was also a member of the Library Board as was Ann’s husband, Hap L’Heureux. Trustee Baron moved that the Library Board authorize a memorial to FR Driver in the form of a book with bookplate, not to exceed $35, in recognition of his past service to the library. Trustee Kamenjarin seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Pianist Richard Glazier- Mr. Glazier will the pianist at the inaugural concert on the new $85,000 Steinway Art Case grand piano. A Gershwin expert, his concert includes narration and film clips from various movies that had Gershwin soundtracks. There will be two concerts, Friday June 16, and Saturday, June 17’h. The Friday night concert will be by invitation only and preceded by a wine and cheese reception. The tickets for the Saturday concert will be available for purchase at both full service library locations. Donation from Bonnie Brisco - The Library received a donation of $10,000 in memory of her late aunt, Helene D. Bailey, who had been a long time resident of Carlsbad. She did not impose any restrictions on the use of the funds. There was some discussion as to how these funds should be spent. Trustee Kamenjarin asked if there was a possibility of a “naming opportunity” at the Cole, specifically the atrium. Cole Library manager, Chris Holt, reported that she is in contact with Ms. Brisco and they are discussing options for the memorial. Library Board of Trustees Minutes of May 17,2000 Meeting Page 6 Phase II Cole Renovations - The architects’ preliminary drawings for options for the exterior changes to the building had been reviewed and one selected. They will return next month with new drawings of the one selected and offer additional options including the incorporation of louvers . Mark Steyaert, City Park Development Planner, reviewed some of the concepts for the new landscaping for the Cole, which includes moving the Art’s kiosk to the sidewalk leading to the Arts office and adding more outside seating. The plan calls for retaining most of the current plant materials especially the mature trees. Trustee Kamenjarin asked if any of the exterior work would affect the hours of operation at the Cole. Library Director Lange said that probably not, but that during the time the work was being done on the entrance itself, we would route patron traffic to the opposite door. Trustee Kamenjarin also asked about a more permanent sign for the Cole and was told that it is included in the PhaseII renovations. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: Steve MacPherson reported that the book sale held on the lawn at Cole on April 2gm was well attended and the gross sales were estimated at $5,500. This is significant as all the hardcover books sold for fifty cents and the paperback books sold for ten cents and there were no special books at this sale. The special books are now the mainstay of the bookstore at the Dove Lane library. The Membership chairman reports current members number 550 of which 44% are life members. GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY: Carolyn Hoard, current NSDCGS Treasurer, reporting for Bee Koons, announced that membership is extremely happy to have the Cole open again. The annual yard sale was held on May 6* at the Cole and net profits were $2,348, which will be spent on genealogy books for the library. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of May 17, 2000, was adjourned at 512 PM and Library Board of Trustees Minutes of May 17, 2000 Meeting Page 7 the Trustees proceeded to the Information Desk in the Library to begin their overview and tour of the Reference Services areas with Senior Librarian, Char Kennedy. Respectfully submitted, r *b Cissie S on Adminidtrative Secretary