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11/21/1997LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER November 21, 1997 Present: Christine Morris Chair Tony Bacon Member Howard Adler Member Marshall Bennett Member Estelle Dunn Member Glenn Garte Member Thalia Kelsey Member Tom Leavy Member Judy Melges Member Michael Roberto City Manager (arrived 9:07 a.m.) Dr. Arlita Hallam Library Director Carolyn Moore Library Division Manager Linda Lange Library Division Manager Julie Lewis Library Foundation David Berry Guest Anita Kumar St. Pete Times Reporter (arrived 9:07 a.m.) Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: William Raffaniello Member Joanne Laurenti Member The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at the Clearwater Main Library. For continuity, the items are listed in agenda order, although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Welcome The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. Approval of Minutes Member Bacon moved to approve the minutes as submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Library Director’s Report Library Director Arlita Hallam said the City Manager will attend this morning’s meeting to discuss the downtown plan for the Clearwater Main Library. Member Bacon has met with consultants. One of the recommended sites was the Myrtle Avenue and Cleveland Street property that Winn Dixie was to occupy. City Manager Roberto said libraries offer important qualities to a community. He complimented the Clearwater Library System and Dr. Hallam’s efforts. The library should be a centerpiece or anchor to downtown. The key is to determine the best way to develop downtown and the City as a whole, while effectively spending available funds. Since 1962, the City has written several downtown plans and experienced several City Manager and City Commissioner changes. Downtown has a specific market: 1) downtown should become the “east beach”, the entertainment and retail district for the beach; 2) 80% of the bay front is asphalt or concrete and needs to become green space; and 3) Coachman Park needs to be doubled in size. The purpose of the downtown plan is to improve the quality of life and benefit the community. As demands shift, the City must be able to meet them. Once plans are implemented, modifications can be made but at a much higher cost. Parking is necessary to accommodate the retail and business components of a community. Spending public money successfully is important. Impressions are key to the success of any community. Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard must serve as a tourist road. Combining resources of the County, City, FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation), and the private sector is vital. A master developer will focus on a master plan for downtown relative to the City Vision. A definable pedestrian area with shops, outdoor cafes and other business is necessary. The LAB’s (Library Advisory Board) recommendations provide vital information in the decision-making process. The LAB’s recommended specifications for the Main Library are being incorporated into the downtown plan. Public consensus is a must. The library should serve as a catalyst to downtown. A member noted the Ft. Lauderdale Library has served as a catalyst to improve the surrounding area. When originally built, the neighborhood was less than desirable. It was remarked the Library Advisory Site Selection Committee previously had not recommended the property on Myrtle Avenue and Cleveland Street for a main library because the property was to be leased to Winn Dixie Stores. The Committee’s recommendation for the Missouri Avenue site had included the possibility of an adjoining cultural center on available City-owned properties. The Committee had expressed concerns purchasing un-owned properties would not be a prudent use of taxes. Adjacency issues were discussed. A member expressed concern about the existing buildings and railroad tracks in downtown. It was remarked streets can always be vacated. Mr. Roberto said the Harborview Center is one anchor to downtown. The Main Library needs to be another, fronting Cleveland Street. He discussed the property on Myrtle Avenue and Cleveland as a possible library site. Missouri Avenue will be a vehicular anchor. A meeting is tentatively scheduled on December 12, 1997, at the Harborview Center. A document will be presented explaining how the downtown, beach, and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard plans interrelate. Mr. Roberto encouraged Chair Morris and the LAB to attend. A. Penny for Pinellas Projects Report Dr. Hallam distributed copies of presentations she made to Administration and consultants on Penny for Pinellas Projects. She noted the Main Clearwater Library and Beach Library are ranked high on the City’s priority list. Four consultants are working on the beach plan, downtown area, North Greenwood, and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard projects. B. Rotation of Board Meetings Dr. Hallam felt rotating board meetings at various library branches was an excellent idea. The December meeting will be held at the East Library. The January meeting will be held at the Main Library, the February meeting is at the North Greenwood Library, the March meeting is at the Main Library, the April meeting is at the Countryside Branch Library, and the May meeting is at the Beach Library Branch Library. C. Folk Arts Festival Report Dr. Hallam said the festival was a great success. Approximately 160 people attended the dinner. Several members commented the event was well-organized and one of the best library functions ever held. It was remarked the storytellers were fantastic and it was very enjoyable. A member said the meal was the best he had ever had at the Harborview Center. 4. Update on Ad Hoc Committee Activities - Glenn Garte It was agreed to postpone this item to the next meeting in the interests of time. 5. Reports: Foundation, Friends & Cooperative Item #5 was tabled to the next meeting. 6. New Business Discussion ensued regarding donations for flowers for a member of the Library Foundation. It was remarked Library Cooperative cards are honored at St. Petersburg Junior College. It was noted beginning November 1, 1997, selected newspapers in Florida are available on-line. 7. Board Comments Dr. Hallam referred to a handout regarding rating of Penny for Pinellas projects by quality of life and financial ranking criteria. 8. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:44 a.m.