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03/17/2000LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER March 17, 2000 Present: Judy Melges Chair Tom Leavy Vice Chair Katherine Merriam Board Member Jill Perrino Board Member Glenn Garte Board Member Rhonda Smith Board Member Absent: Howard Adler Board Member Also Present: David Frisbie Renaissance Partners Arlita Hallam Quality of Life Administrator Juliet Lewis Foundation Executive Director Holly Ausanio Administrative Analyst Shirley Hunt Library Foundation Amelia Seip Friends of the Clearwater Library David Berry Friends of the Clearwater Library Jan Regulski Friends of the Clearwater Library Betty Clark Friends of the Clearwater Library H. Rex Clark Friends of the Clearwater Library Brooke Hartley Friends of the Clearwater Library Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. at the Main Library. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 – Welcome ITEM #2 – David Frisbie, Renaissance Partners Mr. Frisbie stated focus groups are planned for the month of April to address and receive input regarding renovation of the urban environment, downtown redevelopment and bluff/bayfront issues. Those invited to the sessions will include representatives of all groups of society. Town meetings will be held in May to present a consensus of citizen input received at the focus groups and present preliminary plans. A referendum election is anticipated for October/November 2000. Once the referendum is approved and allowing six months for plans and the permitting process, we should see construction beginning in approximately one year. The downtown redevelopment area consists of Cleveland Street from Myrtle Avenue to the waterfront and Drew to Pierce streets. The Library is an integral part of the redevelopment, as it is a main draw to bring people to the downtown area. Urban core redevelopment such as this will create roll-out redevelopment to the adjacent neighborhoods. Redevelopment will include condominiums, townhomes and rentals. The type of businesses allowed will be limited for properties where the developers have control. Concern was expressed that, with the economic centers scattered throughout the City and with many non-taxable properties downtown, growth is hindered. Members of the Friends of the Library emphasized the Library needs to be "25th century" to bring the citizens downtown. The public needs the developer's commitment to the library, which will draw support for the entire project. Mr. Frisbie stated he would like to meet with the Library groups again in 1-2 months. ITEM #3 – Approval of Minutes Member Glenn Garte moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 18, 2000, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 – Library Director’s Report Arlita Hallam, Quality of Life Administrator, noted the Florida Library Association Conference will be held in Tampa April 25-28. A registration packet was handed out to the Board members and they were directed to inform Susan Hackett if they wish to attend. The Friends President's Reception and Volunteer Recognition Tea and Annual Meeting will be held in the Main Library Adler Room on Sunday, April 9 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Dr. Hallam stated Mr. DeGuardiola will speak at the Foundation luncheon on April 20. He will also be addressing the Clearwater Arts! Foundation prior to the April 21 Library Board meeting. Board consensus was to schedule Mr. DeGuardiola for the April 21 meeting. ITEM #5 – Unfinished Business: None ITEM #6 – New Business: None ITEM #7 – Reports Foundation Foundation Executive Director Juliet Lewis reported there will be a dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. on April 4 of the computer workstation for people with multiple disabilities. The annual lunch is at the Harborview Center on Thursday, April 20 at noon. George DeGuardiola is a guest speaker and tickets to the Indy 500 will be auctioned at this time. The Cognoscenti Golf Tournament and dinner will be held on Friday, May 12; the dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Friends Mrs. Melges reminded members to RSVP by April 5 if they will be attending the Friends Tea on April 9. Friends will sponsor four scholarships, including several students, to the Writer's Workshop on April 1. ITEM # 8 – Board Comments Member Melges questioned Mr. Frisbie's suggestion of having Starbucks and other businesses within the Library. Dr. Hallam stated the Library will have input as to what type of businesses would be neighbors to the Library. None of the businesses will be inside the Library, rather, sharing a promenade of sorts. ITEM #9 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 12:08 a.m.