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02/16/2001LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 16, 2001 Present: Judy Melges Chair Tom Leavy Vice Chair Howard Adler Board Member Katherine Merriam Board Member Rhonda Smith Board Member Glenn Garte Board Member Absent: Frederick Dunn Board Member Also Present: John Szabo Library Director Holly Ausanio Administrative Analyst Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 10:30 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 – Minutes Member Katherine Merriam moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 19, 2001 as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report a) North Greenwood Library - project update Library Director John Szabo stated in addition to the new North Greenwood Library, a new recreation center will be constructed across the street. Corridor enhancements are planned for North Greenwood Avenue from Seminole Street to Cherry Harris Park. Landscaping and building themes for all projects are being coordinated at joint meetings. Schematic design of the library is almost complete. Mr. Szabo reviewed the floor plan and site plan stating there will be an atrium ceiling down the center of the building and a semi-circular reference/checkout desk allowing for greater visibility by staff. There is vehicle access from both North Greenwood and Palmetto. A roundabout similar to that at Acacia St. on north Clearwater Beach will be constructed at the Palmetto and N. Greenwood intersection, with pedestrian friendly brick paver crosswalks. In response to questions, Mr. Szabo stated the building will be 8,000 sq. ft.; the current facility is only 3,000 sq. ft. Color of the building has not been decided. Construction is expected to begin July 1 with completion in early 2002. b) Main Library - project update John Szabo stated the first project meeting took place February 15 with himself, the architect, structural and mechanical engineers, City project manager, City engineer and representatives of the Florida Dept. of Management Services, Building Construction Division (DMS). The building design will be presented in early June. Mr. Szabo stated the Library Foundation will address the City Commission at its March 1 meeting to introduce fund-raising consultant Mr. Morgan Rasmussen and announce the capital campaign chairperson. Pledges received to date will not be announced until the donors are ready. Also on the March 1 City Commission agenda is an amended contract with the architect and the contract with Florida Dept. of Management Services. The purpose of DMS is to keep the project on time and within budget. The DMS will participate in the interviews for a construction management firm in May. In response to questions, Mr. Szabo stated September 2003 is the anticipated completion date for the new Main Library. Alex Lamis, of Robert A.M. Stern Architects, took photographs of the view overlooking Clearwater Beach to the Gulf. c) Countryside Library - Sunday hours Mr. Szabo reported Sunday hours at Countryside Library began on February 4 with an open house celebration at 1:00 p.m. Materials circulation for opening day was 586. A total of 728 patrons accessed the library including residents of Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, East Lake, Dunedin and Oldsmar. February 11 statistics were about the same. Funding for Sunday hours was approved by the City Commission through September 30, 2001. Continuation of Sunday hours is being proposed in the FY 2001/02 budget. d) Systems Analyst - Tracey Reed Mr. Szabo stated Ms. Reed was initially hired as a part-time Librarian for Countryside Sunday hours and was soon promoted to Systems Analyst. Ms. Reed will be responsible for the Library's website and the intranet for the City. ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business - None. ITEM #5 – New Business a) Main Library Electrical Work Holly Ausanio, Administrative Analyst, stated the electrical supply box on the external wall of the building needs to be replaced. This work, which requires a Florida Power specialized team, is scheduled for Saturday, February 17 and is expected to take all day. Although there will be backup power for the computer mainframe, internet access will not be available at the branches. b) PPLC Reserve Fund Grant - African American Collection Enhancement John Szabo reported the fund is primarily used for construction, from which $100,000 was granted for the new North Greenwood Library. He is currently applying for a $25,000 grant to enhance Clearwater's African-American collection. Responding to questions, Mr. Szabo stated there will be a special section of shelves dedicated to the African-American collection. Items will be purchased from the Library's regular vendors. Member Glenn Garte suggested having a kiosk for special exhibits. He offered to loan his collection of African sculptures. c) FLA Library Days - March 26 & 27 in Tallahassee John Szabo reported the Clearwater group will be going to Tallahassee on March 25 and returning on the 27th. ITEM #6 – Reports a) Foundation - None. b) Friends Member Katherine Merriam remarked that the speaker at the Friends Winter Luncheon was very interesting and the lunch was a success. Mr. Szabo addressed a concern Member Adler raised regarding the invocation and pledge of allegiance, stating an inspirational reading will be used at the event next year. Mr. Szabo had brought Member Adler's concern to the Friends Board. A new slate of officers will be voted in on March 4 at the Friends Recognition Tea at 2 PM at the East Library. Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback will attend. ITEM #7 - Board Comments Members Howard Adler and Glenn Garte were congratulated on being reappointed to the Board for another term. ITEM #8 - Presentation a) Library Business Plan John Szabo reviewed the Business Plan, emphasizing the Library's initiatives. These include a request for additional staffing in budget years 2001/02 for the new North Greenwood Library and in 2002/03 for the new Main Library. Mr. Szabo is also asking for an Assistant Library Director for 2001/02. He detailed the loss of an assistant director and other management positions over the years. Mr. Szabo stated although the original proposal for the new Main Library included the need for 20 new positions, the budget request has been reduced to 10 positions. In response to questions, Mr. Szabo stated the Pennies for Pinellas crisis currently being addressed by Pinellas County was not affecting City of Clearwater Pennies projects. He stated the Capital Improvement Projects list does not include Countryside improvements. The SPJC/East joint library project is on hold. Chairperson Judy Melges recommended the Board send a letter to the City Commission expressing the need for the additional requested positions. ITEM #8 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:57 a.m.