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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_LAB_02.09.2004Georgetown PublicLibraryAdvisory_ Board. Meeting Minutes February 9, 2004 In Attendance: Jerry Sensabaugh, Georgene Richaud, Judy Griffith, Judy Parks, Jackie Cuozzo. Eric Lashley, library director, was also present. Also present were city staff members Micki Rundell and Laurie Brewer. Chairperson Judy Parks called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Approval of Minutes: Georgene Richaud moved and Jackie Cuozzo seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting as distributed. The motion passed unanimously. Presentation by City Staff regarding 2004-05 Budget: Micki Rundell, Director of Finance and Administration, discussed the gathering of citizen input regarding the priorities for the next year's city budget Laurie Brewer assisted her in the presentation and took notes for discussion. The Library Advisory Board was asked to fill out a questionnaire, responding as a unit to proposed budget needs for the library. The board members discussed top issues facing the library this year and top budget priorities. We will submit top issues of passing a bond election this year, expanding library hours to Sunday, with staff to accomplish this; working with the Council Bond Commission and citizen groups to build a new library. Top budget priorities are staffing for additional/expanded library hours, educational materials/video for bond election, increased equipment budget for maintaining and replacing equipment. Director's Report: Eric Lashley reported that a laptop had been stolen, but the theft was caught on a security camera and the thief has been apprehended. The library currently has eight security cameras and has asked for two more to record everyone entering and leaving the facility. Eric met with the architect and preliminary planning has begun on needs for the library facility. T.R. Reid and. Arlene Schenke will meet soon to organize a citizen's bond election committee. Ashley Garcia is the new part-time reference intern Friends of the Library donated a new color laserjet printer, batteries for the laptops, and ten digital cameras for the digital photography class that will be offered this spring. Eric brought a copy of the recent Austin American -Statesman article featuring the new library opening in Austin. By working with The Georgetown Project and the school system, the library is trying to help two homeless teens who spend much time at the library. Saturday hours continue to be very busy. Report on January 16 meeting: Judy Parks reported on a very successful meeting with library staff, mayor, city manager, members of the Friends, members of the Library Foundation.--There-is much excitement and enthusiasm -for -promoting -a- bond -election, and a citizen's committee is forming, as well as a City Council -appointed commission to determine the amount of the bond that will be presented to voters. Status of City Council Appointed Bond Commission: Eric Lashley reported that the Bond Commission will be seventeen members, including two of the Library Board members: Judy Parks and Jerry Sensabaugh. He also reported that new and returning Library Advisory Board members would be sworn in on February 18. Date for Board Workshop with City Council: Eric reported that the date of March 22 appeared to be open to the council and that he would put this date on the City Calendar. The next Board Meeting will be on March 8 at 6:30 PM. Adjournment: Jerry Sensabaugh moved and Jackie Cuozzo seconded a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 7:33 PM. Respectfully submitted, Judy Griffith, secretary DIRECTOR'S MONTHLY REPORT GEORGETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY January 2004 HIGHLIGHTS • Ashley "Ash" Garcia was hired as part-time reference intern. He is a student in the LIT School of Information Science and is interested in working in a public library after he graduates. He will probably work through the spring semester. • The Friends of the Library purchased a Hewlett Packard color laserjet printer for the public computers. They also purchased ten batteries for the laptops and ten digital cameras for the digital photography class that will be offered this spring. • The City Council approved Croslin and Associates as the architectural firm that will develop a facilities master plan, will work with the Council -appointed bond commission to establish the amount of the bond that will be on the ballot in November, and will help to develop educational materials for the bond campaign. • On January 24 the library staff, Library Advisory Board, executive board of the Friends of the Library, the board of the Library Foundation, and other library supporters, met with City Manager Paul Brandenburg and Mayor Gary Nelon to discuss the state of the library. People who attended the meeting also filled out questionnaires indicating what they are willing to do in the upcoming bond campaign. T.R. Reid and Arlene Schinke will co-chair the bond campaign committee. STAFF ACTIVITIES • Eric Lashley, Gretchen Pruett, and Judy Parks, the library's lay representative, attended the regional CTLS meeting that was held in Mart on January 16. VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES • Richard Miller began teaching his basic computer classes. He offered two sessions of the class, Monday mornings and afternoons, throughout the month. Both classes were filled. At the end of the month, Dale Tysor, a young man with good computer skills, agreed to assist Richard in the classroom by giving individual attention to students who are having trouble understanding the material. • .Volunteers who check in library materials attended a special training session on January 15. Approximately fifteen people participated in this hands-on training. GEORGETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY DONATIONS -- January 2004 oorva�_ �.a ��. �.m ..nor>ATEo Jim &Kaye Bishop $250 for books James A. Mahon $15 for Organizing From the Inside Out Kiersty & Elijah Smith $15 in memory of Gregory V. Smith Beverly Treuhardt Copy of audio book, Big Stone Gap, in memory of Bee and L.L. Huie Diana Reading Copy of Shamu and the Adventurous Seal Pup, in honor of Sijia and Cian Reading San Gabriel Woman's Club $282 for books Friends of the Georgetown Library $2,075 for color printer for public computers, $1610 for 10 laptop computer batteries, $125 for digital cameras for digital photography class Libby Stelgerwald $20 in memory of Judy Eagle Eldon & Ardith Kocher $25 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Sidney Glenn Sr. $30 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher D.L. Cloudt $100 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher James & Elizabeth Martin $20 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Buddy & Nancy Boston $20 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Bill & Betty Anne Glass $25 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Margaret Rochs $50 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Jack & Yvonne Sadler $25 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Ronald & Margaret Hoduski $10 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher J.H. & Frances Sparks $20 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Mr. & Mrs. James Lockley $50 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Marlene & Miller Arnold $25 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Sara & Wally Red $25 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Gary & Marti Booth $100 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Clinton & Virginia Davis $25 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Raczynski $75 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Mr. & Mrs. Charles E.C. Brown $25 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher John & Sue Gabert $25 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Dick & Pat Scrivener $25 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Frances T. Cree $50 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Gene & Johnella Boynton $20 in memory of Mary Ann Holzschuher Summary of proceedings of 1/24/04 meeting. Approximately 45 people attended, including members of the Library Advisory Board, the Friends executive board, the Library Foundation board, volunteers, and staff. Library Director Eric Lashley, Mayor Gary Nelon and Paul Brandenburg spoke to the group. A brief question and answer session followed. COMMENTS BY ERIC LASHLEY Listed accomplishments of the library during the past year: • Began to offer free computer classes • Computer use by the public reached 195 persons in one day on January 5 • Teens have begun to use the library (due to availability of laptops) • Partnership with the Georgetown Project and Southwestern U. has made it possible to have 3 work/study students come in weekly to provide activities for teens • Recent gift from the Friends of money for color printer for public computers, more laptop batteries, and digital cameras for digital photography class • Web page has been redesigned • Tutoring at the library through a partnership with Helping Hand. Some staff members are participating. 12 kids in the program all raised their grades last semester. • Development of a facilities plan by Tom Yantis and accepted by City Council, provides for new facility for the library. • A firm has been selected to begin work on the facilities plan that will be presented to voters as a bond referendum in the November 2004 election. • Eric laid out the timeline for the steps that must be taken before the bond election is announced in September 2004 COMMENTS BY GARY NELON Asked for a show of hands of those who think "things are going pretty good in Georgetown right now." A majority raised their hands. He pointed out that this kind of attitude is necessary if a bond is to pass. He gave credit to Paul for turning things around during the past year. Key issues that will affect the bond referendum: • The lessons learned in the campaign to pass the sales tax increase for street maintenance (during 2003). He believes that people will vote for a library bond if they were willing to vote for the sales tax increase. • The "pro library" mayor, city manager, and council will do what is necessary to get the bond passed. • The current population of the City is estimated at 34,600. The ETJ is probably 55,000 • The new master plan calls for emphasis on Georgetown's cultural assets. The library is a part of those assets. • The front page of the Sun today carries a story about the possible bond election coming up. The fact that this made the front page is the culmination of a year of work and planning and talking. The Sun's interest in reporting this is a good sign for the bond commission and acceptance of their report by the citizens. • Wolf Ranch will have 55 stores and 15 restaurants in settings that are -sensitive to the beauty of the site. This and Tasus, which will employ 150-200 people at many different pay levels, will help to keep property taxes low and make passage of the bond more palatable COMMENTS BY PAUL BRANDENBURG He thanked Erick, the staff, the library board, Friends, and Foundation for all they've done during the past year to help keep library in the forefront. Changes that have taken place downtown and Council's commitment of money to allow those changes to happen are significant: I • Paul and the Council want to preserve the quality of downtown. There are five restaurants there where last year there was only one. The Gold and Draeger properties have great potential for retail that they aren't going to let slip by. In spite of what the newspaper said, there have been positive discussions with the County about the blocks of the Draeger property that they have purchased. • Downtown parking management is changing. Another lot will soon be open downtown. • The sales tax in Georgetown is increasing when it has decreased everywhere else in Central Texas. Changes have been made in the Economic Development Department that affect this: • The department has been separated from CVB and Mark Thomas, the new director, is very pro -active. • Contrary to some reports, we haven't "given anything away" with the new businesses that have come into town. • Recruitment, retention, and redevelopment are the keywords. The Chuckwagon site was mentioned as an important redevelopment site. I • The City's transportation network is 10-15 years behind where it should be. This is a priority for Paul and he is working on it. • He promised that there would eventually be another north -south route beside'IH- 35 to connect Williams Drive and Hwy 29. • The work on the U-turn at IH-35 and Williams is making good progress • Work will begin soon on the bridges on Austin Ave. • The new exit ramp for Hwy 29 is underway • The northern part of the Inner Loop Drive is under construction • �A Transportation Plan for the City is being developed and use and planning. • The new master plan has raised the bar for this community. We're not willing to accept just any development that comes along. Home Depot and WalMart are examples of the type of development we expect. • Development along Williams Drive is being controlled also. • An Annexation Map dictates which parcels are desirable. When Council considers annexation, they look at the cost of the services the City will be expected to provide. Not all parcels are worthy of annexation. • An Access Management Plan helps the City control driveways on state-controlled roads such as Williams Drive. The City can provide for more driveways than the State would have. Chuckwagon site was again an example. Paul sees the library as the cornerstone of the community. The question is, are the citizens proud of it? He thinks our situation will be much better by the end of 2004' The past year of planning has been necessary and public education about the bond will be very important. The experience with passing the sales tax increase to support street maintenance was an important learning exercise. I QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY AUDIENCE Marvin Durrenburger: Asked whether Georgetown had pursued getting the Cabela's store here. Gary said that Buda had that pretty well wrapped up. Della Green: Asked mayor which properties the City owns near downtown. Gary said the incubator buildings between 71n and 8th Streets and Rock and MILK; the police complex; the library; the parking lot near Main Street Baptist. He said the first property is the one being considered for the library and that the property that the railroad owns may have to be added to it and streets may have to be closed. Della Green: Why not library branches instead of a new building? She believes branches will get more support from the voters. Paul responded that Georgetown isn't large enough to support branches yet. Any new building will be designed for expansion in 15-20 years. Helen McAskill: What is the Sums slant on the bond issue? Paul responded that he doesn't know but it will be important to make sure they are as informed as possible. They should be invited to all meetings. The numbers should be shown to them in detail and explained in detail. Similarly, the video that was produced for the street tax was very important and the same thing should be done for the library bond. Gary added that letters to the editor are the only way to "control" the press. Howard Dudding: The question that is bound to come up is how will the bond be paid for? Gary said that the budget has a section that is specifically for repayment of general obligation debt. During the budget process the staff and Council will decide how much debt the City can afford. Perhaps taxes will have to be increased to cover that, but perhaps the increased revenue from sales tax will take care of it. However, we can't count on that and the estimates will always be conservative. Judy Parks: Sunday hours for the library is the main concern she hears being discussed in the community. Paul responded that Sunday hours are one of the things the Council will be looking at mid -year. If there are budget savings or more revenue than expected, it may be possible to start Sunday hours ; then. He thinks that timing would be good with respect to the bond campaign. We could begin advertising Sunday hours at the same time that the public, education campaign for the bond begins. The mayor and city manager left the meeting and spoke briefly about the architectural firm that will be doing the facilities master plan (pending approval by the Council on Tuesday, January 27). He said that the directors involved in helping with the plan would work as a team rather than as individual department heads who are trying to get a bigger piece of the pie. He asked that anyone who would be interested in working on the bond commission (with the architects and staff) let him know. Eric introduced T.R. Reid and Arlene Schinke as co-chairs of the bond campaign committee and passed out forms for audience members to fill out indicating which tasks related to the bond campaign that they would be willing to do. 0 T.R.: Said the Foundation is willing to work to support the bond and to put up the money necessary for the campaign. Eric: Asked what members of the audience are hearing in the community? Judy Parks asked what else might be on the bond besides a library building? Eric said that a fire station, improvements to the community center, expansion of the rec center, and some kind of facility for the IR department. i Della Green: In the last bond election the library was separate from the other items. That seemed good. It was just the amount that people objected to. Eric: The architectural firm we'll be dealing with will be local, so they'll know what amount of money Georgetown will bear. Also, this time a complete breakdown of costs will be available, which was something we couldn't provide last time. David Schinke: What about the sports complex we've been hearing about? Will that be competing for tax dollars? Arthur dela Cruz, a member of the school board, responded. He said GISD is meeting with the County next week but there probably would not be a bond in the fall. A bond for a second high school is probably 4-5 years down the road. Suzanne Shanafelt: Have you canvassed non -library users about their attitudes toward the library? Eric said that a City survey is scheduled to go out soon to all utility customers and that there will be 4-5 questions regarding the library 101 on it. Howard Dudding: What is this steering committee that you're talking about? Eric replied that it is a committee to plan the bond campaign. Judy Johnston: After the last bond election, the gossip was that Sun City had defeated the bond --that the people in Sun City vote and others in the City don't. How do we reach the 18-45 year -olds? Maria West: Many people said they never expected the bond to fail, so they, didn't vote. TR: This time, we must assume that the bond will fail. Janet Liem: The national election in November will bring out a lot more people. E