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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-18 BOLT MINSMINUTES OF A JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA October 18, 2012 6:00 p.m A Joint City Council Workshop/Special Meetings of the City Council and the Board of Library Trustees of the City of Chula Vista were called to order at 6:06 p.m., in Council Chambers located in City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Aguilar, Bensoussan (arrived at 6:07 p.m., left at 7:27 p.m.), Ramirez and Mayor Cox Boardmembers Balnis, Barnes, Mellor, Riggs, and Chair Young ABSENT: Councilmember Castaneda ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Sandoval, City Clerk Norris and Senior Deputy City Clerk Bigelow PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE Chair Young led the Pledge of Allegiance. WORKSHOP 1. FORUM WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES RELATED TO THE WORK OF THE BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES Boardmember Mellor made a presentation regarding the advocacy efforts of the Board of Library Trustees. Chair Young made a presentation on concerns of the Boazd of Library Trustees related to the merging of the Library and Recreation departments. Mark Twohey, representing the Youth Sports Council, spoke regarding his opposition to the merging of the Library and Recreation departments and the impacts on Recreation activities. Councilmember Aguilar stated that there would be six months to evaluate the impacts of the decision. Mayor Cox clarified that the budget for the Recreation Director had been eliminated. In response to a request from Councilmember Bensoussan, City Manager Sandoval clarified that the Recreation and Library functions aze separate and are overseen by one director. Page 1 Council Workshop Minutes October 18, 2012 Councilmember Bensoussan spoke in support of reinstating a Recreation Director and to have each department function separately. She thanked the Board of Library Trustees for its dedication to the Library. Councilmember Ramirez requested additional information from Mr. Twohey regazding the specific impacts of the combination of the departments. Mr. Twohey responded that there were challenges with a single director to oversee both departments and that there were impacts to the Youth Sports Council's ability to draw regional events to Chula Vista. Boazdmember Mellor requested information on the hiring of the Assistant Director of Recreation, the plan for evaluating the merge of the Library and Recreation departments, and she expressed concern for the lack of funding for the Library. Councilmember Aguilar stated that the Council's role is to make policy decisions and that the City Manager and staff are to carry out its direction. Councilmember Ramirez stated he would like to see results of benchmarking to evaluate the possible merging of the departments. City Manager Sandoval spoke regarding the increases in previous fiscal yeazs to the Library and Recreation departments' budgets. He explained that the role of the Assistant Director of Recreation was to run the Recreation function and work with Director of Library and Recreation Waznis on collaboration between the two departments. Boazdmember Barnes requested clarification on why the Board of Library Trustees was not consulted prior to the merging of the departments. City Manager Sandoval responded to questions regarding grant-writing functions and stated the new Assistant Director of Recreation would be responsible for evaluating needs in the Recreation department, including the need for a dedicated liaison to the Youth Sports Council. Councilmember Ramirez spoke in support of continuing to meet with the Library Board of Trustees, as well as other City boards and commissions. He also stated he would support the Board's efforts to supplement the Librazy's budget. Boardmember Riggs thanked Mr. Twohey for his advocacy. She spoke regazding the opportunity costs of merging the departments and requested information on the Council's vision for the merge. Councilmember Aguilaz suggested the recreation centers and libraries could be joint centers to be used for recreation and library activities, such as allowing members to check out books at recreation centers and register for recreation classes at libraries. Chair Young requested information on the direction of the merging of the departments. Councilmember Ramirez suggested that the specific losses or gains observed during the trial merge of the departments be documented and presented to the Council. Page 2 ~ Council Workshop Minutes October 18, 2012 Chair Young stated he believed it would be feasible for the Board of Library Trustees to present a recommendation on the merging of the departments. Commissioner Barnes suggested a joint meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Library Board of Trustees. Commissioner Balnis spoke in support of the Board of Library Trustees developing goals and objectives to work towards. Commissioner Riggs stated she would commit to ensuring Director of Library and Recreation Waznis understood the Board's position on the merging following the Board's evaluation. Commissioner Mellor thanked the Council for meeting with the Board Councilmember Ramirez stated he would like the Library to consider developing the following programs: helping people access good information, a program to allow members to borrow tools, and abicycle-loaning program. He also spoke in support of the Board meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission and thanked the boardmembers for attending. Director of Library and Recreation Waznis provided information on the communication efforts between the departments' support groups. She also spoke regarding benchmarks for both departments and the time it might take to properly evaluate a possible merge of the departments. Chair Young expressed gratitude for the ability to meet with the Mayor and Council. Mayor Cox stated that funding needs to be ongoing to sustain programs. She thanked the Board of Library Trustees for meeting with the Council. Chair Young recognized Board Secretary Yeelin Cheung for her professional work with the Board. ADJOURNMENT At 8:17 p.m., Chair Young adjourned the Board of Library Trustees meeting. At 8:17 p.m., Mayor Cox adjourned the City Council meeting to the next Regular City Council Meeting on October 23, 2012, at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers. Kerry I'. igelow, rior Deputy City Clerk Page 3 Council Workshop Minu[es October 18, 2012