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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-06-23 BOLT MINS ~ . . . -, MINUTES LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES JUNE 23, 1993 LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM 3:30 PM BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander, Vice Chair viesca, Trustees Donovan, Wilson, Williams BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Trustee Lathers CITY STAFF PRESENT: Acting Library Director Palmer, Jorge Castillo, Castle Park Library OTHERS PRESENT: Councilperson Len Moore, Friends Liaison, Robert Diane Castro, public Betty Roche, Coye, public, I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Meeting of May 26, 1993 MSUC (Donovan Viesca) the minutes of the May 26, 1993 meeting were approved with the following correction. Page 6, section VI should read, "The next Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on June 23, 1993 at 6:00 pm at the Castle Park Library. II. CONTINUED MATTERS A. SOUTH CHULA VISTA LIBRARY Acting Director Palmer reported the State Librarian has officially approved a 60-day extension for the South Chula vista Library. This will allow the selection and negotiation of a signed contract with a general contractor by October 29th instead of August 30th. On June 14th Mr. Palmer and Jim Ellis, from LPA, met with Richard Hall, Bond Act Manager, in Sacramento to review the final set of working drawings. Mr. Palmer commended Mr. Ellis for incorporating the Bond Act Manager's suggestions into the final drawings. The next step is for the Office of the State Architect to review the working drawings. A final report is expected by the second week of July. (Trustee Williams arrived at 6:10 pm) Meanwhile, Library staff and all affected city departments are reviewing the specs for the building. Work on the HVAC and low voltage systems (data/telecommunications) has been very complex. Bids are expected to go out by August 5th or earlier, followed by a bidders conference. Bids will be opened between Labor Day and September 16th. Library Board of Trustees - 2 - June 23, 1993 Chairman Alexander asked about installation of fiber optic cable. Mr. Palmer reported that the cabling system in the building is designed for the future installation of fiber optics. Walker duct will be installed in areas of the building where a future need for data lines is anticipated. The Technology Users Center will have computer flooring to allow maximum wiring flexibility. Mr. Alexander reported that the Communications Council of San Diego has a task force who is planning the fiberization of San Diego County. Vice Chair Viesca asked about landscaping. David reported that landscaping plans had not changed since the Trustees viewed the presentation by Bill Burton on March 24, 1993. He then went on to describe the types of hardscape and landscape planned for the building. A grassy amphitheater is planned for the east corner of the site. Close to 40 percent of the site will be landscaped. The interior courtyard has been modified making the channeled fountain more of a pool. Interior plantings minimal to economize upkeep. Marty Schmidt, Parks and Recreation, has been involved on every step of the project. Councilman Moore discussed planning landscaped median strips so that individuals can walk through them without damaging the landscaping. He also suggested staff study school children's routes from their schools to the new facility so that sidewalks could be installed. B. EASTLAKE LIBRARY At their May meeting, the Sweetwater Union High School Board approved the contract for joint use of the EastLake High School Library. The Library will open to the public on August 2nd with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Saturday, August 14th, at 10 am. Mr. Palmer invited the Trustees to attend. EastLake Development Company is preparing invitations for the grand opening and it will be publicized in the EastLake Newsletter and Chula Vista Quarterly. The Friends of the Library are donating $1,000 to cover expenses for refreshments and balloons. Councilman moore suggested that information about the grand opening be sent to the Chamber of Commerce and Chula Vista Board of Realtors for their newsletters. . . . Library Board of Trustees - 3 - June 23, 1993 C. LIBRARY BUDGET councilman Moore reported that the City Council had asked the departments to prepare 2%, 5% and 10% budget cuts with the proviso that no reduction be made in the work force or services and that reserves not be used. Because of the state's action, approximately 1.2 million dollars will be cut from the City general fund budget. Kaiser Permanente paid 1.2 million dollars in advance development impact fees to the City. There is a temporary freeze on hiring new staff. Mr. Palmer reported that Library has several vacant positions making it extremely difficult to keep up with the work flow. Member of the Public Diane Castro spoke at this time. She supported a cut to library services as long as the children didn't have to pay for their books in the school district. She felt that this caused the children mental abuse. She was informed that the Library Board did not have a voice in school district affairs. III. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF LIBRARY BOARD OFFICERS MSUC (Wilson/Alexander) to elect Jose Viesca as Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees. MSUC (Viesca/wilson) to elect Peggy Donovan as Vice Chair of the Library Board of Trustees. Chairman Alexander passed the gavel of office to Chairman-elect Viesca who then conducted the rest of the meeting. At this time Acting Director Palmer presented an engraved gavel to Mr. Alexander. B. CASTLE PARK LIBRARY Jorge Castillo, Librarian at Castle Park, discussed the progress the Castle Park Library has made during the past four years. When Chula vista took over this facility from the County, Mr. Castillo and his staff developed an outreach program to familiarize the community with the services offered by the Library. This program included going door to door, distributing flyers, and visiting Library Board of Trustees - 4 - June 23, 1993 local schools and churches. During this time, circulation at Castle Park has gone from 40,000 to 80,000 per year. Mr. Castillo stated that this Library's goal is to prepare the community to move from a 1,700 square foot store front into an elegant 37,000 square foot building. The groundwork he has provided and the bilingual, bi-cultural aspect of the new library will make the transition smoother and less intimidating. To encourage community enthusiasm for the new library, the model will be displayed at Castle Park after the summer reading club is over. Councilman Moore suggested a monthly display showing progress on the new building and materials and services that will be available there. Acting Director Palmer commended Mr. Castillo on the outstanding jOb he has done to bridge the gap between the Library and the community. Trustee Wilson relayed that when she was materials to help her learn Spanish she excellent customer service at Castle Park. seeking received Chairman-Elect Vie sea reported that he has seen Jorge many times at community gatherings and related functions. He asked if the Castle Park Library had any videos in Spanish portraying historical activities in Mexico or on the Spanish culture. Mr. Castillo reported that there are five videos on this subject. He also reported that quality documentaries are extremely expensive and difficult to find. Trustee Williams echoed this, reporting that the school district shares the problem of finding quality videos that are affordable. (Councilman Moore left the meeting at 7:20 pm.) IV. LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. LIBRARY DIRECTOR POSITION Acting Director Palmer reported that an assessment center to evaluate four Library Director applicants had been scheduled for Friday, June 25th. Mr. Palmer will be one of the applicants evaluated. Chairman Alexander will serve as a member of the assessment team. Acting Director Palmer thanked the Trustees support they have given him and the Library. Wilson left the meeting at 7:30) for the (Trustee . . . . Library Board of Trustees June 23, 1993 - 5 - v. COMMUNICATIONS A. FRIENDS Betty Roche reported that the Friends will donate $1,000 for the grand opening of EastLake Library. Also, the Friends bookstore earned $1,900 during the month of May. B. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. coye suggested a sign on the construction site showing a calendar of construction progress on the new structure. Mr. Coye also suggested that an ad hoc committee composed of people from the community be formed to review' the plans for the South Chula vista Library to make generate more community involvement. Mr. Palmer stated that during the next two weeks the plans could be placed on view at Castle Park and input gathered on public comment cards. C. WRITTEN COMMENTS None D. BOARD COMMENTS Chairman Alexander stated that he would serve on the assessment center for Library Director. Trustee Donovan reported her enjoyment on serving on the Board this past year with Mr. Alexander as Chairman. She suggested a community pool for contestants guessing the day and time the new 1 ibrary is completed. The winner would receive a book. She also her congratulations to Chairman-elect Viesca. Trustee Williams congratulated Chairman Elect Viesca and vice Chair Elect Donovan. He thanked Chairman Alexander for the past year and Mr. castillo for hosting this meeting. As more libraries are brought on line, it would be a pleasure to meet in them. Chairman-Elect Viesca reported that he was honored to be chosen Chairman of the Library Board. He looked forward to the coming year. Library Board of Trustees VI. - 6 - June 23, 1993 ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM. Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on 1993 at 3:00 PM in Library Conference Room One. The next July 28,