Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-25 LBOT MinutesBoard of Library Trustees Minutes: October 25, 2018 1 PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MINUTES Palm Springs Public Library October 25, 2018 Welwood Murray Memorial Library 1. CALL TO ORDER President Willison called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL PRESENT Harry Courtright Yes Ashley Dunphy Yes Ed McBride Yes Ron Willison Yes (Vacant) STAFF PRESENT: Jeannie Kays, Director of Library Services. CITY STAFF PRESENT: Lisa Brock, Library Operations and Collection Manager; Julie Warren, Library Services and Public Relations Manager. PUBLIC PRESENT: Nanci Morrison, Dick Burkett, and David Kelly. 3. POSTING OF AGENDA: Jeannie Kays reported that the agenda was posted on the Library’s website and at City Hall on or before October 18, 2018. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF: The minutes of the September 27, 2018 meeting were accepted. 5. ADDED STARTERS: None 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: David Kelly introduced himself to the Board; he has applied to be a board member. He is the coordinator for the Friends of the Palm Springs Public Library book club and a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild. 7. TREASURER’S REPORT: No report. 8. REPORT FROM FOPSL LIAISON: Director Kays gave the report. It is National Friends of Libraries week; the Friends have a table set up in the lobby of the Library with baskets they are raffling . The winner of the LeeOna Hostrop Bookmark Contest was announced on October 23rd. There will be a book sale on Saturday October 27th from 10-1. 9. REPORT FROM LIBRARY FOUNDATION LIAISION Trustee Courtright gave the report. 10. LEGISLATIVE ACTION 10. A. Strategic Plan Consultant Agenda and Schedule Director Kays gave the report. Library staff has a phone conference scheduled to finalize the dates for Sue Hall and Toni Harvey from Library Strategies to visit the library and meet with the steering committee. Their visit is scheduled for November 27th and 28th. Board of Library Trustees Minutes: October 25, 2018 2 10. B. Welwood Patio The Library Board reviewed the recommendations the Architectural Advisory Committee gave on the Welwood patio restoration project.  The Board agrees to eliminate the fixed benches and does not want any moveable furniture.  Trustee Courtright and Trustee Dunphy did agree with the idea to remove existing trees and President Willison and Trustee McBride were OK with removing existing trees.  The Board is open to a specimen tree as long as it is within budget. If a tree is put in they like the idea of a raised planter around tree that would provide seating.  The Board agrees with minimizing planter beds.  The Board is OK with changing the direction of the grid but they want to see a price comparison between poured concrete versus pavers. They prefer pavers but are willing to consider poured concrete if it is a big savings. Various opinions on sizes (same size pavers vs. variable sizes).  Trustee Dunphy and Trustee Courtright are not in favor of a wall due to potential cost; they would like to know how much it would cost. Trustee Dunphy is not a fan of ivy and wants a professional opinion. They are concerned the ivy will tear into the concrete wall and destroy it.  The Board likes the original design of the gate.  The Board agrees to simplify the plant palette; they agree they should be sustainable, simple, and low maintenance.  The Board was concerned about the cost of applying an acoustical treatment on the inside of the proposed wall; they did not feel it was necessary.  The Board agrees with the revised lighting design to illuminate building.  The Board reiterated that all work must fit in the approved budget. Director Kays will now take all the comments to City Engineering Department and they take it from there. MOTION: (McBride/Courtright, 4-0) To receive the recommendations from the report and now seek professional plans on what works within our budget to address all comments. 10. C. Discussion of Palm Springs Speaks Trustee Courtright expressed displeasure with the program Palm Springs Speaks. He likes the program itself but believes it should be its own organization with its own board. He does not think the Friends group should be involved either. He wants nothing to do with the program. Director Kays reported how Palm Springs Speaks was created; they discussed with The Cultural Center having a speaker series in Palm Springs but the Library does not have a venue but the Cultural Center does so they formed a partnership. They researched comparable programs, speakers, and costs and developed a program proposal. They presented the proposal to the Friends of the Library and the Friends agreed to be a sponsor of the program. The Cultural Center presented the proposal to their Board and they agreed to be a sponsor as well. Palm Springs Cultural Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization agreed to handle the financials and contracts for the series and set up a DBA, “doing business as” designation. President Willison explained his role in Palm Springs Speaks and said he does not feel this is a Library Board issue. Trustee McBride believes it is time to have a discussion on whether or not it should be its own organization because he is concerned about the time commitment taking away from the strategic plan process and a future library building. He feels it is the Board’s business because as a board member and foundation member they need to be aware of all fundraising going on for the Library. Nanci Morrison from the Friends of the Library spoke about how the Friends became involved with the program. They saw it as an opportunity to bring people and recognition to the Library and the City of Palm Springs. She explained that they contributed to the program without expecting getting money back in the first few years. They also saw this as an opportunity to connect with people in the community for future fundraising. Trustee McBride said that he feels like the Board has not been as informed as they should have been about Board of Library Trustees Minutes: October 25, 2018 3 the program. He feels that it is a high profile program that takes a step beyond traditional library programs and that the Director should report specifics to the Board about the program. Trustee Dunphy is interested in how much time is being spent on the program. Director Kays said that she gives financial reports to the benefactor sponsors of the program; but to the Library Board she gives general reports of recent or upcoming programs, including speaker information, attendance, etc. The rest of the meeting agenda was tabled. Meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Jeannie Kays Director of Library Services