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Home My WebLink About2001-05-01 Library Commission Summary KENAI LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM MAY 1,2001 7:30 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/~ ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- April 3, 2001 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5- REPORTS ao Director Friends of the Library City Council Liaison ITEM 6: ao OLD BUSINESS Discussion --.Library Expansion/Public Works Manager La Shot ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/0UESTIONS ITEM 9' INFORMATION ao Kenai City Council Action Agendas of April 4 and 18, 2001. ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT KENAI LIBRARY COMMISSION KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTIVITY ROOM MAY 1~ 2001 7:30 P.M. MINUTES ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/l~ ROLL CALL Chairman Peters called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and the roll was confirmed as follows: Present: Others Present: Public' Peters, Amen, Brenckle (arrived at 7'32), Heus, Brown, DeForest and Rodes Councilman Moore (arrived at 7'35), Director Jankowska, Public Works Manager La Shot, Contract Secretary Shalev Ethel Clausen ITEM 2' AGENDA APPROVAL Chairman Peters suggested hearing Item 6 prior to Item 4. MOTION: Commissioner Brown MOVED to approve the agenda as modified and Commissioner Amen SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- April 3,2001 MOTION: Commissioner Brown MOVED to approve the minutes of April 3,2001 as presented. Commissioner Amen SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 6' OLD BUSINESS Discussion- - Library Expansion/Public Works Manager La Shot Public Works Manager La Shot was invited to speak to the Commission regarding the Library expansion. La Shot provided the Commission with a schematic plan from several years ago to use for reference purposes and answered questions the Commission had on the areas the renovation/expansion could occur. La Shot pointed out several important factors to be considered in planning for an expansion' · Current new building costs are in the $200.00 per square foot range. This general estimate was based on a $1 million figure. · Reminded the Commission of additional costs that should be subtracted from this figure to give a more accurate amount. After subtracting furnishing and architect/design fees, the amount available was reduced to an estimated $750,000 and an estimated 3,600 square feet for new building expansion. · Pointed out other additional costs to be considered; ADA compliance requirements, parking requirements, electrical codes, heating system changes and boiler/mechanical room work load. The Commission then discussed possible parking expansion options including expanding toward the Fire Station and "connecting" the City Hall parking lot with the Library lot. Commissioner Heus inquired about the general costs, advantages, disadvantages, and practicality of a daylight basement, full basement, or an unfinished basement to be used for storage. A discussion regarding the pros and cons of building a basement took place. La Shot informed the Commission basements are not typically money- saving options for a small area. In addition, the location of the water table could prove to be problematic. La Shot encouraged the Commission to focus on a main goal and determine whether it would be most beneficial and cost effective to build a 3,600 s.f. new addition or to make improvements in the form of remodeling. La Shot also encouraged the Commission to seek the advice of an architect once these goals have been determined. The Commission spoke at length about what the expansion/remodeling should encompass. Director Jankowska stated, in her opinion, the most pressing issue would be to remodel the existing library by providing more workspace for staff, dankowska stated that while providing a larger patron area is important, the current cramped workspace should be the first improvement made and OSHA workspace requirements could possibly be a concern in the future, dankowska also expressed her desire to see the children's area expanded and a larger storage area provided. ,Jankowska stated she felt an estimated $1 million can provide many improvements to the existing area. Heus reminded the Commission about a previous meeting in which ideas about storing any possible funding in the Capital Improvement Fund was discussed. Heus asked Moore if this was still a possibility and if the funds would be subjected to a 'sunset' clause. Moore was uncertain, but stated setting the money aside in the Capital Improvement Fund could be done only when a plan is established. Moore encouraged the Commission to solidify a plan that all agree would be the best use of any provided funding. The Commission spoke at length regarding the idea of moving the front desk forward to provide more staff space, moving the entrance toward the right of its current location (thus changing the children's area), and providing new ADA bathrooms and doors. Peters asked the Commission if everyone was more or less in agreement with these elements being the focus of the expansion. Heus stated she felt the focus should be on new building expansion as a "Phase I." The Commission discussed the idea of having a special meeting to further discuss these issues. LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MAY 1, 2001 PAGE 2 MOTION' Commissioner Heus MOVED to continue to explore the library expansion options prior to meeting with an architect/designer. Commissioner Brenckle SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 5' REPORTS 5-a. Director- - Director Jankowska reported on the following: · The book circulation and number of library patrons is growing. · A new pricing schedule for new book purchases arrived. The new prices are significantly higher than last year and higher than what was budgeted. Jankowska expressed her concern over the new prices and spoke briefly regarding the current costs of various books and that this higher than anticipated cost might result in fewer books being purchased to enlarge the collection. · Gave an update on the new server/fire wall status. Last week a problem involving the power supply occurred. She is closely monitoring this situation and will look into this if it occurs again. Additionally, the IBM computer shut down unexpectantly last week. Jankowska explained that because there is no longer an IBM computer technician available locally, she had to call the office in Anchorage to obtain advice. She will re-test the system on Monday. Jankowska will keep the Commission informed if there are more problems. 5-b. Friends of the Library- - Commissioner Heus reported on the following' · The Friends of the Library Book Sale will take place June 1st from 9am- 5pm and on June 2nd from 9am-2pm. A Friends member Pre-Book Sale will take place May 31. A tent is being reserved and the exact location will be announced when known. · The building fund is now at approximately $70,000. Fund raising for a new microfilm reader/printer is still taking place. Currently, nearly $450 was donated. The total cost of the printer/reader is between $4,000-$5,000. · Friends of the Library are still looking into corporate sponsorship. 5-c. City Council Liaison - - Councilman Moore provided the Commission with information regarding the last city council meeting and the status of the City Manager applicants. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS -- None ITEM 8' COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/QUESTIONS LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MAY 1, 2001 PAGE 3 Commissioner Amen: Amen noticed that nothing specific was noted in the last City Council Minutes regarding the Library and its quest for expansion. Commissioner Heus' Heus expressed her appreciation on Public Works Manager La Shot's input and insight. Commissioner Brown: Brown noted she feels the discussions regarding the library expansion provided clarification and a good start. Commissioner De Forest: De Forest commented on the lack of Library information in the most recent City of Kenai newsletter. Commissioner Brenckle' Brenckle suggested the Commission set a date/time for the earlier suggested special meeting and May 10, 2001 at 7'30 p.m. was tentatively set, pending the approval of the City Clerk. ITEM 9' INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of April 4 and 18, 2001. ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Amen MOVED to adjourn and Commissioner Heus SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at 9'25 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Sharon Gaudet Shalev, Contract Secretary LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING MAY 1, 2001 PAGE 4