HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 4, 2015
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Approved
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
4/1/2015
MINUTES
March 4, 2015
The meeting was called to order by Chair Patricia Sowada at 6:30 p.m. Members present were
Nancy Hoium, Stephen Smith, Patricia Sowada, Barbara Tantanella and Catherine Vesley. Also
present were Library Director Renee Dougherty, Recording Secretary Renee J. Rewitzer, and Bryan
Olson.
The minutes of the February 4, 2015, Board meeting were approved as mailed.
The bill list dated February 11, 2015, was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the
bills be paid.
The bill list dated February 25, 2015, was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the
bills be paid.
The March 4, 2015, accounting sheet was reviewed.
Old Business:
1.Catherine Vesley shared diagrams prepared by Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA) of
three potential site orientations for the new library which were reviewed by the Board.
Dougherty reported that the Plaza Entry option was preferred by the Library Design Task
Force, Library Foundation, City staff, and the City Council. This option is the least
expensive, would require the least amount of excavation at the building entrance, and is the
most visually appealing. Steve Smith asked if the outdoor patio space would affect the
interior square footage. Dougherty responded that the interior square footage was the same
for all options. Smith also asked about storm water drainage and Dougherty said that the bio-
retention area would handle storm water drainage for the library as well as for future
developments on the site. The Library Board unanimously expressed their preference for the
Plaza Entry option. Determining the building orientation allows the architects to progress to
the next phase of design, interior layout, and systems planning. Dougherty informed the
Board that the Library Design Task Force will host a public forum to present the design and
receive public feedback on March 26 in a location to be determined.
2.The Board considered the Policy on Distribution of Brochures, Free Newspapers,
Newsletters, and Other Handouts which was last revised on August 8, 2007. The policy
recognizes space limitations of the building and defines a list of local publications to be
distributed. Bryan Olson, reporter for the Anoka County Record, requested permission to
address the Board. Chair Sowada granted it. Olson indicated that he was authorized by
Record publisher John Kysylyczyn to speak regarding the free distribution of The Record at
the Library. Board members asked why The Record is relevant to Columbia Heights
residents. Olson responded that The Record is a legal newspaper, has been published weekly
since January 2015, and would be including a list of tax delinquent properties in a future
edition. He distributed a handout with an excerpt of Minnesota statute 325E.34 – Free
Newspapers; Exclusive Right to Distribute Prohibited, and told the board they would be
violating the law if they did not provide The Record. The Board tabled action in order to
consult City Attorney Jim Hoeft.
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New Business:
1.The Columbia Heights Public Library 2014 Annual Report was distributed to the Board.
Dougherty noted that Barb Kondrick, Adult Reference Librarian, and Bethany Grabow,
Children’s Librarian, wrote narratives summarizing the year’s programs and special events.
Vesley commented that the electronic service usage has skyrocketed. Dougherty said that
electronic circulation has not yet plateaued in Columbia Heights or Anoka County as it has in
other library systems. Dougherty also said that, although circulation and gate count numbers
are down from last year, declines in circulation are being experienced throughout the Twin
Cities.
2.Dougherty reported that eight applicants were interviewed on February 5 and 6, 2015 for
Library Page. Conditional offers of employment were extended to four of the interviewees;
three of whom have accepted the offer. The three -- Rosa Boda, Jimmy Heryla and Melissa
Serafin – began training on March 2.
Items from the Floor:
1.Dougherty promoted an upcoming author visit. On March 11 Sharon “Birdchick” Stiteler
will speak at 6:30 p.m.; on the same evening the Roe Family Singers will perform from 6 - 9
p.m. at Murzyn Hall. On May 2 Mark Moran, of Antiques Roadshow fame, will conduct
forty appraisals from 11:00 a.m. -2 p.m. This event is funded the through the Arts and
Cultural Heritage Fund.
2.Smith requested that every staff member wear their ID badge.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Renee J. Rewitzer
Recording Secretary, Library Board of Trustees
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment
or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow
individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights services, programs, and activities.
Attachments:
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