HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 1, 2015
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Approved
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
5/6/2015
MINUTES
April 1, 2015
The meeting was called to order by Chair Patricia Sowada at 6:30 p.m. Members present were
Nancy Hoium, Gary Peterson, Stephen Smith, and Patricia Sowada. Also present were Library
Director Renee Dougherty, Recording Secretary Renee J. Rewitzer, Human Resources Director
Kelli Bourgeois and Kathy Ahlers. Members absent were Barbara Tantanella and Catherine
Vesley.
The minutes of the March 4, 2015, Board meeting were approved as mailed.
The bill list dated March 11, 2015, was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the
bills be paid.
The bill list dated March 25, 2015, was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the
bills be paid.
The April 1, 2015 accounting sheet was reviewed. Line 2990, Purchase For Resale was
overspent to purchase flash drives. The cost will be recovered in sales. Line 4390, Taxes and
Licenses, is the state license to operate an elevator for one year. Smith asked what expenses are
included in line 3050, Expert and Professional Services. Dougherty replied that this line is used
for expenses such as the quarterly payment to Anoka County Library to share the Integrated
Library System; fees for professionals such as plumbers, electricians, or visiting authors and
teachers of children’s summer programs.
Old Business:
1.The Board revisited the Policy on Distribution of Brochures, Free Newspapers,
Newsletters and Other Handouts tabled at the previous meeting. Kelli Bourgeois reported
that she reviewed Minnesota Statute 325E.34 and consulted with City Attorney Jim Hoeft
and another attorney at Barna, Guzy and Steffen. She shared their interpretation that the
statute does not apply in this situation because it deals only with exclusive contracts to
distribute a publication. Bourgeois advised the library board to review the policy once
the new library has been built. Smith said he would like to have a definition of the
difference between newspapers and handouts. Smith also inquired what happens to items
removed from the collection. Dougherty said items are added to the sale cart or recycled
based upon condition. She noted that she checks the MN Link record of statewide library
holdings to ensure that titles removed from the Columbia Heights collection can be
accessed via interlibrary loan if needed. No action was taken.
2.A public open house for the new library was held on March 26, 2015. Approximately 80
people were present. HGA presented a schematic design and a 3D model of the building
and surrounding area. Site plans and budget were discussed. Smith thought that the light
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dimming feature allowing use of daylight rather than electric light was a wonderful idea.
An attendee of the open house asked about LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) certification and Dougherty said the library will be designed with
efficiency standards in mind to decrease ongoing operations costs but will not seek the
certification which adds approximately 5% to total costs. The questions and comments
covered a range of topics including exterior lighting of parking lot, bicycle racks, baby
changing table in the men’s bathroom, size of the meeting room, whether it would be
divisible into smaller sections; and whether there would be a sink and counter in
meeting room. Sowada asked if most of the attendees were positive about the project.
Dougherty, Smith and Hoium said yes. Many viewing the 3D model in the library are
unaware of the location of the new library but are positive about the project. Staff are
collecting comments to share with the Library Design Task Force and HGA. The City
website also includes the plans and a link to contact the Library Design Task Force.
Sowada asked when building would begin and Dougherty replied the tentative start date
is September 2015. The results of the environmental testing conducted by Braun Intertec
have been submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency along with a Response
Action Plan (RAP). . The City has also applied for Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) funds to cover some of the environmental remediation costs for the site.
Responses from the MPCA and Anoka County are expected in about a month.
New Business:
1.Dougherty reported that he Columbia Heights Public Library 2014 Annual Report has
been submitted to the State Library along with the certification of the Board Chair. The
State responded they have received the report and will review it and notify Dougherty if
they have questions. Ahlers asked what is included in the report. Dougherty answered
this is a mandated public report which contains statistical information such as number of
visitors, circulation, program attendance, collection totals, computer usage, revenue, and
expenditures. It is compiled and vetted by the State Library before being submitted to the
federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The IMLS provides access to the
report data through a website which allows researchers to compare all libraries in the U.S.
2.Dougherty shared with the Board that John Brosnahan retired March 30, 2015. He served
as an evening Library Supervisor for 15 years. The Library Supervisor position will be
posted in April with interviews beginning in May. This position averages 9-14 hours per
week.
Items from the Floor:
1.Smith asked about the Birdchick presentation. Dougherty said there was a good turnout
for the program.
2.Sowada reported that she gave Kevin Hansen a large jar of nuts for his efforts and
support of the new library.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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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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