HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-1996 Library Commission Minutes Saratoga Library Commission Meeting
Saratoga Community Library
September 25, 1996
7:3D p.m.
Action Minutes
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Foscato, Grantham, Manzo, McLaughlin
Commissioner Absent: Towse, Ceppos, Sess!er
Others Present: Dolly Barnes, Susan Fuller, Irene Jacobs,
Ann Marie Burger ~.
III. Report on Posting of Commission Agenda
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda was properly
posted on September 20, 1996.
IV. Approval of Minutes Df.August 28~ 1996 Meeting
The minutes of the August 28 meeting were approved with no
changes.
V. Oral and Written Communications
The Chair of the Library Commission, Marcia Manzo, welcomed
the Councilmember Ann Marie Burger and thanked her for
attending the meeting. Councilmember Burger is the Council JPA
representative to the County and the Commission wanted to
brief Ms. Burger to the status of several issues dealing with
the Library.
Ms. Manzo shared with Councilmember Burger that the bookdrop
was going to be improved. The County had approved a request
that the bookdrop be expanded and insulated so that the noise
would not be so distracting when the Community Room was in
use.
The Commission discussed issues the possible funding scenarios
for the expansion of the library and the Needs Assessment that
was recently updated by the Library Commission. The
Commission shared that they felt real ownership to the
revisions that had been made to the Needs Assessment and they
had hoped that they could serve as an integral part of the
decision making process when it came to deciding on the
architectural revisions.
It was decided that the Commission would stay with its earlier
decision to wait until after the election in November before
any recommendation is made to the Council regarding the
Library Expansion. At that time the Commission will craft a
proposal and request the Council's support.
The Commission's proposal will reflect the Commission's ideas
of how the expansion should occur (i.e. any collaborative
efforts with the JPA; recommending that the Commission be part
of the Expansion Committee; visits to other new libraries in
the area to view their architectural styles.)
During the discussion the Commission developed the following
"To Do" sheet.
1. The Commission needs to develop and present these
recommendations to the Council on the process of the expansion
and the schedule of events.
2. The commission should request a study session with the City
Council at a non-regular meeting or the commission could wait
until the next joint meeting with the Council that is usually
scheduled for January to discuss the issues.
The money that would be needed for the architectural plans
should be an item placed on the agenda of the joint meeting
with the City Council. Commissioner Cathy Foscato shared that
during the last time the Library Commission had proposed
expansion of the Library, the Friends of the Library had set
aside some funding for the architectural plans and she
suggested that perhaps this could happen again.
Susan Fuller raised the idea of polling the community in order
to get a reading of the public's view on the issue. The budget
required to follow through with a polling of the community
will need to be considered. Ann Marie Burger suggested that
perhaps the Commission should poll library users because it
could prove to be more affordable.
Ms. Burger asked about the status of the Library Foundation
and about its role in the expansion. The Commission explained
that the way they saw it, there were two different teams
involved with the expansion. The team that oversaw the plans
for the expansion consisted of the Library Commission, the JPA
and the City Council. The second team that focused on funding
aspects of the expansion consisted of the JPA, the City (bond
· measure) the Friends of the Library and the Library
Foundation.
The Commission shared with Ann Marie that the role of the
Foundation was solely one of raising revenues for the
expansion and that their first fund raiser was scheduled for
October 4.
There was also discussion on the issue of the Heritage
Preservation Commission and there anticipated concern of how
many orchard trees would be lost due to the library expansion.
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Commissioner Jack Grantham suggested that perhaps the idea of
the library expansion could also be sold to the public by
following through with the efforts being made by the Council
to portray Saratoga as being "artsy". He proposed that the
library provide research materials and more exhibit space to
local artists once the library is expanded.
Before the Commission continued with the next items on the
agenda, Councilmember Burger was thanked again for having
attended that portion of the meeting.
Vl. Old Busines§
Marcia Manzo, Chair of the Library Commission, requested of
all commissioners that they review and proof the final draft
of the Needs Assessment that she had passed out. She asked
that they get back to her regarding any necessary changes.
The Commission shared positive comments about the final draft
of the assessment and expressed their appreciation to Marcia
and Sally Towse for all the time they invested in the
revision.
VII. New Business
Since the issues listed under New Business had already been
indirectly discussed in the earlier part of the meeting with
Councilmember Burger, Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to
table the items to a later date. Commissioner Foscato seconded
the motion andthe vote passed.
VIII.Reports
Susan Fuller, County Librarian
Ms. Fuller provided Commissioners with information on Measure
218 and discussed how it would affect the district. She
reported that the next JPA meeting was scheduled for October
24 at which time the fund balance, the building policy and the
support services would be discussed.
She announced that Janice Yee, her assistant, would be
retiring in May. The County is considering to replace Ms.
Yee's position with someone whose focus would be on children's
services since a good percentage of the usage in the libraries
is by children.
Ms. Fuller also reported that the County is sponsoring a
campaign to inform the public on how they are helping people
get onto the Internet. The County will focus on the good
things that it is providing to the community in its
introduction to the Internet.
Dolly Barnes, Community Librarian:
Dolly Barnes reported that the California Library Association
is sponsoring pre-conference workshops on planning library
ballot measures and planning new library expansions. The cost
is $135 for a one day workshop scheduled for November 15. Ms.
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Barnes would be glad to send in the necessary registration for
anyone who was wishing to attend.
She also apologized for not having a list of recently expanded
libraries which had been requested of her at the last meeting.
She informed the Commission that she would check with the
state library system and provide a list at a later date.
Irene M. Jacobs, City Staff Representative
Staff member Jacobs reminded Commissioners of the Brown Act
Meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday, October 16 in the
Administrative Offices at City Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30
p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to acquaint new
Commissioners and review for current members the rules and
regulations of the Brown Act.
Marcia Manzo, Chair of the Library Commission
Chair Manzo led a discussion regarding the possibility of
L.
organizing/cleaning up the magazines, flyers and other
publications that are made available to the public at the
front entrance of the library.
The November meeting date was rescheduled to November 20 due
to the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Cathy Foscato, Friends of the Library
Commissioner Foscato shared that the auction and paperback
book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library would take
place in two weeks.
Sally Towse, Library Foundation
None
VIII.Oral and Written Communications
IX. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m..
Prepared By:
~ene M, Jaco
AdministratC°~Analyst
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~C.J" ..~ ~C> .L.J.; ~.~..r-II'~ :3,~,.,~.. tSC..~.? ~.~r v'.,; IC.."<-~ " - ' ' -*
MEASURE L ~:~
LShall the existing City of Saratoga Utility Users Tax be extmdecI, witP1 ('~
no increase Jn me tax rate. to J. nua~ 1, 2001, unless .xtencled ~ l
beyonO that clare by a further vote c~ Ihe people?
CITY ATTORNEY'S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE L
A, SUMMARY OF MEASURE
This measure continues the City of Saratoga's exisl~ng udlity users tax at the same tax
rate currently in effect, until January 1, 2001, at which time the mx would expire, unless
extended beyond January 1, 2001 by e further vote of the people
B. EXISTING LAW
On April 3, 1985 the City established a utility users tax for the purpose of raising
revenues for the general governmental purposes of the City. The tax is imposed on
users of electri~ty and gas, The tax rate of 3 and one.half percem (3 1/2%) was
established in 1985 and I'ms remained unchanged.
The 1985 utility uses tax contained a "sunset clause" which would have
automaL;ca]ly repealed the tax after the expiration of five years, The tax was not
automatically repealed since the sunset clause was replaced in 1989 wilh a second,lye
year sunset clause. That sunsel clause was replaced in 1995 w~ a third five year sunset
clause. The third sunset clause, which is stttl in effect, continues the tax until July 1,
2000, at which time the tax would be automatically repealed.
C. EFFECT OF THE MEASURE
This measure would amend Ihe existing sunset clause, thereby continuing the tax et
the same tax rate of lhree and one.hal[percent {3 112%) uNil January 1.2001 at which
time the tax would expire unless i[ was continued beyond thai date by a vote of the
people.
MICHAEL RIBACK
City Attorney
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