HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/24/1999 Work Session (2)
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MINUTES OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL
JOINT MEETING WITH THE SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY BOARD HELD
MONDAY, MAY 24, 1999
The Springfield City Council met in a Joint Meeting with the Springfield Library Board at
Springfield City Hall, Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday,
May 24, at 5:40 p.m. with Mayor Maine presiding.
Present were Mayor Maine and Councilors Ballew, Fitch, Hatfield, Leiken, Lundberg, and
Simmons. Library Board members present were Chair Al Monce and members Mary Clair
Feighan, Bruce Horton, Stan Paine, and Dorothy Velasco.
Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Senior
Management Analyst Rosie Pryor, Administrative Aide Shari Higgins, Library Director Bob
Russell, and members of staff.
1. City Council/Library Board Joint Meeting.
The joint meeting began with introductions led by Mayor Maine. Library Director Bob Russell
introduced the topic. He said attachments to the agenda item summary outli.ned Library Board
membership plus programs and activities. Mr. Russell introduced Chair Al Monce who spoke
about the board and the work of the Library Scholarship Fund project.
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Mr. Monce thanked Councilor Fitch for her diligence in attending meetings and continual
support of the board. He explained the scholarship fund, including increased fund raising
activities being done now, prior to the beginning ofthe next school year. The program has been
in existence since 1994, providing free library cards to low-income families living in the
Springfield School District boundary area, but not in the city limits. Mr. Monce said the
Library is hoping the school district will assist in publicizing the program more widely.
Mayor Maine asked if the school district would be willing to do some fund raising efforts at the
schools. Councilor Fitch suggested using the school Parent Teacher Association (PTA) as
supporters of donations to the prograrn.
Councilor Lundberg asked how the Library identifies kids who may be eligible for the program
and suggested increased advertising and education efforts to let the community know about the
program. Mr. Russell said the low-income families apply to the Library.
Mr. Russell spoke about the Gift and Memorial Fund, which is an opportunity for community
membersto contribute to the Library as a gift or in memory of a family member. Mr. Russell
said the brochures are being updated and are used when staff meets with service clubs or
community organizations. He explained work is beginning on a Library Foundation that would
direct alL specific fund raising efforts. The work is being coordinated by the Library staff,
Friends of the Library, and the Long-Range Planning Committee.
Mr. Russell introduced the chair of the Long-Range Planning Committee, Stan Paine. Mr.
Paine said the final report of the committee would be presented for council review on June 28.
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Springfield City Council
Joint Meeting - 5/24/99
Page 2
Mr. Paine said the plan is very positive and has included much involvement by the community.
He highlighted points of plan, including major project recommendations; increased hours; space
needs/remodeling; increased youth services (at-risk); Latino service; funding; government
structure/Library District; and increased revenue.
There was a lengthy discussion of a county library, how the bookmobile was funded, and the
possibility of creating a special district.
Mayor Maine asked about the service agreements with the smaller cities. Mr. Russell replied
the agreements are done and work is being done on the software and profiles. Staff hoped the
process would be done by mid-August. Mayor Maine commented this is a good cooperative
effort that did not get a lot of press, but is wonderful for the community.
Board member Mary Clair Feighan spoke briefly about general policy development. Questions
were asked about the city's Internet policy and the use of filtering software. Mr. Russell said
the filters are used on the children and young adult computers, but not on the adult computers.
Staff also monitors computer use.
Ms. Feighan said it was a privilege to be on the board and spoke of the long-term service by
other members. She said she had an opportunity to attend a workshop with Library staff
recently and shared that they had great comradery and a lot of skills and knowledge.
Councilor Fitch thanked the board members for their quality service to the city. She encouraged
the board to return to council with a multi-year plan to bring service levels up and to continue
with creative fundraising efforts and the use of grants.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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Maureen Maine, Mayor
ATTEST:
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~ City Recorder