The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Dr. Darter at 5 p.m.  Trustee Chairman Dr. Darter, Gwen Becker, Bob Brownscombe, Lynda Burton, and Julie Dickson were present.  Friends of the Library President Tom Burke was present, as was Library Director Larry Hlavsa.

 

A motion to approve the consent items was seconded and passed.  Minutes of the meeting of February 9 were approved.

 

Library Director’s Report

 

Discussion of Development of Adams Street Property.  Trustees noted that despite the St. Helena STAR’s report of the February 22nd City Council meeting (“A 3,000-square-foot portion of the city-owned parcel at Adams Street and Library Lane will be reserved for future library expansion, and the parcel will also retain a one-third-acre viewshed for the library, the City Council agreed unanimously. . .”) the minutes of that meeting refer only to parking requirements and the view triangle.  The final RPF and its revised calendar are now due to go out with no further council action.   Trustees noted that once developers responding to the RFP are identified, the board will have the opportunity to contact them directly to advocate the library’s needs.

 

Approval of Budget.  Following review and discussion of Larry’s proposed budget and memo of explanation, the board agreed to submit a letter over all its signatures to the City Council and Finance Director and City Manager expressing concern that the city has made no contribution for library materials in three years.  A motion was then passed to approve Larry’s budget.

 

Revised St. Helena Historical Society Agreement.  Following discussion, a motion was passed to approve Resolution No. 2005-02 to approve the revised agreement between the City of St. Helena and the St. Helena Historical Society.

 

Wood Trust Funding Request.  A motion was passed to approve Resolution No. 2005-03 establishing a budget allocation for expenditure of Wood Trust Enhancement Funds for FY 2005/2006.

 

Emergency Preparedness Workshop.  Larry reported that he and Suzanne Sylvestrin (representing the St. Helena Historical Society) will attend the first of a two-day session in Rohnert Park March 10th.

 

Friends of the Library Report.  Tom reported that the Friends’ membership is currently 340; that a book sale is scheduled for Mary 15-17 and that another is slated for October.  With Larry’s help, the Friends are researching the demand for and potential structure of a system to deliver books to home-bound patrons.  A children’s art contest will be conducted this summer to select the logo for the new plastic book bags provided by the Friends.

 

Wine Library Association Report.   Julie reported that Bob Thompson donated the research materials for a 1985 map identifying all vineyards in the Napa Valley.    

 

St. Helena Historical Society Report.  Gwen reported that the February 20 “Museum for a Day” was successful, eliciting potential members and subjects for oral histories. Intern Pat Alexander is coordinating the oral history program.  The group has begun intensive strategic planning, looking to establish its own home in five to ten years.  Future meetings:  April 5 at Edgehill, May 3 at Nicheliini, June 7 possibly at Spottswoode, September 6 at Ink House.  She advised that a blog (St. Helena Town Hall) has been launched as a clearing house for opinion on matters of local import. 

 

Larry showed his PowerPoint Library Annual Report, also presented to the City Council at its last meeting.