Board of Trustees of the St. Helena Public Library

Minutes of the Meeting of March 8, 2006

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, Lynda Burton, Julie Dickson, and Bonnie Long were present, as were Friends of the Library President Dolores Torrigino and Library Director Larry Hlavsa.

A motion to approve the consent items was seconded and passed. Minutes of the meeting of February 8th were approved as mailed.

Library Director’s Report

Emergency procedures. In the wake of last month’s building emergency at the Library, a committee has been formed to study and draft an emergency procedures policy. The committee consists of; Kathy Woods (Planning), John Ferens (Public Works), Dawn Marshall (Finance) and Larry Hlavsa (Library).

Tweed Trust acceptance. The trustees reviewed the draft of Resolution No. 2006-2. It was informally approved but will be taken to the City Attorney, Finance Director and City Manager before proceeding. After these consultations, a final version will submitted for adoption at the April meeting.

Animals in the library. Larry is studying the legalities of identifying assistance/service dogs and how other libraries address the issue. Further report to follow.

Wood Trust Funding Request. Following discussion, a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2006-03 establishing budget allocations for expenditure of Wood Trust Enhancement Funds for FY 2006/2007 was made, seconded, and passed. Gwen recommended that at a separate session, the board “brainstorm” as to its vision for future library enhancement projects and activities. A pilot program for Hispanic patrons and bringing in a contract consultant to assess and organize the portions of the Wine Library collection stored upstairs were offered as possibilities. Dolores volunteered that the Friends could participate and host the session.

FY 2006/2007 Budget. The St. Helena Library Budget as submitted to the St. Helena Finance Director February 28, 2006 was reviewed, discussed, and approved. Dr. Darter asked that, to the extent necessary information is available, future budgets be presented to the trustees before submission to the city.

Meeting with Adams Street developers on February 17. Julie and Larry reported on their meeting at the library with Lamar Turner of EAH, Stuart Rickard of Placeworks, and architect Paul Hartman. NVWLA officers Kevin Alfaro and Jim Cross also attended. The developers had requested the meeting, and were advised of the trustees’ concerns as proffered (but not adopted by the council) for the original RFP. They toured the library and expressed commitment to its needs. The one-third acre preservation of viewshed vineyard was specifically promised. The two entities plan to present proposals as a joint venture at the March 14th session before the committee upon with Dr. Darter and Julie sit.

2005 Library Annual Report (Power Point). The trustees congratulated Larry on his report, a copy of which had been submitted to them. It was recommended that the presentation be given to the Friends as well.

Signage project. Gwen requested an update on the long-delayed donors appreciation signage project. This project is part of a larger project dealing with an interior re-design that the Friends have indicated a willingness to fund. Page, Morris & Associates, a San Francisco library interior design firm, are under consideration for the project. Larry will be consulting references before proceeding. Actual work recommended would be funded by the Wood Trust.

Friends of the Library (Dolores Torrigino). Dolores reported that a new treasurer is being sought. The Volunteer Appreciation lunch is scheduled for April 6th at the Methodist Church.

Wine Library Association (Jule Dickson). Julie reported that new board member Carolyn Martini is coordinating with the St. Helena High School on a series of video interviews of pioneer winery family members.

St. Helena Historical Society (Gwen Becker). Gwen reported that all is going smoothly; the Society is particularly pleased that it has now officially accessioned its first 297 initial items. Storage space is being sought as it is quickly becoming problematic.

The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

Julie Dickson, recording secretary