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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 12-19 Library MinutesCITY OF APACHE JUNCTION LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES 122 East 2nd Avenue December 19, 1983 A special ,meeting of the Apache Junction Library Board of Trustees was held on December 19, 1983, at 4:32 p.m. in the Chamber of Commerce pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Roll Call: Present Jan Hiller Margaret Hammer Eleanor Lewis Ruby Forsberg Alice Polomskey Staff:Pamela Loui, Librarian Michael McNulty, City Manager Absent Hazel Eldridge Others Present:Wendell Clarke, Mayor •Dorthy Daniels, President, Friends of the Library Elizabeth Burks, Vice President, Friends of the Library Acceptance of Agenda:A Motion was made by Eleanor Lewis, seconded by Ruby Forsberg to accept the agenda as presented. Passed un- animously. Discussion: A. Roles of the city, the city Pamela Loui, Librarian described the the city council and the Library operation of the library, and opened Board in administration of the the discussion. library.Eleanor Lewis, board member, said the Library Board is responsible for set- ting policy, drawing up the budget and making recommendations to the City Council.She said the library is a se- parate entity, except for the appropria- tion of funds. Mayor Wendell Clarke said the City Council has not tried to get involved in the actual operation of the Library and he saw no reason why it should. However, he said the appropriation of •funds for the library is a Council mat- ter. "The library budget has grown from a six- month budget in 1982 of $12,000 to the $43,000 budget for 19837 the Mayor said, adding that if a new building is provided, more funds will be necessary.He said the City is struggling under State -spending limitations to make "ends meet". He said $7,000 was added to the Library fund for 1983, but he could not promise the Board it Would get all it asks for in 1984.Each city departments's needs must be considered in the next budget, and a new emphasis must be placed on funds for emergencies because "in the last budget we cut ourselves thin." The Mayor asked that the Library Board itemize its budget in detail and be sure to emphasize its priorities. Michael McNulty, City Manager said under the State law, the city can levy 1.5 mills •on all taxable property in the city for library purposes exclusively.Additional •support from the general fund must be ap- proved by the City Council, he said. The Librarian, in the administration of the B.Proposed new library: CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES 122 East 2nd Avenue December 19, 1983 Page 2 [con't] library, operates under the direction of the Library Board, he said. Pamela Loui asked about the disposition of funds received as gifts to the library and monies raised by the Friends of the Library. She said the money is placed in the special Library Fund, but in the past, the amount of gift money has been deducted from the next budget approved by the council. Members of the library seemed to agree that such a practice has a tendency to dry up funds which might otherwise by donated because .the money becomes just a gift to the City and not the library. Both the Mayor and City Manager said it seemed to them that no such deduction should be made from funds appropriated by the Coun- cil. Mr McNulty said he felt thatgifts and donat- ions to the library should not be consider- ed a part of the budget, and should be treat ed in the same way as federal grants to cit- ies which are not considered a part of the limitations on spending required under State Statutes.The Mayor and City Manager agreed to research the question and report back to the Library Board.. Mr. McNulty advised the board that the City would supply the library with workers at no cost to the library to do maintenance and other necessary jobs.The subject of the new book drop came up and some members of the board said previous work done by City crews was "amateurish". The City Manager said the expertise is there and if the job is not done right, it will be done over. Mayor Clarke said he thinks there is strong support amoung City Council members for a new library, and he hopes the City,can con- struct a new library within two years. The first order of business is an appraisal of the present library property, he said, and a decision about a site.The new library could be sited nest to the new Chamber of Commerce building, or it could be on other land nearby where a City building complex is contemplated.If the Home Rule Referen- dum is passed in the next year or so, fin- ancing a library would be simplified, he said.He estimated itscost would be bet- $150,000 and $200,000. City Manager McNulty said he would like to see a library built before a City Complex is undertaken and he would favor a separate building. Pamela Loui asked how funds for a Library building might be handled, and if she or the Library Board would be consulted on plans for a new building. Two suggestions were made about how donated funds might be held.The first, special Library Building Fund set up by the City and second, funds raised by the Friends of the Library could be placed in trust for the building. The Mayor and City Manager agreed there would be involvement by the Library Board CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES 122 East 2nd Avenue December 19, 1983 Page 3 [con't] and the "professional" [Librarian] when architectural plans are drawn for a library. Pamela Loui said the newly -introduced teens program by the library seemed to be creat- ing interest among the young people. She wondered if staff might develop a pro- gram for the elderly.The question of space for the program was discussed.The library rooms were considered too small. Ruby Forsberg said the Chamber of Commerce hall could be used. Two programs were mentioned, one on well witching and another on arid plants of the desert. Adjournment:Meeting was adjourned. cX?ce__;et.L entC Z- Secretary /11-4,2-471-44