HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-28-12 Library Board of Trustees Minutes
Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Small Meeting Room, Lobby
Bozeman Public Library
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Minutes
Attendance Present: Board Chair Ron Farmer; Trustees Jennifer Pawlak, Judy Mathre, Jacki
McGuire, John Gallagher; Bozeman Public Library (BPL) Director, Susan Gregory; BPL
Department Heads Lois Dissly, Terri Dood; BPL Friends Vice-President David House; BPL
Foundation Director Paula Beswick.
Guests Catherine Paul; Todd Witt; Rob Pertzborn; Tim Cooper, City Attorney; Gary Gullickson;
Kathy Ball; Allyson Brekke; Sarah Anderson.
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Farmer at 4:05p.m.
Approval of Minutes Trustee Jacki McGuire moved that the minutes of the October 24, 2012,
meeting be approved. Judy Mathre seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve
the minutes.
Friends Report BPL Friends Vice-President David House reported on the Friends' activities. The
Book Sale from November 16 through 18 was a success, totaling nearly $14,000 in sales. The
Friends are seeking candidates to join their Board. They are also still working to resolve their
insurance compliance issues with Lindley Perk Coffee Shop.
Public Comment None
Harrington Building Rob Pertzborn from Intrinsik Architects presented again, his
September 26, 2012 proposal to the Board regarding parking for the Harrington Building
project for further discussion. Concerns were voiced regarding access to the proposed
parking by Library patrons, traffic impact on the surrounding neighborhood and in the
parking area, the one-way exit easement and its ownership status, LEED requirements, and
potential legal ramifications of exclusive private use of public land. Chair Farmer called for a
Action motion on whether to pursue the matter further. Trustee Judy Mathre moved to approve the
request to add parking; Trustee John Gallagher seconded it. The motion failed on a vote of
two in favor and three against.
Alley Turnaround Allyson Brekke from the City of Bozeman Planning Department requested
input from the Board on whether the Board would be interested in pursuing a turnaround on the
property adjacent to the alley on the south end of the Library property, parallel to Church Street.
Discussion followed which covered some of the history of the alley's easement and ownership status.
The Board declined to pursue the matter at this time.
Sculpture Park Sarah Anderson and Gary Gullickson from the Bozeman Sculpture Park brought a
request to the Board for their approval to attach banners to light poles in the Library's parking lot,
and expressed security concerns due to the recent vandalism in the Park. Library Director Susan
Gregory mentioned discussions she has had with the Bozeman Police Department and City Facilities
Supervisor James Goehrung regarding night-time security concerns, and steps that have been taken to
ameliorate the situation. Chair Farmer expressed interest in the banner request but asked for more
conceptual information on design of the proposed banners.
Library Depreciation Fund Tim Cooper City Attorney spoke about the Montana Attorney
General's Opinion 54, no. 7 regarding a Library Board's budgetary powers as it may or may not apply
to the Bozeman Library's Depreciation Fund. The current process of budget approval via the City
Finance Department and City Commission will remain in place.
Foundation Report Foundation Director Paula Beswick presented a report on their activities. The
Children's Festival of the Book brought over 1,000 attendees and high praise for its organization
from visiting author Jeanne DuPrau. The Foundation will be shifting some of their advertising efforts
on behalf of the Library in 2013 from newspaper to NPR radio spots. The annual fundraising appeal
letter is being printed and will be mailed out during the first week of December. The Foundation has
submitted an ALA grant request to Gale Cengage for our public theatrical reading of “8”, as well as
another for One Book One Bozeman. The annual Christmas Stroll will take place on December 1
from 2-6 pm with cookie decorating supplies donated by Rosauers and Safeway. The outdoor holiday
lights were put up haphazardly, which the company owner will rectify. The Foundation is planning
their activities and budget for 2013, and is losing two Board members to term limits. An art opening
and reception will take place on December 7 featuring works by Gary Cunningham. Paula has
ordered three more memorial park benches through Downtown Bozeman. An exhibit of MSU
engineering graduate students' projects will take place on December 14-15.
Director’s Report Susan Gregory submitted a written report to the Board due to time constraints.
She also showed to the Board a series of photographs taken by the Bozeman Police of a vandalism
incident affecting the railings along the east side of the Library. The Library's Collection
Development policy is under review and a draft will be submitted to the Board for their consideration
at the December 19 meeting. Trustee Jacki McGuire raised a question regarding maintenance costs
noted in the budget report, about which Susan said she would seek clarification. Susan also presented
the FY2014 Depreciation Fund CIP request and answered questions regarding the request.
Adjournment To accommodate a prior reservation in the conference room, Chair Farmer adjourned
the meeting at 6:08pm.