December 19, 2006 Minutes
Board of Trustees
Fargo Public Library
Minutes of December 19, 2006
Present: Prakash Mathew, Helen Levitt, Suzanne Morrison, Herb Snyder, Richard Zeck, Gale Chapman
Absent: Leo Wilking
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Liaison: Carol Sawicki
Staff: Monique Andresen, Tom Fortin, Eve Haaland, Beth Postema
Others Present: City Commissioner Linda Coates, City Administrator Pat Zavoral, architects Jack Polling and Richard Moorhead, City Engineer Mark Bittner, and media
Order of Agenda
The order of the agenda was approved with no additions or corrections.
Minutes
Herb Snyder moved to approve the minutes of November 21, 2006. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Continuing Business
A. Presentation of construction drawings for new main library
Jack Polling of MS&R stated the architectural drawings are 90% complete. The design is two floors with an expanded bay to the north and east on the skeleton of the existing building. The north and south will be mostly glass instead of granite to open up the building. The glass has layers with coatings to reduce heat gain and provide an energy efficient skin to the building. The west side will be mostly granite consisting of a loading dock and book drop. For traffic safety, the entrance on the west side was positioned further north of the intersection with an internal turn around. The north, east, and west sides have expansion possibilities.
The design has a proposed canopy stretching over Third Street. The granite will be reused as a walkway in and outside of the library. Also proposed was a speed bump or table which may cause problems for snow removal equipment. In other areas of the community the tables have been more of a launching zone than a speed deterrent. Mark Bittner recommends an island in Third Street for pedestrian safety. An added drop off area widens Third Street and an island would offer a place to harbor while crossing.
The lobby will contain some of the existing granite as well as a new glass mosaic of an outdoor scene. The three meeting rooms and staff areas will have muted colors. The children’s area will be brilliant with a wide range of color. The teen area will be away from the children’s area but close to the service desk. The upper level public service area will have a grid of carpet, with granite on the floor to the service desk and wood floors around the perimeter.
A Wellspring water feature will be included in the outer lobby along one wall. Signage will be on the southwest and east sides of the building. The canopy and penthouse will have the potential to hold a green roof. This is not an element at this time, but the structural capacity is there for a 10,000 square foot green roof.
Drawings will be complete approximately January 5, 2007.
Helen Levitt moved to approve the plan of the main library and to authorize to go to bid. Herb Snyder seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Staff Report
Jake Fejedelem has resigned from the library with his last day January 3. Eve Haaland is the new staff representative for the board meetings.
Director’s Report
A farewell reception is happening at the library from 3:00 to 8:00 today sponsored by the Friends. People are encouraged to write their memories on the display wall in the lobby. Ongoing conversations are happening regarding the USS Fargo model currently in the lobby. Staff members are hard at work to make the move happen.
Statistical Reports
The new door counter was faulty and will be replaced. Through November the expenditures are under budget for the year. Revenues from fines and copying exceeded expectations.
Friends of the Fargo Public Library Report
Carol Sawicki reported the Friends have approximately $22,550 in their treasury with about $4,000 in outstanding approved funding requests. The Northport staff room will be the new Friends meeting space. Approximately 9.000 discarded books that did not sell at the last book sale were boxed into 300 boxes to be sent to Better World Books. Michael Sebille is no longer on the Board of the Friends and has resigned from the Building Committee.
New Business
A. Holiday closing schedule for 2007
Herb Snyder moved to approve the holiday closing schedule including January 1, February 19, April 6, April 8, May 28, July 4, September 3, November 12, November 22, and December 25. Richard Zeck seconded the motion; the motion carried.
B. Library Board meeting schedule for 2007
Suzanne Morrison moved to approve the Board meeting schedule as the third Tuesday of every month. Helen Levitt seconded the motion; the motion carried.
Public Comment
Happy Holidays!
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission room. The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Andresen