CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order by President Britt at 1:32 p.m. in the Library Board Room.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Mrs. Britt, Mr. Kawase, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Hostetter, and Mrs. Mann

Staff: Al Milo, Library Director
Chris Meyer, City Manager
Betty Schwarzkopf CPS, Administrative Secretary

Guest: Abbie Macy, Friends of the Library

MINUTES OF APRIL 24, 2003

Mr. Kawase moved and Mrs. Mann seconded that the minutes of the April 24, 2003 meeting be approved. The motion carried.

WARRANT REGISTER FOR MAY 2003:

In response to a question as to why so many payments had "Friends" on them, Director Milo explained that at the end of every fiscal year, the Library exhausts its book budget appropriation and starts spending Friends donated money. This year, the Friends donated $30,000

Mrs. Mann moved and Mrs. Johnson seconded that the warrant register in the amount of $30,396.10 be approved. The motion carried.

EXPENDITURE SUMMARY FOR MAY 2003:

Director Milo noted that 80.6 percent of the department budget has been expended with one month remaining in the fiscal year. The report was accepted and filed.

REPORTS:

1. Library Director

   Director Milo said MIS installed five new staff computers in the department and re-imaged the others. The Launer Room received a grant from Fullerton Rotary to electronically image the collection of historic photographs. Children's Library Division Manager, Carolyn Eckert, will retire on June 13. Because of the City hiring freeze, two staff members have been appointed to acting positions until the positions can be filled permanently. Kathy Dasney will be Acting Children's Services Division Manager and Cindy Corderman will be Acting Senior Librarian at the Hunt Branch. Adult Services Division Manager, Joanne Hardy, has returned to work from medical leave. Children's Services will begin the Summer Reading Program on June 16. A recognition reception for Margaret Parks will be tentatively held on June 23, at 9:30 a.m. Director Milo said the library has begun accepting credit card payments for fees and fines.

   Referring to a memo that was included in the Board agenda packets, City Manager, Chris Meyer, said there have recently been inquiries from the public regarding the Bastanchury property that the Foundation purchased and deeded to the City. The school district has held public meetings to discuss the possibility of making Beechwood School a junior high school. The school district superintendent has contacted the City Manager regarding the feasibility of purchasing or leasing the library property as part of the potential project. Mr. Meyer said any decision on the future of the property would require discussions that would include City officials, the Library Board of Trustees, the Library Foundation, and the Fullerton School District Board of Trustees. The following unanswered questions were raised during the discussion:

   1. What exactly are the terms of the Deed of Gift?
   2. What is the definition of "library purposes" mentioned in the deed?
   3. Before any sale of property, would the value of the land parcel need to be reassessed or reappraised? Who would do that?
   4. What are the advantages of leasing the land versus selling it?
   5. What are the expectations of the original donors, especially the Phelps family, the largest donor?
   6. If a lease is negotiated, how much money would be generated and where would that money go?
   7. What is the process for the sale and development of the land? Community hearings? EIR?
   8. How do you keep all interested groups (Library Board, City Council, Library Foundation, and the School Board) informed: What authority does each party have in the negotiation process?

   The written report was accepted and filed.

2. Friends of the Library

   Abbie Macy reported for President Doris Van Natta, that the Friends had provided seed money for the purchase of book bags to be sold by the library for additional revenue. However, they will not seek reimbursement as was originally agreed upon. The Friends are planning a paperback book sale for September and in October will hold their annual fall used book sale. Copies of the Friends newsletter were distributed.

3. Library Foundation

   Mrs. Johnson reported there was a discussion regarding the Bastanchury property at the recent meeting. The Foundation Board expressed concern about being included in any negotiation discussions and that the terms of the Deed of Gift be upheld. The endowment is growing and is now more than $350,000. Board President Floyd Sabins is inquiring about the availability of Target/Mervyns grant opportunities.

ACTIVITY REPORT FOR APRIL 2003:

The report was accepted and filed.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. 2003-2004 Proposed Department Budget

   Copies of the department's proposed budget containing a 5% General Fund reduction were mailed in advance to all Board members. Also mailed were copies of the Decision Packages. There was consensus among the Board members to support the department's proposed budget.

   Mr. Milo reminded the Board members that City budget hearings would begin on Monday, June 9, at 7:30 p.m. The Library presentation will follow the Community Services Department presentation. The City Council will adopt the budget at its June 17 meeting.

2. State Budget Update

   Director Milo said the State funding for the Public Library Fund (PLF) was all but eliminated in the Governor's May Revised Budget. He had written letters on behalf of the Board, to Fullerton's elected officials. Assemblywoman Daucher responded that PLF was cut but Transaction-based Reimbursements (TBR) were restored. Fullerton will not be eligible for TBR funds if it charges non-resident library card fees. The Teleconnect Program, a telephone discount for libraries, was also being cut.

ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS:

Mrs. Mann moved and Mr. Kawase seconded that donations in the amount of $620.25 be accepted. Included in this amount was $500 from Walmart in support of the Summer Reading Club. The motion was approved.

CORRESPONDENCE:

There was no correspondence to report.

BOARD MEMBER ROUND TABLE:

Mr. Hostetter said the "Faces of Fullerton" event would be held on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Museum Plaza.

Mr. Kawase speculated that when Grace Ministries opens their high school adjacent to the Hunt Branch, that they may express interest in purchasing the branch property.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Hostetter moved and Mrs. Mann seconded that the meeting adjourn at 3:25 p.m. The motion was approved.