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OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
COUNCIL MINUTES
December 3, 2009
The City Council of the City of Mesa met in a Study Session in the lower level meeting room of the Council Chambers, 57 East 1st Street, on December 3, 2009 at 7:30 a.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT |
COUNCIL ABSENT |
OFFICERS PRESENT |
Mayor Scott Smith |
None |
Christopher Brady |
Alex Finter |
Debbie Spinner | |
Dina Higgins |
Linda Crocker | |
Kyle Jones |
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Dennis Kavanaugh |
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Dave Richins |
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Scott Somers |
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1. Review items on the agenda for the December 7, 2009 Regular Council Meeting.
All of the items on the agenda were reviewed among Council and staff and the following was noted:
Conflicts of interest declared: None
Items added to the consent agenda: None
Items deleted from the consent agenda: 6d
2. Hear a presentation, discuss and provide direction on the Express Library pilot project.
Library Director Heather Wolf addressed the Council and introduced Assistant Library Director Kate Havris.
Ms. Wolf displayed a PowerPoint presentation (See Attachment 1) and reported that staff’s proposal for an Express Library pilot project would allow the City to operate a storefront library in southeast Mesa three days a week. She explained that the facility, which would be minimally staffed, would also offer a sampling of all the materials, information and technology available throughout Mesa’s library system.
Ms. Wolf highlighted the major components of the Express Library as follows:
• Locate in a storefront with approximately 2,500 square feet
• Limited hours (Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Self service – Books would be checked in and out by customers
• Minimal staff (2) supported by volunteers
Discussion ensued relative to the fact that the Master Library Facilities Plan, which was developed in 2002, identified Mesa’s current and future library needs; that one of Plan’s recommendations was that a branch library be located in southeast Mesa; that the current service area, which has a population of approximately 78,000 residents, is not in close proximity to an existing library; and that the population consists of typical library users (i.e., children and older adults).
Ms. Wolf advised that Guadalupe and Hawes Roads is the preferred site for the Express Library and meets the above-listed criteria. She also cited additional factors that staff considered in selecting this particular location. (See Page 3 of Attachment 1)
Ms. Wolf further reported that staff proposes to use $677,000 of available bond and impact fee monies to furnish and equip the Express Library. She explained that those monies can only be used to purchase capital items for the expansion of library services for a new population. Ms. Wolf commented that $45,000 would be used for location improvements and said that if the facility moved to a different location in the future, 94% of the initial investment would transfer to the new site.
Ms. Wolf also remarked that the operational costs (i.e., rent, utilities, custodial) for the Express Library would be paid with Used Book Sale funds. She advised that the fund contains $74,000 and noted that the library generates an estimated $4,000 to $5,000 in sales annually.
Additional discussion ensued relative to the fact that as part of the Library’s new service model, the salaries from vacant Librarian positions have been reallocated to create new Library Assistant and Library Page positions; that such efforts have resulted in a gain of 2.3 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs); that staff proposes to assign those individuals to staff the Express Library; and that the impact to the other branches would be minimized by rotating coverage among existing staff.
Ms. Wolf advised that in the first year of operation, staff would consider the Express Library pilot project a success if they issued 1,200 library cards, had 15,000 customers visit the facility and checked out 35,000 items. She added that pending Council approval, the Express Library would tentatively open in May 2010.
Councilmember Kavanaugh stated that staff’s proposal is not only a great example of creativity and innovation, but also an appropriate use of impact fees that are paid by Mesa residents for the expansion of library services. He also acknowledged the Library’s efforts to respond to the City’s budget reductions in the last few years.
It was moved by Council Kavanaugh, seconded by Councilmember Somers, that staff’s recommendation be approved.
Councilmember Somers commented that he likens the Express Library to ASU Polytechnic’s library, which maintains only those books that are directly relevant to the services that the college provides. He stated that he could foresee a problem with the facility being open only three days a week and suggested that perhaps the City could partner with a private business, such as a coffee shop, in order to attract more customers and possibly increase the library’s hours of operation.
Ms. Wolf responded that her office is exploring similar options to the one suggested by Councilmember Somers. She noted that in speaking with staff from the Office of Economic Development. they recommended that the City operate the Express Library for six months to a year, after which time the Library would have compiled sufficient data regarding the success of the program that could be shared with a potential partner.
Further discussion ensued relative to the fact that property owners in Maricopa County, as part of their annual tax assessment, pay a Library District tax; that such funds are allocated to the Maricopa County Library District, which operates its own library system; that the District offers a Reciprocal Borrowing Program, which allows residents from one community to use libraries in other communities free of charge; that based on the net usage of a particular facility, the library is reimbursed by the Library District; that in FY 08/09, an estimated 16,000 Mesa residents obtained a Gilbert library card from the Southeast Regional Library; and that as a result, Mesa received no reimbursement from the Library District.
Councilmember Finter congratulated staff for their leadership, innovation and the ability to extend library services to the community under difficult economic circumstances. He stated that the Library has become “a model” for other City departments as a result of its creativity and resourcefulness.
Mayor Smith commented that despite the significant budget reductions that have impacted the Library in the past few years, staff has continued to explore creative and innovative options to “not only survive, but thrive.” He thanked Ms. Wolf and her staff for their contributions to the citizens of Mesa.
Mayor Smith called the vote.
Carried unanimously.
Mayor Smith thanked everyone for the presentation.
3. Acknowledge receipt of minutes of various boards and committees.
a. Transportation Advisory Board meeting held September 15, 2009
b. Central Mesa Light Rail Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting held October 6, 2009
c. Board of Adjustment meeting held October 13, 2009
It was moved by Vice Mayor Jones, seconded by Councilmember Somers, that the above-listed minutes be acknowledged.
Carried unanimously.
4. Hear reports on meetings and/or conferences attended.
Councilmember Kavanaugh: Mesa Public Schools Governing Board meeting
Councilmember Somers: Interviewed on Mesa Channel 11’s “Mesa Now;” Discussed District 6 issues on Mesa City Radio
Councilmember Finter: “Morning of Service” event in District 2
Vice Mayor Jones: Central Mesa Light Rail Stakeholder Advisory Committee
Councilmember Higgins: Attended a fundraiser for Sunshine Acres
Mayor Smith: “Mesa Sports Hall of Fame” Breakfast; Guest narrator for a production of “Tubby the Tuba,” which was performed by the Symphony of the Southwest
Vice Mayor Jones stated that on December 4, 2009 at 12:00 p.m., students from Lincoln Elementary School will join volunteers from the Jackson White law firm for a cleanup of Guerrero Rotary Park.
5. Scheduling of meetings and general information.
City Manager Christopher Brady stated that the meeting schedule is as follows:
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 8:00 a.m. – District 3 Pancake Breakfast and Holiday Toy Drive, Fire Station 207
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 8:00 a.m. – Household Appliances Recycling Event, 2412 North Center Street
Monday, December 7, 2009, TBD – Study Session
Monday, December 7, 2009, 5:45 p.m. – Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – CMC Steel Grand Opening
Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 6:00 p.m. – Joint Meeting with the Town of Gilbert
6. Items from citizens present.
There were no items from citizens present.
7. Convene an Executive Session.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Jones, seconded by Councilmember Somers, that the Council adjourn the Study Session at 8:59 a.m. and enter into an Executive Session.
Carried unanimously.
a. Discussion or consultation with the City Attorney in order to consider the City’s position and instruct the City Attorney regarding the City’s position regarding contracts that are the subject of negotiations, in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation. (A.R.S. §38-431-03A (4))
1. Professional Medical Transport, Inc. v. Mesa, CV2009-036093
2. Baldenegro v. Mesa, CV 2008-090317
8. Adjournment.
Without objection, the Executive Session adjourned at 9:43 a.m.
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SCOTT SMITH, MAYOR
ATTEST:
_______________________________
LINDA CROCKER, CITY CLERK
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Study Session of the City Council of Mesa, Arizona, held on the 3rd day of December, 2009. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
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LINDA CROCKER, CITY CLERK
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Attachment (1)