Loading...
02-06-2007 LIBRARY BOARD EDGEWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 2007 3:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Haughwout called the Regular Meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. at the Edgewater Public Library. 2. ROLL CALL Members present were: Chairwoman Jean Haughwout, Marie Goodrich, Anne McDevitt, Laverna McGinnis, Delores Shaw and Barbaradale Gilmore. Irene Mackie was excused. Also present were Head Librarian Ruth McCormack and Recording Secretary Lisa Bloomer. Kelly Cuculiansky, News Journal arrived at 3:48 p.m. and left at 4:10 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Regular Meeting of October 3, 2006 B. Special Meeting of November 14, 2006 Ms. McDevitt thanked Recording Secretary Bloomer for making the minutes so detailed. Ms. Shaw moved to approve the October 3,2006 and November 14, 2006 minutes, second by Ms. McGinnis . The MOTION CARRIED 6-0 . 4. REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN Ms. McCormack passed out and went over her Librarian’s report with regard to budget cuts and it not having a negative impact on Edgewater’s Library. She also commented on the capital improvement projects that will be completed this year as well as the circulation and door count figures. (Attached) Ms. McCormack then went over the 2007 Annual Statistical Report for January for the Edgewater Library. (Attached) Page 1 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007 5. COMMUNICATIONS There were no Communications at this time. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Update regarding the acquisition of property from City Council Meeting of January 8, 2007 Chairwoman Haughwout stated they went to the last Council meeting and it was suggested that the City Manager, Mayor herself and the people that own the house meet, with not much direction. In other words, meet and negotiate. They met and didn’t get very far. At the meeting the people on the Council saw the appraisal and were not to ready to do anything as far as negotiate beyond the appraisal. The appraisal was for $158,000 and that was what the offer was. She spoke of houses selling for more than the appraisal. When you are buying property in a prime location, sometimes you have to go beyond the appraisal. She wasn’t sure if the Council would do that or not. The offer was $158,000. They were holding at $200,000 but they did come down back at $189,000 and that is where they are at right now. They have not moved. They are going back to the Council to see if they will reconsider or what they will do. The Council does not give a lot of direction and they leave it up to City Manager Williams. They are going back to the same thing with the last Council. It is the same situation and the same scenario. There is no money available. Ms. McCormack asked if the City made a counter offer. Chairwoman Haughwout stated nothing has happened today. They don’t have the money to back them up right now. There is just no money available. When she left the meeting she was under the impression they could get possibly some money from the Shuffleboard and racquetball courts. There are a few options out there. City Manager Williams told her he sent the plans for the existing Library to Quentin Hampton to see what their feeling is of putting a second story. She thought they were thinking of doing the Library on the second floor and City Hall underneath. Ms. McCormack stated it wouldn’t give her much of an expansion. They would still have the same problem of the parking. Chairwoman Haughwout stated they are still talking about buying three properties possibly. If the gentleman decides he is going to hold out for a certain price and the other Page 2 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007 gentleman holds out for a certain price, they are all sitting there waiting to see hat is going to happen. The City is not in a position right now to do anything. They have a couple of options. At least he has moved ahead to see if they can put a second story on there. She also mentioned the 35-foot height limit. If they go with a second story, can they stay under the 35 feet? She felt eventually this was going to have to come up for a vote from the public. At the end of the year they are going to vote whether they want to spend ex-amount of dollars for a City Hall, Library expansion whatever. She felt that was what they were possibly looking towards. Right now they just don’t know where the money is coming from. Ms. McGinnis expressed concern with losing the properties by the end of the year. Chairwoman Haughwout felt if they could get this one and take their time and work on the next one. That would be good but where is the financing coming from. She encouraged the board to get back in touch with their Councilpeople to see if they will budge. Ms. Gilmore stated they don’t seem to want to budget. Ms. McDevitt asked if anybody talked about bank financing. Ms. McCormack stated they brought that up as an option. Chairwoman Haughwout stated if they do that, it could possibly be grouped altogether and get financing. Ms. McCormack felt what City Manager Williams was presenting at the City Council Meeting was financing for the piece of property to the east of them plus the two houses to the west and get it all at one time. That wasn’t discussed at any length but they wanted to go back and discuss with the seller, which she understood. It sounded a little as if they knew they were asking quite a bit more than it was worth and intended to hold out for that price. They will have to see what happens. Ms. Goodrich stated even if they could get it at the $158,000 would they have the money. Chairwoman Haughwout stated that is the other question. Ms. Gilmore asked if the $158,000 was per property. Ms. McCormack stated they are only talking about one for sale. Chairwoman Haughwout mentioned going through this when they were doing the sewers and paving in Florida Shores. For years everyone said they needed to pave the streets and put in sewer but the people didn’t want to pay because nobody wants to pay for what they get. Anyone that lives in Florida Shores now is paying she believed $357 per year on Page 3 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007 their tax bill for the sewer and paving. It didn’t have to be that way but they waited and waited. She questioned how many years the people in Florida Shores have been paying that. They didn’t want to pay it before. It is always pay me now or pay me later. You have to pay it sometime. It is the same thing here. If they don’t buy that property now, they will buy it but it will be three times the amount it is now. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and buy it. This is prime property. They need a land bank but they don’t have the money. Ms. McDevitt stated she didn’t understand why they are in her estimation complicating it by bundling the deal and do more than one property. They have approached them about that house and said that is a deal they think the City should take. She asked who is saying they should do three properties and finance the whole thing and complicating it. Chairwoman Haughwout stated that was what City Manager Williams mentioned and it does make business sense to buy the three of them together because what can you do with one property. You can’t do anything with it. Ms. McDevitt stated but that is the bargain and it isn’t a huge amount of money if they are just looking at the one. It is a huge amount of money if they try and buy all three at once. The optimal time to buy that house is now. Chairwoman Haughwout stated they were talking about condemnation today. If they talk about condemnation they are going to end up paying three times the amount. Ms. McDevitt asked if they have to go with the appraised value if they do that. Chairwoman Haughwout informed her no. Ms. Gilmore suggested tearing that house down and put in a parking facility. They aren’t going to like it and it will decrease their value, not increase their value. There is a way to get them to say okay back off. She doubted they would want to raise their price if a parking lot started going in there. Chairwoman Haughwout commented on the one house being in a move in condition but eventually all of the homes are going to be torn down. She commented on problems at City Hall with mildew and mold that have to be taken care of. Ms. McCormack stated it is going to be discussed again at the next City Council Meeting. Chairwoman Haughwout thought it would come under either the Mayor‘s report or the City Manager’s report. Ms. McCormack felt it was important for them to have an entourage down there. She can get a few of Page 4 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007 their key customers who have written letters for them in the past to see if they would come in and speak on their behalf also. It isn’t just a piece of property. They are talking about not just the value to them, but the value to us. The value to us is greater than that appraised value. If they don’t wind up being able to purchase those properties at all they are going to have to go some place else and the sellers know that so they are asking for a little bit more money. Whether it is $189,000 or $169,000 that isn’t that much a difference in the amount of money they are going to have to locate some place. She got the impression at the Council meeting if they wanted to they could make it happen. They looked at three different scenarios. They have to let them know that the Board and the public is behind it. Ever since it was started in the newspapers, they have heard nothing but positive comments from their customers. All supporting the fact they are going to need to grow. The City is growing and they are going to need to grow. Ms. McDevitt asked when the next meeting was. Chairwoman th Haughwout informed her March 5 but they won’t be on the agenda. It is going to be under the Mayor’s report or at the end of the meeting. Ms. McCormack stated it would probably be the last part of the meeting. Chairwoman Haughwout thought it would be around 9:00. Ms. McCormack stated they could still say what they wanted to say during the first Citizen Comment section. She felt they needed some urging to come back with a counter offer and let’s get some negotiation happening there. She felt with a counter offer they would make some progress. Chairwoman Haughwout stated City Manager Williams isn’t getting answers from the Council. Everything is Jon you do this and Jon you do that. Ms. McCormack stated they gave him direction to pursue negotiations. She suggested coaxing City Manager Williams to having one more go at it before the next Council meeting to at least come back with a counter offer. She questioned if he doesn’t feel like he is at liberty to make a counter offer. Chairwoman Haughwout commented on the contract only being signed by th the seller. They decided that March 5 they would bring that up at the meeting. They asked if they wanted to write that in the contract. She pointed out it wouldn’t make a difference due to being a one sided contract. They shook th hands and agree they would wait until March 5 for an answer. She believed City Manager Williams was waiting for Page 5 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007 them to come down a little bit. She doesn’t know whether they will come down or not. She spoke of a comment that was made that if they came down a little would that make any difference. She didn’t know if it would make a difference and again questioned where the money was coming from. If it’s not there, it’s not there for any amount. Ms. Goodrich asked about there not being enough time to apply for grants. Chairwoman Haughwout informed her not to buy the property. Once they get the property, the grants will come into affect and the Library and the Friends will raise money for the Library. Ms. McCormack stated they have construction grants but they don’t have grants out there for purchase. Chairwoman Haughwout stated there isn’t any way they could do that because when you purchase a property, you put a deposit down and you pay for the property within a couple of months. They can’t get a grant in a couple of months. Ms. McCormack stated the City wants to own the property. It won’t be the County owning it. Chairwoman Haughwout stated the County won’t get involved with it anyway. The City has approached the County and she said they didn’t want the County involved anyhow other than doing the staff. Neither the City or the County has any money. They are all cutting back. Chairwoman Haughwout stated the 35 feet goes from the crown of the road that the building faces. It was mentioned today whether they would fit into that limit or not. Ms. McCormack stated the crown of SR 442 is considerably lower than the floor. They are probably right there already. In that case, to build a two-story building would have to go before the voters. Ms. McCormack stated that wasn’t their original plan anyway. That is putting the cart before the horse to try to come up with a design plan to incorporate City Hall in the same facility, before they even have the property. That is a completely different ballgame. That decision wouldn’t be just them trying to sell folks on the idea. That is a much bigger issue. Chairwoman Haughwout stated the story changes every day. It really is important to go to the Council meeting. It is worth their while to sit and listen and know what is going on, who is running this City and what they are saying and not saying. There are some people that go to every meeting. You have to speak kindly and be positive. She feels the Council gets tired of hearing the same people at Page 6 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007 every single meeting be negative and critical. It is an experience to go. Ms. McCormack stated they would get a reminder out to people beforehand and kind of an update again on whether they think they stand at that point in time. Chairwoman Haughwout stated they really needed to talk to the Councilpeople again and get some input from them and help them understand the importance of trying to work this out. She knows they need policemen and firemen and they aren’t going to cut them out. They are working on different things. Hopefully there will be some money in there to do something. She urged the Board to read the paper every day because the newspaper tells about different things they are doing. Just recently they had a Strategic Planning Session. She didn’t know how positive it was and how much came out of it. You have to read through the lines and see. They set priorities and she didn’t know if the Library was mentioned in those priorities. Ms. Gilmore mentioned the Animal Shelter and City Hall. Chairwoman Haughwout stated the Animal Shelter has been forever trying to get that together and they don’t happen quickly. Ms. Gilmore commented the Shuffleboard people being very upset because they have to go to New Smyrna. Ms. McCormack hoped the Board would be able to lend backup support and hoped they saw the value of that piece of property. They will still have this Library for many years to come they are just looking toward the future and not having to pay a half a million dollars for a piece of property. Their thinking was if they could get it as it becomes available they could hold onto it until they are ready for an expansion project. Hopefully they can persuade someone to come down a little and someone to come up a little and meet in the middle. Ms. McDevitt stated it is called negotiate. Ms. McGinnis thanked Chairwoman Haughwout for all her efforts. Chairwoman Haughwout stated she tried to stay in it because she knew as the City was trying to negotiate with them it wasn’t going to get together. She spoke of people giving up part of their work and part of their lunch hour to meet. Ms. McCormack spoke of there usually being negotiation coming from both sides. If you were wanting to Page 7 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007 purchase a property and they said it is $189,000 and you said you didn’t want it for $189,000 and asked what they would give it to you for isn’t normally the way it works. A person isn’t too likely to drop the price just because you say can’t you drop the price. Chairwoman Haughwout stated the point was made, and it wasn’t said directly, that even if it was $160,000 where is the money coming from. It may have to wait until the end of the year. The people may have to rent it and if they rent it they are going to have to do something with that house because they can’t rent it the way is and they are going to have to meet all of the City restrictions. She mentioned the permitting they would have to go through. Chairwoman Haughwout stated they say you can’t fight City Hall. She commended City Manager Williams for doing a wonderful job. She wouldn’t want to be in his shoes. He has a lot on his plate. She told the Board if anyone had any ideas to pass them on. If some of the Board members didn’t want to speak and they knew a neighbor that would be willing to speak that they felt would be helpful, she felt that would be great too. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion regarding Volunteer Luncheon Chairwoman Haughwout asked if they had a date set for the luncheon. Ms. McCormack went and got her calendar and rd determined they had a date of Tuesday, April 3 at 11:30 a.m. The Board then discussed the menu. They decided to stay with the same menu as last year. Chairwoman Haughwout stated they had ham, potato salad, beans, tossed salad, jello salad, rolls, and iced tea. After some discussion it was decided Ms. Goodrich and Ms. McGinnis would make the potato salad. Ms. McDevitt agreed to do the beans and the tossed salad. Ms. Shaw agreed to do the fruit and jello salad and the plates, cups, silverware and napkins. Ms. Gilmore agreed to bring the ham, mayonnaise and mustard. Ms. McCormack agreed to bring the rolls, sliced cheese, coffee and creamer. She also agreed to get tea on behalf of Mrs. Mackie. Chairwoman Page 8 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007 Haughwout agreed to make the cake. Recording Secretary Bloomer agreed to bring the ice. Chairwoman Haughwout asked about the program. Ms. McCormack stated she might have the Children’s folks that they have been touring to the schools. They act out a couple of stories and they do a real good job. Ms. Shaw informed the Board they had a tentative theme of “Volunteers are the Spice of Life”. The Board decided to arrive at 11:00 or earlier to help with the preparations. Chairwoman Haughwout asked about invitations. Ms. McCormack stated Mike Knievel is now the permanent Community Service Director. The new Library Director is Lucinda Colee. She was the head librarian at the main branch for quite some time. Normally they invite the Library Director, the Community Service Director, Eva Williams, the Chairperson of the County Advisory Board, and Suzan Howes. They have in the past normally invited the Mayor. If that was all right with everybody they would stick with that. Ms. McDevitt asked if they should invite City Manager Williams since he has been working on their behalf. The Board agreed it would be a very good idea. Ms. McDevitt wanted him to see how vital the workings are. Ms. Goodrich asked what happened to Reggie Williams. Ms. McCormack informed her he is now the director of the Department of Children & Families with the State. Ms. McCormack agreed to take care of the invitations. She commented on the County giving them $4 per active volunteer so they can take care of the place settings, table settings, cups and plates. Anyone who wishes to submit receipts after they have taken care of the decorating tasks, then she can reimburse the Board. They don’t usually have enough to reimburse everyone for every item. She encouraged them to give her the receipts for the big items first. 8. MISCELLANEOUS Ms. Shaw asked if they had another meeting scheduled. The th next meeting is scheduled for March 6 at 3:30 p.m. at the Edgewater Public Library. Page 9 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Chairwoman Haughwout adjourned the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lisa Bloomer Page 10 of 10 RegularMeeting February 5, 2007