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Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Library Director’s Office
Bozeman Public Library
November 9, 2004
4:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE
Trustees: Ron Farmer, Chair; Jerry Bancroft; Holly Brown; Marilyn King; Marcia Youngman, City Commissioner; Wendy Lewis, Foundation Development Director; Lois Dissly and Terri Dood, Staff; and Alice Meister, Director. Guests: James Goehrung, City Superintendent of Facilities and Public Lands and Walt Williams, Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:21 p.m. by Chair Farmer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the October 27, 2004 meeting were approved as submitted.
CORRESPONDENCE
Meister read public comments, which included one from a disgruntled individual who had called the Information Desk seven times to no avail but found two staff members doing “zilch” when this person came to the Library. Another was from an individual who wanted a way to know how many holds are on a book and preferred the previous Dynix system to the new Sirsi one. Another person wondered how whole series of paperbacks could just disappear, which is explained by the fact that these uncataloged paperbacks are on an exchange basis.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
Meister reported that the Friends are planning their annual meeting on November 10 to honor Bozeman author Mary Murphy, who won this year’s Montana Book Award. At their October 18 meeting, the Friends sent post cards thanking members for their renewals and inviting them to the Annual Meeting. The book sale, in conjunction with AAUW, was November 6-8. The next Farsighted series is entitled “What Muslims Need Americans to Know About Them” and will be presented on November 17 by Dr. Khalid Bekkaoui, a visiting lecturer from Fez, Morocco.
FOUNDATION REPORT
Lewis shared the news that today an anonymous donor pledged up to $1,000,000 for the new Library–a $500,000 immediate contribution, payable upon request, to name the Children’s Room and up to $500,000 additional funding, contingent upon LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification. The latter contribution should enable the Library to restore previously eliminated “green” aspects as well as increase the NorthWestern grant to $300,000. The “Hoot & Howl @ the Library” party attracted 200 people who paid $50 to buy autographed books from twelve authors. The admission price was reduced from last year; approximately $10,000 was raised before expenses. Lewis distributed a copy of an October 28th Chronicle article about
the event.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Meister reported that the monthly financial report shows 66.42% of the budget left with two-thirds of the year left to complete. In her Director’s Report, Meister noted that staff is continuing to learn how to navigate the new Sirsi circulation/cataloging system, which will be down later this month due to a planned transfer of the server from a State environment to the State Library environment. The Gallatin County Libraries Long-Range Planning Committee met on November 8 at the Belgrade Community Library; their next meeting will be February 7 at the Three Forks Community Library. The county libraries will be presenting their annual reports to the County Commissioners on December 7 at 9:00 a.m. There will be a Headwaters Library Association meeting November 13 at the newly renovated West
Yellowstone Library. Children’s Book Week will be November 15-21 with the theme of “Let’s Book!”. Special programs, including a Doctor Dolittle Party on November 16, sled dogs on November 20, and a puppet show will be featured. The next Great Decisions meeting will be November 18 on Middle East Political Reform. The Montana Center for International Visitors (MCIV) will be bringing Russian visitors to the Library November 12 for a tour. The State Library has provided funding for Liz Babbitt to attend a Virtual Reference workshop in Cincinnati, Ohio this week. The Library will be closed on November 11 for Veterans Day and November 25 for Thanksgiving.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: BUILDING PROJECT; ARCHITECT’S CONTRACT
Building Chair Bancroft stated the need for an appropriate budget for the new Library, feeling that the original $138 per square foot budgeted was inadequate for the quality building needed. He presented three versions of the building as projected by Martel Construction. Version A, a building of 53,000 square feet, would cost $9,510,000 or $179 per square foot plus $990,000 for site costs, totaling $10,500,000 or $198 per square foot. Version B, a building of 44,000 square feet, would cost $8,600,000 or $195 per square foot plus $900,000 for site costs, totaling $9,500,000 or $216 per square foot. Version C, a building of 44,000 square feet, would cost $7,600,000 or $173 per square foot plus $900,000 for site costs, totaling $8,500,000 or $193 per square foot. There would be a basement in
Versions A and B but not C, and the quality of the mechanical system would be lessened in C so that it might only last 10-12 years versus the more typical 30 year life span. After discussion, the Trustees felt that Version C was unacceptable due to the quality and quantity. Version A would bring the building back to its original programmed space and layout, eliminate some architectural fees, and be closer to the LEED certification level necessary in order to receive the additional funding from the anonymous donor. It was decided to proceed with Version A and do another bridge financing presentation to the Commissioners on either November 29 or December 6, laying out the best case for breaking ground in spring 2005. Farmer will work on hard numbers and a cash flow projection to mitigate the City’s risk for building Version A. Bancroft will get the additional costs for the LEED silver certification to Farmer. If that option fails, the
possibility of a bond referendum exists. There was discussion about selling some of the tracts south of the building foot print with the thought they wouldn’t have to be sold if the bond issue succeeds. If they do need to be sold, it is essential to preserve access to Peets Hill and develop a plan that works well with the neighborhood, possibly through the charrette process. It was also agreed to contract with the architect for phases as they are required for the project.
BOARD MEMBERS’ AND CITY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT
Commissioner Youngman will ask if the presentation can be on November 29 instead of December 6 and encourage the other Commissioners to place the Library project at the top of their goal-setting list.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was none.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m. in the Library Director’s office.
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