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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Oro Valley Public Library Review Committee - 4/6/2009 MINUTES TOWN OF ORO VALLEY ORO VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY (OVPL) REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION APRIL 6, 2009 11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:30 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Attendees: Sharla Darby, Wheeler Taft Abbet Branch Library Manager Mary Kim Dodson, OVPL Librarian Alisdair Innes, Committee Member Joseph "J.R." Johnson, Committee Member Jayne Kuennemeier, Committee Co-Chair Nancy Ledeboer, Pima County Library Director Doug McKee, Committee Chair Susan Mears, Committee Member John Musolf, Committee Member Kathy Pastryk, Committee Member(arrived after start of meeting) Jane Peterson, OVPL Administrator (arrived after start of meeting) Clarence "Gene" Riser, Committee Member Joe Andrews, Chief Civil Deputy Town Attorney Arinda Asper, Recording Secretary Absent: Joy Nelson, Committee Member Public Attendees: Evan Wise; Bill Adler Discussion Points o ACTION: March 23, 2009 meeting minutes were approved with no changes. o Chair McKee discussed definition and comparison of library service levels. o Ms. Ledeboer presented a chart comparing library service levels. Chair McKee asked if OVPL could provide similar statistics. Ms. Ledeboer explained that the data in the chart is all inclusive to the Pima Library System, and a comparison to OVPL might not be meaningful (the County's library budget is all inclusive, while the City's and Oro Valley's libraries budgets do not include all their expenditures). o Chair McKee asked committee members to offer comments and opinions on whether the OVPL's level of service was superior to, equal to, or inferior to the County libraries' level of service. The consensus was that the OVPL is equal to or better than the Pima County libraries. o Chair McKee introduced 6 guiding principles: • Reduce/eliminate library impact on General Fund • Restore equity of Library District Tax to benefits for OV residents • Maintain sense of ownership by volunteers, Friends and users • Continue access to County-wide collections • Maintain current level of service • Continue availability of OVPL for all County residents o Ms. Ledeboer cautioned that while the committee is acting in good faith, there is the danger that negotiations could erode if the County Library District perceives that Oro Valley is making too many demands. Ms. Mears asked how the committee could make recommendations if the County's intentions are not known. Ms. Ledeboer said that negotiations between the OV Town Manager and the Pima County Administrator are 04/06/09 Minutes, Ulu Valley Public Library Review Committee 2 crucial, as the Board of Supervisors will make their decision based on the administrators' input. Mr. Andrews added that while the Town's position is that we are part of the Library District, the County attorneys disagree, and we have been operating on this delicate balance. o The committee discussed the committee's recommendation alternatives and concluded that the last two alternatives were not a good probability: • Continue under IGA with only minor cost improvements; • Continue under IGA with a new source of dedicated revenue to eliminate/reduce negative impact on Town's General Fund; • Renegotiate IGA to increase reimbursements to 100% of operating expense; • Turn over to Pima County; • Go it Alone—with no State law changes; • Go it Alone — with change in State law to allow cities and towns to set a separate library district without being taxed by County District. o In response to discussion, Mr. Andrews pointed out the following. • The tax amounts paid by Oro Valley residents would not change if the Library goes to the County and, because of higher property values, Oro Valley residents pay more taxes than other Pima County residents. • Oro Valley and Pima County each have a 50% interest in the Library building. • If the Library building ceases to operate as a library, Pima County would have to be reimbursed for their 50% interest. • Given the option to renegotiate or terminate IGA, it would be preferable (cleaner) to terminate the old IGA and enter into a new IGA. o Co-chair Kuennemeier said she saw no reason why Pima County would pay additional reimbursement costs to Oro Valley. Ms. Peterson said the Town Manager seemed to feel Pima County might do this in the spirit of regional cooperation. Ms. Ledeboer pointed out that when the City/County transfer occurred, Pima County's position was that if they were to fully fund then they would also have full responsibility. o Committee appointed three sub-committees, which will each offer their perspective and opinions. The subcommittees will email their reports to Ms. Asper by April 16th so they can be distributed to the committee. • Co-chair Kuennemeier, Mr. Innes and Mr. Johnson will explore and report on the recommendation to maintain the OVPL's affiliate status. • Ms. Pastryk and Mr. Musolf will explore and report on the recommendation to turn the OVPL to Pima County. • Chair McKee will explore and report on recommendation to go it alone. o Chair McKee will present the committee's fact findings to date at the April 8th Town Council meeting. In preparation for this, Chair McKee, Co-Chair Kuennemeier, Mr. Riser and Mr. Musolf will meet and discuss the presentation on April 7th o Future Agenda Items • Reports from three subcommittees • Report to Town Council • Human Resources Analysis Next Meeting: Monday, April 20, 2009 @ 5:30 p.m. —Town of Oro Valley (Hopi Conference Room) Adjournment: Motion was made, and seconded, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Prep red by: 110(ikz‘-eki . . Arinda Asper Senior Office Specialist