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HomeMy WebLinkAbout111296 Library Workshop Minutes MINUTES OF A LIBRARY STUDY WORKSHOP OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA HELD NOVEMBER 12,1996 The workshop meeting of Temecula City Council was called to order at 12: 1 0 P.M. at Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. Mayor Karel F. Lindemans presiding. PRESENT: 5 COUNCILNffiMBERS: Birdsall, Ford, Lindemans, Roberts, Stone ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Also present were City Manager Ronald Bradley, Ron Stump, Riverside County, Judy Winkler, City of Lake Elsinore, and Joyce Bender, Friends of the Library. PUBLIC COMMENTS None given. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1.Discussion of Library Study Allie Kuhns introduced John Heiss of David M. Griffith & Associates who is developing an evaluation of existing library services and proposing alternatives. Mr. Heiss stated he is gathering information, looking at where the City stands relative to library service, determining what in the existing library service is working well and what is not; listening to what the Council would like to see change; and planning a couple of community meetings in Temecula and Lake Elsinore to get public input. Alternatives which will show impact, how community growth is affected, etc. will be developed. Mayor Pro Tem Birdsall clarified the study was initially approved as a joint effort between the Cities of Lake Elsinore, Murrieta and Temecula and the County of Riverside. The City of Murrieta has withdrawn as far as funding, but has stated they will participate in gathering information. The City of Lake Elsinore is taking the proposal to their City Council Tuesday, November 12, 1996. Councilmember Stone stated he would like to find an latemate site for the library. He is not displeased with the library, but when financial support was withdrawn, a task force was developed to determine if Temecula could independently manage a library system. City Council Minutes November 12, 1996 Councilmember Stone discussed the Montjoy bill which returned 100% of the library portion of the property tax to the City of Los Angeles when they broke away from the County Library System and he believes the City of Temecula is also entitled to 100% of the money. Mayor Lindemans remarked that property tax, earmarked for Temecula, was approximately $400 thousand last year. That money could finance a municipal library open to the public, free of charge, or with user fees for books over a certain number and videos. Mr. Heiss remarked there were several avenues available to establish a city library; i.e., considering the whole valley as a region for a joint powers arrangement. There is not sufficient revenue consistent with the current service -- a 15,000 sq. ft. building open 52 hours per week which costs approximately $700 to $800 thousand a year. Councilmember Stone stated that the larger the size of the library is not as important if serving only one city. Mayor Lindemans asked if the study would calculate whether there is greater need for computers than for books. @. Heiss replied automated information access is important and a service that provides both is needed. Mayor Lindemans mentioned all library materials belong to the County which would become a negotiable item. Mayor Pro Tem Birdsall stated the Friends of the Library have contributed a large amount of money for purchase of materials. Mayor Pro Tem Birdsall asked about attendance for 1995. Mr. Stump replied there were 298,000 users with 465,000 circulation for the year ending June 30, 1996, and based on the past few months, both figures will be reached at the existing library. Mr. Stump answered probably early next year. The current level of circulation cannot be maintained without the influx of new materials. Mr. Heiss reported on how other cities have developed, managed and financed municipalaocal libraries. Mr. Heiss asked why the Council wanted to change the library system. Councilmember Stone replied he wanted to see the City control their own destiny- to retain 100% control of the library portion of the property tax and spend it on Temecula's library to keep it open seven (7) days a week and at night; and to insure there are new books and periodicals available. City Council Minutes November 12, 1996 Councilmember Ford stated the library became a crisis when the County started cutting back funding and subsidizing other areas. The Temecula library has the highest percentage of students using the library; ranks high in check-out items; and on a population basis, almost equals the Riverside Central Library. Councilmember Roberts remarked that the library system is antique -- adopted in the early 1900s and never changed; he said the County needs to modernize and reorganize the system and organization problems affect that Temecula's overhead, which is more than it should be. He would like to see a Southwest Riverside County District formed, but does not believe it would work without Murrieta's participation. Mayor Pro Tem Birdsall suggested part of the study look into having an independent facility. Her real concern is County control as their bottom line shows a loss when funds are spread over the entire county. She feels Temecula's library would not show a loss. She was uncertain the location should be changed because Lake Elsinore also uses the library. Small substations could be considered for Lake Elsinore and Temecula's sphere of influence areas. Mi. Heiss stated property tax from the unincorporated service area is probably between $900,000 to $1 million. Mayor Lindemans recommended a feasibility study be done that deals with the library's geographical service area. Councilmember Stone stated Temecula alone cannot support the current building size. Mayor Pro Tem Birdsall asked if there is citizen participation when Murrieta goes to LAFCO, regarding dropping out of the system. Ms. Kuhns discussed the LAFCO process and funding issues. Mr. Heiss summarized his understanding of the issues: 1) a higher level of service can be funded if Temecula controls the money; 2) the system is not working well because of funding cutbacks which results in being open fewer hours, having no new materials, except for those locally funded, and the collection is deteriorating which will result in reduced interest in using the library, and finally the facility size is not important. @. Heiss asked the Council to keep an open mind as to what might be the best direction. He stated it is very difficult for a small area to go into the library business alone due to the cost of materials and automation. The advantages of being part of the County system are the building and a sophisticated computer system. He polled the Council as to their thoughts of being part of the county system. Ciiy Council Minutes November 12,1996 Mayor Lindemans replied yes. Mayor Pro Tem Birdsall answered no. She said a successful bookmobile is needed and the Friends of the Library have been a strong force behind funding and general support. Councilmember Stone replied only if Temecula was guaranteed the ultimate return of it's contribution- if there was a buy-in from the neighboring city- and the library had better hours. Councilmember Ford agreed with Councilmember Stone's comments. Councilmember Roberts answered he would like to continue if Temecula could get what it needs and if the County got its organization together. Ms. Winkler remarked Lake Elsinore would like to be a part of Temecula's system. Another avenue for consideration is contracting with the County as the City of Riverside does and loses no hours, has more books, etc. Mr. Heiss replied the City of Riverside library is funded from the City's general fund. Ms. Bender mentioned that Friends of the Library has probably donated $50,000 per year since the library opened. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Councilmember Roberts and seconded by Councilmember Stone to adjourn the meeting at 1:20p.m. The motion was unanimously carried. fu@.@reek, City Clerk, CMC