Min - Library Board - 2000 - 03/14 - RegularMINUTES OF THE
LMARCH
ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
14, 2000
ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
TWO ALLEN CRTC PLAZA
ALLEN, TEXAS 75013
1. The regular meeting of the Allen Public Library Board was called to order at 7:30 p.m. and a
quorum was announced by Vice Chairperson, John Ross. Board members present were
Chairperson, Donna Drews Various, Mary Beth Bonczek, Cal Calvin, Frank Snidow, and Cindy
Wynn -Sangster. Library Director, Barbara Buehler, Lisa Bradley of Friends of The Library and
Mary Vail, Consultant were in attendance, as well.
IL Item number B. on the agenda was tabled until the next regularly scheduled board meeting as the
minutes of the joint workshop with the City Council on February 1, 2000, were not yet available.
The minutes of the January 4, 2000 meeting, will be approved at the next meeting, as well.
111. Review of the January and February monthly activity reports and suggestion box forms.
R'. Reports from Cal Calvin and Cindy Wynn -Sangster on Board Business 2000.
V. Discussed proposed Library and Arts facility sites.
John Ross stated that if square footage was going to be reduced to keep the Library and Arts
facility under the $10 million cap set by the City Council, then both the Library and Arts square
footage should be reduced proportionately
Frank asked whether the $2 2 million in previously authorized bonds for the expansion of the
Library would have to be reauthorized to be used on a new facility. Mary Vail confirmed that
they would have to be reauthorized.
Barbara Buehler felt that the Allen Drive site was a little off the beaten path and that there would
need to be signage and marketing done, but that the use of that site could be advantageous both
for the Central Business District, as well as for the Library.
John Ross stated that the Allen Drive site could be made into a beautiful site He also felt that
the Central Business District plans would help sell the Library and Arts facility as it would be an
anchor for the area.
Donna Drews Vanous expressed concern about noise and other possible issues due to the DART
rails running next to the proposed Library at the Allen Drive site.
Frank Snidow said that our options for sites were limited and he was convinced no other land
that size was as workable as the Allen Drive site. He also thought that we could get more
acreage at that site. He said he could see the future of the site and it had a lot of the positives
that we want.
Mary Beth Bonczek stated she agreed that the Allen Drive site was a good site, that there weren't
many options left and that the development of the downtown area was not too far off
Minutes of The
Allen Public Library Board
March 14, 2000
Page 2 of 2
Cal Calvin felt that the Allen Drive site had a lot of positives, such as open space and a place for
outdoor art and aesthetics that might not be possible at the Century site.
VI. A motion was made by Frank Snidow that the Board agree with all three of the Staff
Recommendations on page 4, of the Central Library/Civic Auditorium Site Cost Information
memo of March 3, 2000. The motion was seconded by John Ross.
The Board, by a majority vote, with one abstention, adopted the following Staff
Recommendations:
Staff recommends that the City Council select the Allen Drive (Central Business
District) site for this project. This site will provide a prominent anchor for the
revitalization of the Central Business District and serve as a catalyst for the
redevelopment of this vital part of the community
2. Staff also recommends, in order to keep the project at 60,000 square feet total (50,000
square feet — Central Library and 10,000 square feet — Civic Auditorium), and within the
$10 million cost limit, that the Council seek funding of the 10,000 square feet Civic
Auditorium and Gallery (approximately $1.5 million) through the Community
Development Corporation.
Staff further recommends that the cost of the renovation of the existing library, for
another use, be considered as a separate project to be programmed nearer the time the
building will become available (approximately 2003).
VR. Other Business— Barbara Buehler
- Information on reordering the NETLS newsletter.
- A copy of the City of Allen's Media Relations Policy was given to each of the Board
members
- Confirmed everyone was receiving Texas Library Association information.
- Invited the Board to a luncheon given by the Volunteer Center of Collin County on April
13, 2000.
- Told us about the in-house survey the Library is conducting on Thursday They will re -
shelve everything every hour on the hour and record what is used but not checked out.
- Informed us that beginning on Wednesday the automated system would be down as they
are getting a new platform. The system would be down for 3 days.
- A new secretary has been hired and will start Monday, March 13th
Minutes of the
Allen Public Library Board
March 14, 2000
Page 3 of 3
VIII. Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m
These minutes read and approved this 14th day of March, 2000
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