ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY BOARD
MALLETTS CREEK BRANCH LIBRARY
3090 E. EISENHOWER PARKWAY, ANN ARBOR, MI
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2013
13-181 I. CALL TO ORDER
President Rosenthal called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
13-182 II. ATTENDANCE
Present: Kaplan, Leary, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Surovell
Absent: Head, Murphy
Staff: Choate, Neiburger, Nieman, Parker, Wilson (recorder)
13-183 III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
(Item of action)
Trustee Surovell, supported by Trustee Leary, moved to approve the agenda.
AYES: Kaplan, Leary, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 5-0.
13-184 IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 19, 2013
(Item of action)
Vice President Barney Newman, supported by Treasurer Kaplan, moved to approve the minutes of August 19, 2013.
AYES: Kaplan, Leary, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 5-0.
13-185 V. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
Donald Salberg
Good evening ladies and token gentlemen. My name is Donald Salberg, I live at Lexington Drive in northeastern Ann Arbor and I must apologize I’m actually not speaking on behalf of myself, I am speaking on behalf of Libby Hunter who is home ill. She asked me to read a statement before the board. Today she sent by email an FOIA request and this is what she is asking: Dear Miss Parker, I am requesting the following documents per Michigan’s Freedom of Information statute. Emails and all written documents between staff, board members and consultants regarding the 2012 Library bond campaign from January 1st 2012 to date of this request. I would like the material in electronic format. If you believe any item is exempt from the FOIA, please describe the item and reasons that justify the exemption. If the cost will exceed $10.00 please contact me signed sincerely, Libby Hunter. Thank you.
Lou Glorie
Good evening, my name is Lou Glorie and I live at Brooks Street, Ann Arbor. ADA issues as well as projects that may impact accessibility were discussed at the August board meeting. It was recorded that the downtown library is largely in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and where compliance is not possible, accessible to users with disabilities. But of course, we can do better. Since it looks like there will be some renovations done to the front entrance it’s a good time to consider improvements that would make the downtown entrance more accessible. I’m hoping that at least one door can be widened a bit and the horrible jumble of concrete fronting Fifth Avenue can be made less hazardous. I urge the board to think about how the multiple levels of the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue would be experienced by patrons with visual impairments. Think about someone who uses a walker being dropped off in front of the building. Even if the Fifth Avenue frontage is in strictly legally terms compliant with ADA rules, it is still not easy to use and is certainly not attractive. Last month Mr. Nieman reported an unrestricted fund balance of 7.8 million. I’m not saying blow it all on a fancy entrance. But please think about going beyond the repair and look to improve this area of the property not only for safety, but also to help move Fifth Avenue from bumper chic to pedestrian friendly. The sidewalk improvements would likely be paid for by the DDA, but the library should start this process by incorporating the sidewalk with any repairs and changes to the front entrance. And on another subject also addressed at the August meeting the Board President made to formally clarify statements recorded in the minutes. I can certainly understand that Miss Rosenthal would not want to claim authorship of those comments. It is often difficult for people to sort through minutes and get things right. One way to avoid this problem would be to have the board and committee meetings recorded and broadcast by CTN. There would then be an unambiguous record of what was said and by whom. Openness and transparency benefit not only the public but also governing bodies acting in good faith. Thank you.
13-186 VI. FINANCIAL REPORTS
Associate Director Nieman reported August showed unrestricted cash balance just over $13 million. Tax receipts just under $7.5 million, reflecting 65% of the budgeted amount, have been received through the end of August. The fund balance stands at just over $8 million. Four line items are over budget and will come back into line later in the year.
Treasurer Kaplan inquired about expenditures for materials and L cards. Associate Director Nieman explained the line items for materials and L cards.
13-187 VII. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
(Item of action)
Trustee Leary, supported by Treasurer Kaplan, moved to approve the August 2013 disbursements.
AYES: Kaplan, Leary, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 5-0.
13-188 VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
President Rosenthal noted that no committees had met since the last board meeting.
13-189 IX. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Parker recognized Associate Director Choate for her presentation at the Annual Clinical and Translational Science Award National Conference in Maryland. She worked with MICHR’s Community Engagement Coordinating Council.
An AADL Top of the Park event from 2010 will be part of ALA’s “60 ways to use your library card” promotion.
AADL’s scans of Ann Arbor Sun will be included in Independent Voices.
On September 11th AADL released an archives feature on the history of the Ann Arbor Garden Club. Documents produced by the club can be found at oldnews.aadl.org.
Director Parker has been invited to serve on the Journal of Library Administration editorial board and to write a quarterly column about issues affecting the management of public libraries.
13-190 X. NEW BUSINESS
13-191 A. CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY TIF CAPTURE
Craig Lyon, Director of Utilities and Municipal Services Pittsfield Charter Township
Craig Lyon spoke briefly regarding Pittsfield Charter Township’s Corridor Improvement Authority State Street Improvement Project. He introduced Dick Carlisle of Carlisle Wortman Associates who reviewed project details.
The Board was informed that six governmental entities including Ann Arbor District Library were potentially subject to TIF capture with this project. A public hearing on the Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan is scheduled for October 9th after which a sixty day opt out time frame for the affected taxing units is open as required by state statute.
The Corridor Improvement Authority would capture 50% of the incremental value over a twenty year period from the District Library for an estimated amount of $120,436. The District Library would continue to receive all tax revenues it currently receives from the base year taxable value, which is approximately $8,536 per year.
AADL Board members questioned the impact of library tax monies being diverted to this project. They also questioned the viability of the project if the majority of taxing authorities chose to opt out. Board members inquired whether the township considered issuing bonds as opposed to a TIF capture.
Trustee Leary, supported by Vice President Barney Newman, moved that the Board request a copy of the State Street CIA Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan and a copy of the draft Tax Sharing Agreement between taxing authorities and the Pittsfield State Street Corridor Improvement authority agreement as soon as possible.
AYES: Kaplan, Leary, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 5-0.
13-192 XI. OLD BUSINESS
13-193 A. MONTHLY STATISTICAL REPORT
Eli Neiburger
Associate Director Neiburger presented August 2013 statistics in comparison with August 2012 in the new statistical format. Summer game data was also outlined in the report. It was noted that funding for the summer game was provided by the Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library and the Westerman Fund.
13-194 XII. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
There were no additional citizens’ comments.
Treasurer Kaplan remarked favorably on the letter received from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office thanking the library for a donation of DVD’s. Director Parker responded that materials removed from the collection were offered to a variety of locations in addition to the Friends Book Shop.
13-195 XIII. ADJOURNMENT
Vice President Barney Newman, supported by Trustee Leary, moved to adjourn the meeting.
President Rosenthal adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.