Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Board of Library Trustees Newport Beach Public Library—Corona del Mar Branch 410 Marigold Avenue, Corona del Mar, CA 92625 Meeting Minutes December 16, 2019 – 5:00 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER –Chair Ray called the meeting to order at 4:58 p.m. II. ROLL CALL - Roll Call by Administrative Support Specialist Elaine McMillion Trustees Present: Chair Janet Ray, Vice Chair Paul Watkins, Secretary Douglas Coulter, Board Member Barbara Glabman, Board Member Kurt Kost Trustees Absent: None Staff Present: Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director Elaine McMillion, Administrative Support Specialist Natalie Basmaciyan, Homeless Coordinator Debbie Walker, Branch & Youth Services Coordinator Melissa Hartson, Circulation & Technical Processing Coordinator Rebecca Lightfoot, Adult Services Coordinator III. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jim Mosher advised that the minutes of the Closed Session should indicate any reportable action taken during the Closed Session or no reportable action was taken during the Closed Session. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Consent Calendar Items 1. Minutes of the November 18, 2019 Board of Library Trustees Meeting Special Meeting Closed Session 3:30 pm / Regular Meeting 5:00 pm Vice Chair Watkins proposed incorporating Mr. Mosher's changes regarding Mr. Mosher's comments under Item III, Public Comments, and Chair Ray's announcement that there was no reportable action from the Closed Session. Board Member Coulter disagreed with incorporating Chair Ray's announcement. Motion made by Vice Chair Watkins, seconded by Board Member Kost, and carried (4-1-0-0) to approve the Minutes of the November 18, 2019 Special Meeting and Regular Meeting as amended. Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes December 16, 2019 Page 2 The Board of Library Trustees discussed whether a report of the Closed Session is necessary. Vice Chair Watkins explained that a report of the Closed Session does not include the specific issues with regard to the topics discussed during the Closed Session. AYES: Ray, Watkins, Glabman, Kost NOES: Coulter ABSTENTIONS: ABSENCES: 2. Patron Comments Monthly review of evaluations of library services through suggestions and requests received from patrons. 3. Library Activities Monthly update of library events, services and statistics. 4. Expenditure Status Report Monthly expenditure status of the library's operating expenses, services, salaries, and benefits by department. 5. Board of Library Trustees Monitoring List List of agenda items and dates for monthly review of projects by the Board of Library Trustees. VI. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Items for Review 6. Newport Beach Public Library and Homeless Patrons Staff will present a report on the issue of homeless patrons and the Newport Beach Public Library. City Homeless Coordinator Natalie Basmaciyan will also update the Board of Library Trustees on steps the City of Newport Beach has taken to address homelessness in general. Homeless Coordinator Natalie Basmaciyan reported the City Council is reviewing multiple sites, including the City's Corporate Yard and 4200 Campus Drive, as possible homeless shelters. The City Manager and City Council are attempting to partner with Costa Mesa, Tustin, Huntington Beach, and other surrounding cities to find regional solutions to homelessness. She attends the weekly meetings of the County's Coordinated Entry System where case managers and housing providers match applicants with housing. The County's priorities for housing are families, military veterans with honorable discharges, and individuals. She, Assistant City Manager Carol Jacobs, and Deputy Police Chief Dennis Birch meet to ensure policies and strategies align with the law enforcement perspective and guidelines. Panhandling is not illegal; however, aggressiveness while panhandling may be punishable under the law. The Public Works Department is creating signage that encourages the public to donate online rather than to individuals on the street. The City has a five-year contract with City Net to conduct street outreach with police officers. Homeless Coordinator Basmaciyan's role is to ensure City Net provides value to the City and service to Newport Beach's homeless population. Homeless Coordinator Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes December 16, 2019 Page 3 Basmaciyan also educates the public about laws affecting homelessness. The City has implemented a rapid response team with multi-departmental staff who will conduct outreach with homeless people. She attended a state policy workshop in November where she learned about actionable ideas and networked with other cities. The United Way hosted a Homeless 101 class in October, and the video can be viewed at NBTV. In January, the City will host a community conversation regarding mental illness. Homeless Coordinator Basmaciyan will present an overview of City actions at Speak Up Newport in January and is attending Leadership Tomorrow. She has compiled a list of approximately 120 people with ties or affiliations with the City of Newport Beach, and City Net is using the list to ensure they reach everyone. Homeless Coordinator Basmaciyan shared three stories of housing homeless people. In response to questions, Homeless Coordinator Basmaciyan explained that the laws apply to the homeless on public property only. The homelessness page of the City website discusses private property owners’ rights. Homeless people can camp on government property. City Net is connected with religious organizations that host homeless programs. An Orange County behavioral health employee rides with the Homeless Liaison Officer to conduct evaluations and make referrals. City Net and the Homeless Liaison Officer are aware of the many locations of homeless campers. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) leases the bus terminal property from the Irvine Company; therefore, it is not public property. OCTA had a law enforcement agreement with the Sheriff's Department, but the Sheriff's Department did not want to enforce laws at the bus terminal. OCTA provided the City with a letter authorizing the Newport Beach Police Department to patrol and enforce laws at the bus terminal. Camping at the dog park is allowed because the dog park is public property. Littering and open fires are enforceable offenses. Each city addresses homelessness differently. Vice Chair Watkins explained the effect of the Martin v. City of Boise case on anti-camping and loitering ordinances. Homeless people in the Library are making patrons uncomfortable by staring and leering at them. On occasion, he has observed people bathing and shaving in the second-floor restrooms. He proposed the Board review the Library Use Policy – NBPL 1 in January and consider adding some enforcement to protect Library patrons. He has added some language for the Board to consider and will provide it to Board Members. Ultimately, homeless people's privileges could be suspended for one year. Jim Mosher indicated the Library distributes the resource list to homeless people. He suggested the Library obtain the County's pocket guide of resources and distribute it to homeless people. Homeless Coordinator Basmaciyan advised that she and Assistant City Manager Jacobs are preparing a handout to give to homeless people during outreach rather than homeless people having to travel to the Library to obtain a copy of resources. Library Services Director Tim Hetherton clarified that when a patron is found using the restroom for bathing, Library staff informs them it is not allowed and gives them a list of resources. Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes December 16, 2019 Page 4 7. Library Gift and Donor Policy – NBPL 3 As requested by the Board, staff will provide revisions of this policy for review and approval. Chair Ray announced the item is continued to the January meeting to ensure fundraising for the Lecture Hall is adequately covered in the policy. 8. Corona del Mar Branch Update Branch Librarian Annika Helmuth will update the Board on the recently opened Corona del Mar Branch Library. Chair Ray reported the Corona del Mar Branch is beautiful and well laid-out. The feature in the Navigator makes the Library shine. Librarian Annika Helmuth reported November has been the busiest month since the Branch opened in September. Tuesday morning programs bring the greatest number of patrons to the Branch. Wednesdays have the highest number of check-outs and reference interactions. Opening on Mondays has been valuable and resulted in a great deal of activity. The busiest check-out times tend to be 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Storytime attendance has increased each month since September. Books and Babies continues to be the most attended children's program with an average of 60 participants. A monthly specialty program follows Books and Babies in attendance. The Branch opened on Sunday, December 8, for the Corona del Mar Christmas Walk and offered two magician shows, crafts, and refreshments. Seven hundred patrons visited the Branch on December 8. In January 2020, the Branch will offer Sensory Play programming on Saturdays. In February, she will host the Newport Coast Elementary School second graders for a tour and story. The facility is functioning as expected. Signage has been installed at the entrance and rear of the facility. Parking signage should be installed soon. Minor repairs have been addressed promptly. The Fire Department installed lights on the building. Vice Chair Watkins noted staff did a nice job for the Christmas Walk. 9. Lecture Hall Update Chair Ray will report on activities related to the Library Lecture Hall project. Chair Ray advised that the Council approved a contract with Robert R. Coffee Architect + Associates to prepare conceptual designs for the Lecture Hall. The Library Lecture Hall Design Committee will begin meeting twice a month. Jim Mosher remarked that the staff report for the Council was inadequate in that it did not include the contract or alternatives considered by the Design Committee. He was confused by the statement in the minutes that the Library Foundation would provide $50,000 each year for five years. The Council is expecting much greater private funding. Chair Ray clarified that the Library Foundation's commitment is only part of the private funding. Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes December 16, 2019 Page 5 10. Library Services Report of Library issues regarding services, patrons and staff. Library Services Director Hetherton indicated Macmillan Publishers allows public libraries to purchase one copy of an e-book for the first eight weeks of its release, which generates a considerable number of holds. Libraries pay almost three times the consumer's cost for an e-book. Many libraries are protesting by not purchasing materials from Macmillan. The Library has begun purchasing materials from Macmillan once the eight-week period ends. The Library wants to provide materials that patrons want while taking a stand with other public libraries. The Library's budget supports the purchase of electronic materials. Neither Macmillan nor the American Library Association (ALA) have altered their positions. As a captive audience, public libraries generate a lot of revenue for publishers. As of December 17, the credit union will have vacated the second-floor retail space in Central Library. The Friends of the Library support including a gift shop in the area. The Foundation received a generous donation that will support the passport services and notary function planned for the space. The next Board meeting is scheduled for January 20, Martin Luther King Jr., Day; therefore, the meeting will be moved to January 21. In reply to questions, the City Council does not have to approve changes to the retail space. The Irvine Company has amended the use of the property to allow relocation of the ATM to the exterior of the building near the book drop. The City is attempting to identify a bank to operate the ATM. B. Monthly Reports 11. Library Foundation Liaison Reports A. Library Foundation Board – Report of the most recently attended meeting. Meg Linton, Library Foundation Chief Executive Officer, reported the Library Foundation has two new board members. Baskets filled with plush toys were placed in each Branch as part of the Foundation's membership drive. B. Library Live Lectures Committee – Report of the most recently attended meeting. Board Member Glabman advised that the next speaker is Helen Zia, whose book Last Boat Out of Shanghai has been popular with book groups. As of December 5, 111 lecture reservations have been made. The Committee is preparing a list of speakers for the following year and is searching for authors who have written in genres not previously explored. C. Witte Lectures Committee – Report of the most recently attended meeting. Board Member Kost indicated sponsorships total $141,000, and ticket sales are going well. The Committee is preparing its list of speakers for the following year and is close to contracts with two speakers. Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes December 16, 2019 Page 6 12. Friends of the Library Liaison Report Trustee update of the most recently attended Friends of the Library Board meeting. Board Member Coulter related that November bookstore sales increased 15.9 percent over November 2018 sales. Year to date, bookstore sales have increased 4.7 percent. Amazon sales totaled $1,716 and PBA Auction House sales totaled $731. The Friends also generated income of $965 in membership fees. The December Members only 50- percent off sale generated $1,543. The Friends received $291 from Gorjana Jewelry in Fashion Island during their Friends promotion party. The Friends special puzzle sale generated approximately $500. The next book sale is February 7 and 8, 2020. 13. Literacy Services Liaison Report Trustee update of the most recently attended Literacy Services Advisory Board meeting. Vice Chair Watkins advised that the ProLiteracy holiday party included a literacy play written, produced, and acted by UCI students. A second performance is scheduled for January. Commissioner Glabman summarized the play and the research that raised the credibility of the play. Both Vice Chair Watkins and Commissioner Glabman strongly encouraged everyone to see the play. VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS None VIII. BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) None IX. ADJOURNMENT – 5:58 p.m. Submitted by: Janet Ray Chair Approval of Minutes