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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2014-10-28 @6:00 s.or, MINUTES SPECIAL JOINT MEETING CITY COUNCIL *IFORi1" AND LIBRARY BOARD OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, California 94083 Meeting to be held at: GRAND AVENUE BRANCH LIBRARY 306 WALNUT AVENUE SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order. TIME: 6:05 P.M. 2. Roll Call. PRESENT: Councilmembers Addiego, Gupta and Normandy, Vice Mayor Garbarino, Mayor Matsumoto Library Boardmembers Hansen, Lambertson, Library Board Secretary Huddleston, Library Board Vice President FitzPatrick and Library Board President Turnberg ABSENT: None. 3. Public Comments—comments are limited to items on the Special Meeting Agenda. Marta Bookbinder opined that renovating Grand Library is an opportunity to find ways to connect the library to many of the South San Francisco Downtown business owners. Possible suggestions included programs that include businesses and providing more library material in the native languages of the business owners. Library patron Lisette Almendares noticed that there are no fire alarms that are ADA compliant and there is only one video phone in the Grand Library. Ms. Almendares wanted to know if this will be addressed in the renovation. Library patron Mark Dyer asked that more computers and communication access for the disabled be provided and taken into consideration for the renovation. Former Mayor Pedro Gonzalez wanted to thank the Council and Library Board for going forward with the renovation. Mr. Gonzalez stressed the importance of the library and meeting the needs of the City's residents such as providing access to computers. 4. Study Session: Presentation by Group 4 Architects regarding proposed space planning design options for the Grand Avenue Library Renovation Project and receipt of direction from City Council and Library Board. Architect Dawn Merkes of the organization Group 4 presented the Council with the proposed design plan options for the renovation. Ms. Merkes went over the public outreach Group 4 has done as well as the aggressive timeline they set to allow the Grand Library to reopen in time for the summer programs next year. The main differences between the two design options were the placing of the children's spaces as well as the group study rooms. Councilmember Addiego asked if the design is right for such a small facility and if Grand Library should be used for so many uses. Library Board Secretary Huddleston emphasized that the design incorporates flexible rooms that allow for the library to be used for as many or as little programs at a time. Councilmember Gupta asked that the number of Grand Library programs be reevaluated considering the small space of the building. Councilmember Addiego asked if the Grand Library should become a youth and children's library to hone the focus of programming at this location. Library Boardmember Hansen explained that removing programs and targeting only certain groups does not honor the entire community and the library should not be exclusive. Mayor Matsumoto asked what flexible and mobile rooms would entail. Ms. Merkes explained that the flexibility would include light weight furniture on wheels and foldable walls for makeshift rooms. Vice Mayor Garbarino asked what will happen with the historical room and questioned if this was a waste of space. Library Vice President FitzPatrick explained that the history room in the library is not accessible to the public due to ADA regulations so even if they were interested in utilizing this space during renovation, the public would not be able to access it. Library Director Valerie Sommer emphasized that with the renovation, their goal is to highlight the collection and materials at the Grand Library while still providing room for programming. They have a vision of a more open and accessible space. SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND LIBRARY BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 28,2014 MINUTES PAGE 2 Councilmember Gupta asked if more flexibility also means more costs during renovation. Ms. Merkes explained that though slightly more costly the renovation focuses on changes and transitions going forward that will allow the library to adapt to the changing needs of patrons for the future. Mayor Matsumoto asked for the librarians present to express the items they wish to see changed through the renovation. Librarian Taliah Abdullah expressed interest in making space and programs to accommodate families and youth for many of the teen and children's programs at Grand Library. Ms. Abdullah hopes that this library will eventually become an early learning campus focusing on assisting young readers. Librarian Mary Torres Volken expressed that the staff overall likes the new designs and that they will meet the needs of programming. Library Board President Turnberg stated that once you understand how flexible these designs are, you can see the benefits such as creating more of a browsing path for patrons to discover new items that they may not have seen before. Mayor Matsumoto asked if the user demographics of the library were taken into account with this design. Ms. Merkes explained that the public outreach completed was aimed at the people who utilize this library the most. 5. Adjournment. Being no further business, Mayor Matsumoto adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m. Submitted by: Jus ine M. • naflor, D putt'City Clerk City of South San Francisco Approved by: —y✓ //id tsumoto, Mayor lane Huddleston, Library Board Secretary City of South San Francisco City of South San Francisco SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND LIBRARY BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 28,2014 MINUTES PAGE 3