SunnyvaleRTC

The Board of Library Trustees met in regular session in the Library Program Room, 665 West Olive Avenue at 7:07 p.m. with Jim Griffith presiding.

2. RTC: Policy for Soliciting Corporate Sponsorships and Donations (Study Issue):

Economic Development Manager Karen Davis provided the Board with an overview of RTC: Policy for Soliciting Corporate Sponsorships and Donations, the Study Issue and proposed policy on donations, contributions and sponsorships. The proposed policy would allow, under conditions, to solicit contributions and/or sponsorships. Discussion ensued regarding current policy regarding unsolicited donations, policy/practice of neighboring cities and timeframe of implementation of new policy if approved by Council.

Chair Griffith opened the public hearing and there being no public testimonies, closed the public hearing.

Vice Chair Lilly moved, and Boardmember Pathak seconded, for the Board to recommend to Council alternative 1 which adopts a policy to allow solicitation of contributions and sponsorships to support City programs, events and services and direct the City Manager to develop administrative procedures to support this new Council policy. The motion carried unanimously.

3. RTC: Sunnyvale Library of the Future Study and Strategy – Preferred Facility Strategy and Funding Options:

Director Barrow provided an overview of the RTC: Sunnyvale Library of the Future Study and Strategy – Preferred Facility Strategy and Funding Options which includes revisions to LEED Certification, Preferred Facility and Community Garden options, alternatives, and recommendations. Additional costs, such as opening day collection, artwork, and technology, have been incorporated in the report. Discussion ensued regarding potential ballot measure amount, 116,000 s.f. facility, and operating cost.

Laurie J. Hughes, coordinator of the Community Garden, thanked Library staff for their work in providing various community garden options in the report. She urged the Board to recommend to Council alternative no. 2 which will allow the garden to remain at its current location. She provided an overview of methodology of petition signatures they have acquired at the Library and at various Sunnyvale locations. She also provided an overview of the community garden and its services.

Eric Fulda, coordinator of the Community Garden, requested that architects be creative in the design and construction of the library facility in order to allow the community garden to remain at its current location. He also provided an overview of the services being offered by the community garden.

Hubert Jansen, a member of the public, commented on the timeframe of the project and suggested relocation sites for the community garden.

Vice Chair Lilly moved, and Boardmember Pathak seconded, to recommend to Council Alternative 15 which recommends that the City explore options to identify funding for the additional operating costs of $2.2M per year, $2.5M for library materials for the opening of the new library, $1M for artwork, and for the $5M needed for furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the new library.

Boardmember Pathak stated he supports the motion because he believes it will offer good resources to Sunnyvale residents.

Chair Griffith stated he will support the motion because it will allow for the opportunity to proceed with a ballot measure in a future election or to identify other funding options.

Motion carried unanimously.

Vice Chair Lilly moved, and Boardmember Shinseki seconded, to recommend to Council Alternative 7 which accepts the plan for a new main library using the “Preferred Facility” scenario as a basis for a two-story library at Olive Ave. and Charles St., replacing the Sunnyvale Office Center and relocating the community garden to make space for a library facility of at least 105,000 s.f., and with the capability of expanding the library up to 143,500 s.f.; the initial size of the library to correspond to the level of funds approved by voters with the following modification:

116,000 s.f. facility rather than 105,000 s.f. facility

Chair Griffith offered a friendly amendment to relocate the community garden if necessary.

Vice Chair Lilly accepted the friendly amendment.

Vice Chair Lilly stated that his recommendation is for a 116,000 s.f. library facility as minimally recommended by Anderson-Brulé Architects.

Boardmember Meagher stated that she believes the community garden is a value to the community and hopes that all the hard work will be honored by keeping the garden at its current location. She will support the motion.

Motion carried unanimously.

Vice Chair Lilly moved, and Boardmember Pathak seconded, to recommend to Council Alternative No. 9 which explores options, including previously recommended sites, with the Parks and Recreation Department as the lead department, for a new location in Sunnyvale for a community garden when the current lease expires for the Charles St. community garden in February 2011, or prior to the start of demolition and construction activities related to the new library to be constructed at Olive Ave. and Charles St.

Chair Griffith offered a friendly amendment for a new location in Sunnyvale for the community garden as soon as a library bond measure passes or prior to 2011.

Vice Chair Lilly did not accept the friendly amendment.

Motion carried unanimously.

Vice Chair Lilly moved, and Boardmember Shinseki seconded, to recommend to Council Alternative No. 11 which develops language for Council approval for a ballot measure for the City of Sunnyvale’s November 2007 election, or a future election proposing a General Obligation Bond for a Par Amount of $99.5M to obtain $98M for construction funds for a new main library.

Chair Griffith offered a friendly amendment of a Par Amount needed to fund a 116,000 s.f. library facility provided it does not exceed $20 average annual rate per $100,000 valuation.

Vice Chair Lilly accepted the friendly amendment.

Motion carried unanimously.

Chair Griffith stated that he is unavailable to speak to Council at their Tuesday, June 19 meeting and inquired if another Boardmember would be interested in speaking to Council on behalf of the Board’s motions. Boardmember Shinseki volunteered.

Director Barrow provided the Board with an overview of the recommended 2007/2008 library budget and reminded the Board that at their April 2 meeting they approved the Library fines and fee schedule for FY 2007/2008. Discussion ensued regarding unfunded project: Sunnyvale Library Facility Redevelopment.

Chair Griffith opened the public hearing and there being no public testimonies, closed the public hearing.

Boardmember Pathak commented that he enjoyed participating in the Health and Safety Fair event. He provided an overview of a workshop he attended with a guest speaker from Santa Clara County Library system. He announced that he will be absent from the July 2 Board meeting due to a vacation.

Vice Chair Lilly thanked community members for attending the Board of Library Trustees meeting and appreciated their comments.

§ Thank you for participating with Library staff in the annual Health & Safety Fair on Saturday, May 12 at the Columbia Neighborhood Center.

§ The next Board of Library Trustees meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 2 and will be held in Council Chambers.