DRAFT Minutes

Citizen Library Advisory Ad Hoc Committee

October 22, 2007

First Meeting

3:30 p.m. þu 5:00 p.m.

Attendance:

Ashworth, Keil, Vavra, Burkholder, Roudebush, Gibb, Churchman, Batistella, Morrison (Mayor), Bennett (city staff), Seltzer (city staff), Blossom (library staff)

Absent:

Brown

Mayor Morrison welcomed the group and commented on the diverse mix of participants.  He asked the group to focus their attention and work on developing a long-term library solution.  Morrison asked the group to bring a recommendation to the council no later than June of 2008 giving the council time to prepare ballot language for the November 2008 election if necessary.  Bennett reminded the group that the Ashland library levy will expire in June of 2009 and encouraged to group to be mindful of a funding solution prior to that date.  She reiterated that the Ashland City Council has supported the concept of a county-based library system and the committee should explore all possible options of maintaining such a system including the formation of a special district.  Special districts may only be voted on during even numbered years.

Keil commented on the number of other library groups in the valley working on different library options and that the County Library Advisory Committee is discussing a special district levy for 2010 election.  The Ashland committee should identify the various regional groups who are working towards long-term funding and meet with those groups.

Discussion of meeting times, location and frequency.  Given the initial workload, the group agreed to meet every other week and aim for regular meetings to occur on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. in the Gresham Room of the Ashland Public Library.  The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 30 with subsequent meetings to occur on Thursday, November 15 and Thursday, November 29 at 4:00 p.m. in the Gresham Room.

Discussion of election of chair and vice chair and responsibilities associated with those positions.  Vavra suggested going around the room and each member speaking to their skills and interests.  A number of members commented that they prefer research over leadership.  Some indicated an interest in public relations, others didn¡¯t mind taking the role of chair but did not want to do the administrative work, others preferred acting as a liaison to other groups and others indicated their skills at analysis.  Consensus was reached for Vavra to act as chair and Gibb and Ashworth as vice chairs.

Discussion about operating procedures and meeting guidelines; Seltzer to provide Public Meeting Law guidelines and the recently adopted ethics ordinance.

Blossom gave an update on the library opening activities and the hours of operation.

It was suggested that at the next meeting the group define the ¡°final product¡± they are working towards.  Not the solution but the objective of the group.

Action Items:

• List of regional library groups (Blossom)
• Deadline for funding opportunities (Batistella)
• Public Meeting Law and Ethics ordinance (Seltzer)
• Work Plan/Timeline (all)

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.