SUMMARY MINUTES OF DINNER MEETING

Monday, July 12, 2004

Shoreline Conference Center

6:00 p.m. Highlander Room

PRESENT: Mayor Hansen, Deputy Mayor Jepsen, Councilmembers Chang, Fimia, Grace, and Ransom

ABSENT: Councilmember Gustafson

GUESTS: Library Board Chair Joe Phillips, Board members Ed Renouard and Yoshiko Saheki

King County Library System Executive Director Bill Ptacek, Assistant Director Denise Siers, Shoreline Library Managing Librarian Judy Weathers, Richmond Beach Library Managing Librarian Anina Sill

STAFF: Steve Burkett, City Manager; Julie Modrezjewski, Assistant City Mananger; Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs Director; Dick Deal, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director; and Sharon Mattioli, City Clerk

The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. There were self-introductions around the table.

Bill Ptacek, Executive Director of the King County Library System, explained that KCLS is the second busiest library system in the country and serves 1.2 million patrons. He explained that the bond issue on the September ballot will fund a ten year capital plan and replace the 1988 bond issue, which is expiring. He showed a short video describing how libraries meet community needs at a time when existing facilities are aging and maintenance costs escalating.

Continuing, Mr. Ptacek explained the impacts of Initiative 747 on library financing and said that $40 to $50 million is needed for KCLS to remain in good shape, thus protecting the investment made by the citizens over the past ten years. He explained how passage of the ballot measure would provide additional parking and improved access to the Shoreline Library, essential upkeep and maintenance of the Richmond Beach Library, and access to more books and materials and an automated materials-handling system. He emphasized that the measure does not represent a tax increase, since it simply replaces the funding for the 1988 bond. The impact to a homeowner with a $300,000 home would be $25 per year, less than the cost of one book. He concluded that KCLS is looking for support from city councils and provided a sample resolution.

Responding to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Ptacek said Shoreline residents are currently paying a tax rate of $.54. This is $.49 for the operating budget and five cents for the 1988 bond issue. There was discussion of the lid lift that KCLS passed after I-747, and Mr. Ptacek said that it is hoped that another will not be required for two more years. He said the bond issue will be spread over 20 years and provide capital funding for ten years.

In responding to Board member Renouard’s question about how KCLS assesses infrastructure needs, Mr. Ptacek said the system has learned that people are spending more time in libraries, so that libraries are having to reinvent themselves to allow this to happen. He distributed information regarding KCLS and noted that in regard to Shoreline Library improvements, KCLS hopes to purchase property to the west of the library to provide additional parking.

Responding to Councilmember Fimia’s question about a third library in Shoreline, Mr. Ptacek opposed the idea of building another library to serve south Shoreline because it would draw Seattle residents. He said that Shoreline provides $2.6 million per year in tax revenue to KCLS and receives $4.6 million in funding for the operation of the two libraries. He emphasized that KCLS is a regional system and must provide equitable service across the country.

There was discussion of regional libraries and federal depositories, as well as further discussion of the timing of the ballot measure and the campaign being run by the KCLS Foundation. Mr. Ptacek said that KCLS is attending Rotary Clubs and Chamber of Commerce meetings, as well as visiting city councils around the county.

Councilmember Fimia suggested that Mr. Ptacek come to a regular Council meeting to have his comments televised. She also asked whether there is any difference between the use of libraries built adjacent to city halls. Mr. Ptacek said that libraries are good partners for cities and in some cities are being used to provide the economic development engine for downtown redevelopment.

Board member Saheki mentioned a KCLS move toward the consolidation of staff positions, particularly having one managing librarian for several small libraries. She expressed concern about this trend and asked if this is the plan for the Shoreline libraries. Mr. Ptacek explained that consolidation is a necessity because in the past managing librarians were devoting much of their time to tasks that could be done by other staff members instead of the management tasks they should be doing. He said another advantage to consolidation is that staff has an opportunity to learn and grow. He said this is happening successfully around the country and provides improved service.

Councilmember Ransom provided some history on the relationship between KCLS and the community prior to and early in the City’s incorporation. He commented on the good community relationship at that time. He said the Library Board was formed to be allow Shoreline residents to provide input to KCLS. He stressed the importance of bringing ideas to the Library Board before decisions are made so that Shoreline input can be considered, and said he had heard from former Library Board members that their views were not solicited prior to decision-making about staffing issues and service provision. He asked what Mr. Ptacek's’philosophy was regarding the interface between the Library Board and KCLS.

Mr. Ptacek responded that KCLS hosted a workshop last month for library board and Friends members from all libraries to exchange ideas about the role of a library board. He said KCLS is very enthusiastic about having active library boards and wishes to use them as sounding boards for new ideas. He apologized if there has been any “disconnects” between the Shoreline Library Board and staff about what information could be provided on certain decisions.

Responding to Deputy Mayor Jepsen, Steve Burkett, City Manager provided information on the property tax rates in the City of Shoreline, noting KCLS receives 4.29 percent of each tax dollar. The City of Shoreline receives 10.22 percent.

Mr. Ptacek pointed out that one difference between the two entities is that the Library District depends almost totally on property tax revenue. If the proposed Eyman initiative had passed, he said KCLS would have been the most heavily impacted. For this reason, library supporters took the step of helping to discourage people from signing the initiative. Mayor Hansen agreed that the efforts of the fire districts and library systems to educate signers was the primary reason that I-864 was unsuccessful.

Responding to Councilmember Fimia, Mr. Ptacek emphasized the importance of providing input during the budget process.

Chair Phillips added that he and his wife have attended as many KCLS Board of Trustees meetings as possible, providing input on Shoreline issues. He said there has been a large increase in circulation at the Shoreline libraries and at some point these increases will warrant increases in services.

Board member Saheki asked that if there is any thought of consolidating the positions of the Shoreline and Richmond Beach managing librarians, the Library Board be given advance notice and the opportunity to provide input on any such proposal.

Councilmember Ransom asked whether Council support of the ballot measure could be replaced on the City Council agenda, and Chair Phillips reported that the Library Board supported this action.

Mayor Hansen noted a lack of time to discuss this further because the regular Council meeting was about to begin. He adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m.

Sharon Mattioli, MMC

City Clerk