ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2008 - 5:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER BY PRESIDING
OFFICER
Mayor
Austin called the meeting to order at 5:00pm.
Present: Cr. Norm Ernst, Cr. Brent Dodrill, Cr. Kay
Nelson, Cr. Michele Conditt, Mayor Bob Austin, Dir. Bruce Whiting, Dir. Suzanne
Mahan, Dir. Dennis Weber.
WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS
Mayor
Austin welcomed the library directors and audience. He stated this was a great opportunity for
both groups to get together and share information.
CITY COUNCIL/LIBRARY BOARD
RELATIONS
Structure
of Relationship – Mayor Austin
distributed the Public Library Code and the City Charter. He discussed the City Manager’s roles and
responsibilities for staff oversight. He
also spoke to the advisory roles of the various committees and commissions in
the City.
Dir.
Whiting discussed the city code and the process of approval of
expenditures.
Mayor
Austin would like the attorney to review the Charter and the roles and
responsibilities delegated to the Library Board through the city code within
the context of inconsistencies.
Dir.
Mahan asked what the procedure was for the Library Board to raise concerns and
sharing information with the Council.
Mayor Austin commented that venues such as this one is a great example
of good communication and that typically staff attempts to resolve any concerns
as a first step. Mayor Austin went on to
recommend quarterly meetings with the Library Board.
The
Council and Library Board discussed the role of the board as far as approving
library expenditures. Dir. Whiting
stated that it is up to the Council to work on ammending the code and if so,
the Board would be happy to work with the Council by commenting on the
recommended changes. He understands that
there are conflicts that need to be worked out. Cr. Dodrill stated that the Board’s
opinions are very important to the Council, and inquired if their budget
concerns have in fact been heard by the City Manager to date (examples of a
legal bill and a $10,000 contribution to the county’s information campaign
coming from the library fund.) Everyone
agreed that the relationship appeared to be working, and a major overhaul of
the city library code is probably not needed.
Mayor Austin commented that finding consistencies between the city code
and the city Charter may only take a few minor changes.
LIBRARY BOARD UPDATES
Dir. Whiting distributed the Library Bylaws. He stated there had been no major changes
since 1991. Mayor Austin suggested these
be place on a council agenda for approval.
Dir. Mahan stated that the council had some
questions regarding the strategic plan during the last Council meeting. These goals and benchmarks are what the
library feels are realistic.
Dean Holden, audience, asked why the other city
departments are referred to in the strategic plan regarding wage equity. Jane Reid stated that the library is looking
for ways to fund a more stable, quality, workforce. Dir. Whiting added that
they want to reward long-term employees with appropriate wage scales as
compared to comperable/like jobs.
Mayor Austin thanked everyone for coming and asked
the Board their thoughts as the election for library funding was approaching. Dir. Whiting stated that the library will be
seeking assistance from the city’s general fund during the budget process and if
the levy doesn’t pass the Board doesn’t want to be left with no contingency or
collection development resources.
Mayor Austin stated that the council appreciates the
Library Board’s time and looks forward to quarterly meetings.
ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
The workshop was adjourned at 6:15 pm.