Approve/modify agenda: No changes to agenda. Public comment: Pam Kiesner introduced Jamie Amend, WCLS Board representative. Minutes approved: Marilyn Mastor made the motion to approve the January 19, 2010 regular meeting minutes. Faye Hill seconded. The motion carried. Parking: Clark Williams, Public Works Superintendent of Transportation, explained the history of the on-street pay stations and the decision by the Transportation Commission to install the stations in the civic center around the Library Block. A map was passed out of the intended areas for the pay stations. The 30 minute free parking in front of City Hall will remain. Most people are using debit or credit cards at pay stations installed elsewhere since the stations do not give change. Time can be added with a cell phone call. The stations will also have the ability to run merchant validations (paid by merchants.) Library volunteers will be able to punch in a code. The vacant meter posts will be used as bike racks and to post stall numbers. Shelters have not been budgeted. The rates remain the same: 75 cents per hour. There could be a graduated rate for extra hours if time limits are changed. The Board would like to keep the current time limits and expressed concern about turnover of spaces because they are at a premium around the library. The Mayor’s office will handle public communications about installation of the pay stations. Pam Kiesner suggested this is the time to make any changes in the number of handicapped stalls or 5-minute stalls. There are currently two handicapped stalls and one 5-minute stall. A few customers have asked to increase the handicapped stalls since we eliminated several Outreach visits. Less agile senior citizens prefer spots closer to the entrance. Following discussion David Edelstein asked to table this and let staff make recommendations for the next Board meeting. Bellingham Public Development Authority: Jim Long, Executive Director of the Public Development Authority (PDA) explained the PDA is a new entity formed by City ordinance and State statues in 2008, and he talked about the PDA’s mission. A map of the PDA’s priority city-owned property management areas was passed out. The priority properties are the Federal Building, Army Street and Haley Street properties. The PDA would like to see public and private entities work together with a parking structure at the Army Street site and a plaza complex above with institutional or office use with the possibility of a new library. It would be good for PDA to partner with WWU, which could be a generator of activity. The PDA will take 3 or 4 months to come up with the best conceptual uses and come back with the ideas worth pursuing. Trustee Education: The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library: Kathie Wilson, President of the Friends said the Friends logged 11,000 volunteer hours last year. They are diligent, hard-working volunteers. They have gone through a lot of re-organization and are looking at their by-laws and mission statement. Their main task is to recycle books. They have 4 regular book sales a year, mini-sales, and a children’s book sale at the end of the summer reading program. They sell new and nearly new books at the Central and Fairhaven Branch Libraries. Specialized books are sold through the internet. Maude Hayes Fischer awards are in honor of a long-time Friend, and are made to Title I students who have made an exceptional effort in learning to read. The Friends will be the featured non-profit at the Food Co-op in August. They expect to earn about $1,200 to $1,500 which will be used to buy books about gardens and sustainability issues. The Friends total revenue in 2009 was $81,895. Their revenues are used to fund projects to help the library. The Friends have been holding money for the new library but are thinking of using it for seed money for a Foundation Fund. The Friends have been so successful that other Friends groups interview them to see how they work. Kathie Wilson took the trustees on a tour of the Friends work and storage area. The Friends hope for more storage and a book store in the new library. Policy: Public Use of Community Rooms: Pam Kiesner asked Alan Marriner, Assistant City Attorney, for his opinion on new wording in the policy. He suggested, “In accordance with the Washington State Constitution, community rooms are not available for religious worship.” When people sign up on-line, there is a link to the Community Room Policy. They have to sign an agreement to abide by the policy. The other additions to the policy are “The Library monitors the frequency of use of its community rooms to assure equitable access,” and “The Library Board reviews this policy.” David Edelstein suggested that since this is a first review, it should be brought up at the next Board meeting for action. Pam spoke with a person who wanted to serve alcohol at his wedding at the Fairhaven Branch. It is not allowed, according to Library Board policy. Pam asked the Board if they would consider a waiver, and shared an email message from the person who inquired. After discussion the Board decided they were not interested in considering a waive of policy. Communications: David Edelstein mentioned the letter in the packet from Joan Packer sending congratulations and gratitude for bring the Fairhaven project in under budget. Vicky Marshall sent a card thanking the Board for the flowers and recognition. Whatcom Community Foundation awarded a grant for $1,000.00 to the Library to support the Nonprofit Resource Center in the library. Also in the packet are copies of an ALA news release and WLA Olympia Report. Financial reports: Claims: January 2010 general fund $16,230.22; gift fund $1,272.70; Facilities Capital Maintenance Fund $416.46. Faye Hill made a motion to approve the January 2010 claims. Marilyn Mastor seconded. Motion carried. Library performance & activity measures: Marilyn Mastor made a motion to approve the January performance and activity measures. Faye Hill seconded. Circulation is down slightly. This could be because of reduction in open hours. Adult circulation is up despite no hours on Sunday or Wednesday evenings and Thursday evenings. Fairhaven is closed on Mondays and Barkley is closed on Fridays. Approval of January performance & activity measures is tabled until next meeting. Library Board Member report: Faye Hill attended the WCLS Board meeting. The Ferndale Friends gave $10,000 seed money for a new library building. Jamie Amend is new to the WCLS Board from Ferndale. Sudden Valley will have a new library in their Barn beginning in 2011. WCLS is asking for funny library stories on their website. WCLS Trustee education was about databases. City Council Liaison: No report. Library Director: Pam Kiesner announced a new Library Board member appointment by the Mayor to the Board, Rachel Myers, Director of Whatcom Literacy Council. This appointment will go to City Council for approval on February 22. ALA is presenting a Webinar on Controversial Materials in the Library: Supporting Intellectual Freedom in your Community. The Board will view it on February 26 at 9:00 a.m. This is being noticed as a public meeting because there will be a quorum of Board members present. We have had a couple of large donations this month. An estate gave us $3,300, and a lover of the library donated $2,500. Pam has been in touch with the donors and sent thank you letters. Pam met with area librarians at WWU. Pam attended their exhibit opening, featuring children’s book illustrators. The Children’s Library staff will tour the children’s collection at WWU. Changes in the Children’s Library include removal of the raised floor by the picture books. The area is now ADA accessible, safer for patrons, and is more accessible for our shelvers. The Manager at U.S. Bank submitted a proposal for consideration of funding by the bank, to include improvements to the children’s department. We will know more in a few weeks. Recognition of long time employees was on February 8 at the City Council meeting at City Hall. There were over 400 attendees at the Tobias Wolff talk at Whatcom Community College. The next Whatcom READS! author will be Jim Lynch, author of “The Highest Tide” and “Border Songs.” Next Regular Library Board Meeting – March 16, 2010 in the Library Lecture Room, Lower level - will begin at 4:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.