HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-10-17-Work Session MinutesWaukee City Council Minutes-
A Problem Solving Meeting
Tuesday,October 17,2000
A meeting facilitated by a representative of the Public Employment Relations Board for
the Waukee Library Family,City Officials and City Staff.
1.Call to Order:Mayor Donald Bailey Jr.called the October 17th,2000 Waukee City
Council meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2.Roll Call:Mayor Bailey asked for a roll call.Present were Bailey,Gruber,Berger,
Watts,and Johnson.Councilman Peard was absent.
Meeting began with the Mayor thanking all of those were in attendance for the night's
meeting asked Joe Schmidt to begin the proceedings.Joe Schmidt then presented a
summary of the library's efforts over the last four years to generate the revenue to
construct a new library for the City of Waukee.
Joe recounted one of the libraries initial steps was to contract with architect Denny Sharp
to develop a preliminary design for the new library building.Joe described the library's
effort to raise money for the construction of a new library.A site was eventually
identified as the new site and a purchase agreement with the owner soon followed.Joe
stated that over the last few months the financing options available to the library have
changed a number of times,which prompted the scheduling of this meeting.
Jim Riordan took the floor and introduced Jim McClimens.Mr.McClimens is a 25
veteran of labor relations and would serve as a facilitator for the night's discussion.Mr.
Riordan asked that the individuals attending the nights meeting stand and introduce
themselves and state their affiliation to the night's discussion.
Jim McClimens took the floor and described the role of a facilitator as that of a non-stake
holder.Jim explained that the meeting would revolve around four key areas related to the
proposed library:Identifying the problem,Discussing concerns &feelings about the
problem(s),Discussion of the options and finally What steps would be taken at the
conclusion of the night's meeting.Jim identified the Library Trustees,the Library
Foundation,Friends of the Library,Library Staff,Concerned Citizens,City Council and
City Staff as groups in attendance which had a stake in the night's discussion.Jim
recommended that the groups break up into the groups they represent and discuss the
agenda outline questions.After a period of time a spokesman for each respective group
would report back to the group as a whole with their groups responses to the topics
addressed in the nights agenda.It was the general consensus of the respective groups
since they had discussed these issues enough in prior forums,that they could proceed
without having to break into smaller groups.
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The ensuing conversation with the Library Trustees,the Foundation,Friends of the
Library,Library Staff,Concerned Citizens,City Council and City Staff resulted in
answers to the following questions about the current state of the Waukee City Library.
A.Identify the problern(s).
1.Lack of financial SUPPOlt.
2.Is there community support for new library?
3.Perception of results of finance campaign.
4.Concerns about interim solutions.
5.Inadequate library unable to meet needs of community.
6.Plans for library up in the air again.
7.Deadline problems -seem to be a moving target-
8.Priorities -Where library fits in community plans.
9.Appropriate and affordable library.
10.Perceptions about where funding for library should come from.
11.City's bonding capacity.
12.Population growth trends.
13.Location -Location -Location present accessibility to users in city plan.
14.Permanent vs.Temporary vs.Present
B.Discuss concerns and feelings about the problem(s).
1.Construct library and share with City -Bond vote required.
2.Challenge community to raise funds for books,shelving,etc.
3.Scaling building to fit bond capacity and be tax neutral:
4.Value of current library and land.
Much of the night's conversation involved differing views on the appropriate size of a
new library and what method would be used to finance the new construction.However,
there was consensus among those indi viduals attending the night's meeting that the
property the library is purchasing should be retained as the future site for a new library.
Mayor Bailey expressed his belief that there may be ways to alter the proposed
architectural design which would result in the overall reduction in the cost of a new
library.Additionally,the Mayor presented a scenario whereby the library would be
challenged to raise the money for costs associated with interior improvements and
furnishings,and the city would accept responsibility for the costs associated with the
construction of a new library building.
The general consensus of those in attendance was that both the Library and City Hall
should consider cohabitating in a new building initially until such time as the City is able
to finance the construction of a new City Hall at another location.A group of individuals
representing the Library Trustees,Library Foundation,Friends of the Library,Library
Staff,Concerned Citizens,City Council and City Staff were chosen to represent their
respective groups and address the options presented during the night's meeting.The
group was also asked to explore other grants which may be acquired to assist in the
development of this project.I
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The committee's first meeting will take place on October 24th @ 7:00 p.m.at the library
basement.
The results of the October 24th meeting will be presented on Nov.16th @ 7:00 p.m.in
City Council Chambers.
Adjournment:A motion was made by Gruber,seconded by Berger,a voice vote was
taken,and the meeting was adjourned at 9.02 p.m.~7lC
Attest:
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