4/19-4/23/2004 Meetings for the week of April 19th - April 23rd Page 1 of 1
1
u The City of Saint Paul
Meetings for the Week of
momplik
April 19th, thru April 23rd, 2004
MONDAY - April 19th
Saint Paul Charter Commission 4:30 PM Room 220 City Hall
TUESDAY - April 20th
*Ramsey County Board 9:00 AM Council Chambers
Comprehensive Planning Committee 4:00 PM Room 1307 City Hall Annex
WEDNESDAY - April 21st
Ad Hoc Legislative Committee 10:00 AM Council Chambers
*Saint Paul Library Board 2:00 PM Council Chambers
*City Council --- see Agenda 3:30 PM Council Chambers
*Saint Paul City Council Policy Session 3:45 PM Council Chambers - after City
on Citizen Participation Council Meeting
THURSDAY - April 22nd
Saint Paul Heritage Preservation 5:00 PM Room 40 City Hall
Commission - Pubic Hearing
FRIDAY - April 23rd
Planning Commission Steering
Committee 7:45 AM Room 41 City Hall
Planning Commission 8:30 AM Room 40 City Hall
* Cablecast live and repeated on Saint Paul Channel 18.
Interpreter service for the hearing impaired will be provided at public meetings upon request. Request can be made by
calling(651)266-8509(Voice and TDD)Monday thru Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4.30 P.M A minimum of two days notice is
required.
For more information on any of these meetings,you can send Email to:
citizen service ci.s.tpaul.rnn.us, or call the Saint Paul Citizen Service Office at 651-266-8989
http://www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/depts/meetings.html 4/16/2004
City of Saint Paul
Office of the City Council
310 City Hall
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-8588
MEMORANDUM
April 15, 2004
To: Interested District Councils
Fr: Bob Kessler, Council Research I `
Re: April 20' Meeting
Enclosed is an annotated version of the proposed agenda for the policy session for your
information.
We are meeting to discuss this in more detail on April 20th, 2004, at 9:00 a.m., at Black Bear
Crossing. See you Tuesday.
Let me know if you have any questions about the agenda.
You can reach me at 651-266-8588.
c: Don Johnson, Mayor's Office
Larry Soderholm, PED
Bob Hammer, PED
Joel Spoonheim, PED
RECEIVED
APR 1 6 2004
CITY CLERK
Saint Paul City Council Policy Session on Citizen Participation
Approximately 3:45 p.m. (After the Completion of the Regular City Council Agenda)
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Proposed Annotated Agenda
1. Introduction—Kenneth L. Smith and Bob Kessler, Council Research (5 minutes)
Notes: Ken and Bob will distribute a background report,due to be complete in final draft form by 8:00 Monday,
April 10. The report will cover the history of the Citizen Participation process in Saint Paul from 1975 and
highlight some of the problems and challenges that are facing the district councils at this time including funding
inadequacies,funding inequities,challenges to become more inclusive,lack of a champion or advocate,high
turn over and burnout among neighborhood staff who are constantly being asked to do more with less,and
challenges to or concerns about some districts' management practices and membership.
2. Importance of Citizen Participation and Creation of the Saint Paul District Council
System—Sherman Eagles (6 to 8 minutes)Notes: We want Sherm to talk about how important citizen
participation is to the vitality of a community and how the Saint Paul system created a foundation of support to
insure that all parts of the City could be included and take part in decisions that are made about their
neighborhood and community. We would also like Sherm to talk about the strongly held values of citizen
participation that are widely practiced and promoted in Saint Paul, and that these values reflect the original
three criteria that formed the basis for the District Council System in Saint Paul, namely: 1)Broadly
Representative,Accountability, and Accessability.
3. Successes and Accomplishments of the Saint Paul "System"—Former Mayor George Latimer
(6 to 8 minutes) Notes: We want Mayor Latimer to talk about the successes that he enjoyed during his 16
years as Mayor that were the result of collaboration with one or more District Councils and other
neighborhood organizations. Examples could include: the creation of"Energy Park"and the collaboration
with "District 45"the combination of the 5 separate districts that were involved with planning for Energy Park.
Remember using William Usery to negotiate the development agreement with the neighborhood
representatives? Other examples could include the annual neighborhood cleanups, Development of the Irvine
Park neighborhood, and Elimination of the Faust and Flick theaters at Dale and University.
4. Current Issues and Concerns (15 minutes)
A. The Three Criteria: Broadly Representative, Accountability, and Accessibility—Joe
Spencer, West Side Citizen's Organization Note: We want Joe to talk about how the districts
by to insure that they are representative, accountable, and accessible. Joe should also cover the
conflicting expectation that many districts face and how several incidents of mismanagement have
affected the system and what has been done by the districts themselves to avoid further or similar
incidents.
B. Inequitable and Inadequate Funding--Chuck Repke, District 2 Community Council &
Leslie McMurray, Payne Phalen District 5 Community Council Note: We want Leslie and
Chuck to talk about the evolution of the funding allocation process and how we ended up with the
present inequitable distribution of funds. There will be spreadsheets and data summaries available for
handout.
C. Support for the District Planning Process—Department of Planning and Economic
Development Note: We want someone from planning to talk about how the process for updating
district plans is going to work and what the expectations are for the district councils.
5. Alternatives For Strengthening Citizen Participation—Travis Snider, Snelling Hamline
City Council Policy Session on Citizen Participation
3:45 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, 2004
DRAFT Proposed Agenda DRAFT
1. Introduction Background Report—Ken Smith
2. Importance of Citizen Participation—(Ron Hick, or Karen Christofferson, Susan Kimberly,
Kiki Sonnen, Dave Hozza, Larry Cohen, Planning Commission Member?
► successes and accomplishments
► reliance on the system
3. Current Issues and Concerns
► representation/accountability/evaluation concerns—
► conflicting expectations—Joe Spencer
► support for the district planning process—Larry Soderholm
► inequitable and inadequate funding--Chuck Repke & Leslie McMurray
4. Alternatives For Strengthening Citizen Participation
► address funding inequities—Bob Kessler
► address funding inadequacies
► appoint a citizen participation coordinator
► hold the districts accountable
► obtain foundation funding to support new initiatives on inclusiveness, etc.
5. Points for Future Consideration and Follow up
G:\Shared\CC\Legislative Operations\Research Functions\Policy Analysts\policy sessions\Distdct Councils\PolicySessionCitPartAGENDA.wpd
AD HOC LEGISLATIVE AGENDA COMMITTEE
OF THE SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCIL
Wednesday,April 21, 2004
10:00 a.m.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 3RD FLOOR
City Hall and Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
AGENDA
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Update from Nancy Haas, Intergovernmental Relations Director(materials to be
distributed)
• City's Legislative Agenda Items
• Bill Tracking of Items of Interest to Saint Paul
2. Metropolitan Council Governance Structure (Bob Kessler and Ken Smith)
3. Tax Policy Issues (Bob Kessler, Matt Smith and Jeff Van Wychen)
• Property Tax Outlook
• Fiscal Disparities
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEXT MEETING DATE
May 5, 2004
ADJOURNMENT
SAINT PAUL HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
5:00 P.M.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Lower Level, Room 40, City Hall/Courthouse
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
PUBLIC HEARING
AGENDA
5:00 I. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
II CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
III PERMIT REVIEW/PUBLIC HEARING
5:05 A. 666 Summit Avenue, Hill Historic District, by St. Alban Summit, LLC, for a
building permit to construct 16 garages (two buildings) to be shared by owners
of 666 Summit and 672-676 Summit. File #04-158.
B. 261-277 West Seventh Street, Individual Site, Rochat-Louise-Sauerwein
Block, by Graffiti Sign & Design, for a sign permit to replace an existing 128
square feet property management sign with a new 128 square feet property
management sign. File #04-159.
C. 301 Summit Avenue, Hill Historic District, by Gladstone's Window and Door
Store, for a building permit to replace window sashes with wood/aluminum clad
windows. File #04-160.
D. 232 Maria Avenue, Dayton's Bluff Historic District, by Tacheny Roofing, for
a building permit to replace windows with vinyl windows. File #04-161.
E. 235 N. Mackubin Street, Hill Historic District, by Design for Preservation, for
a building permit to construct two new dormers. File #04-162.
IV ANNOUNCEMENTS
V ADJOURN
NOTE: If you arrive after 5:00 P.M., the building may be locked and you must use the
Kellogg Boulevard entrance and push the call button to the right of the doorway for the
security desk. If security does not respond please use a phone to page security at 651-
339-0355. Await a call back from a security guard who will then give you access to City Hall.
Commission members: Please call 651.266.9078 if unable to attend.
PUBLIC LIBRARY AGENCY
OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers, Third Floor
Saint Paul City Hall
Chris Rider, Recording Secretary
(651) 266-8633
ROLL CALL
CONSENT AGENDA
NOTE: ALL ITEMS LISTED UNDER CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION. THERE
WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED BY
COUNCILMEMBER, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED
SEPARATELY.
FOR ACTION
1. Approval of Summary Minutes of March 17, 2004
FOR DISCUSSION
2. Board's Prioritized List of Library Needs (Resolution to be provided at the Library Board
meeting)
3. Information report on Cataloguing/Processing(No attachment)
4. Access to the Library by People with Disabilities
ADJOURNMENT
*************************************
Library Board Meeting Information
Website
For an updated copy of the Library Board Meeting agendas or minutes,please visit our website at
www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/council.
Cable
The City Council and Public Library Agency (PLA)Meetings are cablecast live on Channel 18 and repeated on
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 12:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. (Subject to change). Also, the City
Council and HRA Agendas are cablecast on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 5:30 p.m.,Mondays
at 8:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.; Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m., and 5:30 p.m.; and Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. and
1:30 p.m.
APR-15-2004 15:53 RAMSEY COUNTY MANAGER 651 266 8039 P.02/02
MEETING NOTICE
BOARD OF RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
15 W. KELLOGG BLVD., ST. PAUL, MN 55102
651266-8350
a-u
Monday, April 19, 2004
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
9:00 a.m. - Board Meeting
Council Chambers, Third Floor Court House
Immediately following Board Meeting or at 1:30
- Regional Railroad Authority
Council Chambers, Third Floor Court House
- Board Workshop—Public Communications System /
800 MHz Update
Room 220 Court House, Large Conference Room
12:00 noon - Meeting with Chief Justice Blatz
Room 40A, Court House
Wednesday, April 21,2004
7:00 p.m. - Ramsey County Library Board
1670 Beam Avenue, Maplewood
Thursday. April 22, 2004
Friday,April 23, 2004
Advance Notice
April 27, 2004 — 9:00 a.m. —County Board Meeting, Council Chambers
May 4, 2004—9:00 a.m. —County Board Meeting, Council Chambers
May 11, 2004 — 9:00 a.m. — County Board Meeting, Council Chambers
May 18, 2004 — 9:00 a.m.. —County Board Meeting, Council Chambers
TOTAL P.02
Saint Paul Planning Commission
MASTER MEETING CALENDAR
WEEK OF APRIL 19-23, 2004
Mon 19
Tues 20 4:00- Comprehensive Planning Committee Room 1307
5:30 p.m. (Larry Soderholm, 651-266-6575) 25 W. Fourth Street
Joint meeting with Parks and Recreation Commission and
Friends of the Parks and Trails
1. Parkland Dedication Standards for New Traditional Neighborhood
(TN)Zoning Districts
2. Parks and Recreation Planning for"New Urban Villages"
Wed 21
Thurs 22
Fri 23 7:45 a.m. Planning Commission Steering Committee Room 41 City Hall
(Larry Soderholm, 651/266-6575) Conference Center
15 Kellogg Blvd.
8:30- Planning Commission Meeting Room 40 City Hall
11:00 a.m. (Larry Soderholm, 266-6575) Conference Center
15 Kellogg Blvd.
Zoning OLD BUSINESS
#04-053-492 Garda Gorman-Nonconforming Use Permit to allow reestablishment of
duplex or legal establishment of a secondary kitchen. 1860 Hoyt Ave. E.,between Hazel
and Gary. (Patricia James, 651/266-6639)
NEW BUSINESS
#04-063-515 Saint Paul Parks &Recreation-River Corridor Conditional Use Permit for
dock and walkway in the floodway. 200 Shepard Road,right descending river bank
between Walnut and Market. (Allen Lovejoy, 651/266-6576)
#04-063-759 Pillars Investment Group-Conditional Use Permit for indoor-outdoor year
round market. 217 Como Avenue,north side at Galtier. (Patricia James, 651/266-6639)
#04-057-168 Jerald Mitchell-Conditional Use Permit with modification of lot width
requirement for 2-unit cluster development. 426 Curtice St. E., SW corner at Lafayette.
(Patricia James, 651/266-6639)
10-Day Zoning Appeals Periods and Recodification of Zoning Fees -Recommend zoning
amendments responding to Appeals Court ruling on 60-day time line and incorporating
existing zoning fees into reformatted Zoning Code. (Allan Torstenson, 651/266-6579)
Guest Speaker John Labosky, President and CEO, Capital City Partnership -He will be talking about
"Recent Initiatives of the Capital City Partnership"
Neighborhood& Current North End-South Como District Plan, Area Plan Summary-Release for public review
Planning Committee and set public hearing for May 21, 2004. (Nancy Homans, 651/266-6557)
Bruton\Calendars\April 19-23,2004
City Clerk
Room 170,City Hall
PUBLIC LIBRARY AGENCY
• OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
Wednesday, April 21,2004
2:00 -3:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers,Third Floor
Saint Paul City Hall
Chris Rider, Recording Secretary
(651) 266-8633
ROLL CALL
CONSENT AGENDA
NOTE: ALL ITEMS LISTED UNDER CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION. THERE
WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED BYA
COUNCILMEMBER, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED
SEPARATELY.
FOR ACTION
• 1. Approval of Summary Minutes of March 17, 2004
FOR DISCUSSION
2. Board's Prioritized List of Library Needs (Resolution to be provided at the Library Board
meeting)
3. Information report on Cataloguing/Processing (No attachment)
4. Access to the Library by People with Disabilities
ADJOURNMENT
*************************************
Library Board Meeting Information
Website
For an updated copy of the Library Board Meeting agendas or minutes,please visit our website at
www.ci.stnautmn.us/council.
• Cable
The City Council and Public Library Agency (PLA)Meetings are cablecast live on Channel 18 and repeated on
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 12:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. (Subject to change). Also, the City
Council and HRA Agendas are cablecast on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 5:30 p.m., Mondays
at 8:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.; Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m., and 5:30 p.m.; and Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. and
1:30 p.m.
• SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE
SAINT PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
2:00 -3:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers,Third Floor
Saint Paul City Hall
ROLL CALL
Commissioner Harris called the meeting to order at 2:06 p.m.
Present - 5 - Benanav, Helgen, Harris, Lantry, Montgomery
Absent - 2 - Bostrom (excused), Thune (arrived shortly after roll call)
NOTE: ALL ITEMS LISTED UNDER CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION.
THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED BYA
• COUNCILMEMBER, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND
CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.
FOR ACTION
Approval of Minutes of February 18, 2004.
Commissioner Lantry moved approval. Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
2. Needs and Resource Assessment.
Gina LaForce, Director of Saint Paul Public Library Agency, stated that the ordinance
creating the Saint Paul Public Library Agency required an update from the director
regarding the needs and resources of the Saint Paul Public Library Agency as well as the
director's priorities by April 1, 2004. The Board will then review and present its listing
of priorities for the 2005 budget to the Mayor by May 1, 2004 to be used as input into the
2005 budget planning process.
Ms. LaForce explained that this was the first year for the new library agency and therefore
the first needs and resource assessment. Library staff are in the early stages of planning a
multi-year strategic planning process later this year or early in 2005. Once completed, the
S strategic plan would be a key document used in developing future needs and resources
assessments.
Saint Paul Public Library Board Summary Minutes - March 17, 2004 Page 2
•
Ms. LaForce stated that the needs assessment would identify emerging needs and also
identify the relative priorities to be addressed. Although the needs assessment does not
determine what the budget will ultimately be, it is intended to serve as input to those
decisions. 2005 will be another fiscally challenging year for the City and also the Library.
The Library shares a $16.5 million budget challenge to the general debt and library fund.
All three funds share the tax levy and two share Local Government Aid (LGA). LGA is
also forecast to drop $4 million in 2005.
In preparing the Needs and Resource Assessment, staff divided priorities into two
categories: Priority A is for those that are seen as a high priority for 2005, and Priority B.
are those that could be deferred to a subsequent year. Below is a chart identifying those
priorities:
. .. , Need ' ' CIE) evel ' x .Descrlt on:\ ` E
New Lexington Library A Staff and collection for
expanded building
Dayton's Bluff Current Schedule A Staff for current 6-day
schedule
System-wide Collection A/B Add inflation/restore system
• wide cut
Dayton's Bluff Expanded Hours B Staff for 51 hour/week
schedule
Homework Centers B Permanent funding to replace
grant funding
Technology Replacement B Funding for multi-year
replacement plan
The new Lexington Library will replace the current library, and it is scheduled to open
in fall 2005. It will be 65% larger than the current facility, and have more computers
and an expanded collection. A permanent homework center is included in the design.
Library bonds will fund the furniture, start-up equipment, technology and construction
of the facility. Additional staffing will be needed to respond to the increased services
and scale of building. Upon question of Commissioner Lantry, Ms. LaForce stated
that based on past practices, staff may need to be doubled at the Lexington location
since past experience demonstrates that circulation increases by 70%to 80%when
branches are expanded and there will be a greater need for staff to help patrons use a
significantly larger number of computers. The actual staffing required will be
forthcoming as the budget process moves ahead. The collection at Lexington will be
expanded over time as well. The goal for 2005 is to begin building the collection by
adding 10,000 volumes. It may be possible to fund-raise for the additional volumes.
•
The Dayton's Bluff Library will be open for its first full year in 2005 in conjunction
with Metropolitan State University. The public library will be open 40 hours per
week, six days per week. MSU's Library will be open 71 hours per week, six days per
• Saint Paul Public Library Board Summary Minutes - March 17, 2004 Page 3
week. In order to keep this schedule in 2005, additional staff will be needed. As time
progresses, the goal would be to keep the library open 51 hours per week to better
reflect the hours of other branches and enable a more appropriate service balance
between the shared facility for the public and university libraries. To accomplish this,
an additional 1.5 full time employees would be necessary. Commissioner Benanav
stated that the two libraries must have some division. Could an arrangement be made
with MSU to help staff the public library? Ms. LaForce stated that the public library
should be prepared to staff its own branch in the interests of establishing a positive
partnership.
System-wide collections is both an A and B priority. The 2004 budget provided
$545,000 for the Dayton's Bluff start-up, which will be a combination of fund-raising
and City funding. The 2004 budget removed $300,000 system-wide materials funding.
Inflation on library materials needs to be taken into account as well. In 2005, the
Library's goal is to ensure that the adjustment for inflation is in the base library budget.
A longer term goal is to ensure sustainable, stable funding.
Homework Centers are listed as a B priority. They were started in 2002 through grant
funding, and they are one of the more popular core library services. In the future, staff
are anticipating difficulty in continuing to fund the homework centers based on grant
• applications, and permanent funding will become a priority over the next few years.
With regard to technology replacement, the library currently has about 460 computers
for public access to the internet, online databases and catalogues. 70% of these
computers are at least four years old. The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library has
been an integral partner with regard to technology. Also, MELSA technology funds
and miscellaneous grants have been utilized for technology purchases. Staff are
currently working on a financial strategy to identify the costs and source of funds to
replace technology on a regular cycle.
Upon question of Chair Harris, Ms. LaForce responded that presently, staff are unable
to lease computers as there is no reliable funding source each year for lease payments.
Commissioner Lantry asked what the City's Information Services department had
added to this issue. Ms. LaForce responded that conversations with IS were ongoing
and that she would be identifying the most cost-effective way to acquire the computers
in the future.
In 2004, there will be $152,000 from MELSA technology funds, and an additional
$100,000 from the Friends' Capital Campaign, which will cover needs for 2004. Staff
are in the beginning stages of discussions with the Friends to determine whether the
potential exists for a technology endowment fund to be established. This could be a
source of more stable, long-term funding both to replace and enhance technology. If
• approved, an endowment would take years to develop and bridge funding from the
City might be needed.
• Saint Paul Public Library Board Summary Minutes - March 17, 2004 Page 4
Ms. LaForce stated that one other input into library service was library buildings. In
2005, there is tentative funding approval through the Capital Improvement Budget for
funds for some building maintenance.
Upon question of Commissioner Benanav, Ms. LaForce responded that there were no
discussions to close any of the branch libraries.
Commissioner Lantry questioned whether there would be any libraries that have met or
exceeded capacity that would be ready for expansion, and has there been a review of
the system to determine where communities would benefit from the addition of a
branch library? Ms. LaForce responded that, at this time, she did not anticipate
additional library branches or expansions in the near future.
Commissioner Helgen questioned staffing of libraries, with respect to professional
staff versus staff handling circulation. Ms. LaForce stated that the Saint Paul system
was not "top heavy" in terms of professional librarian staff. A balance is kept as much
as possible. Staffing is constantly being reviewed at each branch.
Commissioner Thune arrived at the meeting at 2:32 p.m.
• Chair Harris stated that the ordinance creating this agency specified that the needs
assessment would be discussed by the board prior to the budget process. This gives
advance time to think about future needs and also gives Commissioners time to
develop an understanding of the system.
Commissioner Montgomery questioned how Homework Centers were staffed? Ms.
LaForce responded they were staffed mostly with VISTA volunteers. There is some
Library staff time spent to coordinate, promote and evaluate the program as well.
Commissioner Lantry suggested contacting area high schools to help build the
volunteer base for Homework Centers. Commissioner Montgomery stated seniors may
be a valuable resource as well. Ms. LaForce stated there was a network of volunteers
that are being utilized.
Commissioner Helgen questioned what the next steps in this process would be? Chair
Harris responded at the next meeting, April 21, goals and priorities could be set. At a
later date, the Library Board will set an independent maximum levy for the Library
Agency, and through FSO staff, will make a determination to see how that interacts
with the City levy.
Commissioner Lantry moved adjournment Yeas - 6 Nays - 0
•
• Saint Paul Public Library Board Summary Minutes - March 17, 2004 Page 5
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:45 P.M.
Pat Harris, Library Board President
ATTEST:
Minutes approved by Library Board
Commissioner Lee Helgen
Library Board Secretary/Treasurer
Submitted by: Christine Rider
•
401* c3.4:20
111 '~ CITY OF SAINT PAUL
a .
OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
PATRICK W. HARRIS
Councilmember
Received by
Memo
APR '( 2 2004
Administration Office
To: Commissioner Kathy Lantry
Commissioner Debbie Montgomery
Commissioner Dave Thune
Commissioner Jay Benanav
Commissioner Lee Helgen
•
Commissioner Dan Bostrom
From: Commissioner Pat Harris, Chair,
Saint Paul Public Library Board
Date: April 8, 2004
• Re: Library Needs and Resource Assessment
As you know, the ordinance creating Saint Paul's independent library agency contained
several stipulations and requirements regarding a needs and resource assessment by the
Library Board and a correlative Board action prior to our normal budget process.
While the actual budget process assigns line items for operations and capital
expenditures, the needs and resource assessment offers an advanced perspective so that
library commissioners can articulate priorities in advance of the Mayor's proposed
budget. At our most recent Library Board meeting, library staff presented the required
needs and resource assessment, utilizing a ranking system similar to academic grading. I
believe this was an effective process of ordering certain priorities for the upcoming
budget process. It is my suggestion that the Library Board use this ranking system.
At the next meeting of the Library Board, as per the library ordinance, Commissioners
will be asked to take action on a set of priorities to be sent to the administration. It is my
intention to offer an open resolution to begin this process. Much similar to the City
Council's budget hearings, I will provide a list of staff priorities, and then engage the
Board in a discussion with respect to inclusion of additional priorities.
• After the priorities have been established, I will then ask the Board to order the items
with respect to funding priority. While all of the items on our list may be of critical
importance, we must understand going forward that resources are limited.
•
CITY HALL SUITE 310C SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA55102-1615 E-MAIL: ward3@ci.stpaul.mn.us 651/266-8630
•.�.c=•ryY
Library Board Commissioners •
April 8, 2004
Page Two
Below is the list of priorities and respective rankings as provided by Library staff:
r Need Priority Level , Description. ,
New Lexington Library A Staff and collection for
Dayton's Bluff Current Schedule expanded building
A Staff for current 6-day
• schedule
System-wide Collection AB Add inflation/restore
system wide cut
Dayton's Bluff Expanded Hours B Staff for 51 hour/week
schedule
Homework Centers B Permanent funding to replace
grant funding
Technology Replacement B Funding for multi-year
replacement plan
In order to facilitate the discussion at the next meeting, below are some items I believe •
need to considered for inclusion on the priority list:
✓ System-wide maintenance of library hours
✓ Communications staffing
✓ Expanded user access to the Internet
✓ Senior and disabled accessibility/transportation review
Thank you for your time and concern regarding this issue. As you know,this is the first
time the Library Board will be engaging in this process. It is my expectation, and it was
the expectation of the committee, that the first year will be a learning process. I look
forward to working with you to ensure that we continue to improve the process and that
we keep quality and accessibility as our highest priorities for Saint Paul's library system.
If you have any questions at any time,please do not hesitate to contact me at your
convenience. Once again, thank you for your time and concern for the library.
cc: Gina LaForce, Saint Paul Public Library
Denny Flaherty, Deputy Mayor
Barb Renshaw, Budget Office
•
• '01 Saint Paul Public Library Board
SAINT PAUL REPORT
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
DATE: April 21, 2004
SUBJECT: Access to the Library by People with Disabilities
PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to respond to a request by Chair Harris about
how people with disabilities get to the Library.
BACKGROUND:
Board Chair Harris asked for a brief report on how disabled people get to the Library. In
discussion with several Saint Paul area social service agencies, in particular the Metropolitan
Center for Independent Living, we learned that the working definition of "disabled" comes from
• the American with Disabilities Act(1990) which states that:
The term"disability" means, with respect to an individual—
(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more
of the major life activities of such individual;
(B) a record of such an impairment; or
(C) being regarded as having such an impairment.
Not all disabilities limit patrons' mobility or their ability to travel to the library. Some
disabilities pose significant problems for patrons who want to travel to the Library without
assistance while others are less severe. Some of our Library patrons have mobility issues that
involve the use of canes, crutches, and wheelchairs; various levels of vision loss; chronic lung
and heart problems; mental retardation; and many other disabilities not so easily observed.
Since the Library does not routinely gather data on this topic, our staff responded to the question
through direct observation and discussion with our patrons/customers, library staff at 12 branch
agencies and at Central. Based on this assessment, staff reported that physically disabled persons
reach us through the following means:
*Drive themselves *Via Metro Mobility
• *Driven by friend/relative *Walk
*Delivered by housing/community group van *Via motorized wheelchair
• *Via city bus*Via taxi *Via bicycle
In addition to disabled customers coming to the Central Library and branches, the Library
provides library access to those who cannot reach Central Library or a branch through our
Bookmobile and Homebound services. The Bookmobile currently has 39 regular stops on a
bi-weekly schedule. These stops are focused on senior and low-income high-rise units, other
public housing developments, schools, and neighborhoods that do not have a convenient, fixed
library facility in close proximity. About half of the Bookmobile's scheduled stops are
residential sites managed by Public Housing Saint Paul or by the Wilder Foundation.
In 2003, 176 clients were served by our Homebound services through which volunteers delivered
library materials to those who are unable to leave their homes. We are currently exploring an
expansion of this program through a pilot project in collaboration with the Neighborhood Block
Nurse Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
None
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SPONSOR: Commissioner Pat Harris
CONTACTS:
Gina La Force, Library Director, 266-7070
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