TRUSTEE BOARD MEETING

Minutes

January 17, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 5:15 pm by Blaine Robertson. Present were board members Pam Beard, Blaine Robertson, Judy Dewey, and Roger Jackson, and Frank Nelson.

The minutes of the last meeting were affirmed as correct. The bills were approved upon motion by Roger and a second by Pam, and the checks paying the bills were signed.

Frank Nelson, Eastern Field Representative for the Idaho Commission for Libraries, attended the meeting to discuss plans for a new building to house the library. Various issues were discussed, including the following: (1) The cost to build anew building will most likely be in the neighborhood of $230-$300 per square foot, which would include the cost of debt service; costs nationally run somewhere between $255-$298 per square foot as of December 2006. (2) Architects charge about $5,000 for the first steps, and one of the first steps in building is to hire an architect; CRS Architects are doing the new library in American Falls, and they have an office in Idaho Falls. (3) If we were to builda 40,000 square foot building at a cost of $230 per square foot, that would be $9.2 million; we should probably figure $10 million. (4) Idaho Falls Public Library has 60,000 square feet; Marshall Public in Pocatello has a bit less. (5) We need to figure space assessments based on projected population growth; Frank gave us some websites to check out. (6) The voters need to be convinced of the value of the library to the community. (7) The Foundation is extremely important to this process because they can do things the board cannot. (8) A building committee needs to be formed consisting of staff members, a board member, a Foundation member, and community members; some suggestions were made: Pam Beard from the library board, Jeanne Moore from the community, and Eileen Hancey from the Foundation. (9) Frank said a building project will do one of two things: either it will energize people or it will burn them out. (10) Libraries cannot run building projects like the schools do; libraries must know the costs and have the plans and drawings before going to the voters for a bond election. (11) Soft costs include architects’ fees, engineering reports, etc. (12) Wayne Gunter and John Hartung, library directors from northern Idaho, are knowledgeable about building projects. And finally, (13) timing is everything.

As to auditors for the library, Roger will give the financial statements to Larry Rigby and Dana Izatt. Judy will make copies for Roger.

Rexburg Children’s Museum did not take us up on our offer of our display table.

The second reading of the proposed circulation policy was tabled until Gordon is in attendace so we can discuss his ideas.

Roger moved and Pam seconded the motion that Pam become the board’s representative to the building committee. The staff is asked to come up with a wish list for the new library. That will be done at the next staff development day, and we will invite Pam and Jeanne to that portion of the day, either before or after lunch.

Because of the lateness of the hour, a discussion of the records retention policy was tabled until the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm upon Pam’s motion.

Blaine Robertson, Chair of the Board                 Judith M. Dewey, Secretary