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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2004-03-01 Item 8B - Discussion - Library IssuesCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS Initials 1 Meeting Date Prepared by 1 Mayor's review 1 Council review 1 I 3/1/04 LL I ,t,z1.- I (7LH I I I I I I I I I I I I I ITEM INFORMATION CAS Number: 04-005 I Original Agenda Date: 1 /20/04 Agenda Item Title: Discussion of Library issues I Original Sponsor: Council Admin. I Timeline: Sponsor's Summary: Discuss what the City consensus is for negotiating with the Library Board regarding library issues in Tukwila. Recommendations: Sponsor: Discuss issue; reach resolution Committee: N/A Administration: Same as sponsor Cost Impact (if knnirynl• Fund Source (if known) 1 Meeting Date 1 3/1/04 Meeting Date 3/1/04 3/1/04 3/1/04 3/1/04 ITEM No. RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION Action APPENDICES Attachments Memo from L Lauterbach dated 2/25/04 1991 Library Interlocal Agreement Letter sent to Library Board dated 2/17/04 CA&P committee minutes dated 2/24/04 To: City Council From. Lucy Lauterbach Date: February 25, 2004 Subject: Discussion About Library Issues Four people are going to the Library Board meeting Wednesday, March 3' The Mayor, Jim Haggerton, Dennis Robertson and Steve Schneider will represent the City. A copy of the letter sent to the Library Board members is included in this packet. One of the issues to discuss is whether the City wants to insist the Library Board change Tukwila Library back to a regular library, and if that should include staffing at the level in the 1991 library interlocal. In 1991 the Library was open 34 hours a week (closed Fridays and Sundays). Before the recent changes it had been open about 36 hours a week. It is now open fewer than 20 hours /week. Another issue is what the City's bottom line is for negotiating. If the Library system refuses to change, is the City willing to put out a vote and encourage people to vote to withdraw from the Library system? Finally, would it be enough to convince the Board to change the Library back to be a general service library, and we could work to help them advertise its presence? One of the issues Mr. Ptacek has brought up before is the low use of the Tukwila Library. By that, he means low circulation of checked out books and movies rather than how many people went in there to read magazines or work on computers or research information. One of the issues those who patronize that library have brought up is the quality of the collection there was old and dusty, with not many appealing books the general public would be interested in. There is a wide range of what you can choose to accept. It should be a consensus among all of you what you will work toward, and what you will finally accept. Apix 1 24 1 4 t t r CE"RTIFICATIOiN CC C Iark nf ;hi r .g:' :Orreci c ^W/ o !h r•aI L. -,..tom c-9 City Clerk INTERLOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF TUKWILA AND THE KING COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT THIS AGREEMENT is dated the 19th day of December 1991, and is entered into by and between King County Rural library District, hereinafter refs -red to as the "District", and the City of Tukwila, hereinafter called the "City": WHEREAS, the City owns the building housing the Tukwila Library, at 14475 59th Avenue South, and WHEREAS, the District owns the building housing the Foster Library, at 4205 South 142nd, and WHEREAS, the City currently pays an annual contract fee to the District for provision of library services within the City, and WHEREAS, the City by Ordinance No. 1619 will initiate the process for annexation of the City into the District pursuant to Section 27.12.360, RCW, and WHEREAS, the District will not readiia any direct tax revenue for operation of the libraries and provision of library services until the 1993 calendar year, and WHEREAS, the City and the District desire to make provisions for continued funding of library operations during the calendar year 1992, now, therefore, the parties agree as follows: 1. The District will continue to assume maintenance and utility costs for the Tukwila and Foster Libraries in 1992. 2. The District will hold the City's 1992 contract at the 1991 fee level of $564,021. 3. The District recognizes the importance of neighborhood libraries to the City of Tukwila and consequently agrees to maintain library services at both the Foster and Tukwila libraries. 1 4. The District agrees that if the City chooses to annex to the District, the District will be responsible and pay for the construction and all related costs of at least a 5,000 square foot library expandable to 7,500 square feet, including furnishings and materials and appropriate surface parking exclusively for library patrons, and an anticipated completion date in early 1995 (replaces existing Foster branch). This will be a full service library which will have maximum hours, programs and services commensurate with similar sized libraries 5. The Tukwila Library at 14475 59th Avenue South will be rnair twined at a minimum of current service levels. 6. The District will provide or pay up to $400,000 for suitable land (the site) for the structure and parking with the requirements that: a) the site be chosen jointly by the City and the District and will have convenient access .with good visibility. b) the design and construction will be consistent with the standards of current District building projects and be in keeping with the desired neighborhood concept. 7. The City shall be the designated SEPA lead agency for all SEPA reviews. 8. Arty off -site public improvements such as street, sidewalk, storm drainage and /or utility modifications as may be required as a result of the construction of the library shall be paid for by the District. 9. All on -site work and improvements, such as site preparation, grading, landscaping, shall be paid for by the District. 10. The City by its Mayor shall designate City administration personnel to participate in the District's design review process for the library, and to act as coordinator with the District during the planning, design and construction processes. 11. The District will continue to reimburse the City for the library's portion of maintenance and utility costs for the library's portion of the existing Tukwila Library building at 14475 59th Avenue South. District will pay $1 per year for an annual lease. V 1 isit 4g 12. If the City chooses to annex to the District, then within 60 days of the date of certification of the results of the annexation election, City and District by a supplemental interlocal governmental agreement shall either supplement or amend this agreement to more spedficaliy set forth the terms and conditic.ns relative to the Matters set forth in Paragraphs 1 through 11 above. General Recitals 1. This agreement is to define the rights and obligations of the parties in the event annexation of the City to the District is approved at a special elector: to be held prior to May 26,1992. Included in the purposes of this agreement is the provision for continued funding by the City of library services within the City during the period between January 1, 1992 and December 31, 1992. If annexation to the District is not approved at said election, this agreement shall be of no further force or effect. 2. Should annexation to the Library District fail to pass, and the City chooses to continue to contract with the Library District for services, it is understood that a) The contract rate for library services for the calendar year commencing January 1, 1993 will be according to the phase -in formula, and b) The contract rate for library services for the calendar year commencing January 1, 1994 and for calendar years thereafter will be 100 percent of the hill comparable rate assessed taxpayers in the King County Rural Library District. 3. In the event the City chooses to appoint a Tukwila Library Board of Trustees during any time period when the City is annexed to the District, the District shall regularly solicit input from the Board on issues relating to all aspects of library services and facilities for the residents of Tukwila. 3 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Tukwila, Washington 98188 Steven M. Mullet, Mayor Judge Richard Eadie, President KCLS Board Members 960 Newport Way NW Issaquah, WA 98027 Dear Judge Eadie and Library Board Members: February 17, 2004 Subject: Apparent Violation of Interlocal Agreement Between KCLS and City of Tukwila The Tukwila City Council would appreciate your help in clearing up an apparent communication problem. Based on the January 2004 KCLS Director's Report, we understand that KCLS views the problems regarding the recent change at the Tukwila Library to be one of the poor community communication. The Director's report stated that "KCLS could and should do a better job of informing the public of our intentions" concerning the Tukwila Library. Kuwcve.; from`outrside thelsrgue is potentihliy much more serious. It appears to 1 ukwiIa fit KCLS unilaterally decided to change the service level at the Tukwila Library, and that they did so in violation of a signed interlocal agreement between Tukwila and KCLS. Attachment `A' of this letter is a copy of the 1991 interlocal agreement signed by Tukwila and Bill Ptacek, Director of KCLS. The City of Tukwila agreed to support the annexation into KCLS in 1991 if a new library was built (now the Foster Library) and if KCLS agreed that: "The Tukwila Library at 14475 59` Ave. South would be maintained at a minimum of the current service levels." The City of Tukwila went on to encourage its citizens to vote for the annexation because of the promises to build the new library and to continue the Tukwila Library at the existing service levels. The 1991 service levels for the Tukwila library included full -time librarians, a complete collection for all ages, reference material and programs for all ages and 34 hours per week of operation. Late in 2003, much to the surprise of the Tukwila City Council, KCLS suddenly changed the Tukwila library into a children's only Library operating 20 hours per week. There had been no communication with or agreement from the Tukwila City Council, the only agency that can authorize a change in a city interlocal agreement. The City now has citizens asking us to charge KCLS with a violation of a signed interlocal agreement. Phone: 206- 433 -1800 City Hall Fax: 206 433 -1833 www.ci.tukwila.wa.us Citizens have also asked us to point out to you that the argument the Tukwila Library was inefficient carries little weight because Sincerely, a. KCLS has never promoted or advertised the presence of the Tukwila Library to attract more patronage, and in fact has neglected improvements to that Library's circulation materials for many years. b. The Tukwila tax base generates approximately $1.9 million per year for KCLS. c. KCLS spent less than $1 2 million in 2003 on both Tukwila libraries. d. Tukwila is considering a major business park annexation this year that is projected to raise Tukwila property values by approximately 40 potentially generating over $2.6 million per year for KCLS. The City of Tukwila considers its promises to citizens to be serious commitments, even when they are twelve -year old promises. It also considers signed interlocals between jurisdictions to be contracts requiring both parties' agreement to changes. There is a general public distrust of governments and sadly, actions such as this can further that distrust. Our goals would be to end any miscommunications between your Board and our Council and have the Tukwila Library returned to the agreed upon "1991 service levels We have always been enthusiastic supporters of the King County Library System and would be more th wllling to work With KCLS to improve triETUMIla Library bmldmg and the public's awareness and use of the library. We would like to work with you to clear this matter up as soon as possible. Together we can work out a resolution that will satisfy both Tukwila and KCLS. Contact the Council President at (206) 244 -7846 or iimhavg(Thcomcast.net to set up a meeting. T Ha n ty cil President cc: Acting City Administrator Rhonda Berry Tukwila City Council Steve Mullet Mayor r Y�'1N'�kSCSC% -T Community and Parks Committee February 24, 2004 Present: Pam Linder, Chair; Joe Duffle, Jim Haggerton Bruce Fletcher, Rhonda Berry, Lucy Lauterbach; citizens Carol and Ken Watson, Charlotte Doty 1. Grandmother's Hill Grant Several people and groups worked together to get funding for Grandmother's Hill, and succeeded enough to buy 8 of the 10 acres of the property. The actual sale of the property should take place around March 5` Bruce said the next step is to work toward getting grants to develop the park into a passive park. He had an artist drawing of what that could be, with some paths leading to viewpoints at the top of the hill. The citizens who came were concerned about how opening the park would affect them. They live at the top of Poverty Hill adjacent to the park, and have seen motorbikes and kids running without a care through their property and on to the park property. They advocated having a fence and maybe a buffer of trees to block some of the noise and commotion from park users from them. Bruce said he would meet with residents about their concerns some time in the future. The $200,000 grant application they would make would require a 100% match, but the match could come from other grants and not from city funds. Recommend grant approval reauest to Council. 2. Fourth Ouarter Reports Pam had several questions on issues, especially from DCD, as she has not been on this committee for two years. Pam asked for a copy of the letter Parks Maintenance sent asking for businesses to support the Adopt a Flower Basket program. She asked that an update on the Macadam wetland plans be sent to Council. Asking about Jesse Richardson's leaving, Bruce said they were very sorry to lose her, but that so far they've lost several good people but have been able to replace them with other very good people, which he hoped they could do again. Her position will be changed, as she did both facilities and youth program management. Now another rec person will take up facilities, and a new person will be hired to be the youth manager. Bruce said he hoped to fill the position from within his staff. Park issues will be discussed at the first Community and Parks meeting of each month. Finally, Pam thought there were truck tire tracks through Cascade View Park. Bruce said he hadn't noticed them when he was there today, but he would check. The Committee talked about losing Route 124 though Allentown this September. Steve Lancaster came over to see if he could answer DCD questions, but Pam's questions were extensive, and they decided to meet together to go over her questions. Information. 3. Tukwila Library Jim explained that he and other city officials will go to the King County Library Board meeting next week. He prefers that the Council reach a consensus on a negotiating position the City representatives can take to the Board. Jim said he prefers the City negotiate for returning to the 36 hours of service provided in the 1991 interlocal. There is always an option, he said, for the City to encourage its populace to vote to withdraw from the Library System if there were another alternative. Recommend discussion to COW. (>5t Committee chair approval