Annual election and library affiliation study

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MINUTES OF THE HERMOSA BEACH FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
ANNUAL MEETING HELD AT THE LIBRARY JANUARY 19, 1994
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Ferguson, Myron Gazin, Pat Gazin, John Hales, Bill
Malone, Charlotte Malone, Gina Miller, Ron Schneider, Al Valdes, Naoma Valdes and
Leyla Woods. (It might be helpful to have a sign-in sheet so that the record is
complete.)
Also attending were City of Hermosa Beach Councilmembers Julie Oakes and John
Bowler, City Manager Steve Burrell, Hermosa Beach School Board Member Cathy
McCurdy and Superintendent Gwen Gross.
ABSENT BOARD MEMBERS: Belasco, Empringham, Evans, Gallo, Hoffmann and
Ryan.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:03 P.M.
MINUTES: John Hales remarked that according to his recollection of former Board
action, Minutes should be entitled "Membership" not "Board" Meeting.
ACTION: That this change of designation be researched and reported back at next
meeting, and that the Minutes of the HBFOL Board Meeting of December 8, 1993 be
approved. Motion B. Malone, second C. Malone -- so ordered.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Bill Malone presented the Annual Report,
reflecting receipts of $14,005.52, expenditures of $11,174.64 and a balance on hand as
of December 31, 1993 of $7,020.59.
ACTION: To accept the report. Motion Naoma Valdes, second Leyla Woods --so
ordered.
OLD BUSINESS: Report of Nominating Committee was presented by John Hales.
SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 1994
President...
Al Valdes
Vice-President...
Treasurer..
Tim Ferguson
Bill Malone
Recording Secretary....
Corresponding Secretary...
Charlotte Malone
Gina Miller
There were no nominations from the floor and the slate was accepted unanimously.

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RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE EXPLORING LIBRARY
AFFILIATION:
President Valdes reviewed some of the recommendations adopted by the Board. He
noted that it was requested that the Hermosa Beach City Council direct staff to
investigate the particulars of withdrawal from the L.A. County Library System and that
the Council voted on October 11, 1993 that staff work with the FOL to study
alternatives to the L.A. County Library System,. Councilmember Oakes remarked that
not much has been reported to Council.
NEW BUSINESS - CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE TO STUDY LIBRARY:
The advisory body is to be constituted of Councilmembers Bowler and Edgerton, with
Oakes as alternate, Schoolboard Member Cathy McCurdy, School Superindentent
Gwen Gross, a City Staff member, either Burrell or Rooney, and five members of the
HBFOL. It was agreed that volunteers from the FOL sign a sheet and that Al select
five of these. It was urged that a wide spectrum of opinion be represented.
Councilmember Bowler broached the possibility of contacting the 43 other libraries
threatened with closure for an exchange of ideas and strategies. He suggested
approaching the County en masse.
Discussion followed as to the relative merits of remaining with the County system
versus exploring independence and joining another library or system.
President Valdes suggested that the subcommittee be apprised of the fact that the
County Auditor evaluated Hermosa Beach at $16,000,000 in property tax, of which the
library share was 2.14 per $100, or a total of $336,000. According to the County it
costs $180,000 to run our library. The question is: ARE WE GETTING OUR FAIR
SHARE OF THE MONEY THAT GOES FOR THE LIBRARY ??
Librarian Ron Schneider distributed a memo from Regional Administrator Jean
Alexander containing an estimate for operating our library for six months for one extra
day. At current level of staffing (7) the cost would be $20,800. This figure was
different from the several others furnished us, and the question arose once more as to
County reporting practices and accountability.
COMMITTEE FOR FUND RAISING - This recommendation, adopted on December
8, 1993, has not yet been implemented. President Valdes is to appoint a committee to
design a plan for raising of the necessary funds for a full time (40 Hr.) library
operation.
RECEPTACLE FOR DONATED BOOKS - Al reported that BFI will be happy to
provide a suitable container, but there seems to be a delay in the PR Dept.

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BILTMORE MEASURE TO BENEFIT LIBRARY - Will Dobbins suggested that
there be an initiative (referendum??) placed on the ballot asking the electorate to
overturn plans for a park on the Biltmore site. It was his thought that the property
should be sold or leased for commercial/mixed use and the proceeds used to benefit the
library. This option may be discussed by the Council subcommittee. So ordered.
CHANGE OF MEETING DAY - Since the library is no longer open on Wednesday,
the meeting day as stipulated in the By-Laws, it was suggested that there be a change in
the By-Laws as follows: "Meetings shall be held during the week following the book
sales (generally in March, June, September and December) at 7:00 P.M." It appeared
that Thursday was the day acceptable to most of those in attendance. (In accordance
with the By-Laws, the proposed amendment will appear in the newsletter prior to the
March book sale and be voted upon at the March meeting.)
TENTATIVE BUDGET 1994 - Presented by Treasurer B. Malone. ACTION - To
approve, motion Leyla, second Charlotte.
NOISY ATMOSPHERE IN LIBRARY - Tim Ferguson commented that students
using the library in the afternoon were very boisterous and questioned whether there
was teacher supervision. Cathy McCurdy responded that, to the best of her knowledge,
there was supervision.
CHILDRENS SUMMER PROGRAM - A member asked whether this activity was
financed by the Belasco Fund and was answered in the affirmative.
ADJOURNMENT - Motion B. Malone, second M. Gazin at 7:55 P.M.
Charloth malore
Charlotte Malone
Recording Secretary