Commissioner McElwaine gave an opening reading.

Commissioner McElwaine moved with Commissioner Moriarty providing the second, to accept the minutes of the February 4, 2009 meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners.

The motion passed.

Commissioner O'Connor read the motion given to Director Bader as prepared by City Solicitor Ed Pikula, regarding initiating the Eminent Domain process. Motion as follows:

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

CITY OF SPRINGFIELD

LIBRARY COMMISSION

A Vote requesting the Mayor and City Council to take all Necessary Steps to Acquire, Including, but Not Limited to Initiation of Eminent Domain Proceedings, and Authorizing the Director to Initiate and carry out all Appropriate Actions required by Law or Contract in furtherance of this Request.

WHEREAS , the Springfield Library Commission, has reviewed multiple possible sites, received input from other City Departments, has reviewed information provided by the professional staff of the Library Department, and has reviewed the record of the public hearing held by the Library Commission on February 25, 2009;

NOW THEREFORE , pursuant to its authority under Chapter 2.98 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Springfield, the Springfield Board of Library Commissioners requests that the Mayor and City Council take all necessary steps to acquire, including but not limited to taking by eminent domain in the name and on behalf of the said City of Springfield, certain land with the buildings thereon located at 765 State Street, for purposes of maintaining a public library with funds to be provided by the Springfield Library Foundation pursuant to its votes indemnifying the City and others, and as Trustees of the Annie Curran Fund, for said purposes, and authorizes the Library Director to initiate and carry out all actions required by law or contract in furtherance of this request.

Approved by Vote of the Springfield Library Commission March 4, 2009:

SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY COMMISSION

_____________________________________

Ms. McElwaine moved that the Commissioners discuss the above motion. Commissioner Toledo seconded. The motion passed.

Commissioner O'Connor noted that there was a word missing after "Annie Curran," possibly "Endowment;" discussion ensued. As a result of their discussion Ms. McElwaine made a motion to insert the word "Fund" into the second to last sentence, to read "and as Trustees of the Annie Curran Fund." The motion passed.

Mr. Moriarty expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Library Foundation, especially Mr. Charles Ryan.

Results of the roll call vote:

Stephen Cary, Chairman - Affirmative
Craig Givens - Affirmative
Sheila McElwaine - Affirmative
Timothy Moriarty - Affirmative
Vera O'Connor - Affirmative
Hector Toledo - Affirmative
Madeline Landrau - Absent

Mason Square resident Marge Guess questioned how long the process would take and what the next step would be. Ms. McElwaine and Mr. Cary were in favor of displaying the information on a timeline on the library's website. Ms. Bader explained the need for an appraisal, title search, and structural inspection, to be handled by the City Law Department. After that would be getting on the City Council agenda.

A flowchart listing internal steps may also be developed.

Building and Grounds:

Ms. McElwaine said that at 9 a.m. on March 13 there would be a meeting at Forest Park Branch Library to view plans for its Accessibility Project, with possible completion at the end of August.

Ms. Bader told the Commissioners that the library unions have decided not to waive the 60-day notification period regarding layoffs. Therefore it will be very late March/early April before staff is notified and that service adjustments will have to be made at the Library.

Ms. McElwaine stated that she would be attending the upcoming Finance Control Board meeting to advocate for the Library.

There was some discussion concerning organizing the Mason Square Library area, including the garage, basement and annex. Ms. Bader said she welcomes Commissioners thoughts and input.

Ms. Bader asked the Commissioners to consider an alternate date for their May meeting, because the Massachusetts Library Association Conference will be taking place here in Springfield from May 5-8.