Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting

We are waiting for some copies that the HR director will be down with, but we can test the mics. Hello. Hi, everyone. Welcome.

Test.

Test. Test.

Test. Test.

Do we have volunteer for pleasure? Very sweet. That was a nice comment there. So we're waiting for some copies that HR director will be done with. It's a.

We're very happy to see Laura. Alright. I'm going to call the 02/26/2026, our regular meeting to order, and the public can access the live meetings, https:fullerton.registrar.com on Spectrum Cable channel three and AT and T U verse channel ninety nine. You're welcome to address to us in person or virtually by joining the Zoom meeting online or by telephone. If you would like to join the Zoom meeting, please go to zoom.usjoin or call 605-0252 and please enter the Zoom meeting ID 1607079419, and please use the raise hand feature if you would like to speak.

With that, let's take the call the roll, please.

President Xu Ling Chen.

Present.

Trustee Carrie Prevlitz.

Present.

Trustee Lisa Wasap.

Present.

And corresponding secretary Jennifer Sarvis. Here. Vice president Megan Watson. Here. Thank you.

Well, we're excited to have so many people here. So we're gonna start with our pledge of allegiance, and our trustee Watson is gonna lead us.

Alright. Please rise, face the flag, and put your right hand over your heart.

Thank you all. We have an emergency item to add to the agenda this evening, and we need to consider this item arise after posting the agenda and this requires action before our regular meeting tonight. So this item is to add approving our library director agreement to the agenda. We're excited that we have our library director, coming. So before we go through the process, we would like to hear if there's any public comment on this emergency item. Any in person? Any virtual?

There are no members of the public on Zoom. So unless anyone approaches the podium, I believe we're okay.

Okay. Now we are waiting for our exciting time. So

We, we need the motion and

a second. I'm just saying, like, looking around, anyone want to make the motion about this item?

I move to add the item to tonight's agenda. I

second. Okay. Now we can vote.

Carrie Prellitz. Yes or no?

Yes.

Jennifer Sarvis? Yes. Megan Watson? Yes. Lisa Wojzap? Yes. And Xueling Chen?

Yes. Alright. So now we move forward with the emergency item. So our director, would you please give us report?

For this report, I will ask HR interim director, Laura Mercer Gianetti. Gianetti Mercer, I just put it together. Thank you very much, to speak on this item.

Good evening, president Chin, trustees. We're here tonight in consideration of an employment agreement for Anita O'Keeffe Torres, to bring her on as the new library director. As you're aware, we did a nationwide recruitment to fill this position, and we hired cooperative personnel services to handle that, the recruitment for us. After a thorough assessment, miss O'Keefe Torres came out as the top candidate. She possesses an extensive, experience in municipal libraries.

She is a current deputy director for the, of library services in the city of Pomona library system. She's also worked for the cities of Burbank and Carlsbad, Carlsbad in their library programs. Miss O'Keefe Torres currently holds a Masters of Management from USC, no Trojans, and a Bachelor's Degree from Cal State Northridge. Some key provisions of her employment agreement, her appointment will be effective March 23. Her base salary will be $175,000 per year.

Her health insurance will be in accordance with, those provided to the other executives, in the organization. She'll receive $100 per pay period and a retirement health savings account in lieu of retirement benefits. She'll receive $224 per pay period for vehicle use. She will accrue one hundred and sixty hours per year of vacation, and we will provide her an initial bank of eighty hours. Those eighty hours though will have no cash value.

Her sick leave will be consistent with city practices for all employees on in terms of receiving sick leave accruals at three point six nine hours a pay period. But, again, she will receive an eighty hour initial bank of eighty hours, no cash value. And she will have a six month severance, should she be separated without cause. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions.

I don't have questions. We have gone through this, and we're so grateful with your support. And, you know, the time from Judy left until now, it really hadn't been too many months. So thank you for the great work that you have put in to help us find, you know, the candidate that we all really like to have.

It it was a team effort. Couldn't have done it without your support. So, and I think kudos to all of us.

Thank you. I think with that, we want to ask for public comments in person and virtual.

As there are no members of the public on Zoom at this time, if you'd like to speak to this item, please approach the podium. Seeing no one. All right.

Good evening.

Good evening. A former librarian, former library director at some point in my career. Recruitment is not an easy task. It's extremely difficult, Extremely difficult. So kudos to the city of Fullerton staff, and I'm excited to meet the new person whenever I'm privileged to do so. So well done.

Thank you so much. Any other comments? All right. Seeing none, we are going to ask for our trustee comments. No? I think we're excited to move forward. Alright. Okay. How about we take a vote?

You'll need a motion and a second, president Trump.

That's right. Yeah. I'm so excited. I'm sorry.

I share your excitement.

I move that we, approve the employment agreement. I will second that.

Alright. Now we can vote.

Carrie Prelitz? Yes. Jennifer Sarvis? Yes. Megan Watson? Yes. Lisa Wojzab? Yes. And Sueling

Chen? Yes. Yay. Alright. With that, we would like to welcome our incoming new director, Anita. Do you like to come and say a few words and meet everybody? Even our city manager is here to welcome you. And Judy, our previous director, is here too.

Good evening, everyone. This is such an honor. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Eddie. Thank you to all of the staff. Thank you to all of the board. Thank you, Beatrice. We have worked together for the last few weeks to sort of set this transition up for the biggest success possible. Thank you for the existing staff who came to meet me today and to I don't know what these meetings usually look like, although I kind of do because I kind of watched a bunch of them, but you can't always see the audience.

So,

I don't know if there's people who are usually here or I had a couple of people introduce themselves and say they were here for this and I just appreciate this so much. I love libraries and this is a lifetime passion for me. Community building, education, literacy, and everything that comes with that. So I am very excited for this. I had something else I was gonna say and, of course, I forget.

You know, somebody was asking me what the thing I was most nervous about today and, you know, it's a little nerve wracking looking at everyone here and, you know, I'm like, I can do this job. I'm gonna do a good job. But the expectation, you know, you feel like you wanna make sure that everyone is really happy with their choice but I really wanna say that to the staff, we're we're gonna be good. This is exciting. This is an exciting time.

You're having a library director who is here for many years and, you know, there's no way to step into that particular role. But, we're gonna do really great things together and I think during transition times, it can be really nerve wracking when you're waiting to meet that person. And I just want to reassure everyone that, we're gonna do this together and, yeah, I don't know. We're gonna do really great things. So I'm really excited. I hope everyone is really excited too. It seems like it. Thank you all so so so much. I'm looking forward to being back here in a few weeks.

Mhmm. March 23.

Yeah. And then we have a a meeting, like, that week. Right?

I think twenty seventh. Yeah. Yeah. You'll hear about

it a little bit.

Yeah. Thank you. Welcome. Welcome. And I want you

to know

that, you know, we normally are not this popular, and and you brought quite a few people here with you tonight. So you know that you are very much welcome. Thank you and welcome. Alright. So we're gonna move forward with our regular meeting and start with our interim director report.

Thank you so much, president Chen. We will start with the of the council meetings. There was no library related items for the meetings of February. City budget review is in process, so we will keep you updated as that goes along. I will go to I will start with adult services for the past month.

They held their seasonal craft night for adults with 22 attendees in the conference center. And these, descriptions that were given to me were it was very fun and apparent commenting about what a great bonding experience it was for her and your teen. And those are really the great good stories we wanna hear for sure. On Saturday, February 21, the Fullerton Public Library, in conjunction with the Friends of the Library and the Fullerton Library Foundation, hosted an author talk with local author Linda Avalar to discuss her new book, and she is from Fullerton as well and the daughter of one of the friends. Correct?

Yes. Her new book, Cassie Linden, finds her sweet spot. She discussed the process of researching, writing, and publishing. This is her debut novel. She did a reading from the book, and there was an audience of nearly 70 attendees, so very well attended.

And I do know that both the Friends and the Foundation did sponsor some copies to be given out there and signed by the authors, so thank you to the Foundation and the Friends for doing that. The gaming community continues to grow. They had two monthly board games programs, this past month. One was Saturday, February 7, with 80 attendees, and then there was another one on the twenty first with about 60 attendees. And those are both in in partnership with the North Orange County Board Gamers game day, which I still need to go to.

I but that's very exciting. Looking ahead, there'll be some chill and chat with a welcoming community of fiber arts friends every third Saturday from nine to three at the Hunt Library branch branch. All ages, abilities, and fiber arts welcome. And I have to say, does any I don't know what fiber art is. I'm assuming it's using knitting, crocheting.

Okay. I was on this right path. So very popular and getting more popular, so that's been added as well. With our teens, the the teen group continues to meet twice a month working with and in conjunction with the teen, teen librarian, Emily. They did a blind date with the You book display, which is kind of, the sister to the adult mystery book that we have out there right now.

They continue to plan for craft for a cause type program where team volunteers make seasonal crafts and other goods to donate to local organizations. The teen video game nights continue to be popular the second Tuesday of each month. The art hour continues once a month where the TAB members design and prep crafts for school aged children. In conjunction with the adult librarian, Emily, they're looking forward to hosting the next seasonal craft night in April with a fun book related craft in honor of National Library Week celebration. So National Library Week is coming in April, and they both did this past season was the what is it?

Press flower candle jars. So cute. Just lovely. In celebration of Valentine's Day. The children's lib senior librarian, Keith Lee and Emily, continue their partnership with La Vista High School.

For the spring semester, they'll be attending their club rush events, student ambassador meetings, and STEAM week activities where they share library resources and and activities with staff and students. And they're also continuing to attend their new student orientation each quarter where they help students sign up for a digital library card. In children's, they have a they continue to have a successful stay and play and preschool storytime programs. The STEAM kits have grown in popularity. And to date, for the month of February, they've given out over 80 this month.

Melissa, who is a children's librarian, and Keith Lee also did outreach at the Dolphin Market at Pacific Drive Elementary School talking to just about a 100 just under a 100 families about library programs. And tomorrow, a local methodist preschool will be visiting the library to learn about the library and have some fun story time with Gina, who is great. In circulation services, the flyer rack also remains very popular. And I will say too, I think it's brilliant that the, the announcements or the flyers where usually they're something like this, they're really a quarter size. And the rack that you that you have, it just they just stand up so nicely, people just pick them.

You And can put them in your purse, and it'll take a lot of room. So thank you, Alicia. That was a really great idea to be able to do that. We've had a lot of positive feedback about the illuminated letters that say I love Fullerton Library and the vinyl heart flowers on the display case. And you may now be the proud owner of a Library Love era bumper sticker. There at your there you go. And so those are vinyl. So they just adhere to a surface. Correct? So you don't have to worry about adhesive or anything. But aren't they just lovely? I'm gonna put it somewhere where nobody can steal it. I just that's what I'm gonna put out my car. I'm afraid. I'm afraid it'll get stolen.

But it's really great. Mystery date with the book ends 02/28, and there's still time to get in your ratings. And that due date is the March 7. And we are getting closer to onboarding two new staff members. Thank you, Laura. She's gone already. But we're really excited about bringing on more staff. And with that, as you know, we'll be able to open passport services again. So so thank you, Laura, for that, and thank you, Alicia. March displays, we're looking forward to Women's History Month, Korean liberation, Saint Patrick's Day, and others.

We look forward to seeing you in the library. At the hunt, they had a wonderful lunar New Year New Year celebration with over 300 participants were all enjoyed a bilingual story time, Mandarin, Chinese, and English with a special guest storyteller of zodiac animal and lunar New Year lore. The attendees were also treated to two recited poems by Arborland Montessori students. And after they had a it's a group with Tara's Tara's chants, and they stopped by with a pony in honor of the horse, the ear of the horse. So great.

For patrons to look and touch, traditional lucky foods were available, like tangerines, fortune cookies, yakwa, ganjiang, chocolate coins, and dried fruit. Crafts with Korean and Chinese culture, Lunar New Year ties were available to make as well. A lot of fun was had. Due to some and then due to some unfortunate weather, the Hunt Branch Library was closed for two days, two and a half days because of the wind that really hit our community. The trees fell, which blocked the entrance to the parking lot of the hunt and damaged a part of the fencing there.

So no power. It did take out a power line. So it took two or three days, but, honestly, I think CitySap did a great job of really, addressing the situation, and we were able to open up on Saturday for the game day. So we were happy about that. Also, Jaime, let me do it too.

I think I've mentioned this before, but we continue to put on our calendar of events all the programs with library and parks and recreation because we do share the building. Just really felt that it was giving somebody just one brochure to be able to look at what the parks has and the library has that one building was just a really good idea, people seem to really appreciate that. And let me go back to the front. I do have two more things. One of them is to let you know that the council chambers will be undergoing remodeling, and that will take place March 18, and it won't be done until April 5, which means we won't be able to have a meeting here.

We will keep you posted. It looks like after the eighteenth, we couldn't even have one in March. So we're gonna take a look at what we have to see if, maybe some ideas could be if we wanna just forego the March meeting and or see about having your meeting, your April meeting, a little bit sooner in the month. We'll let you know. Ruth and I are gonna get in touch with, city clerk and just see when this room is available because I'm I'm guessing that other committees are gonna be displaced during that time that meet.

So we'll look to see what the April calendar looks like, early April, and we'll let you know. But with that, the two murals that are here, they will be relocated to the entrance of the conference center. So there's not that's been repainted. It looks really nice. And so during that time, they'll be moving them over there to the library.

So that's the silver lining. And and you do have this. So this was also relocate rescheduled, and it is the next exhibit there at the gallery inside the Hunt Building by the library. It is the Charles Henry Shafter's Fullerton portfolio, a snapshot of 1887. All the photographs, as I understand it, come from the local history room of the library.

And so thank you to Sherry and Amy all with Parks and Rec to helping helping us to get ready for that. It was scheduled to open up today, actually, but with the closing of the hunt, they couldn't take down the existing exhibit and just wanted to give themselves some time. I did reach out and send this flyer that you have, and I have some for the audience if you like, to reach out to the list of organizations that I know that I know president Chen started and people have been adding to. So they've all been invited. Next Thursday from five to seven will be the opening of this exhibit. So we look forward to that. And I'll be following up with them as well. And that is the end of my report. Thank you.

Well, thank you very much. Was there any let me see. Was it a public comments at this time about?

If there are members of the public who'd like to speak, I'd invite you to approach the podium. There are no members of the public on Zoom. Beatrice, did you want me to mention the electronic resources?

Yes, please.

Okay. In the meantime, one of the most exciting things that we've gotten to do for the digital library is we have been exploring electronic resource options to add to the library, which, unfortunately, we're gonna be one of the centerpieces of the March meeting. So we'll have to figure out how to do that. Thankfully, members of the public as well the friends, the foundation, you all, and some of our tab members have helped the library staff evaluate our resource options for language learning options, homework and career help, readers advisory options. So those of you who like the mystery date program, we're gonna have a new way to play book matchmaker for you and some other unique special offerings.

And so we have evaluated and selected which resources we are going to purchase, and so those contracts will be up at the next meeting, and we'll be discussing those items. But thank you to everyone who helped us evaluate those resources. We really appreciate the assistance.

Thank you, Bethany, for the reminder. And now I think the library has done with its report. Thank you.

Great. Any questions for our director? Any report? Comments?

Well, I would like to say I really enjoyed my time at the Lunar New Year. They did my name, my granddaughter's names in Korean, so I was very excited. And also to, wanted to let you know that I forwarded a post to, on Instagram to the library account. It's actually talking about the uptick in, experiential outings that are being registered through Eventbrite and talking about how they they have, like, a 1700% increase in, experiential game nights and things like that. So I forwarded that post for you guys to take a look at and Okay.

For, like, hunt programming and, like, mahjong nights and things like that. But I thought that would be interesting, possibly post some of our things on Eventbrite and see if we got some traction as well.

Thank you. We

had so much fun doing two story times in one day. So he went to Lunar New Year in the afternoon, came home with a face paint and a balloon and touched a pony. I mean, had a blast. And then that evening went to Twilight Tales and made little love monsters, like, just the highlight of everyone's day. Addison, my son, kept saying, I got to go to two story times today.

My daughter was like, I had to be in school. I could only go to one.

That lunar New Year was so popular. We showed up early and had to park, like, parking lot full, parking down the street. It was it was packed. It was just an absolute blast. Yeah. We've been having a good time. Every time they come into the display, the mystery date with a book Mhmm. They're they're like, take my picture here. And then they brought my husband, take my picture with dad. Take my picture with combination. I don't know. It's like this is their photo op, they're so excited to stand in front of it. They don't know what it is, anything about it. They're like, I love this. So it's so bright and welcoming right when you walk in. It's just loved it. Loved it.

I wanted to say it has become a tradition of me and my mom to go to the craft nights together. It is very I'm not the teenager whose parents said, like, obviously. But we have such a lovely time, the craft this time was something that I had never thought of doing, the modge podge on a mason jar, and it was so fun. It was so cool. Highly recommend the craft nights to everyone. And I did wanna thank, you guys for letting me test out all of the electronic resources, and I'm so excited to see what you've chosen so that I can use it all the time. It was a very fun experience to, like, try out all the language learning stuff. So thanks.

Thank you for helping. Yeah.

Great. I would actually take this away to welcome our new trustee, Carrie, because last time was a closed session. This is her first regular meeting. So welcome, trustee Carrie. And I also want to thank Alec for, you know, arranging the Osborne visit with us.

I thought that was very exciting to imagining what it's gonna be like, after the construction. Very, very exciting. And I do want to thank Jaime and the whole team for the Lunar New Year together. It was just very fabulous that to be able to celebrate the culture, without being, you know, at the hometown situation. So that does have that emotional connections.

I really appreciate. And, also, David from our library foundation, actually also attended the Fullerton Chinese Culture Association, the Lunar New Year as well too. So I think it's nice that we're able to partner because then with the, Lord New Year celebration, we had, a few social media posting from different partners that joined with us. So I'm hoping that we can take the same ideas as we move forward with different events, whether it's arts and culture or any events that we can partner with others and then just kind of, you know, spread out, and get more people to work together. I think that's very exciting.

And, yes, Naomi's daughter, Linda's book talk was really popular that the the room was full. Everybody was very happy to be there, and she talked about her experience of creating this. And so it's really nice to know that people don't just write in first draft. You know? It's to go through work and work to finally what we see. Right? And we didn't see the process. We only enjoy the imagination that comes with us. So I think that was really exciting. I do have question about Sunday.

We talked about we added a staff. So and the council has approved the budget as well too. What's in our plan to add hours or open on Sunday?

Well, the plan would be once the people are onboarded because right now they're still going through the process with through HR. Then they'll be trained so they'll kind of learn library services at the library and then at one point I would say maybe a couple of months, maybe a couple of months, and then we would go ahead and and, open up the passport office again like it was before. And the exciting part is that, yes, you may remember, the 4th Floor is also gonna go under some renovation during this year, later this year. But that passport office will be relocated up up above. And so to answer your question, it will hopefully, as soon as they can complete all their onboarding with HR, then they'll come to a library, go through about a couple of months of training, passport services and library services, and then staff can look at, opening on Sundays and also just having the passport open the days that it was before.

Yep. Do you have anything to add, Alicia? No.

Please. Please show everybody can hear you better.

Thank you.

Alright. Okay. It's on. Alright. So, well, one of the things that I think we're most excited about with the, one of the employees that we are bringing on is that the entire purpose of their job is to help keep the passport office open. So it's a new position, and so this person will be particularly focusing on that. And then, of course, we also have the addition of another thirty hour person who will help to extend our our availability on on that Sunday when we add that on. Right. So

Well, we look forward to Yes. See it happening.

I will be I will be back and renew my passport here. That is for sure.

I I think it it we had until the end of the fiscal year to prove that we were going to use that Sunday. Is that correct? Or was there no stipulation

on it? Being approved by the by the council already. The budget is already in. It's just a matter of waiting to happen.

Go back in the budget the next year if we don't use it Is this that correct?

I is Eddie? Oh, Eddie escaped. My guess my I believe that once once funds are put into the budget for an ongoing service, they automatically will be carried over to a new fiscal year. That's been my experience, because it's something that's gonna be an ongoing service, but I will double check with that. But they also know that we need the people in place to be able to to open up that day. And then as Alicia mentioned, that one person, will really allow, the passport office to be open on Sundays.

I think fiscal is until October. The budget process is is now.

Budget process is now. I will double check with Alec, but I have not heard about any Stipulations. Cuts or anything like that, no, to to the salaries. Budget here is, fiscal year is, July 1 to June 30.

I think just to process at this time.

Right.

Yes. They will have public I believe they're gonna be having public meetings as well. So

we can

also Community meetings?

At your top of budget. Budget.

Yeah. Oh, for the city budget.

We can go and say Another question I have is about the HUN usage. I know that we, asked a question about have some sort of report on the HUN usage. I know it's not ready yet, but this is also your last meeting, so I want to make sure it's somewhere and doesn't get lost.

Well, I did in in my further report, I will mention a little bit of that, but I did mention it to Daisy. So I will circle back with her and see where the staff is about the reports and the usage and let her know that at whether it's in April, whenever your next meeting will be because of what's going on here, that that could be an agenda item. And I will make sure that I need a clue you of clue you in, but I will bring you in on that on that topic. But Daisy does know. I did ask her about it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I'm super excited about the digital library that Yes. Daphne mentioned. Could I suggest maybe having workshop available for, you know, anyone that want to learn and grow, and, well, actually more usage of a library as well too?

We are absolutely making plans for how to best market those resources digitally, of course, since they're digital resources, but also with some in library learning opportunities.

Thank you. And I want to thank Beatrice. I know it hasn't been too many months, but you have been a wonderful addition to our library.

Thank you.

And we have really enjoyed working with you, and I feel like we all feel that way. So you see that when there's new director coming in, Judy has been here forever, also come make an effort to welcome her. And and I feel like this is truly a library, a family that everybody support each other. So thank you for all you have done, and please don't be a stranger.

Thank you. Thank you all so much.

I think with that, we want to move forward with our foundation. It's so nice to see Sean here.

Good evening, everybody. Carrie, nice to meet you. So the basically, we had a treasure report at the last meeting, and it looks like we donated just a hair under $200,000 to the library last year. I saw there's another donation. I I don't know if that counts for this year's or next year's.

I I I didn't realize that that was on the agenda when I had the meeting. The they had a we had a little bit of a discussion regarding one of the items that the the the donations are going to, specifically the the book repositories. There were a cup there was one there was one specifically one trustee that that was a little concerned about the spending. It was approved by the majority of us. I just remind everyone just kinda keep us in the loop with the spending.

I know it's it's not something you have to do. Once we've once we've donate the money, then the money can be spent at discretion. But it I think I think keeping that transparent process open is what helps keep the donation money flowing in because it keeps the people who donate feeling confident it's going for good use. So, I think that's the way that we wanna do things going forward to keep the keep keep having years like this. And although this wasn't brought up at the last meeting, we've had two meetings before, the meeting before last.

There were some trustees that were discussing about how we if there's a permanent funding that the foundation can provide, if there's an activity that furthers the interest of the library and the library foundation, that's a potential source of permanent funding, something for the trustees to think about, subject to, you know, approval from the from the foundation itself. And I'm glad to hear about the, the walkthrough of the of the hunt not the hunt, the Osborne Room. I had done that years ago when I was on the on the foundation. That was actually planned to break ground 2020.

Oh, wow.

Every everything was set. I I think we even had the contractor bids. Everything was ready to go, and it just went sideways when the lockdowns happened and basically the the the budget for the library got got slashed as a result. One thing I wanna ask about, it's it's not something that was discussed at the foundation, but it's something my wife told me I need to bring up. My wife is a member of Alpha. It's the assistance league. Alpha has an event every year. It's called the day of authors. Right. That's gonna be in a couple weeks.

It's a Cal State Fullerton. She was this she's been doing it for about two or three years now. And her thought is there's gotta be some sort of potential synergy between the day of authors event and the library. I do know the day of authors event is very well attended. We're having a dinner, I think, next week. I get to I get to brave Orange Crush traffic in order to get to it. I'm I'm not looking forward to that, but looking forward to the meeting. But something to think about for next year's event if there's something that the library could do.

Last year, we had a whole table there. Yeah. Last year, we had a whole table there that I recall. Judy was there, but they put us in all different tables. So so we are connecting with other, you know, libraries, not our own staff, but but we did have a whole table there.

Alright. Well, thanks.

No. And that's a well attended event.

Was

Oh, yeah. It is. It's

crazy. Packed.

Yeah. It's It's pretty packed.

Yeah. Yep. Thank you, Sean. And for Anita and Carrie, so Sean was our previous trustee president and has been in the trustee, I don't know, for how many years. I think more than a decade.

Yeah.

Yeah. And now he volunteers at our foundation and volunteered to come to attend our meeting. So we actually very much enjoy seeing his face again. Thank you, Sean. And we have Judy from our friends.

Thank you, and welcome. And welcome. Anyway, most of our let's see. Put my glasses on here. Most of our board meeting involves speaking about the January book sale. It was a very successful book sale. We took in over $12,000 after most expenses. We had over 1,100 people in attendance, Probably a lot more because, you know, we use a clicker, and we're not the best at clicking. So, so we had a great day. Let's see.

We figure we might have sold as many as 10,000 books. We had 40 memberships signed up for, so it was it was extremely eventful. I wanna mention after that, we've had the good fortune of a donor offering up some art pieces. They're etchings by a Fullerton artist. His name is Scott Fitzgerald.

We've made contact with her and, in fact, picked up approximately 20 pieces of artwork. So we are gonna be meeting this upcoming month and start trying to determine how do we sell this artwork. We wanna do right by the donor. We wanna do a great job with the donation, and, of course, we would like to have major funds realized. So, not something we normally do, but, this donor has other things that she is talking about donating to us, so we'd really like to do a great job.

So we we're just gonna get together and kind of brainstorm how best to do this. So that's very exciting news. Let's see. For the, yes, for the conference that's coming up, serving with a purpose, we did approve funding of $500. So, I think that gets us a part of a table for people to attend.

And, yes, we thank thank you very much for our beautiful Goldenrod wall, those responsible for getting that painted and designed, and we look forward to everything else you've got going for us. We already have customers being directed to the bookstore based on the Goldenrod wall. So very nice upgrade. We're very appreciative of the attendance, of the attention rather. As far as Sundays, we are planning on staffing the bookstore on Sunday afternoon.

We have customers, I think, that will really enjoy being able to come Sunday afternoons, so we are very much looking forward to that. And I think that's everything I've got right now. Thank you.

Thank you so much. We definitely feel very blessed to have our foundation, our friends, our amazing partners. Thank you so much, and congratulations for the successful book sales.

Yes. Thank you. Bye bye.

With that, can we see if there's any public comments?

If you'd like to make a public comment, please approach the podium. We do not currently have anyone on Zoom. So now is the opportunity.

Then we are going to do the consent calendar. Anyone has a question about consent calendar?

I I do have a question about the consent calendar, and this may have been answered in the past. But there is on the library bill a $552 payment to Fullerton School District. What are we paying the school district

for? Printing services.

Oh, okay.

I had one thing on regular business section two. Nope. Section one. In the appointing and the, accepting section, it says that I was unanimously voted before I was nominated. I don't know if the order matters, but for the minutes.

Oh, the minutes. I

will, make the change. I

think all all of them. Right? No. Yes. I don't know if that matters to but

I can go back to the meeting and listen to it and then, put it in order. Okay. Thank you.

Maybe it was nominee. I don't it looked confusing, but it might be right.

No. I I will check it. Thank you.

And for the meeting minutes, January 22, the 6PM, the director report, first item has January city council meeting. Megan Watson was reappointed and Josh Dale's appointment will be held next month. Did I miss that? Was that actually reported by the, interim director? I Okay. Don't I feel like we were kind of surprised not seeing, Joshua.

I think

So I I don't know what am I hearing

or comment would have been that Josh is was gonna be it was that councilman Dunlap was not present at the meeting, so his was gonna be the

next Correct.

Correct. That I remember.

Right.

Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Okay. Seeing none, are we going to do a motion?

I move to approve the consent calendar as is. Unless we need Unless the changes need to be made to the minutes. Yep.

In in in which

So you want to remake motion again?

I make a motion to approve the consent calendar with the potential of changing the minutes. Is that

I second that.

Is that how it's supposed to be?

Thank you. Carrie Prellitz?

Yes.

Jennifer Sarvis? Yes. Megan Watson? Yes. Lisa Wojzap? Yes. And Seling Chen?

Yes. Alright. Our regular business item number one, the library's mission and vision statements. Let's hear from our interim director.

Thank you so much, president Chen. So this item was continued with the direction for for me to take a look at our current one. There was some input that was provided at the last meeting. So I I tried to give you some options. And, these are just idea starters for you if this so we can kind of know, if we're on the right track with the the statement.

So before you is the current mission statement and then options one, two, three, four, five, six. I did include a couple that I know are short, but I do know that, from what I know of mission statements, sometimes you can kind of say a lot in just one statement. And I think it was I believe it was trustee Watson who who told who looked it up and said that mission statements is what we do and the vision statement is how we do it. And so I that kinda stuck with me. So you'll just see some again, just some ideas using both the current, mission statement and, the input that was given at the last meeting.

So I'm I'll leave it for your discussion.

Do you have any, suggestions besides all the options that you listed? Any preference, reasons?

I have to say that I do. And they both come from what was submitted by by you and and the and the input. I really like five and six. I know they sound look short, but I think they're so comprehensive in a short sentence, and I'll read it for the audience if they don't see it. Number five is the library brings the Fullerton community together as a welcoming space where ideas, stories, and knowledge are explored and shared.

Number six option is the Fullerton Public Library connects people to ideas, creativity, and one another. Not to say that the other ones, they're it just depends on what you want to contain in the mission statement. But to me, those really can tell that tells me the mission, that what you do is serving the community and promoting the community. But but, again, these are just starting points, and they're up for your for your, discussion and to work through.

I I really loved and associated with Sorry. Should we Oh, sorry.

Hear public comments before we hear your comment?

We still have no members of the public on Zoom. So if you'd like to speak to this item, please approach the podium.

Any in person comment? Sorry. Go ahead.

I really resonated with number five as well because it's something that people everyone who who works here can take with them every day. It's almost like something that not a mantra, if you will, but something that you can Mhmm. Short and sweet and that you can always connect back to so that it's something does this serve our mission? You can immediately think, does it serve, you know, this short sentence and and feel free to proceed from there. So I think that the shortness of it and and also in what Megan had said last meeting was really succinct, and I think it it made a great impact.

I I agree with the succinct this succinct nature of number five. One thing, and I I do have a tendency to be a little on the wordy side. So I think I lean also towards number one because I thought it was just more of an integration, and it also mentions the art arts and culture as well. So I did like one, but it is a little more on the wordy side. But five is more succinct and almost not not a tagline, but, you know, it's it's it's it's full as well.

I I feel like because I'm an English learner, so I feel like I need more words to help me understand a little bit better. Something when it's so simple is like, wait. Such important job. It just that's it. So, Carrie, do you want to give your input?

I I would say I'm actually leaning towards number one as well. I just like that it mentions providing equitable access, and but it also touches on the culture and arts as well as the community.

I'm gonna throw a curveball and

say, I like number two.

The thing I liked about number two is that connecting people to ideas, creativity, and one another. I really like the wording of that. It kind goes to that, like, welcoming space where knowledge and like, I like the explored and shared of number five. I don't know. It also has more words. Maybe I am also a wordy person. But I I do also see the value of number five, especially in thinking about, like, you could just take that a welcoming space where ideas, stories, and knowledge are explored and shared. Like, that feels like that could be on the back a T shirt or that could be on, like, a poster very easily. Like Yeah. That's a mission that everyone could be like, oh, yeah. I get that. Like, that makes sense. So I

don't know.

I just said I was for number two and then was like, number five is great too. I don't know.

Alright. So, can we creatively put the three together, or, if we are gonna try to summarize it, you have some suggestion?

Well, thank you. Yes. We're thinking the great mice think alike, as I like to say. What I was gonna say is what I can do is if you like us to see this at number five, then I can look at what's in number one, I think, was mentioned or and two. And in fact, you'll notice just number two, it's the last sentence there that is just by itself as well.

But I can take a look at that, and I'm just making a note about if you'd like arts and culture and equity. I think you mentioned equity. And and, again, you know, mission statements, in my experience, they take time. They do take time, and they they kinda just have to go through kind of just different formats and try different things. If you like, I can look at one, two. And with thinking about number five, and let's see if I can just offer you some ideas about that. Go ahead.

Oh, I was gonna say, I I will say that with our vision statement, I think that equity comes through in that as well. Like, I'm just thinking about, like, if we're having both of these, like, one could be the short one and one could be the longer one. Right.

Where the vision statement is how you're gonna do it. It really kinda lays out it lays it out more. The mission statement really is like where where is your I forget the word was used, but I wish I had a better word for it.

Just Why do we come work every day? I think it's important. Like, why why are we here? Right?

Right. That and what is the goal? Right.

So whether it's guiding our principle.

Absolutely. And and equity does help to make a place welcoming. Mhmm. That that can so if if you want, we can I can I can work with that, and I'll work with Anita on that? And we can continue it. And if, if that's the way you wanna go, I would say too that the the part of the mission statement, the current one in, after number six, that that paragraph there, in its selection of books and materials, the Fullerton Public Library upholds the principles of freedom of speech and freedom of the press as guaranteed by the constitution. That can still be a like, a there following whatever the mission statement is. So that's helpful.

And I think before we make any decisions about the mission statement, we should also, in conjunction, do the Vision. Statement because I think a lot of the things that we like in number one Mhmm. Are actually better suited in in that vision statement. So

Also, in two, one of the things that I really liked, also, says collects and preserves. And I think that our history room is just such an asset to and we just have such vast collections. Not ever I mean, I guess I'm partial, but not every city has such an expansive collection that we have.

You're

right. I think that also speaks to the longevity of many generations staying in this community and the history. So I would love to see collects and preserves or something to that nature in there to give homage to our history and our very talented curator that works so hard in that area.

Okay. Thank you. I would like to add community preservation is one of the goals as part of the budget documentation for the city each year. So that is one of the ways in which the library directly contributes to that. It may feed into that.

Perfect. We're making progress.

Yes. So with that direction, are we ready to look at the vision statement?

I think we want to explore. Right? So with the vision statement, any comments?

I love number three because I love a bullet point list. I love a here's the this and this and this and this. Like, I really like that. And I even though it is a lot of words, I feel like it's broken down, very easy to digest, and it includes a lot of that stuff that we were talking about from the the mission statement.

I think within the diversity and creativity, you can add that arts and culture Mhmm. Point to it. And Mhmm. In service, I believe that community preservation could be included in that service. And also instead of the access being equal, it would I I would suggest equitable. Adhere to and provide equitable access to the library as opposed to equal access. Yep. And then they don't all have periods. That's when I

That's my I know. That's me. You know? Sometimes my my finger goes right to the period, and sometimes it doesn't. I have to talk to my is it this finger? This finger

is bad. Okay. Very visual, so I agree. I really like this format.

Think if the first one is so simple, it's nice to expand upon that, see the whys, the hows in that second section if we're just like, this is the what, here's the whys and the hows.

So if you like, I can work with number three unless, there's more discussion and just look at, adding arts and culture community preservation within within the bullet points. And either way, this item will come back to you.

Right. It's pretty much saying the same thing. It's just how it's delivered and feels sometimes differently.

Yeah. And I did a little bit of research about vision statements, and they're really one of the things that I I got away, that I that I, thought about was I was reading about making a vision statement is that it's use verbs. It's words of action. So, like, I thought, adhere, support, kind of leads again to the why and the how to use an action word.

Alright. So it's gonna be in your hand. Thank you. We don't need motions or anything. Right? Or do we want to make a motion to

You'll make a motion You can make a motion to continue the item that the library director will continue to incorporate the suggestions of the trustees and that and we'll come back to you at your next meeting.

All right

so who

wants to make a motion?

I move that the

we do that.

So we can just the library staff will take input from the trustees.

Take the input from the trustees and come back with new suggestions at the next meeting.

Perfect. I'll second that. Thank you.

Carrie Prellitz. Yes. Jennifer Sarvis? Yes. Megan Watson? Yes. Lisa Wojzap?

Yes.

And Soo Ling Chen?

Yes. Alright. So our, business number two, item number two is annual 2025 library foundation donation.

Yes thank you so much so the library has received the 2025 annual donation from the library foundation in the amount of $54,798 and we are very very grateful for the generous support and all the work they do

Thank you. Any public comments?

There are no members of the public on Zoom. I don't see anyone approaching the podium, but I imagine we might wanna hear from our foundation representative on this item. Okay.

Well, we

gotta offer you the opportunity.

Great. Alright. Let's see. Any comments from our board of trustees? I'm sure we're very appreciative. So can we have a motion?

I move to accept the foundation's donation.

Second. I second. Great.

Carrie Prellips? Yes. Jennifer Sarvis?

Yes.

Megan Watson?

Yes.

Lisa Wojsap? Yes. And Selene Chen?

Yes. Alright. Number three, arts and culture update.

So as you noted earlier, this is my last meeting, and I know this has come up, since, the board of trustees were given arts and culture as part of its preview. So with that in mind, I did have a meeting with, our interim city manager and the deputy city manager to really brainstorm about what what this would look like. As we've always said in past meetings, there is no staff. We don't really have any money attached to arts and culture. But what we but what I did share with them is the the list that has been created by president Chen, and people are adding to it about the arts and culture type organizations that are in our city already.

And as we were talking, kind of what I wrote here, that maybe to start, it would be for the library to work with the Fullerton Museum, the Muckenthaler, any any of the other organizations, and cultivate relationship and see if if within the programs that they're doing already as part of what they're doing in their in their place, that they would consider having something come to the hunt. Because they have the know how, they do the vetting, and it might be just a really great opportunity to bring arts and culture to the hunt and do it was suggested maybe to do it outside, for example. And I do know that there are plans to do some some remodeling or some changes out outside to to get more parking in that area. Maybe with the trees falling down, they could do more landscaping. I know I know that there's some there's some ideas to just how to make that area just a little more appealing than it is right now because it is a beautiful spot.

So what I'm really here to just say, this is what kind of what we came up with. I am gonna go to the Muckenthaler next Thursday and meet with the executive director and start to just plant that seed. I will share, of course, that with Anita. And, we're still trying to get a a meeting there at the Folate Museum with their executive director and, hopefully, just to start to plant these seeds. How can they do things here.

And I know that when I saw Elvia at the opening of the last exhibit there at the hunt, she's very eager. But I think we need to just really have conversations about, okay. So what what do you have on your calendar, and what do you see as something that we could bring to the hunt, whether it's at the Fulton Museum Center at the hunt, the Muckenthaler at the hunt, and just brand it like that. So that's my very simple report, but that may be a that may be a starting place based on just kind of what we have. And and we do have help from parks and rec staff right now with the gallery.

And so one of my suggestions was could that person be more available as things go forward? So it looked like that's something that could happen too. So fingers crossed because that would really be helpful to have somebody who just who speaks that language and really knows the community very well.

I actually had a meeting with Farrell Hirsch, who was the executive director of Muckenthaler, a while back. And there previously had been a meeting and an offer for programming to kind of push in at the hunt. So I think he will be real very receptive. And he we actually were talking to him. He is a Rotarian with with president Chen and myself, and so I'm sure that he will be very receptive

Great. To that. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

And I think in our city in the past, we have quite a few events from face of Fullerton, a night in Fullerton. There were lots of culture events in the past, and, obviously, we don't have to do the same event. But to tap on our council member Valencia's idea when she came to our trustee meeting, her she's hoping that because she, you know, came from small city, really depend on events. And so whether it's a jazz or whether it's Taylor Swift or whatever, that you can bring the people Mhmm. I think that's what we are trying Sure.

To have. It's bring people to the Hunt library, to our city, so that more people can enjoy the beautiful place that we have.

Absolutely. And I really do think that that sentiment is really what I that we can cultivate with with Le Bonkinthaler at the museum to really bring it to the hunt and just elevate elevate their participation as well, not just the library and the city as a whole. So absolutely.

Alright. So with that report, can we see is there any public comment?

Please approach the podium if you'd like to speak on this item, but there are no public on Zoom.

Alright. K. Any comments from our trustees? So how do we move forward with this item? What motion would it be?

It's receipt. It's a receipt.

File. You feel like Oh. It go into the shop, you don't see it again.

If you'd like, you can make a motion to receive a file, but that but it is a receive and file because you're not taking any action on this item.

But you you mentioned a few possible actions.

Possible actions. Yeah. It's not my understanding that we take a we take a vote for this, but if you would like to, it it yeah. It was just kind of a status report from on my end because this is my last meeting. So I just wanted to at least try to do something with this because I know it's come up and

like the

right.

Well, but instead of receive and file, you know, since our incoming directory is also here, could we, I don't know, make something like, you know, explore the possibilities of bringing arts and culture to our city? Or let's, you know, go advocate for arts and culture money or positions with the city councils. I mean so there's some something that actually can happen versus a year from now, we're still at the same place.

If you like, besides just the receiving file, you could also direct library staff to, to come back with, maybe a more robust plan after we've had conversation with people, maybe something like that. But it's gotta be agendized to take action.

I was gonna say because you are meeting with people. So there is stuff something happening after this. It's not like this is just the end of this conversation.

Absolute no. Absolutely not. Thank you for pointing that out. Absolutely not. It's still

I'm sorry. If it's receiving file, don't we're not going to forget about it. It's going to come back eventually. As once we have the new director and there's meetings with the McIntyre and the museum, we'll continue to give you updates. But you're more than welcome to, to make a different motion.

Well, I understand the incumbent order, it's gonna be new, and it's gonna take, you know, some time to get all the things that need to get done. So maybe in a three month time that we can visit to see what's the progress, regarding this item. That would be what I would like to see. Yeah. I'm happy to hear everybody's

good motion.

Yeah. How everyone else feels.

Right. You can do that. And just giving direction to staff, so think it's perfect. Mhmm.

I'll make a motion or anyone want to make a motion? Alright. I would like to make a motion for our, the library to visit this item and with the new director to be able to give us updates in three months.

I second.

And let's take a vote.

Carrie Prillitz? Yes. Jennifer Sarvis? Yes. Megan Watson?

Yes.

Lisa Wojzap? Yes. And Seling Chen?

Yes. Thank you. And that concludes our meeting tonight. Thank you all for being here. Right. And welcome, Anita, and welcome, Carrie. And thank you very much, Beatrice.

My pleasure. And so I know it has a a tentative agenda forecast. Again, we will keep you updated about when this room will be available and when your next meeting will be. Right. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Have a great night.