City Council Meeting Date: February 12, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Teresa Jensen, Library and IT Director
Title
Link Center Proposal Discussion.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council will discuss the permanent merging of Link Center services with Library services.
Summary Report:
In 2010 the City-funded position of Welcome Coordinator was eliminated, due to cuts in LGA funding from the state of MN. In order to continue these services, in January 2014 the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) agreed to provide these services through a three-year contract with the City (from the City’s Communications fund). This contract was extended in 2017 and will expire the end of 2019.
In 2017, the Northfield Public Library hired a full-time bilingual Outreach Coordinator position; in 2018 the library hired 2 part-time bilingual staff, for a total of 3 bilingual staff. The Library Director proposes to transfer the services once provided by the City, currently provided as a contracted service with the City through HCI, which administers the Link Center, back to a City service within Library operations, and to house this service at the library. Tentative date for the changeover would be by May 1, 2019. The City and HCI staff are excited and supportive of terminating the contract on May 1, 2019 to facilitate the transition into this new expanded capacity with our library operations. Our aim is to make the Library Link Center a clearinghouse for physical resident information, and to support the City in its long-range strategic goals of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Operational Effectiveness. There will also continue to be further exploration of collaboration with our communications division of the City as they look to enhance their current activities as well.
Staff is seeking any questions, comments or concerns as we consider bringing forward a formal action of council as early as February 19th dependent on feedback we receive.
Alternative Options:
The Link Center can continue under the auspices of HCI, funded through the City-contracted funds of $36,267 through the remainder of 2019.
Financial Impacts:
The current Link Center contract with the City provides for $36,267 in 2019 to fund all operations of the Link Center, including personnel, web content, monthly newsletter design, printing, translating services and postage. The first payment of 2019 has been transferred to HCI for Link Center expenses. The City and HCI propose that the City take over the remaining funds, transferring the remaining two payments in the amount of $25,900 into library general funds to fund the function of the Link Center for the remainder of 2019, including the hiring of one part-time library staff. The table below illustrates sustainable funding for library Link Center operations, but assumes funding for the full year of 2019, rather than 2/3 of 2019:
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* Please note we anticipate this is generally cost neutral but there will be some additional expenses including staff oversight of this operation that will be incorporated with the change. These are the more direct costs immediately estimated at this time. |
Tentative Timelines:
February 19, 2019 - Council action terminating agreement cooperatively with HCI.
May 1, 2019 - The City, through Library Services, will take over the function of the Link Center.