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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-19 City Council (31)City of Pal{} Alto C ty Manager’s Rep r 5 TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: Community Services AGENDA DATE: MAY 19, 1997 cMR: 241:97 SUBJECT:Amendment to Library Budget Authorizing Receipt and Appropriation of California State Library Grant Funds for Adapted Internet Access Workstation This report requests that Council approve a budget amendment to the Library Automation capital project to appropriate $5,251 in federal funds, granted through the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) administered by the California State Library, for purchase of adaptive hardware and software for a public access Internet workstation located at the Mitchell Park Branch Library, to meet the needs of people with visual impairments. RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends Council approval of the attached Budget Amendment Ordinance authorizing receipt and appropriation of LSCA funds in the amount of $5,251. POLICYIMPLICATIONS There are no policy implications related to this report. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 1994/95 the Library participated in a program administered by the California State Library (funded by the federal LSCA) to enable public libraries to provide Internet access across the state. The program, InfoPeople, resulted in direct Internet access being provided at 180 public library sites, including three in Palo Alto at the Main, Mitchell Park and Children’s Libraries; significant staff training programs for all participating libraries; and the involvement of many community volunteers to tutor the public, who were unfamiliar with this new service. CMR:241:97 Page 1 of 3 In a 1995/96 expansion of the program, a new grant cycle built on the first and provided additional workstations at Main and Mitchell Park Libraries with graphical access and more staff training. To date, the InfoPeople grants have not included Internet workstations adapted to meet the needs of people with physical or visual disabilities. Under the current grant program, the InfoPeople Adaptive Workstation Demonstration Grant Program addresses this special population and consists of the provision of a basic InfoPeople workstation and funds for the purchase of adaptive hardware and software to enhance the workstation provided. The Palo Alto proposal was accepted and the Mitchell ParkBranch will be one of the five recipients of the Adaptive Internet Workstation and $5,251 for purchase of adaptive hardware and software to meet the needs of people with sight and/or physical impairments. This grant was developed and will be implemented with the assistance of many in the community who have disabilities or serve people with disabilities. This project is completely compatible with the existing library automation CIP plans currently being implemented and will complement other special equipment (e.g., a reading machine) provided at the Mitchell Park Branch to assist people who have vision problems or who are blind. Grant funds will augment City funds available in the Library Automation CIP. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMF.2~ This program is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act. Budget Amendment Ordinance. CMR:241:97 Page 2 o1’ 3 PREPARED BY: Marilyn L. Gillespie, Supervising Librarian DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:. PAUL THILTGEN/ E~ tor of Commu ’ ~ ?~anager ’ CMR:241:97 Page 3 o~’ 3 ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1996-97 TO RECOGNIZE RECEIPT OF A GRANT FROM THE LIBRARY SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION ACT AND PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE LIBRARY AUTOMATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT,NUMBER 19418 WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of Article III of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto, the Council on June 24, 1996 did adopt a budget for fiscal year 1996’97; and WHEREAS, the Community Services Department has received a grant of $5,251 from the California State Library, funded through the Library Services and Construction Act; and WHEREAS, the grant is for the purchase of software and hardware to provide an adaptive workstation so that people with visual impairments can access the Internet atthe Mitchell Park Library; and. WHEREAS, the Library Automation Capital Improvement Project, Number 19418 (CIP 19418) already includes work of a similar nature; and WHEREAS, City Council authorization is needed to amend the 1996-97 budget and appropriate the grant funds to CIP 19418, as hereinafter set forth. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of~ Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows: SECTION i. Grant Revenue in the General Fund is increased by the sum of Five Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-One Dollars ($5,251) for the receipt of California Public Library Funds. SECTION 2. The sum of Five Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-One Dollars ($5,251) is hereby appropriated to Capital Improvement Project No. 19418, Library Automation. This transaction will have no impact on reserves. SECTION 4. As specified in Section 2.28.080(a) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, a two-thirds vote of the City Council is required to adopt this ordinance. SECTION 5. The Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby finds that this is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary. SECTION 6. As provided in Section 2.04.350 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, this ordinance shall become effective upon adoption. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager Senio~ Asst. City Attorney Acting Director, Administrative Services Department Director of Community Services