November 2025 Signed Minutes

City of Mesa

Library Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Date:
Time:
Location:

5:30 p.m.

November, 18" 2025

2425 S Dobson Rd

Mesa, AZ 85202

Members Present
Lonica Rowley, Chair

Kristin Ricklefs-Johnson, Vice Chair

Karina Wilhelm
Mark Powell
Ellen Bachman
Christal Cline
Megan Sterling
Jo Wilson

Members Absent
James Martherus

AGENDA ITEM

Call to Order

Approval of May Meeting
Minutes

Public Comments

Introductions,
Recognitions, and
Announcements

Facilitated Design
Charette for the Red
Mountain Library
Children’s Room

Staff Present

Polly Bonnett

Jesse Simms

Stacey Akahoshi

Jenn Lopez

Anna Mathews

Sara Lipich

Megan Guderian

Zach Gomez-Robinson

Tony Garvey

Guests Present

Charlotte McDermott

Shaney Blackburn-Aguirre

Lee Swanson
DISCUSSION

Chair, Lonica Rowley, called the meeting for the City of Mesa Library Advisory Board to order
at 5:35pm. on November 18", 2025.

The September 23rd minutes were moved by Ellen Bachman and seconded by Megan Sterling.
The minutes were unanimously approved by all board members present.

AYES ~ Rowley, Ricklefs-Johnson, Sterling, Wilhelm, Powell, Cline, Wilson, Bachman
NAYS ~ None

No Public Comments

All staff and board members present introduced themselves.

Polly Bonnett, Library Director, introduced Lee Swanson from Richard Kennedy Architects to
the board. Polly began the discussion by mentioning the Library Master Plan and sharing that
survey results indicated a strong desire for improvements to the Red Mountain Library. Lee
reviewed the overall master planning process. which included facility analysis and input from a
task force. Staff leadership also emphasized the importance of creating a cohesive feel across all
library locations, with Red Mountain specifically identified as a site in need of upgrades. The
Children’s Area renovation was highlighted as part of this need. Lee shared photos of children’s
areas across all locations, noting examples of flexible spaces, welcoming signage, and upcoming
features at the new Gateway Library, including interactive and flexible storytime spaces. Jenn
Lopez, Library Branch Coordinator outlined the goals for the renovation, including creating
cohesive and playful spaces, adding more manipulatives, incorporating traditional activity areas,
supporting experiential learning, increasing space for families, and ensuring the Children’s Area
serves as a destination for kids and caregivers. Kristin asked what specific improvements Red
Mountain requires, and Jenn responded that the library needs more manipulatives, additional
furniture, and another storytime space. Lonica noted the importance of ensuring parents have
adequate space as well. Kristin asked about accessibility features, and staff referenced the
autism certification program and the sensory room at the Gateway Library. Jo asked about target
age ranges for the space, and Jenn stated that all ages use the area and that designated spaces
would be beneticial. Jo and Lonica also noted the lack of dedicated space and activities for
tweens. Jesse Simms, Assistant Library Director, provided a proposed project timeline, stating
that design work could begin in July 2026 (FY 26-27) with the potential renovation completed
by June 2027. He shared ideas such as converting the Roadrunner Room into a sensory space
and relocating collections, including moving nonfiction to the opposite side of the library.
Additional needs include a new dividing wal] between THINK Spot and the renovated area, a

AGENDA ITEM

Hear a presentation on
how a grant awarded to
the Mesa Room will
enhance the space

Directors Update

Identify items for future
agenda

Next Meeting Dates

Adjournment

DISCUSSION

new service desk, more shelving and furniture, updates to the family restroom, interactive
projector displays, and expanded manipulatives. Jesse also noted that there are no current plans
to add full-time staff to support the changes. Lee then led the group through a design charette
exercise using concept trading cards. Polly concluded by explaining that the next steps involve
presenting the project to the City Manager in February. Depending on funding and prioritization,
the City Manager may move the project forward to the City Council for consideration. In
response to a question about funding, Polly noted that the city manages over 400 facilities and
that the Master Plan clearly showed the need for investment in Red Mountain. She encouraged
the board to share their interest in the project with their Council representatives.

Library Associate Shaney Blackburn-Aguirre gave a presentation explaining her role as a
cataloger and outlining the Mesa Community Chronicles project. She noted that the project
requested $60,000 in funding and was awarded $55,500, with $42,000 allocated for hardware
and interactive screens and the remaining funds designated for scanning, metadata work, and
educational programming. She described the project as an initiative to create a digital archive
that preserves and shares Mesa’s collective memory, enhances educational opportunities, and
improves accessibility to local history. The timeline includes receiving funds in early 2026,
installing the exhibit in the spring, and launching it to the public later in 2026 with a community
showcase event. The exhibit will be located on the first floor of the Main Library and will
feature three 80-inch interactive screens displaying content such as a brand gallery, random
object gallery, exhibit gallery, and map gallery. Shaney also discussed potential collaborations
with local businesses and community partners, including the Arizona Museum of Natural
History, MCC Archives, ASU, and library patrons. She closed by noting that all funds are
expected to be fully utilized by December 2026 and emphasized that this initiative provides an
exciting opportunity to bring Mesa’s stories to life.

Polly shared that in September, staff were asked to provide information on salaries and how they
compare to other cities around the Valley. She explained that Mesa hires pages at 5 percent
above the base pay and, because Arizona’s minimum wage increases annually, the library
requests corresponding annual adjustments to page wages. Management Assistant, Tony Garvey
explained that once page staff complete 1,040 hours, they become eligible for a pay step based
on the most recent Council-approved increase. He also noted that there is a training budget
dedicated to pages for specialized development. Polly discussed the City’s benchmarking
process, which occurs every two years and compares staff salaries with other jurisdictions across
the Valley. She and Tony reviewed how Mesa Libraries compare to other library systems,
noting that during the last benchmarking cycle many paraprofessional classifications received a
10 percent increase, and professional classifications received {5 percent. Polly also highlighted
that the City operates a wellness center available to staff at no cost, and Tony added that
employees have access to up to $14,000 in training funds. Polly advocated for updates to
minimum qualifications and the addition of Library Clerk positions. Karina emphasized the
importance of cultural recognition of staff and asked whether raises will continue. Polly
explained that City Council approves step increases based on recommendations from OMB,
which typically fall between 3-5 percent. She concluded by mentioning that beginning in the
new year, the board will have additional time to share updates.

No items were identified.

January 20", 2026 - Main Library 2" Floor Saguaro Room

Board member Jo Wilson moved, and Mark Powell seconded that the meeting be adjourned.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 pm. Upon tabulation of votes, it showed:

AYES — Rowley, Ricklefs-Johnson, Sterling, Wilhelm, Powell, Cline, Wilson, Bachman

NAYS ~ None

The next meeting will be held on the 20" of January 2026 at the Main Library in the 2" floor
Saguaro Room.

Lonica Rowley, Chair signs for minutes

Kotla