Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Call to Order: Lonnie Bostelman called the March 2005 meeting of the Paulding County Carnegie Library Board of Trustees to order at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the main library in Paulding.

Roll Call: The following were present: Board members: Leah Smith, Lonnie Bostelman. Sue Derck and Terry Wehrkamp. Board members Michele Stahl and Susie Thrasher were absent. Wilma Mullins, Clerk-Treasurer and Susan Hill, Library Director were also present.

Minutes: Terry Wehrkamp moved to approve the February 2005 minutes. Sue Derck seconded. Motion passed.

Financial / Clerk-Treasurer: Motion to pay bills (Pay-x 9084-9140; Finance 11298-11377) was made by Sue Derck, seconded by Leah Smith. Motion passed.

Transfers: (None)

Clerk-Treasurer Additional Report: Mrs. Mullins informed the Board that she would contact ex-employee Melissa Grant via letter to cash old paychecks. Discussion ensured regarding the new vacation policy procedures. The issue would be tabled until a later date.

OLD BUSINESS

Automatic Door: Ms. Hill updated the Board on the status of the automated door for the children’s entrance. Dilly Door would be doing the job at a cost of approximately $5500.

Staff Bonus/Incentives: Ms. Hill recommended approval of a 3% across the board (except pages) bonus for all full and part time staff. The Board discussed the issue and asked about the bonus in 2004. The amount given to the staff in lieu of raises was 5%. The Board requested more figures for a 5% bonus and hoped to vote on the issue in April.

Property: Ms. Hill informed the Board that the Gerbers have their property behind the library for sale at a cost of $70K. The Board felt this was too high and suggested perhaps we have it appraised. This land would be used for additional parking when the library expands the main building.

Flood Wall: The status on the replacement of the floodwall is pending through FEMA. The Board asked if the wall was guaranteed and if the manufacturer would cover the deductible. FEMA would cover the deductible if the wall were covered and possibly total coverage if insurance was denied.

NEW BUSINESS

Personnel: Part-time employee Julie Mitchell has requested additional unpaid sick leave. The board has given six weeks and while sympathetic to her situation, stated that the library still needs to operate. No action taken.

PLA 2006: Ms. Hill informed the Board that a program she submitted entitled “Right of Center and Still Balanced” was “picked-up” as a program at the Public Library Association conference in Boston in 2006. She let the Board know that pre-registration will begin this summer and if any Board members want to attend, they need to let Wilma know.

Local Funding Resolution: The following resolution was affirmed by roll call vote:

Whereas the Local Government Funds represent an extensive history of partnership between Ohio’s state and local governments that has existed for over seven decades with the establishment of the Local Government Fund (LGF) in 1934, the Library and Local Government Support Fund (LLGSF) in 1985, and the Local Government Revenue Assistance Fund (LGRAF) in 1989; and,

Whereas the Local Government Funds provide a revenue-sharing mechanism by which all local governments and libraries share fairly in the cumulative resources of the state; and, Whereas the Local Government Funds, if lost or reduced, would require the Paulding County Carnegie Library to dramatically impact the number of services it provides to all residents of the county. Now therefore be it resolved that the Board of Trustees of the Paulding County Carnegie Library hereby: Urges the Ohio General Assembly to make the continued support to its local government partners the highest of priorities during its deliberations on the State’s Fiscal Years 2006/23007 Biennial Budget and return the Local Government Funds to the permanent law funding formula.

Other Business: Ms. Hill brought the Board up to date on a number of issues including the tiling for the elevator and foyers, spring cleaning and landscaping and the importance of writing to the legislatures regarding our funding.

The next Board meeting would be held the third Tuesday in April at the main library in Paulding. Being no new business to conduct, Terry Wehrkamp made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Sue Derck seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Board Secretary Lonnie Bostelman, President

MS: snh