Tuesday, February 19, 2008

 

 

 

 

Call to Order: Sue Derck called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Roll Call:  The following were present:  Board members: Leah Smith, Sue Derck, Corey Walker, Susie Thrasher, Michelle Stahl and Terry Wehrkamp. Director Susan Pieper, Assistant Director, Diana Coy and Wilma Mullins, Clerk-Treasurer were also present.

 

Also present:  Joe Burkard represented a group of citizens supporting the library opening a branch library in Junction in the St. Mary’s Church which the Toledo Diocese wishes to deed ownership over to the library. Staff members present: Donna Sue Cole, Michelle Sidle, Vicky Hull, Anissa Williamson and Kelly Taylor.

 

Junction Branch Library:  Joe Burkard, Paulding County Prosecuting Attorney addressed the board on behalf of a group he legally represents in a lawsuit against the Toledo Diocese. Burkard answered questions the board had regarding the ownership of the property, the ownership of the antique stained glass windows, the ongoing cost of maintenance of the building, the formation of a non-profit “Friends” group to assume all maintenance expenses. The Diocese wishes to deed the properties of the St. Mary’s Church in Junction, Ohio to the Board of Trustees of the Paulding County Carnegie Library with a clause stating that if library operations ceased in the building, it reverts back to the Diocese. A secondary clause would identify the antique stained glass windows as still being the property of the Diocese but on permanent loan as “art” to the library. Lengthy discussions regarding the cost of insuring the antiquities and other maintenance issues ensued. Burkard had received a list of questions the board had regarding the building and the transition. The board asked him to answer the questions in writing. They want assurance that a non-profit group would incorporate for the purpose of supporting a branch library. The board will make a decision at the March meeting pending answers from Mr. Burkard, whether or not to proceed with this new branch. They will also make an effort to tour the church and ascertain whether the structure is adequate for a library.

 

Staff Input:  Vicky Hull spoke on behalf of the staff. She stated that the staff was supportive of Pieper and the board in whatever decisions had to be made. They will do their part on finding ways of cutting the budget. She stated that the staff loved their jobs and the library.

 

Minutes: There was a presentation and review of the January 2008 minutes. Michelle Stahl moved to approve the corrected minutes. Susie Thrasher seconded the motion. Motion passed.

 

Financial / Clerk-Treasurer: Motion to pay bills (Pay-X 11407-11462); Finance 13620-13666) was made by Leah Smith and seconded by Corey Walker. Motion carried.

 

Revenue Discussion: The board discussed the amount of donations being made in January exceeded the yearly projections. Coy explained that the large amount was due to the generous donation made by the Paulding County Genealogy Society for the networked microfilm machine.

 

Board Member Terms: Mullins distributed the dates that board members’ terms expire: Sue Derck (11/23/10); Leah Smith (11/23/08); Michelle Stahl (11/23/12); Sue Thrasher (11/23/08); Terry Wehrkamp (11/23/10); Corey Walker (11/23/12)

 

Transfer Request: Michelle Stahl moved that $22,448.66 be transferred from Star Ohio to the checking account to pay bills. Terry Wehrkamp seconded. Motion passed.

 

Additional Clerk Treasurer Reports:

·         Diana Coy can do payroll if Wilma Mullins is unavailable.

·         Mullins informed the board that she would be taking vacation time in March if it met with their approval.

·         Mullins told the board that the staff trip to the Public Library Association conference in Minneapolis scheduled for March would cost approximately $19,750 and sending the director and one board member to the American Library Association annual conference in Anaheim, California in June would cost about $6,000.

·         Mullins has upcoming continuing education she must attend. She will update the board as to the time and cost.

 

Normal Expenses: Susie Thrasher moved to approve payment of all normal and regular monthly bills for fiscal year 2008. Leah Smith seconded the motion. Motion passed.

 

Budget Cut Actions:  Pieper provided the Board with recent information regarding the funding of libraries. Since Ohio’s libraries are now funded 2.2% of the state’s general revenue; and since revenue is anticipated to be down with the state showing low, zero or negative growth; and since there is a chance for the state to enter into a recession, the following options were approved by the board to immediately cut the budget:

·         Susie Thrasher moved and Terry Werkamp seconded an immediate freeze on hiring pages. Motion passed.

·         Leah Smith moved and Susie Thrasher seconded closing all library locations on noon on Saturdays beginning March 1, 2008. Motion passed.

·         Michelle Stahl moved and Corey Walker seconded replacing one full-time youth service clerk position (vacant due to the resignation of Julie Mitchell effective February 28th) with two part-time employees. Motion passed.

·         Leah Smith moved and Corey Walker seconded the cancellation of travel to PLA by all staff and board members except the director. This motion was passed, regretfully.

 

Library Levy: Michelle Stahl moved that the library go forward with steps for a permanent continuous library levy to be placed on the ballot in November. Terry Werkamp seconded the motion. Roll call vote resulted in unanimous affirmation. Pieper will proceed with necessary legal resolutions to pass a .6 mil levy that would generate approximately $200.000 per year. Preliminary estimates from the Paulding County Auditor’s office put the tax on a $100,000 home at $21.00 per year.

 

Director’s Report: Pieper distributed a report of activities at the ALA mid-winter conference in Philadelphia. She also updated the board on upcoming conference obligations.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Personal Days:  The board discussed the personal day amounts given to full and part time employees. Action was tabled and will be revisited later in the year.

 

Library Foundation: Pieper informed the board that she will be meeting with the Paulding Area Foundation attorney and director on Thursday, February 21st to finalize plans for formation of the library foundation.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

CE Opportunity for Director: Pieper shared an opportunity she may have to receive a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Digital Librarianship offered by Kent State University in an 18 hour series of classes. No action taken.

 

Relay for Life:  Pieper shared that once again the library would have a team in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Co-Chairs are Michelle Sidle and Heather Hunt. The staff has been active in this community event since its inception. The library has tragically lost two beloved employees to cancer, Bonnie Carlisle, past children’s librarian, and Beth Wilson, library clerk at the Payne Branch Library.

 

Other:

Ø  Board members were encouraged to register for the Trustee Dinner preceding the Ohio Library Council Chapter Conference on April 17th.

Ø  The board still wants the staff to attend the Chapter Conference on April 18th in Toledo.

Ø  Pieper shared that she will be attending the Chamber of Commerce dinner on March 1st.

Ø  Michelle Stahl moved to join the Paulding Area Foundation at the Associate Level for $50.00. Susie Thrasher seconded the motion. Motion passed.

 

Adjournment:  Michelle Stahl moved and Corey Walker seconded the motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.  The next Board meeting would be held on March 18, 2008 at the main library at 7:00 p.m.

 

                                                           
Michelle Stahl, Board Secretary                                     Sue Derck, President 

MS: snp