Wednesday, November 11, 2009
City Council Chambers
Jim Whitlatch.
President John Walsh called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.
The consent agenda (Minutes of October 28, 2009 Board Meeting; Minutes of November 4, 2009 Work Session; Monthly Bills for Payment; Monthly Financial Report; Personnel Report; and Board Calendar) was presented for approval. Steve Moberly offered a correction to October 28 minutes, page 2B, attorney’s name should be Beth Henkel, rather than Beth Hinkle. Kari Isaacson moved; Melissa Pogue seconded approval of the consent agenda as corrected. Motion carried unanimously (Dave Ferguson and Randy Paul absent for vote).
Sara Laughlin presented the Director’s Report.
Sara Laughlin presented a prioritized list for allocating 2009 appeal funds (the lost revenue for 2009).
| 1. Health Insurance (additional 10% contribution) | $40,000 |
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| 2. Main Renovation | |||||||||
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$232,000 |
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| 3. RFID Tags and Conversion Stations | $248,434 |
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| 4. Main Renovation: Signage | $10,000 |
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| 5. Main Renovation: Upholstery Part II | $10,000 |
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| 6. Main Renovation: Alt. 5: Learning Center | $34,000 |
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TOTAL |
$574,434 |
The Board discussed the list. John Walsh noted that items 1 and 2 were the most time-sensitive.
Randy Paul asked for clarification of the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags; whether they are included in a price estimate of $500,000-$750,000 that he had heard mentioned; the status of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for an RFID system; and asked for assurance that if the tagging expenditure were approved, no expenditures would be made until after the RFID purchase has been approved by the Board.
Sara Laughlin confirmed that this expense would be part of an estimated $750,000 overall expense. An RFP has been prepared and sent. Sara explained the three phases involved in an RFID system installation. Phase 1 would involve purchasing or leasing conversion stations and tagging every item in the collection. Phase 2 would be installing new security gates and adding software to existing self-checkout equipment. Phase 3 would be installing the automated materials handling equipment that would check items back in and sort them. Funds for Phase 2 are included in the 2010 Library Improvement Reserve Fund (LIRF); 2011 Capital Projects Fund would be used for Phase 3.
Randy Paul asked whether all three phases were interdependent. Sara Laughlin clarified that the materials handling equipment was separate. Randy Paul asked whether savings in staff time would be realized with the materials handling portion. Sara Laughlin confirmed.
John Walsh noted that action at this meeting would not approve spending the money for the RFID tags but rather setting aside funds for the expenditure if approved.
Steve Moberly felt that some of the appeal funds should be saved. He supported the first three items on the prioritized list (Health Insurance $40,000; Main Renovation Costs $272,000; and RFID Tags $248,434).
Steve Moberly moved; Randy Paul seconded approval of setting aside appeals funds for the first three items listed above (total $520,434). Motion carried unanimously.
Kyle Wickemeyer-Hardy reported on options for employee health insurance for 2010. Coverage was bid out to six companies. The existing carrier (Anthem) was the only bidder; their price increase was 41.5% for the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) coverage and 39.1% for the Health Savings Account (HSA) coverage. After reviewing all options, the Health Care Task Force and Administration are recommending offering a choice of three plans to employees: 1) a slightly modified PPO with deductible increased from $250/yr. to $500/yr. and a change in emergency care coverage; 2) an HSA with the same benefits as the existing HSA ($3,000 deductible); and 3) a new HSA with a $5,000 deductible. These changes would result in a 28.1% increase for the PPO and a 39.1% increase for the existing HSA. The new HSA when compared with the original HSA would show an 11.46% increase. Based on a 20% increase in library contribution the library would contribute $6,181 per full-time employee (pro-rated for part-time employees). Lower premiums for the two HSAs will allow the library to continue to contribute to individual HSA accounts (for example, $744/yr. to the original HSA and $1,825/yr. to the $5,000 deductible HAS for an individual working full-time). Anthem is allowing the library to offer three plans for one year only, provided there is enrollment of 20% in each of the three plans. In 2011 coverage would roll back to two plans, and if 20% enrollment in any plan is not reached this year, it would not be offered.
Randy Paul asked for a breakdown of employees and eligible employees. Kyle noted that there are 179 employees; 125 eligible employees; and 17 part-time employees not yet eligible due to the one-year waiting period. 86 employees are currently enrolled in health insurance plans.
Following additional discussion, Randy Paul moved; Steve Moberly seconded approval of offering the three proposed plans. Motion carried unanimously.
Kyle Wickemeyer-Hardy presented proposed changes to the Personnel Manual Sections 4.04 (Insurance Full-Time) and 4.05 (Insurance Part-Time). The language will be generalized so as to avoid annual revisions.
John Walsh read the resolution into the record.
The Board discussed the proposed changes.
Kari Isaacson moved; Randy Paul seconded adoption of the resolution to update the library’s Personnel Manual Sections 4.04 and 4.05. Motion carried 5-0 (Randy Paul abstaining).
Mickey Needham presented a renovation update and noted that she plans to present monthly updates. The Children’s Department is closed and the Children’s Outpost is open in Meeting Rooms 1B and 1C. Some parking lot work has been done. The design work for the library is ongoing. Mickey showed carpet samples for the first floor. There is a link at www.mcpl.info with renovation information and timeline.
Randy Paul stated that it is important for the Board to attend or support the Friends Author Event with author Rick Bragg on Saturday, November 14. Sara Laughlin added that about 100 tickets have been sold for the reception.
Sara Laughlin thanked the City of Bloomington for allowing the MCPL Board to use the Council Chambers.
Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Contact
Us Monroe County Public Library, Monroe County, Indiana ° (812)349-3050
Updated:
January 4, 2010
° http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/board/200911min.html
