Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Program Room 2B
Tom Bunger and Rita Lichtenberg.
President John Walsh called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m.
The consent agenda (Minutes of November 11, 2009 Board Meeting; Minutes of November 11, 2009 Executive Session; Minutes of December 9, 2009 Work Session; Monthly Bills for Payment; Monthly Financial Report; Personnel Report; and Board Calendar) was presented for approval. Fred Risinger moved; Melissa Pogue seconded approval of the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Sara Laughlin presented the Director’s Report. Sara noted that circulation numbers have been slightly lower primarily due to the ongoing Children’s area renovation.
Randy Paul asked whether there has been any resolution to the relocation of the garden. Sara Laughlin explained that she is waiting to see how much hardscape will be torn up on Grant Street side. She would like to see the garden relocated to an area that is already dug up. The second choice would be to use pots and planters.
Kari Isaacson asked for a status update on the Children’s area. Sara Laughlin reported that the carpeting is the primary hold-up at this point and that Mickey Needham will give a status report later in the meeting.
Kyle Wickemeyer-Hardy presented the Resolution to Adopt Salary Schedule for 2010. The proposed salary schedule reflects partial implementation of the recommendations resulting from the Singer Group Compensation and Classification study which was conducted in October 2008 through May 2009. Partial implementation provides for an increase to half of the minimum proposed in the study for each pay grade plus compression relief of .4% per year of seniority (up to mid-point).
John Walsh read into the record the Resolution to Adopt Salary Schedule for 2010.
Randy Paul felt that pay increases should be delayed until more is known about future library revenue; that staff deserves raises but the timing is bad; and that pay increases will force future reductions in staff. His concerns with uncertain revenue included: a) the country is in the worst recession in 50 years; b) the library will be losing $500,000 per year in County Option Income Tax (COIT) funds beginning in 2012; and c) the Financial Task Force recommended not increasing expenses between now and 2012 and to start reducing expenses. Further, he felt that any fund-raising efforts will not provide relief in time for 2012 stating that in September he had been told that fund-raising efforts would take 3-5 years. With regard to improved technology allowing for a smaller staff, he felt that the staff is a very important part of the library. Further, he felt that the purchase of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system has not yet been approved and that we will be spending $750,000 to replace the $500,000 that we are losing. He felt that additional spending will have serious consequences in the future and that the community should be involved in the decision.
Randy Paul apologized to the Board and to Sara Laughlin for comments made at previous meetings. He explained that he was debating policy and had not intended to be critical of Sara Laughlin or of staff. He commended Sara for her work and for pulling staff together in a difficult time.
Steve Moberly asked whether the three pages of pay scale and classifications would be attached to the resolution for permanent record. Kyle Wickemeyer-Hardy confirmed.
John Walsh asked whether attorney Tom Bunger had reviewed the resolution. Mr. Bunger confirmed.
Steve Moberly moved; Fred Risinger seconded approval of the Resolution to Adopt Salary Schedule for 2010 as presented. Randy Paul requested a roll call vote. Motion carried 6-1 (Randy Paul dissenting).
Sara Laughlin presented the 2010 Holiday Closing Schedule for approval. The schedule is the same as for 2009 except that Staff In-Service Day has been moved to Wednesday, October 13. Monday is the busiest day of the library week so it was decided to close for In-Service on Wednesday.
Randy Paul commented that he was happy to see “Easter” holiday changed to “Spring Holiday.”
Kari Isaacson moved; Randy Paul seconded approval of the 2010 Holiday Closing Schedule as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
The 2010–2012 Technology Plan was presented for approval. Sara Laughlin noted two corrections in the budget section. For 2010, Information Systems (IS) software for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the amount of $252,000 is shown in LIRF to correspond with the 2010 budget. For 2011, $345,560 for RFID is shown in Capital Projects.
Randy Paul asked whether any money would be lost if the RFID system is not purchased. Sara Laughlin said if funds are not spent they will remain in LIRF. Randy Paul asked for confirmation that no commitment to purchase RFID has been made yet. Sara Laughlin confirmed.
Randy Paul moved; Melissa Pogue seconded approval of the 2010–2012 Technology Plan as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Bonnie Estell explained that the resolution to make temporary loans through the Indiana Bond Bank’s program would enable the library to borrow from that fund if necessary in the event of a delay in tax settlement receipts from the Monroe County Auditor’s office. Before seeking any loans, the library would use internal transfers from the Library Improvement Reserve Fund to cover expenses, primarily for the Debt Service (mortgage payment).
Randy Paul moved; Fred Risinger seconded approval of the Resolution to Make Temporary Loans Through the Indiana Bond Bank’s 2010 Advanced Funding Program. Motion carried unanimously.
Bonnie Estell explained that this resolution will enable the library to transfer funds from the Library Improvement Reserve Fund to the Operating Fund, Debt Service, and Library Capital Projects Funds in the event that tax settlement funds are not received in a timely manner. The transfers would be reversed upon receipt of the tax settlement funds.
This is a routine operating procedure and will be used only if tax settlement funds are not received before year-end.
Steve Moberly moved; Fred Risinger seconded approval of the Resolution to Permit the Transfer of Funds from Library Improvement Reserve Fund as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Bonnie Estell presented the Resolution to Encumber 2009 Appropriated Balances. The amounts to be encumbered are:
| Woollen & Molzan & Partners | $10,260.00 |
| 3D Professional Contracting | 317,383.48 |
| Neidigh Construction | 48,173.82 |
| Total | $375,817.30 |
Randy Paul moved; Kari Isaacson seconded approval of the Resolution to Encumber 2009 Appropriated Balances as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Mickey Needham presented an update on the main library renovations. Painting, lighting, and casework are in progress. Epoxy flooring at the Grant Street staff entrance has been completed.
Randy Paul asked about the status of the lay-by in the parking lot. Sara Laughlin explained that the space has been created but traffic flow has not been changed yet. Traffic flow will be changed after the lot is paved, painted, and signs put up. Randy Paul felt that it is an important issue. Sara Laughlin said that it will be done as soon as possible but work will be weather-dependent.
Randy Paul asked about the status of the sidewalk cut on Kirkwood. Mickey Needham said that a cost estimate has been received and Sara Laughlin has approved it.
Randy Paul asked about the two sidewalk cuts on Lincoln and when the second one will be filled in as he feels it is a hazard. Sara Laughlin explained that she has spoken with the City of Bloomington about adding asphalt to the cut. The library may be able to do it when the parking lot is asphalted.
Kari Isaacson asked whether the traffic flow change will be advertised in the newspaper. Sara Laughlin confirmed that it will be highly publicized.
Sara Laughlin announced that she had signed a $1,000 contract with United Way. The money will pay for the library’s Foundation Center database. Both the library and United Way had the database and it was felt that it would be more accessible at the library.
Randy Paul noted that the “paperless packet” is working quite well and thanked Melissa Pogue for suggesting it.
Rita Lichtenberg requested a report on what the library is doing to cut energy consumption costs. Sara Laughlin will provide information at a later date.
Meeting adjourned at 6:40p.m.
Contact
Us Monroe County Public Library, Monroe County, Indiana ° (812)349-3050
Updated:
February 11, 2010
° http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/board/200912min.html
