St. Louis County Library
Meeting of the Board
Jamestown Bluffs Branch
Monday, April 17, 2006
3:30 p.m.

The monthly meeting of the Board of the St. Louis County Library District was held at the Jamestown Bluffs Branch, 4153 N. Hwy 67, on Monday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m. The agenda had been posted in all branches of the Library District at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Attendance

Library Board Members

Richard J. Bagy, Jr., President
Bettie Gershman, Vice President
Ken Stricker, Treasurer
Jean Weinstock, Secretary
Chingling Tai, Member

Others Attending

Gary Holdefer, Interim Director; George Durnell, Interim Director; Darold Crotzer, Crotzer, Ford & Ormsby Counsel; Kristen Sorth, Manager, Human Resources; Barbara Brain, Senior Manager of Public Service; William Rodgers, Manager, Information Systems Technology; Jim Bogart, Development Manager; Tom Curran, St. Louis County; Vicki Krueger, Manager, Jamestown Bluffs Branch; Karen Sieber, Supervisor, Jamestown Bluffs Branch and Sandra Williams, Executive Assistant.

The Minutes, dated Monday, March 20, 2006, were approved by general consent.

Treasurer's Report:

The Treasurer’s Report dated March 31, 2006 was received by the Board, subject to audit. Mr. Holdefer reported that more than $352,000 in taxes were received in April and $97,635 in e-rate funding was also received. The $500,000 annual pension contribution was made by March 31.

Director's Report:

Mr. Bagy requested that the May Board meeting be changed to May 24.

Food for Fines - Mr. Durnell reported that 37,000 cans had been collected for the Food for Fines drive which ended April 9. This was an 11 percent increase over last year.

Quarterly Foundation - Mr. Holdefer distributed a quarterly Foundation financial report. As of March 31, there was $245,904.26 in the Fund Balance.

Database Usage Statistics - The Board received a chart of the requested Database usage statistics. The chart showed the demand and use of online databases is increasing.

Unfinished Business

Capital Improvements - The Board approved the low bid of C & R Mechanical for $365,565 to install the HVAC replacement system at Florissant Valley Branch (Weinstock/Tai).

Bookmobile Request - The donation of an old bookmobile to St. Louis 2004 Exposition was approved by the Board with the contingency that counsel draft a release letter stating the bookmobile must be used for display only (Stricker/Gershman).

Technology Hotspots - The Board approved a proposed contract from Charter Communications to provide wireless “hot spots” at seven branches. The service would allow patrons to access the internet with their personal laptops. The contract was amended to allow for a six month trial period before any long term agreement would be authorized (Stricker/Gershman).

New Business

Building Repair at Prairie Commons - The Board approved the low bid of Air Masters Corp for $146,550 to handle the replacement of the HVAC System at Prairie Commons Branch (Weinstock/Stricker).

Personnel (Merit Raises) - The Board approved staff’s recommendation for a 3.3% average for merit raises with a range of 0 – 4.5% (Weinstock/Stricker).

Foundation - The Board approved the removal of Foundation Board member C. Daniel Wilson, Jr. Mr. Wilson retired as Director of the St. Louis County Library (Stricker/Weinstock).

Closed Session - Mr. Stricker moved that the open meeting adjourn and reconvene in closed session pursuant to Section 610.021 subsection (1), (2), (3), (9), (11), (12), (13) and (14) to discuss matters relating to legal actions, causes of action or litigation; property acquisition or sale and any personnel matters involving hiring, firing, discipline and promotion. Mrs. Gershman seconded. All voted in the affirmative.

The meeting adjourned at 4:27 p.m.