The monthly meeting of the Board of the St. Louis County Library District was held at the Mahlon P. Wallace Headquarters Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO, on Monday, August 20, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. The agenda had been posted in all branches of the Library District at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Library Board Members
Jean Weinstock, Acting President and Secretary
Kenneth Stricker, Treasurer
Chingling Tai, Member
Lynn Beckwith, Member
Edith Cunnane, MemberOthers Attending
Charles Pace, Director; Gary Holdefer, Associate Director and Comptroller; George Durnell, Assistant Director for HQ Services; Barbara Brain, Assistant Director for Neighborhood Services; Darold Crotzer, Crotzer, Ford & Ormsby Counsel; Kristen Sorth, Manager, Human Resources; Jim Bogart, Manager, Development; Marie Conlin, Planner; Denise Keller, Finance Manager; Pete Kruchowski, ITS; Jennifer McBride, Communications; Tom Curran, St. Louis County Government; Michael Jones, St. Louis County Government;Mary Berthold, patron; Michael Fletcher, patron; Barbara Mottin, patron; Kathleen Lask, patron; Edward Wilson, patron; and Sandra Williams, Executive Assistant and Friends Coordinator.
The Minutes, dated Monday, July 16, 2007, were approved by general consent (Stricker/Cunnane).
Gary Holdefer reported that the Library received $150,000 in taxes in early August.
The Treasurer's Report dated June 30 was approved subject to audit (Stricker/Beckwith).
Customer Service Issues - Mr. Pace reported that patrons seem happier with the new three hour daily limit for Internet use.
Summer Reading Club - Mr. Pace reported that 17,000 children had participated in the Summer Reading Club. There was one complaint regarding the distribution of the Magic 8 ball.
Jewish Book Festival - The Library will participate as a co-sponsor in the Jewish Book Festival.
Community Visits - Mr. Pace attended the 20th anniversary celebration for the Indian Trails Branch. On August. 3, he met with City Manager Bob Kuntz of the City of Ballwin. They discussed the possibility of the Library putting a branch in that vicinity.
Facilities - There were several power outages this month due to weather related causes.
Focus Groups - Mr. Pace reported that several focus groups were held as part of the strategic planning process. There were more than 1,000 hits to the website.
Visits - The retired San Diego Library Director plans to visit the Library Headquarters within the upcoming weeks.
Author Events - Gail Carson Levine and Daniel Silva had large audience participation for the recent events where they were guests. Author John Dean is scheduled to speak at the Library on September 20.
Mrs. Weinstock thanked Marie Conlin for her work on the Strategic Plan process.
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Building Repair (Roofs) - The Board approved the low bidder for roof repairs and preventative maintenance by Sielfleisch Roofing for MC ($103,255), BT ($3,600), FV ($6,200), and OB, ( $7,000); Complete Roofing for TH ($12,622) and Performance Roofing for WR ($18,710). Motion approved (Beckwith/Stricker).
Building Repair (Parking Lots) - The Board approved Asphalt Paving for sealing BT($5,316) CC($5,468), LC ($4,977), NB ($3,542 and TH ($5,337). Asphalt Paving was also approved for patching BT ($4,000), CC ($4,500), LC ($6,275), NB($2,700), OB ($5,875) and TH ($ 5,820). Motion approved (Stricker/Cunnane).
Budget Revision - The Board reviewed and approved the budget revision as presented by Gary Holdefer. It is anticipated that operations in 2007 will leave the District with an excess of $81,000. Cash income will rise by $276,000. Interest income accounts for most of the increased revenue. Expenditures will increase by $245,000 (Cunnane/Beckwith).
Healthcare - Kristen Sorth presented a proposal for health insurance. Staff recommended that the district wait to issue an RFQ for an employee benefits consultant until January when the service is scheduled for its three year review. Staff also recommended that the Board approve a year’s renewal with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Motion approved (Beckwith/Cunnane).
Technology - The Board approved the low bidder Lazerware for Security software at $14,179 (Stricker/Tai).
2008 Board Meeting Dates 2008 - The Board approved the 2008 Board meeting dates by general consent. All but three of the meetings will be held at Headquarters. They are January 29, February – None, March 17, April 21 at Rock Road Branch, May 19, June 16 at Weber Road Branch, July 21, August 18, September 15 at Indian Trails Branch, October 20, November 17 and December 15.
Board Organization - Jean Weinstock introduced the two new Board members Lynn Beckwith, Jr. and Edith Cunnane.
Chingling Tai nominated JeanWeinstock for President. It was seconded by Kenneth Stricker. Motion passed unanimously.
Edith Cunnane nominated Lynn Beckwith for Vice president. It was seconded by Kenneth Stricker. Motion passed unanimously.
Kenneth Stricker nominated Chingling Tai for secretary. It was seconded by Edith Cunnane. Motion passed unanimously.
Lynn Beckwith nominated Kenneth Stricker for Treasurer. Edith Cunnane seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Four patrons addressed the Board in regard to the tax hearing. Mike Fletcher, University City; Barbara Mottin, Chesterfield; Kathleen Lask and Edward Wilson.
Hearing was closed at 4:07 p.m.
Tax Rates - The Board approved setting the residential tax rate at 14˘. This is a 1˘ decrease on residential property rates. Board also approved 15˘ rates for agriculture, commercial and personal property. Motion passes (Beckwith/Tai).
Closed Session - Mr. Stricker moved that the open meeting adjourn and the Board 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. All approved by individual voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________________________ __________________
Chingling Tai Date
Secretary