ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
MEETING OF THE BOARD
HEADQUARTERS BRANCH
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007
3:30 PM
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., on Monday, December 17, 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.
ATTENDANCE:
Library Board Members:
Jean Weinstock, President
Lynn Beckwith, Vice President
Kenneth Stricker, Treasurer
Edith Cunnane, Member
Chingling Tai was not able to attend.
Others Attending:
Charles Pace, Director; Gary Holdefer, Associate Director and Comptroller; Darold Crotzer, Crotzer, Ford & Ormsby Counsel; Barbara Brain, Assistant Director for Neighborhood Services; Kristen Sorth, Manager, Human Resources; Jennifer Samson, St. Louis County Government; Jim Bogart, Development Manager, Jake Fejedelem, ITS Manager; Denise Keller, Finance Manager, Pete Kruchowski, ITS; and Sandra Williams, Executive Assistant and Friends Coordinator.
The MINUTES, dated Monday, November 19, 2007, were approved by the Board (Stricker/Beckwith).
TREASURER’S REPORT:
The Treasurer’s Report dated November 30 was approved subject to audit (Stricker/Beckwith).
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES– Mr. Pace reported that he received a telephone call objecting to a meeting being held by the Missourians against Illegal Immigration. He said the meeting was open to the public and that the group qualified to use the room.
NEW POSTER – A new READ poster featuring County Executive Charlie Dooley has been framed and sent to all Library branches. The poster was presented to Mr. Dooley on December 3 by Barbara Brain, Jim Bogart and Mr. Pace.
MAJOR EVENTS– Mr. Pace reported he attended the Missouri Public Library Directors’ meeting in Lake of the Ozarks. These meetings are held every six months and rotate to different locations around the state. Most of the libraries present are quite small and the information presented is often somewhat out of date. There is a certain public relations value to having a presence at the conference.
FOUNDATION BOARD – The Foundation Board met on Tuesday, December 11. There will be more information provided later in the meeting.
FACILITIES - Mr. Pace reported that work is wrapping up on all projects for the year and he has been informed that everything was completed on HVAC projects by December 15.
STRATEGIC PLAN – Melissa Brechon and Bob Rohlf visited the Library December 3 and 4 to continue the planning process. Staff has gone over the objectives for the Strategic Plan and facilities needs. The Strategic Plan is nearing completion and we hope to have the completed document to the Board at the January meeting.
REAL ESTATE ACCEPTANCE POLICY – The consultant David Baker has recommended a Real Estate Acceptance Policy. After a thorough review, Dr. Beckwith suggested the policy be reworded with policy language because it was presented in a letter format. Mrs. Cunnane was concerned about the property donation statement in the first paragraph. The policy will be revisited in January.
STAFF
Jennifer Jung is the new Branch Supervisor at Tesson Ferry. She previously worked as Branch Supervisor at Grand Glaize. Laura Kasak is the new Branch Supervisor at Daniel Boone. She previously worked in the same capacity at Rock Road. Lorraine Budke has been promoted to Supervisor in the Cataloging department. She replaces Lucy Wang who retired earlier this month.
UPCOMING EVENTS
We are essentially on hiatus for the rest of December as the holidays approach. On January 9 we will be sponsoring an inspirational educator and speaker. Rafe Esquith will talk about his experience turning around the lives of his students in Los Angeles. Due to the overwhelming response, Mary Institute Country Day School (MICDS) will host the event.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
2008 Budget was moved to the last agenda item.
NEW BUSINESS:
BOARD POLICY: (UNDESIGNATED FUND) – Gary Holdefer presented a recommended undesignated fund balance policy. Dr. Beckwith expressed his appreciation to Charles and Gary for developing the policy. Discussion ensued. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommends a 5 to 15% undesignated fund balance. The Board approved a 10-15% range with a 12.5% target balance. Procedures for keeping the undesignated fund within stated ranges are also included in the policy. (Beckwith/Cunnane).
BOARD POLICY: (YOUTH BEHAVIOR) – Barbara Brain presented a Youth Behavior Policy. The Board asked that the Youth Behavior Policy be incorporated into the Customer Code of Conduct (Beckwith/Stricker).
BOARD POLICY: (CODE OF CONDUCT) – Barbara Brain reported that the Code of Conduct policy includes new language that changes fire arms to weapons and smoking to tobacco. The list includes 21 rules that must be adhered to by patrons. It will be posted visibly in all the Libraries. Mr. Pace stated that the food and drink policy creates an unwelcome atmosphere and both will now be allowed to a reasonable extent. The Board approved the changes (Beckwith/Cunnane).
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BANKING – Mr. Holdefer reported that RFQ’s went to 21 banks with 7 responses. The Board approved staff’s recommendation to stay with Commerce Bank (Stricker/Beckwith).
FOUNDATION - Jim Bogart announced that Sally Lee was recommended to join the Foundation Board. The Board approved her nomination (Stricker/Cunnane).
LIBRARY BUDGET - The 2008 Budget was discussed. Mr. Pace thanked Gary Holdefer, Denise Keller, Barbara Brain and Kristen Sorth for their work on the budget. Discussion included salary adjustments and increases. Merit raises will be recommended to the Board in September 2008 for the 2009 budget. The budget includes eight new positions, various facilities projects, RFID installation at four branches and increased collection spending. In order to fund all budget projects, a transfer from the undesignated fund will be needed. The Board approved the 2008 budget (Beckwith/Cunnane).
CLOSED SESSION
Kenneth 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 5:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________________________ __________________
Lynn Beckwith for Chingling Tai Date
Secretary