MINUTES OF THE
BAY COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
August 31, 2004
Michael Gray, Chairperson, called the special board meeting of the Bay County Library System Board of Trustees to order at 4:46 p.m. on August 31, 2004 in the County Commission Chambers, Bay County Building.
Roll call present: Derald Adcock, James Davison, Michael Gray, Ella Jane Martini, and Howard Wetters
Others: Georgeanne Adcock, Kevin Ayala, Trish Burns, Marianne Hartzell,
Marilyn Kaeckmeister, Fred Martini, Steve Neavling, Sheila Pearsons
and Eileen Schulz
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
There was no public input.
Consideration of Library Director - Michael Gray summarized from the August 2, 2004 Special Board meeting the three candidates who have been interviewed for the Director position for the Bay County Library System: Sharon Winkle, Director of the Mead Public Library in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Sandra Wilson, Director of the William P. Faust Library in Westland, Michigan and Frederick Paffhausen, Director of the Redford Township District Library in Redford, Michigan. At the conclusion of that meeting, Marianne Hartzell explained the next step to be taken would be for the chairperson to make follow up calls with each candidate’s board chairs, references, etc. M. Gray shared he had made several calls regarding these candidates. The contacts he had made in regards to F. Paffhausen spoke very highly of him, noting his ability to work with the board, but in regard to the other two candidates, there was a combination of positive and negative responses. M. Gray said he was ready to make a recommendation based on the information received from the interviews and reference calls. Additional information was given to M. Gray from M. Hartzell in regards to the candidates of which he passed along to trustees for their review as well. M. Gray asked trustees for their comments and concerns. He shared that it is his intent to make a decision this evening.
Ella Jane Martini asked M. Hartzell for her input as to how other library boards continue the process at this point. M. Hartzell responded it would be appropriate at this time to make a motion nominating a candidate for the position or if trustees had questions and concerns, to discuss them prior to the motion for a candidate. E.J. Martini believes that given the importance of this decision, there should be a unanimous decision for one candidate, not just a majority vote.
Howard Wetters reminded trustees that the candidates questioned whether there would be a contract for this position. He asked if trustees would want to discuss this now before a motion is made to offer the position to one of the three candidates and whether they would be in favor of a two or three year contract. He too, would like to see a unanimous decision.
Jim Davison shared that at the August 2 meeting, he chose as his top two candidates S. Winkle and F. Paffhausen in that order, and after review of the additional reference material, believes S. Winkle to be the top choice having the most formal education.
M. Gray reviewed with trustees
the results of his phone conversations with the references for the three
candidates. Using the same reference questions for all candidates, M. Gray
shared the conversation he had with the board president for the Meade Library
System in Sheboygan, who stated he had worked with S. Winkle for ten years and
described her quality of work as excellent and has a good working relationship
with the whole board. However, S. Winkle does not have experience in union
negotiations as the Meade Library is not an a unionized library system.
Additional comments are: she is very open; her leadership is excellent; she
keeps the board well informed; has experience in fund raising and is very
organized.
References for S. Wilson did not return M. Gray’s calls until the William P. Faust Library intervened and allowed the information to be shared. A library staff individual, who had been hired by S. Wilson, rated her highly. This individual then provided contacts for additional references for S. Wilson. One reference name supplied by S. Wilson did not return M. Gray’s call. Some comments that were made: Not impressed with her quality of work; pitted staff and board against each other. A separate board member would not discuss anything in detail unless there was a signed waiver by S. Wilson allowing the release of information.
A reference check for F. Paffhausen from an individual who has known him since 1978, ranked him as excellent in terms of initiative and quality of work. Another individual shared that F. Paffhausen supports the advancement of his employees; does not hesitate to suggest alternates to problems and issues. While working for Congressman John Dingell he was considered a very valuable member of his staff; one who worked very hard and was very capable in the position but after eight years of service he made the decision to return to library work. He has also been involved with two successful library construction projects in Taylor and Redford Michigan.
M. Gray replied that after his contacts with the follow up reference checks he would recommend Fred Paffhausen for the position of Director.
D. Adcock, in an attempt to limit the selection to two candidates, offered that his preference would be to eliminate S. Wilson, based on her interview and follow up reference checks. M. Gray and J. Davison concurred with him. Ella Jane Martini was not in favor of eliminating her as she was her first choice and still is. H. Wetters replied S. Wilson was his second choice but now is concerned over what he had just heard in regard to the follow up reference calls. E. J. Martini stated that F. Paffhausen has many contacts with the public that would be an asset for the position of a library Director. She also favored the idea of offering the position to someone who lives in Michigan, is aware of the climate here in Bay County and has made an effort to learn more about the area and the five branches of the Bay County Library System. H. Wetters added that F. Paffhausen, to his credit, was able to pass a millage to build a new library in a community that is a very conservative community. This tells him that F. Paffhausen knows something about millage campaigns and rallying the support of the community in order for it to pass. This will be a very important skill that the next Director will need in order to pass the next library millage renewal.
E. J. Martini suggested if trustees are not ready to make a decision now for a new Director, the search could be closed and reopened in another six to eight months to begin again. She did point out however, there has been a considerable amount paid to the consultant to find a candidate now. H. Wetters questioned this option as the consultants have done a rather exhaustive search this time around, collecting approximately 20 resumes from candidates and if the interviews were closed, only to be reopened again in six to eight months, what is the likelihood there would be a new area to find additional candidates, than what the consultants have already brought to the board. J. Davison expressed his concern that the board has hired Marianne Hartzell and entrusted her to find viable candidates, which she has done; the board should take her recommendation and make a decision.
M. Gray commented that F. Paffhausen is interested in this position with the Bay County Library System only and has not applied for any other.
Motion by E.J. Martini, seconded by D. Adcock, to offer the position to Fredrick Paffhausen as Director of the Bay County Library System; offer a three year contract; negotiate the salary within the existing salary structure; and to offer the fringe benefits described as well. Roll call: D. Adcock – yes; E.J. Martini – yes; J. Davison – no;
H. Wetters – yes; M. Gray – yes. Motion carried
Motion by J. Davison seconded by D. Adcock, to adjourn the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Motion carried.
_____________________ _______________________
Derald Adcock Eileen Schulz
Secretary/Treasurer Recording Secretary