MINUTES OF THE

BAY COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

July 26, 2006

 

Ella Jane Martini, Chairperson, called the regular board meeting of the Bay County Library System Board of Trustees to order at 5:15 p.m. on July 26, 2006 in the Community Room, Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library. 

 

Roll call present:  Don Carlyon, James Davison, Mark Kaplenski and Ella Jane Martini

 

Excused:                Derald Adcock

 

Other:                    Kevin Ayala, John Decker, Linda Heemstra, Pat Kaltenbach,

                             Marilyn Kaeckmeister, Steve List, Fred Martini, Mark Maul, Paula Pashak,  

                             Sheila Pearson, Eileen Schulz, Linda Smith, Marge Spiker and Denise Trudell

 

MINUTES

It was noted an error had been made and corrected in reporting the millage renewal total that should read 1.2 mil. 

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by D. Carlyon, to approve the minutes of June 28, 2006 Regular Board meeting.  Motion carried. 

 

BILLS PAYABLE

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by D. Carlyon, to approve the bills as presented in the amount of $441,660.07.  Motion carried.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

June 2006 Financial Report

June 2006 Penal Fine Report – Kevin Ayala shared that the Penal Fine total for June was not available in time for the board meeting.  He shared that as of to date, Penal Fines have come in over what has been budgeted for the year.  

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by D. Carlyon, to receive the June Financial Report.  Motion carried.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Nicole Paquette – Nicole Paquette is the teen representative for the Millage Renewal Committee.  She and several of her friends shared the importance of renewing the Bay County Library’s 1.2 operating millage for another four years.  She stressed what the library means to her,  the community and especially to the children of Bay County.  She encouraged the public to vote yes on August 8th.

 

Kevin Ayala – K. Ayala addressed the millage renewal by reminding the public that it is a renewal of what is currently on the tax rolls.  He explained that according to the rules and laws that mandate ballot language, it is worded as an increase, but as one reads the entire ballot question will understand that it is for a renewal.  He equated it to a home valued at approximately $100,000 with a taxable value of $50,000; a homeowner is paying approximately $1.15/week to enjoy all that the Bay County Library System offers to the public.  As a member of the millage committee he asked for the support of the public to continue these services in Bay County.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

‘Please Tell Us What You Think’ – Mary Bush and Elizabeth Urban

Letter – Bay County Habitat for Humanity

Letter – Katie Merrill

Letter – Unique Management Services

 

James Davison asked if there were responses sent to those who submitted a ‘Please Tell Us What You Think’ form.  K. Ayala responded that phone responses were made to both patrons.  Regarding Elizabeth Urban’s comment on the South Side Branch Library closing, when he did talk to E. Urban he made it very clear that the South Side Branch Library will be renovated, that there is money in the budget for this project.  She had understood there was no money left for the project and that the Library would close.  He ask that she inform as many of her contacts as she could to squelch the rumor; and to assure them that the board is working diligently on approving a renovation plan and to begin this final construction project. 

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by D. Carlyon, to receive the correspondence.  Motion carried.

 

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Construction Invoices - $10,563.61 Certificate # 49 – Ella Jane Martini explained that the construction invoices will be brought to the Library’s regular meeting until the joint board meetings with the Building Authority resume.  These have been temporarily suspended until construction is ready to begin on the South Side Branch Library. 

 

E. J. Martini explained the invoice for legal fees included in this packet are due to title work that needed to be done on the Wirt Library site as several properties were brought together to form the current site of the Library.

 

Transfer of monies to the County to pay invoices $1,062.00

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by M. Kaplenski, to approve Construction Invoice # 49 for $10,563.61 and the transfer of $1,062.00 to the County to pay invoices.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

PROJECT FINANCIAL REPORT

Construction Project Cost Estimates and GMP Summary

Construction Project Expense Summary

Capital Campaign Summary Report – Linda Heemstra commented that there is $2.8 million pledged of the $3,000,000 goal.  The Capital Campaign committee continues its work to raise the remainder of that pledge. 

 

Motion by M. Kaplenski, seconded by J. Davison, to receive the Construction Project Cost Estimates, GMP Summary, Construction Project Expense Summary, and the Capital Campaign Summary Report.  Motion carried.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Code of Conduct revision – E. J. Martini asked for approval of the revised Code of Conduct for the Bay County Library System.  She explained the purpose of this revision was to incorporate the Beverage and Food Policy adopted earlier in the month.  That policy will now allow covered drinks in designated areas within the Library.  This will begin on August 1, 2006.

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by D. Carlyon, to approve the revised Code of Conduct effective August 1, 2006.  Motion carried.

 

Summer Reading Program – L. Heemstra shared that the Summer Reading Program is a huge success, surpassing last year’s totals of 5,500 children.  With two weeks left of the Summer Reading Program, the number of children is at 6,092 children and teens participating in this program. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

Charlotte’s Web Sculpture – L. Heemstra shared that the Charlotte’s Web sculpture discussed at the last board meeting, is being donated by Joyce and Bob Hetzler.  She passed along there eagerness to hear where trustees would like to see this statue placed; it is their hope it would placed somewhere in the front of the building.  Once this has been decided, work can begin to get the base in place before winter weather arrives.  It will be several months before the statue will be completed.

 

OTHER

Library Information – Don Carlyon commented on the misinformation E. Urban had heard regarding the South Side Branch Library, which reinforces the importance of trustees and staff alike, to counteract it at every opportunity by supplying factual information.  He brought up another misconception people hear that there is no need for Libraries, as ‘everyone has computers’.  The fact is, not everyone does have computers but they can come to their local library to use them there. 

 

South Side Branch Managing Librarian – K. Ayala announced that Jane Leavitt, the new South Side Branch Managing Librarian, began July 24, 2006.  He is confident that J. Leavitt will do a great job and looks forward to her input as the South Side Branch construction project gets underway.  

State Librarian visit – L. Heemstra announced State Librarian, Nancy Robertson, will be visiting the Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library on Friday, August 4, 2006 at 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.  She invited everyone to stop by to meet her.

 

Director’s report – L. Heemstra shared that the Bay County Library System co-sponsored with the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau the Story Tellers booth at the Tall Ships celebration this past weekend in Wenona Park. 

 

Display Case policy - Work is being done toward developing a Display Case policy as there are many organizations and individuals who wish to lend their collections for display.  

 

Information Commercials - There have been two, Bay County Library System information commercials completed by Charter Communications.  The second one will begin airing on July 27 for 13 weeks on the Lifetime, History, HGTV and Discovery networks.

 

Bay 3TV - Harold Beauchamp of Bay 3TV, has been working with staff to produce a 30 minute, informational video highlighting all the features and services offered by the Bay County Library System.  Leeds Bird will supply the narrative for this video, which will begin airing on August 3, 2006. 

 

Library Reading Garden – Steve List assured the board the Reading Garden will soon be opened to the public.  The security gates were in place as of yesterday so with weather permitting it could be opened to the public by tomorrow.  The outdoor reading garden is available to all patrons.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

South Side Branch Construction Meeting – E. J. Martini stated that trustees will be notified when the next construction meeting for the South Side Branch Library will be scheduled.  

 

Primary Election Day – E. J. Martini reminded the public to vote on August 8, 2006.

 

Lawsuit – E. J. Martini announced board trustees must meet in Closed session to discuss the recently received lawsuit.

 

CLOSED SESSION to consider matters exempt from disclosure under attorney/client privilege (as provided for under PA 267 of 1976)

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by M. Kaplenski, to adjourn for Closed Session at 5:52 p.m. 

Roll call: M. Kaplenski – yes; D. Carlyon – yes; J. Davison – yes; E. J. Martini – yes.  Motion carried.

 

Trustees returned to open session at 7:09 p.m.

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by M. Kaplenski, to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

____________________________________                        __________________________

Derald Adcock                                                             Eileen Schulz

Secretary/Treasurer                                                                  Recording Secretary