MINUTES OF THE

BAY COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

August 31, 2006

 

Ella Jane Martini, Chairperson, called the Special Board meeting of the Bay County Library System Board of Trustees to order at 5:20 p.m. on August 31, 2006 in the Community Room of the Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library. 

 

Roll call present:  Derald Adcock, Don Carlyon, James Davison, Mark Kaplenski arrived at

                             5:22 p.m. and Ella Jane Martini

 

Other:                    Georgianne Adcock, Linda Austin, Kevin Ayala, Mark Grotelueschen,

                             Linda Heemstra, Milt Higgs, Jill Jean, Marilyn Kaeckmeister, Jane Leavitt, 

                             Steve List, Laura Meirlaen, Reginald Meirlaen, Judy Mullison, Paula Pashak, 

                             Sheila Pearsons, Janice Sass, Eileen Schulz, Linda Smith, Ryan Stanton,

                             Denise Trudell and Sarah Wohlschlag

MINUTES

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by D. Adcock, to approve the minutes of August 9, 2006 Special Board meeting.  Motion carried. 

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Milt Higgs – Milt Higgs spoke about the community’s reaction and comments pertaining to the Bay County Library System.  He pointed out the excellent article Dave Rogers placed on the web site mybaycity.com regarding the Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library, specifically the naming of the Library.  M. Higgs asked that the public understand that the Library was named after Alice and Jack not because of their generous donation to the Library, but because of everything that these two individuals have done for the community of Bay County.  He encouraged the public to move forward with their support of the Library and support of the current Library Board of Trustees.  He reminded the public that the millage renewal is just that, a renewal of what voters approved four years ago and if they approved it then, should be able to approve it again for another four years.  He asked that the board not send the message to the public that if the millage should fail in November they would come back with a reduced millage at a future election, as some members of the public are suggesting.  He said it would be a step backward in the progress of the Bay County Library System and all that it offers to this community and future generations.

 

Mark Kaplenski thanked M. Higgs for his comments and support of the Library. 

 

Millage Committee – M. Kaplenski shared that trustees have held two meetings with the public and also one with staff.  Trustees have received good comments and ideas from these discussions.  He suggested appointing a new millage committee chairperson or possibly to have co-chairs to head up the committee for the November Ballot.  He shared, that he has spoken with many of the volunteers from the millage campaign that helped with the August primary and was assured, they would also like to help with the November election.  Ella Jane Martini invited anyone interested in serving on the committee to contact the Library.

 

Don Carlyon agreed with these comments adding that it would be pertinent to draw on the expertise of those who have served on successful millage campaigns in the past that could offer their support.

 

Ella Jane Martini asked that D. Carlyon and M. Kaplenski work together on contacting those individuals who have expressed an interest in chairing the millage renewal committee.  D. Carlyon and M. Kaplenski agreed they would make those contacts. 

 

James Davison reinforced the importance of speaking at governmental meetings and at community organizations within Bay County.  He stressed the importance of these talks to begin as soon as possible to get the millage information to the public.

 

NOTES FROM LIBRARY BRANCH VISITS

Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library Comments 8-17-06 and Auburn Area Branch Library Comments 8-24-06 – E. J. Martini shared she has met with the public at the Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library, Auburn Area Branch Library and recently at the Pinconning Branch Library.  She noted the different comments made at each Library; those at the Wirt Library were angry that the building was named after Alice and Jack Wirt; those in Auburn believed that the public’s frustration over the naming of the Wirt Library was petty and at the Pinconning Branch, where only four people stopped by, were pleased with the Library and as the ballot results showed, overwhelmingly supported the renewal vote.  E. J. Martini announced there are public meetings schedule for the Sage Branch Library on September 5 and the following Tuesday, at the South Side Branch on September 12th..  Trustees were in agreement these comments produced valuable input to trustees and suggested there be a fact sheet printed in the Bay City Times to answer the questions the public has raised. 

 

Correspondence – Richard Walker and Tom Kloha

 

Motion by J. Davison, seconded by D. Adcock, to receive the comments and correspondence.  Motion received.

 

2007 BUDGET REDUCTION OPTIONS

2007 Budget – It was suggested to table discussion on any reductions until after the November election.  Linda Heemstra shared that staff has met only once since the last board meeting where they had put together a general list of possible reductions, but has not had an opportunity to look at the cost of these suggestions.  Trustees were in agreement to wait until after the November election before looking at any cuts as it may not be necessary.  Kevin Ayala commented that the 2007 budget included in the packet is the budget that was submitted to the County this past July.  It does not reflect any reductions in staff or services if the millage renewal should fail in November.  He stated that if it does not pass, it will significantly impact Library services that are currently offered along with major reductions in personnel.  He reminded the public that it does equal approximately 60% of the revenue the Library receives for operating and staffing of all its branches and bookmobile.  Derald Adcock commented that if cuts need to be made that they are made equal to all branches; not just at one or two buildings.  J. Davison commented that he believes it would be prudent to hold off until after the November election to look at renovating the South Side Branch Library.  Trustees were in agreement with him; E. J. Martini commented that staff and the board need to concentrate on the millage renewal passing in November.  M. Kaplenski spoke for all trustees saying that they are in no way neglecting the South Side Branch project; that the circumstances the board is faced with at the present time, as a good business decision, warrant waiting until after the November election before proceeding with construction.  

 

OLD BUSINESS

Reward for statue damage – D. Adcock asked K. Ayala if he was successful in determining if the Library could offer a reward for information on the vandalism to the Sage Branch Statue.  K. Ayala responded he has calls into several people but has not yet heard back from them.  He will share this information as soon as he receives it. 

 

Steve List updated the board on the clean-up of the Sage statue, which had been vandalized a few weeks ago with red spray paint.  Most of the paint has been able to be removed and additional work will be done after the Labor Day holiday.

 

NEW BUSINESS

E. J. Martini reminded the public of the two upcoming public meetings with trustees at the Sage Branch and South Side Library.  Once these have all been collected, a fact sheet will be put together addressing the concerns of the public.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

A second call for public input was made.  There was no additional input.

 

ADJOURN

 

Motion J. Davison, seconded by D. Adcock, to adjourn the meeting at 6:06 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

___________________________________              ________________________________

Derald Adcock                                                 Eileen Schulz

Secretary/Treasurer                                                      Recording Secretary