HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 6,2011Approved
8/3/11
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
July 6, 2011
The meeting was called to order by Chair Patricia Sowada, at 6:35 p.m. Members present were: Nancy Hoium,
Patricia Sowada, Steve Smith, and Catherine Vesley. Also present: City Council Representative Tami Diehm,
Becky Loader, and Stacey Hendren. Not present: Barbara Tantanella.
The minutes of the June 1, 2011 Board meeting were approved as mailed.
The bill list dated 6/13/11 of 2011 bills was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
The bill list dated 6/22/11 of 2011 bills was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
The bill list dated 7/6/11 of 2011 bills was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
The 2011 accounting dated 7/6/11 was reviewed.
The Summer Operational Reports for the Children’s Department are being written by Dan Kleinfehn, Children’s
Department Assistant, with collection information added by John Brosnahan, Evening Supervisor.
Old Business:
1. Progress on maintenance projects continues.
a. The boiler is still not completely installed, radiator covers are not painted, and wiring still needs
to be fixed. There is a temporary fix for the downstairs air conditioner, but a permanent solution
needs to be implemented.
b. The rooftop air conditioners are installed and working properly.
c. Bids have been taken for the plumbing project.
d. Loader continues progress on elevator updates.
e. Cabinet selection and installation is delayed due to damage of the Boardroom ceiling from a
leaky valve during the boiler installation.
f. DALCO will perform roof maintenance now that the air conditioners are installed.
2. The public copier began making copies on July 5, 2011. Hauf continues to work on the printer interface.
3. The new tables and chairs were delivered. The tabletops were not completed and had to be reordered.
The Library expects the new tables to be delivered soon and Steve Sherry, from Contact Source will put
the tables together and remove the unusable pieces. Hauf will then install the new Gates Grant
computers.
4. The Foundation has not received results from the Linder’s Fundraiser.
5. There has been no progress on the security proposal this month.
6. Due to the Federal grant used to purchase the vacant lot, the use of the lot must follow certain guidelines.
Loader has been notified by Community Development that a parking lot does not fit into those guidelines.
7. The Board received an updated draft of the 2012 proposed budget. The Board noted a few comment
changes and the update concerning the janitor/building manager from recently received documentation.
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In the Other Services & Charges section Loader explained that the Library is not currently seeing a
savings from in-house cleaning and is showing an increase of expenses by about $8,000-$9,000. The
Library has two requests from the general building account for replacement carpet, and lounge furniture.
8. The Jamboree parade was a success. The Library booth was very well received and many tattoos,
brochures and buttons were handed out to parade goers.
9. Loader and Magee will be hiring a Children’s Librarian on a contractual basis to cover the extended
absence of Marsha Tubbs.
New Business:
1. The Board reviewed the May crossover statistics and appreciated the new, easier to read format.
2. The Board reviewed the Unique Management Status Report.
3. Hoium offered the resolution to honor the graduating Page, Rukia Sheikh-Mohamed. It was moved,
seconded and passed that the graduating Page be honored for her accomplishments.
4. Board members were notified of and invited to the upcoming Volunteer Recognition ceremony on August
th
25 at 2:00 p.m.
5. The City Council is considering implementing the Model Performance Measure for Cities from the state.
There is no information concerning city libraries; therefore Loader has reviewed the Model Performance
Measure for Counties in preparation.
The Board discussed the effects of the state shutdown on the Library. The Library is unable to process
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Inter Library Loan requests, the Workforce Center is closed, and reimbursement from the 21 Century
grant has been delayed.
6. The Library has been written up in the Audit Management Letter for several years for not having enough
funds in the reserve account. Loader worked with Joe Kloiber, Finance Director, to transfer funds to
cover the reserve. This year the library met the requirement and was positively written up in the report.
Items from the Floor:
1. Loader notified the Board of the proposed 2011 budget reductions for Anoka County Libraries as
discussed at the ACL Board meeting on May 21. The ACL Board recommended a reduction in open
hours on Fridays, multiple staff reductions, selection restructuring, and a reorganization of the
cataloging/technical services department. Anoka County has offered retirement benefit packages for
voluntary separation and many library employees have taken advantage of this program.
2. The Board received the revised list of donations added to the collection.
3. Loader notified the Board of the recent donation from the Friends of the Library to purchase new CD
books for the Adult and Juvenile collection, a document storage box for historical documents, including
blueprints, and a tabletop book display for the adult reading room.
4. Loader requested refinishing of a small table that is from the original library. Smith gladly took on the
project.
5. Smith requested clarification of the mission statement and asked what part the Library Board plays in the
Comprehensive Plan for the City. The Board discussed the plans for a new building and steps the Board
can take to promote the need for a new library to the City Council. Loader collected the ideas and will
coordinate planning.
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6. Sowada requested an ad be placed in the Jamboree booklet by the Board. Loader stated there is an ad for
the Library summer reading program, but the Board is welcome to place one in future years.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey R. Hendren
Secretary, Library Board of Trustees
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or
treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided
to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights services, programs, and
activities.
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