HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-05-2017 minutes
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
Approved
8/2/2017
The meeting was called to order in the History Room by Vice-Chair, Nancy Hoium, at 5:49pm. Members present: Nancy
Hoium, Catherine Vesley, Stephen D. Smith, Tricia Conway, and Bobby Williams. Also present: Library Director, Renee
Dougherty, and Recording Secretary, Nick Olberding.
• The Minutes of the June 7th, 2017 Board Meeting were approved.
• The Bill List dated June 7th, 2017 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
• The Bill List dated June 21st, 2017 was reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the bills be paid.
• The Accounting Sheet as of June was reviewed, and approved.
• Questions and discussions from Bills and Accounting:
o Donation from the Friends of the Library for Summer Reading Program. The Friends donated $500 for the
purchase of books to give away as prizes for the Summer Reading Program, and $250 towards booking of Leo &
Kathy Lara as entertainment during for the Summer Reading Kick-Off Party. The board was happy to hear that the
Thank You Card (discussed at the prior meeting) had been sent to the Friends for their generous donation.
o Who is the Chair of the Friends of the Library? Kay Reiners
o Activities & Attendance: Based on Bri and Renee’s Operational Reports, the Board is very impressed by the
number of activities and programs we host at the library over the summer, and the healthy attendance at these
events. For example: 140 at the Summer Reading Kick-Off Party; 110 for Wacky Wednesday; and consistently
around 60 people for Toddler Storytime.
o Foodservice at the Library: Through a partnership with Youthprise, the library is serving bag
lunches to children in the library from 11:45-12:15 (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in
the Community Room) during the summer months. Parents are also served if accompanied
by their children. Attendance has fluctuated, but has had adequate numbers. We receive 20
lunches a day, and have served up to 20 in a day.
o Staff Update: Cortni O’Brien, our new Adult Services Librarian, will be starting next Monday, July 10th. The Board
is excited for our new librarian to start, and happy with the library background she has.
Old Business: N/A
New Business:
• Change of December 2017 Closed Dates: Between the City and the Unions, an agreement has been made to observe
the Christmas Holiday on Monday, December 25th and Tuesday the 26th. This differs from what the Library had
originally planned. The change was motioned, and seconded. Approved.
• 2018 Proposed Budget: The overall budget includes an increase of 8.5% over the adopted 2017 budget. This takes
into account the raises for both part-time and full-time employees; increased building maintenance costs, and
increased IS expenses.
o Part-time wages were increased to be more competitive, to both attract applicants and retain employees.
o Full-time wages covered by the AFSCME Union were increased from contract negotiations.
o Maintenance costs have increased due to the larger space, more complex systems, more components, more
HVAC filters, and more labor related to these.
HVAC system maintenance increased from around $5,000 to $13,000/yr.
Line 4020 also includes cost for window washing, carpet cleaning, thermostatic controls contracts,
landscaping, and sprinkler systems.
We will try to have Kevin Hansen or Eric Hanson attend an upcoming Board Meeting to explain the
intricacies and costs of the new systems, and maintenance agreements.
o Informational Services increases are based on the number of computers/devices in the building.
Items from the Floor: N/A
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:31pm by Nancy Hoium, and seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
Recording 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.