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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-02-2017 minutes COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY 3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017 Approved 9/6/2017 The meeting was called to order in the History Room by Chair, Patricia Sowada, at 5:34pm. Members present: Patricia Sowada, Nancy Hoium, Catherine Vesley, and Tricia Conway. Also present: Library Director, Renee Dougherty; Recording Secretary, Nick Olberding; Adult Services Librarian, Cortni O’Brien; and local artist and Columbia Heights resident, Walter Horishnyk. • The Minutes of the July 5th, 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 July was reviewed, and approved. • Questions and discussions from Bills and Accounting: o Electricity and Sewer Costs were discussed. Next year’s budget will include an increase in those line items. As for this year, funds will be available from any underspent lines in the budget, and if necessary, the library has a required reserve fund available to cover unanticipated excesses. o Eric Hanson (Public Works) will be asked to attend the September meeting of the Board to discuss the solar panels on the library roof and their impact on utility costs. New Business: • Introduction of Cortni O’Brien: Cortni expressed her excitement to be working in such a vibrant new library, and is happy to be back in Minnesota. She gave an overview of her education and experience, including high school in Rush City, Minnesota, and the College of St. Bens; moving to Colorado and teaching snowboarding in Vail and Breckenridge; and starting work in a 3-library system in Colorado while pursuing her Masters of Library and Information Science. After 17 years in Colorado, she felt it was time to come home. • Proposed Art Exhibit: Artist Walter Horishnyk was in attendance to give us an overview of a proposed exhibition, the Manhattan Project, an exhibit of photographic images of people on the streets of Manhattan, New York. He showed a slideshow of examples of the photographs and a mockup of how the art will be displayed. o Anticipated opening night will be Friday, November 3rd, from 6-9pm. o Will have snacks and refreshments…coffee and treats. o After opening night, a sign will be posted on the Community Room door stating that patrons may view the photography by request. Staff will then let them into the room for viewing. o Artwork will be for sale. Prices will not be displayed but contact information for inquiries will be included. • Proposed Art Exhibits (further discussion): Walter was also interested in helping to curate future art exhibits in the library for himself and other artists (possibly on a quarterly basis). The CHPL Arts Commission was something laid out during the planning of the library’s new space, but has not been acted on. This would be a good partnership, and opportunity to move forward with the Commission. Until a formal process of recruiting and selecting members of an arts commission is decided, the Library Board will assume the role as needed. • Youth Read Down Update: $440 in fines were waived (110 hours of in-library reading done by youths during the months of June and July). • VolunTeen Recognition Event: Monday August 14th, in the Community Room beginning at 5:00 p.m. and ending with presentation to the City Council at that night’s meeting. Catherine and Patricia said they could be available. Old Business: • 2018 Proposed Budget: Includes an 8.4% increase necessary to cover building operation costs and personnel wage increases. The increase in the part-time pay-scale was enacted to stay competitive with other metro library systems. • City Council Goal Setting: City departments have been asked to incorporate the Council-adopted goals into 2018 budgets. Goals most applicable to the library include serving as a resource for public education and potential venue for property improvement seminars. The library, as will all city departments, participate in the staffing study and the engagement of a communications director. The library may be able to demonstrate how to incorporate art in the community. The library also has established collaborations with local schools which will be enhanced. Finally, the library utilizes volunteers, and could provide guidance in establishing a city-wide program. Board members wondered how goals would be incorporated into Council agendas, and how success would be measured. Items from the Floor: • Gift from Joanne Ellison, $25, “in memory of Helen Dettering”. • Youthprise summer luncheon program was a success. Had 10-30 kids depending on the day. It was extra work for the staff. If the program happens again next year, additional promotion and more volunteers will be needed. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:09pm 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.