HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-2019 minutes
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3939 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 5th, 2019
Approved
7/10/2019
The meeting was called to order in the History Room by Chair, Catherine Vesley at 5:33pm. Members present: Catherine
Vesley; Patricia Sowada; Tricia Conway; Stephen Smith; Christopher Polley; and City Council Liaison, Connie Buesgens.
Also in attendance: Renee Dougherty (Library Director), and Nick Olberding (Recording Secretary).
The Minutes of the May 1st, 2019 Board Meeting were approved.
Bill Lists dated May 8th & 22nd, 2019 were reviewed. Each was moved, seconded, and approved.
The Accounting Sheet was reviewed, and approved. Thus far at 30% spent in 42% of the year.
• Questions and discussions based on Bills and Accounting:
• Polish American Journal: Library already paid for this year’s renewal, but the SisterCities (Pat Sowada) are
welcome to make a donation to offset the cost, and/or cover future subscription renewals.
• Glass Glazing Charge (2011): In regards to a repair to the parking lot facing external doors, where the door frame
was bent; it seems the double-paned door glass is too heavy, and were advised we may need address it.
• Solar Panels: Steve was wondering what the lifespan of the roof is, because at some point we may need to do
repairs, and the panels may need to be temporarily removed (just thinking ahead). Catherine mentioned, cheaper
and more efficient panels will exist when the time comes to replace our current panels.
New Business:
• Staffing Update: The position of Library Aide was posted; 22 applicants applied; 6 were interviewed; 1 was
offered a conditional offer, which has been accepted—pending paperwork. The Library Aide position has been
vacant since mid-2016 when the previous Aide resigned for outside reasons. This position was not budgeted in
2019, but running lean on staff and overtime for the first half-year, we should be able to accommodate the salary
in the second half of 2019 (if necessary, we will propose Library funds be transferred to cover the difference). The
Library Aide position is included in the 2020 budget, and going forward.
• Concept Plans for Parking Lot Extension: Public Works provided two parking lot design options. Both were generally
the same size/cost, but with different layouts and number of additional parking spots (Concept One:50/Two:39).
Consensus agreed that Concept 1 was the preferred option due to the number of spots and a more logical layout.
o With a price tag of around $80,000 (the City will likely require the Library to cover 50% of the cost), the Board
seemed split on the necessity of it, and on proceeding without data to back the additional need. Steve
commented that this overflow lot “is more of a want than a need”; there are other better uses for the funds.
o The city owns the land with the intention of selling it in the future; even if the library builds the overflow lot,
it does not protect the parcel from being demolished and sold off.
o Signs in the parking lot about overflow parking in the Municipal Ramp may help in some situations, along
with encouraging more people to take MetroTransit.
o We need to justify the expense, and put together numbers on how frequently the current lot is filled to
capacity. Tricia wouldn’t want to fund an overflow lot that is vacant and un-used 75%+ of the year.
Items from the Floor:
• Strategic Planning Facilitator: Catherine wondered what the status was on searching for a facilitator for Strategic
Planning? Renee has 3 recommendations, but has not yet had time to weigh the options.
o Phil Kern (assisted with the City’s Comprehensive Plan), Library Solutions, and Imagine Design.
o Citizenship Class: In partnership with Adult Education Center/Kathy Moriarty is one Strategic goal.
o Tricia was concerned about putting so much pressure on Renee, and would like the Board to take on more
responsibility in between meetings--related to strategic planning at this time.
o In the meantime, the Board-members should look over the official Library Guide to Strategic Planning
packet, and create a personal set of goals they would like to address in the planning process.
o Renee would like to come up with a new Library Mission Statement and several directions/directives for the
Library to fulfill in the future.
o The Board would like to discuss aspects of Strategic Planning at each future meeting.
• Board Expansion: Catherine brought up to possibility of expanding the Library Board from 5 to 7 members, which has
its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to scheduling, quorums, perspective, and compromise. Could it be a
possibility? Would it require a Charter change? Could it be a youth member?
• Spaghetti Dinner (September 11): Conflicts with September Board Meeting. The Board opted to change the date of
the September meeting from the 11th to September 4th.
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made at 6:33pm by Patricia Sowada, and seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas P. Olberding
Recording Secretary, Library Board of Trustee