OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Members Present:
Mr. Ted Hess, Sr. Mary Jude Jochum, Mr. Mike Baker, Miss Sally Carroll.
Members Absent: Mr. Charles Monfradi
Also Present:
Dottie Thomas, Louis Horacek, Jan Shelburne, Steve Kellas, Wesbanco trust officers, attorney Nick Wininski.
Call to order:
Mr. Hess called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M
Minutes
Sr. Mary Jude moved that the minutes of the December meeting be approved as distributed. Mr. Baker seconded.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
| Mr. Baker | yes |
| Mr. Monfradi | absent |
Discussion of Library's Endowment Trust Account
Jan Shelburne and Steve Kellas, Wesbanco trust officers, presented an update on the performance of the Endowment Trust. Mr. Hess asked what amount was charged to the library annually for adminstration fees. Mr. Kellas said the total cost was $200 annually. Mr. Baker asked what sort of advance notice the bank would need if the library planned a major withdrawal for a capital project. Mr. Kellas said that 30-60 days advance notice would be best. Mr. Hess asked the Board members if they would still be interested in reducing the 7% being withdrawn from the account. Mr. Kellas said that many organizations withdrew around 4-5%. Board members felt that since the return on the investment was now improved and that since we were no longer having to invade the principal to make the 7% it would be acceptable to leave the percentage rate at 7%.
Mr. Hess said that Bob Klug of BankOne had called, and will come to the March meeting. He said that Mr. Klug told him that BankOne recently merged with J. P. Morgan and Mr. Klug feels it is a positive move and will not jeopardize service locally. The value of the fund is now $510,000.
Financial Report:
The financial report was presented. Ms. Thomas said that it was the report for the month of December that should have been presented at the January meeting, which was cancelled. She said it was too early in the month to have the report for January which was normally presented at the February meeting. She said there would be two reports in March: January and February.
INVOICES AND WARRANTS
Mr. Baker moved to approve both financial reports and approve payment of invoices and warrants; Miss Carroll seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
| Mr. Baker | yes |
| Mr. Monfradi | absent |
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ms. Thomas distributed a written director's report.
In discussion of the Wheeling Room move, Mr. Baker suggested asking Walter's Construction what they can provide, such as preparing a cost estimate and rendering, based upon the design of the Morrow Room, except lacking the domed ceiling and all the indirect lighting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
OLD BUSINESS
Canopy Upgrade
Ms. Thomas said that she had talked to Mr. Monfradi about the canopy upgrade, and that he was recommending that Walter's Construction be asked for professional advice.
Discussion of HVAC Maintenance Contract
Mr. Hess said that Mr. Baker and Mr. Monfradi could work with Ms. Thomas in examining the HVAC contract issues. The findings of this group would determine whether the library should seek bids from other service providers before the May meeting. Mr. Hess asked Ms. Thomas to compile the information from the last time the library examined the contract.
Purchase of Color Laser Printer
Mr. Horacek said that the library's color printer had died, and that he was recommending a HP 2500L Laserjet as a replacement. Ms. Thomas said that it was used for library brochures and publicity materials.
Mr. Baker moved that the printer be purchased. Sr. Mary Jude seconded.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
| Mr. Baker | yes |
| Mr. Monfradi | yes |
Mr. Hess asked how the Internet filtering was going. Ms. Thomas said there had been no complaints and it had not otherwise impacted internet operations such as slowing down response time.
Mr. Hess asked about the new Logo for the library. Ms. Thomas said that she had not checked yet with West Liberty State College. Ms. Carroll suggested also contacting Mount de Chantal school.
Executive Session to Discuss Personnel Issues
Mr. Baker moved that the Board enter executive session to discuss a personnel issue. Miss Carroll seconded the motion.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
| Mr. Baker | yes |
| Mr. Monfradi | absent |
The Board went into executive session at 8 PM and returned to regular session at 8:25 PM.
Mr. Hess said that the Board had concluded the executive session and appreciated Mr. Wininski's work on the library's behalf. He said that he understood that Mary Engel had retained legal counsel and that he had communicated that she would agree to termination, and that she was interested in applying for unemployment benefits and hoped that the library would not block her efforts in that regard. He said that the board felt that it is in the best interest of all for her to be terminated as she requested. He would entertain a motion that her employment be terminated immediately and that it is the intent of the Board not to oppose her collecting unemployment, and that Mr. Wininsky be authorized to communicate this to her attorney.
Mr. Baker made the motion. Miss Carroll seconded.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | yes |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
| Mr. Baker | yes |
| Mr. Monfradi | absent |
NEW BUSINESS
Rescheduling Meeting
Mr. Hess noted that this meeting had been held early because the library director would be attending Legislative Day on the regular meeting date (Feb. 10) and asked if members saw any reason to have a meeting before March 9, the next regular meeting date. There were no comments.
Acquisition of the Social Security Building
The Board felt it was appropriate for staff to ask the public to write to newspapers and legislators in support of the library acquiring the Social Security property from the Federal government.
Capital Improvements Projects for 2004
A list of possible capital improvements for 2004 had been distributed with the board packet. Mr. Baker asked that Ms. Thomas have quotes for a portable stereo, a DVD player, and flooring for technical services at the March meeting.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM