OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Members Present:
Mr. Ted Hess, Miss Sally Carroll, Mr. Charles Monfradi
Members Absent: Sr. Mary Jude Jochum, Mr. Mike Baker
Also Present:
Dottie Thomas, Library Director, Louis Horacek, Assistant Director, Addie Thornton. President of Wheeling Area Genealogical Society, Mary Lou Henderson, Past-president of WAGS, Margaret Brennan, Wheeling Historical Society, and Bob Klug, BankOne trust officer.
Call to order:
Mr. Hess called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M
Minutes
Mr. Monfradi moved that the minutes of the December meeting be approved as distributed. Miss Carroll seconded.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | absent |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
| Mr. Baker | absent |
| Mr. Monfradi | yes |
Financial Report:
The Financial Report for January was distributed with the board package.
INVOICES AND WARRANTS
Mr. Monfradi 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 | absent |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
| Mr. Baker | absent |
| Mr. Monfradi | yes |
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ms. Thomas reported that library staff had spent two weeks moving technical services to allow new flooring to be installed. She said that she was studying a report on the proposed legislation allowing the consolidation of city and county governments to assess the impact on library funding.
She said that many donations had been received in memory of Amy O'Brien. She said that the staff, in consultation with Frank O'Brien, was considering purchase of the "Great Courses" series.
Ms. Thomas said that she was preparing for Legislative Day, scheduled to held March 14 and 15.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Thomas said that it had been announced that the Board of Zoning Appeals would hold a hearing considering the application of Wheeling Soup Kitchen to be located at 1610 Eoff St. (across from the library) Mr. Monfradi said there was reason to be concerned about losing parking spaces to the group, which would only have 10 spaces of their own. Mr. Hess asked Ms. Thomas to investigate.
REPORT ON BANKONE TRUST ACCOUNT
Mr. Bob Klug said that BankOne had merged with J. P. Morgan in July 2004, and the new name would be J. P. Morgan Chase.
He said current investments were 60% equities, 40% fixed income and cash. He said the account had appreciated $100, 000 since 2003. He suggested that the Board consider increasing the proportion of equity holdings.
Mr. Hess asked why 5% was in cash. Mr. Klug said that this was money being held for distribution to the library. He said last year $11,000 was paid to the library.
Mr. Monfradi asked if he was suggesting a move to more equities. Mr. Klug replied that he was if it was within the general range that he had discretion to do. He asked if the Board wanted him to be more aggressive. He said the amount should not go over 70%.
Board members were agreeable with him increasing equities to 70%.
Mr. Klug said that the bank would be reviewing fee schedules, but that this will not involve the library's account.
He said that the library could expect a 7 - 9 % return on equities.
OLD BUSINESS
Capital Improvements List and Legislative Budget Digest Request
Mr. Horacek presented a price list of items for suggested capital improvement projects:
| 5 computers for staff and public | $841.93 each, total $4,209.65 |
| New file server | $3,514.93 |
| 2 Microfilm machines | $6,000 each, total $12,000 |
| Printer to support microfilm machines | $1,199.00 |
Ms. Thomas said that she did not yet have an estimate on paving for the parking area next to the driveway.
Ms. Thomas said that Office Furniture Warehouse had offered to purchase our old dividers for $200, and had provided a quote for storage cabinets. She said she would check further on the cabinets. The board agreed not to sell the dividers.
Mr. Monfradi moved that cabinets be purchased at a cost not to exceed $632.81. Miss Carroll seconded.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | absent |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
| Mr. Baker | absent |
| Mr. Monfradi | yes |
Ms. Thomas said that she had quote to get limestone on the area next to the fire exit which was becoming muddy. The board was agreeable to doing it.
Meeting Room Policy
Ms. Thomas present a statement that users of the meeting room will be asked to agree to:
"Any damage that occurs will be billed to the group at a cost of no less that $50."
Miss Carroll moved that it be approved. Mr. Monfradi seconded.
Vote:
| Mr. Hess | yes |
| Sr. Mary Jude | absent |
| Miss Carroll | yes |
| Mr. Baker | absent |
| Mr. Monfradi | yes |
Acquisition of Social Security Property
Ms. Thomas said that there was no news. 4 or 5 groups had applied to the Department of Education. It was not known if anyone had applied to Health and Human Services.
Mr. Monfradi suggested that Ms. Thomas get a quote on putting a stone base in the parking area.
Northern Library Network Consortium
Ms. Thomas said that Marion County Public Library had withdrawn from the consortium, and had received a very critical letter from the state library. She said that OCPL had not received any criticism for withdrawing; and this may have been because she had let the consortium know that OCPL would be willing to add its holdings to the database, if the consortium was agreeable. She said that she just wanted to let the board know that this would be presented to NLN, and she assumed that NLN would accept.
NEW BUSINESS
Legislative Day
Ms. Thomas said that libraries were being encouraged to purchase a $25.00 ticket to the legislative day reception for each legislator. The Board had no objections.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 PM.