ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY BOARD
343 S. FIFTH AVENUE, ANN ARBOR, MI
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
10-039 I. CALL TO ORDER
President Head called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
10-040 II. ATTENDANCE
Present: Head, Leary, Murphy, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Stearns, Surovell (arr. 6:05 p.m.)
Absent: None
Staff: Choate, Doll, Neiburger, Nieman, Parker, Wilson (recorder)
Others: Jim Greene, Dykema
10-041 III. VOTE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF LABOR NEGOTIATIONS & OPINION OF COUNSEL
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Trustee Stearns, supported by Secretary Leary, moved to recess to an Executive Session for discussion of labor negotiations and opinion of counsel.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: Head, Leary, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Stearns
NAYS: None
Motion passed 5-0.
10-042 IV. RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF LABOR NEGOTIATIONS & OPINION OF COUNSEL
President Head recessed the meeting to Executive Session at 6:02 p.m.
10-043 V. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING AT 7:00PM
President Head reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
10-044 VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
(Item of action)
Trustee Surovell, supported by Secretary Leary, moved to approve the agenda.
AYES: Head, Leary, Murphy, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Stearns, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
10-045 VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 17, 2009
(Item of action)
Secretary Leary, supported by Vice President Barney Newman, moved to approve the minutes of August 17, 2009.
AYES: Head, Leary, Murphy, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Stearns, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
10-046 VIII. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
There were no citizens’ comments.
10-047 IX. FINANCIAL REPORT
Associate Director Nieman reported August showed unrestricted cash balance just under $12 million. August tax receipts reflect 59% of the budgeted amount. The Fund Balance reflects just under $6.8 million. Seven items are over budget in operating and will come back into line further in the year.
10-048 X. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
(Item of action)
Vice President Barney Newman, supported by Secretary Leary, moved to approve August disbursements.
AYES: Head, Leary, Murphy, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Stearns, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
10-049 XI. COMMITTEE REPORTS
10-050 A. STRATEGIC PLANNING STEERING COMMITTEE
President Head and Trustee Stearns met with Director Parker and facilitator Sandra Greenstone for discussion of the upcoming Board Retreat. Secretary Leary was unable to attend. Further details will be reported under New Business.
10-051 XII. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
In addition to the Director’s Report distributed in the Board packet, Director Parker reported that the preliminary work on the elevator is almost complete. It will be another three to four weeks before the cylinder arrives allowing for completion of the project.
The DDA has announced a closing date of September 30, 2009 at midnight of the “Library Lot” parking lot in preparation for the underground parking garage construction project. Fliers provided by the DDA are being distributed to library patrons notifying them of the closure. An easement request, requiring Board approval, will be forthcoming from the DDA. Power and phone service to the Library will be re-routed due to this project. The DDA will cover any expenses associated with this construction project that impact the library. The surface “Y” parking lot directly across from the Library will remain open.
President Head inquired about the graphics used on the flier. Director Parker stated that schematics from the proposed new library were used by the DDA.
Trustee Murphy inquired whether the library would be blogging about the parking lot. Director Parker stated that a blog posting will be up in the near future.
Treasurer Rosenthal inquired whether the Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library are acknowledged for their support of the summer reading program. Associate Director Choate stated that they were. Treasurer Rosenthal stated she would like to see more public promotion of their support.
Director Parker stated that negotiations with Ann Arbor News for their archive are ongoing.
The Washtenaw County Literacy Coalition has secured stimulus funding for two years to support the position of a Community Literacy Resource Center Coordinator. Washtenaw Literacy will act as fiduciary and employer for this position.
10-052 XIII. NEW BUSINESS
10-053 A. RESOLUTION OF THANKS TO STEVEN JENSEN UPON HIS RETIREMENT
(Item of action)
Treasurer Rosenthal, supported by Secretary Leary, moved the Board resolves that it would like to officially thank Steven Jensen for his service as an employee September 16, 1976 to September 30, 2009 of the Ann Arbor District Library and that all resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
AYES: Head, Leary, Murphy, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Stearns, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
10-054 B. BOARD RETREAT PLANNING UPDATE
The draft retreat agenda was reviewed. President Head reported that Sandra Greenstone will facilitate the retreat which will be held on September 30, 2009, 3:30 p.m. at Dykema. The Board packet will be sent out prior to the retreat and will contain the current Strategic Plan along with presentations being given by staff.
The Strategic Planning Steering Committee will meet in November to review the outcome of the retreat and finalize a Strategic Plan to bring back to the Board for review.
10-055 C. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING GOVERNOR GRANHOLM’S AMENDED EXECUTIVE ORDER 2009-43 AND CALLING FOR FUNDING STATE AID TO LIBRARIES AT $10 MILLION IN 2010
(Item of action)
Secretary Leary, supported by Trustee Stearns, moved that the Board resolves:
WHEREAS Michigan’s libraries are vital resources for Michigan families seeking jobs online, writing resumes, filing for unemployment and disability benefits and accessing the internet, and;
WHEREAS Sixty-four percent of Michigan libraries report they are the only source of free internet access in their communities which is a critical link to technology and training for many who cannot afford it;
WHEREAS the State Library of Michigan holds the second largest collection of materials, is the third most visited library in the country and has the fifth highest circulation of state libraries nationally, the importance of this state resource is being ignored as both an educational and economic resource;
WHEREAS it is essential for the well-being of the citizens of the State of Michigan that libraries thrive as they are the cornerstones of a literate society and are on the cutting edge of a knowledge based economy; and
WHEREAS State of Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s Executive Order No. 2009-43, Amending Executive Order 2009-36, does abolish the Department of History, Arts and Libraries and does diminish the position, influence and stature of the State Library of Michigan, and assigns the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped services to the Commission for the Blind;
WHEREAS the Amended Executive Order does recognize statewide library services – MeLibrary online subscriptions, MeLCat interlibrary loan and MeL Tests and Tutorials – all resources used for research, educational purposes, workforce development, job seeking and job preparation – all made possible through the leadership of the Library of Michigan and the collaboration, group purchasing and resource sharing of libraries statewide;
WHEREAS State aid to libraries serves as the maintenance of effort requirement by the federal government to sustain federal funding for the MeLibrary, MeLCat and MeL Tests and Tutorials and the possibility of budget reductions threatens the viability of the entire statewide interlibrary loan and resource sharing system which includes every library in the state – academic, public, k-12 and special libraries;
WHEREAS the State Aid to Public Libraries Act 89 of 1977 requires libraries shall receive a total of $1.50 per capita – but are currently receiving 96 cents per capita or $10 million;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ann Arbor District Library Board acting as advocates of the people of the State of Michigan and in support of resources that ensure a high quality of life for all, strongly urges the Michigan Legislature to:
1.) Support all legislative efforts to maintain library services and collections, and keep their functions whole under the Library of Michigan within state government;
2.) Maintain state aid to libraries at $10 million to retain the federal funding required to sustain the MeLibrary online subscription resources, MeLCat interlibrary loan and MeL Tests and Tutorials;
3.) Retain the position and role of the State Librarian;
4.) Assure line item funding of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
5.) That all resolutions and parts of resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
AYES: Head, Leary, Murphy, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Stearns, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
10-056 D. VOTE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AT THE OCTOBER 19, 2009 REGULAR BOARD MEETING FOR DISCUSSION OF REAL ESTATE, LABOR NEGOTIATIONS & OPINION OF COUNSEL
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Treasurer Rosenthal, supported by Vice President Barney Newman, moved to hold an Executive Session at the October 19, 2009 regular Board meeting for discussion of real estate, labor negotiations and opinion of counsel.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: Head, Leary, Murphy, Barney Newman, Rosenthal, Stearns, Surovell
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
10-057 XIV. ADJOURNMENT
Secretary Leary requested that the Check Register be listed by vendor instead of check number. Associate Director Nieman responded that was doable.
Trustee Surovell, supported by Treasurer Rosenthal, moved to adjourn the meeting.
President Head adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.