Hello, my name is Kathy Griswold and I am here speaking on behalf of the Protect Our Libraries PAC. For many years the community has taken for granted the excellent library services and there has been only minimal interest in the Ann Arbor District Library Board until the recent new downtown library bond. Now the public is interested and we are requesting that the board be more transparent by holding open committee meetings. There are four reasons for holding committee meetings in compliance with the open meetings act. Most public entities in the Ann Arbor area have the majority of their committee meetings in compliance with the open meetings act includes the city, the DDA, the county, the Ann Arbor Public Schools and the AATA. Number two, most public libraries that we contacted have open committee meetings including Grand Rapids and East Lansing. Kalamazoo is currently researching holding open committee meetings and West Bloomfield does not have any subcommittees. Number three, holding open committee meetings ensures compliance with the open meetings act when there is limited deliberation at the board meeting. And four, most importantly the Ann Arbor District Library is a public entity thus the public has the right to transparency. Thank you.
13-033 VIII. FINANCIAL REPORTS
Associate Director Nieman reported January showed unrestricted cash balance just over $12 million. Tax receipts just over $10.9 million, reflecting 97.3% of the budgeted amount, have been received through December. The fund balance stands at just over $8.1 million. Two line items are over budget but are expected to come into line later in the year.
13-034 IX. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS
(Item of action)
Trustee Surovell, supported by Secretary Head, moved to approve the January 2013 disbursements.
Chairperson Kaplan reported the Communications Committee consisting of herself, Trustee Leary and Trustee Surovell met. Their recommendation of adding an additional comment period at the end of board meeting agenda has been instituted.
13-037 B. BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Trustee Murphy reported the Budget and Finance Committee is scheduled to meet next week.
13-038 C. DIRECTOR’S EVALUATION COMMITTEE
Chairmanship of the Director’s Evaluation Committee was transferred to Vice President Barney Newman. She reported the committee has not yet met.
13-039 D. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President Rosenthal reported the committee did not meet.
13-040 E. FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Chairperson Leary reported the committee is scheduled to meet this week.
13-041 F. POLICY COMMITTEE
Chairperson Murphy reported the committee has not yet scheduled a meeting.
13-042 XI. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
In addition to her written report Director Parker reported the partnership with the AAUW and their “Let’s Read Math” program
has had very good turnout of elementary students. The library provides the space and advertising and AAUW provides tutors to work with children with math phobias. Staff member Ryan Case was given recognition for his support of this program.
13-043 XII. NEW BUSINESS
13-044 A. PALMA VIDEO/PRESENTATION
Terry Soave
Terry Soave, Outreach and Neighborhood Services Manager, highlighted AADL partnerships with the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and PALMA (Proyecto Avance, Latino Mentoring Association) a University of Michigan student organization.
A YouTube video created by a PALMA tutor on the tutoring provided at AADL was presented.
13-045 B. VOTE FOR CLOSED SESSION AT THE MARCH 18, 2013 REGULAR MEETING FOR OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL & DISCUSSION OF REAL ESTATE
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Trustee Leary, supported by Secretary Head, moved to hold an Executive Session at the March 18, 2013 regular Board meeting for opinion of legal counsel and discussion of real estate.
Thank you making it possible for citizens to comment at the end of your meetings and I look forward to more conversation.
Jim Osborn
My name is Jim Osborn and I think the public should be able to comment at the beginning and the end of the meeting not just at the end of the meeting if that is what you are intending.
13-047 XIV. ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Murphy, supported by Treasurer Kaplan, moved to adjourn the meeting.
President Rosenthal adjourned the meeting at 7:37p.m.