ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY BOARD
343 S. FIFTH AVENUE, ANN ARBOR, MI
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022
22-089 I. CALL TO ORDER
Dharma Akmon, Vice President
Vice President Akmon called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
22-090 II. ATTENDANCE
Board Present: Dharma Akmon, Molly Kleinman, S. Kerene Moore, Onna Solomon, Scott Trudeau, Jamie Vander Broek
Board Absent: Jim Leija
Staff: Eli Neiburger, Sherlonya Zobel, Karen Wilson (recorder)
22-091 III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
(Item of action)
Trustee Kleinman, supported by Secretary Moore, moved to approve the agenda.
AYES: Akmon, Kleinman, Moore, Solomon, Trudeau, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 6-0.
22-092 IV. CONSENT AGENDA
(Item of action)
CA-1 Approval of Minutes of March 14, 2022, March 16, 2022 and March 22, 2022
CA-2 Approval of March 2022 Disbursements
Trustee Solomon, supported by Secretary Moore, moved to approve the consent agenda.
AYES: Akmon, Kleinman, Moore, Solomon, Trudeau, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 6-0.
22-093 V. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
There were no citizens’ comments.
22-094 VI. FINANCIAL REPORTS
Eli Neiburger, Director
Director Neiburger reviewed the March financial report listed in the Board packet. He noted that cash had decreased to $8,128,110 at the end of March. Tax receipts of $17,923,740 being 100.2% of the budget have been received. The fund balance now sits at $5,686,925. Year-to-date revenue is at $13,555,292 with expenditures at $12,150,589. Year-to-date revenue exceeds expenses by $1,404,703. Actual cash receipts are 99.78% of the budget and actual cash expended is at 68.39% of the budget. Interest income currently shows a loss. Under expenditures Property Insurance shows a refund of $13,243. No Grant monies were expended in March.
22-095 VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
22-096 A. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dharma Akmon & Kerene Moore
Vice President Akmon reported the committee met and discussed the proposed adjustments to the Friends Space Use Agreement. The committee also worked on the Director’s contract.
22-097 B. BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Scott Trudeau, Chair
Treasurer Trudeau reported the committee met and reviewed the proposed draft budget. Numbers have yet to be received from the County Equalization Department so the proposed property tax revenue is still fluid.
22-098 VIII. LIBRARY REPORT
Eli Neiburger, Director
Director Neiburger presented a comparison of door count statistics for the first three months at all locations from January-March 2019 versus January-March 2022. He noted that the numbers are increasing and that some patrons are still hesitant to enter public buildings. Programming is beginning to increase which will increase the number of patrons using all locations.
He continued the report with:
- The naloxone vending machine in the Downtown Library is the first of four machines in the county. Twitter impressions have been extensive with only one negative feedback from a patron. We have been informed that usage has already saved a life.
- AADL has been invited to participate at the upcoming AFC Ann Arbor Community Iftar at Southeast Area Park on April 30th. AADL will have tools to display and will provide a button maker for use.
- The Library’s participation in FestiFools and Fool Moon was well received.
- The Seed Sampler seasonal project received 1,426 orders will 854 orders filled to date. Seeds have been reorder twice so far from the Ann Arbor Seed Company. Staff was commended for all the work they have put into this project. The project will be ending soon and will be back next year. A fall seed project is under discussion.
- Preschool Expo is back as an in-person event on Sunday, May 15th at the Downtown Library. Fifteen local preschools are participating.
- On May 22nd AADL will be hosting ten local authors at a Fifth Avenue Press book release reception beginning at 1:00 p.m.
- May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. On May 1st the Michigan Taiwanese American Organization is co-hosting a celebration featuring a Lion Dance, a yo-yo performance and demonstration. MI-TAI will also present AADL with Tiger themed art prints from the National Museum of Fine Arts of Taiwan that will become available as part of our Art Prints collection.
- Title suggestions are being sought for the 2023 Washtenaw Reads event.
The following May service update was given:
- Self-booking of meeting rooms will be available at all locations.
- A new tools booking launch will happen in May.
- Check out periods for tools and games will be adjusted seasonally.
- Puzzles will be coming to the Express Shelf.
- The Seed Sampler project will be coming to an end.
- New work tables are on order for Downtown and Westgate.
- Furniture at Westgate is being re-upholstered.
- More events indoors and out are being scheduled.
- Covid tests are available at all branch locations for free.
Social media comments were viewed.
Director Neiburger read the following Google review received: A diverse and expansive collection of media and tools are available here. Its curators and caretakers are genuine professionals. Safety and cleanliness are paramount concerns of the staff – their positive results in response speak for themselves. This library functions as a key community space, providing clean public bathrooms, clean water, open spaces, inexpensive vending options, newly installed (free) narcan vending machine. Their Wi-Fi is awesome too. I’ve included a blisteringly fast test result for it taken in non-optimal location. It is an incredible privilege to be able to use this fascinating institution and its resources. There’s something for everyone here.
22-099 IX. OLD BUSINESS
22-080 A. PARKLAND PLAZA FACILITY UPGRADE UPDATE
Eli Neiburger, Director
(Item of discussion)
Director Neiburger reported that the AIA contact with O’Neal Construction has had some modification and is under final review.
Structural drawings are anticipated to be completed by mid-May.
June 1st is the anticipated date for issuing the steel bid packet for the project with July 1st the issue date for the bid packet for the remainder of the project.
22-100 X. NEW BUSINESS
22-101 A. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED 2022-2023 BUDGET
Eli Neiburger, Director
(Item of discussion)
Director Neiburger referred the Board to the narrative preceding the proposed budget in the Board packet. He noted that a 3% merit pool for staff was included in the budget. A 2% increase in property tax revenue is anticipated, however, we are waiting on the numbers provided by the County Equalization Department.
Adjustments have been made to various line items. Capital Outlays includes costs for furniture, fixtures and equipment at Parkland Plaza and may have an additional adjustment. The Material line item has been decreased based on the lack of CDs/DVDs being published due to streaming services. The Programming budget has been increased in anticipation of returning to a normal events schedule. Several new positions have been added. The proposed budget will be fine-tuned and brought before the Board in May for approval along with the millage rate.
22-102 B. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL AGENTS FOR ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY AT THE BANK OF ANN ARBOR
Eli Neiburger, Director
(Item of discussion & action)
Roll call vote
Secretary Moore, supported by Trustee Solomon, moved that the Board hereby designates the following individuals as duly authorized Agents for the Ann Arbor District Library and gives these individuals the authority to direct Bank of Ann Arbor via emails, telephone conversations, in writing and/or any other form necessary regarding deposits, transfers and withdrawals from any accounts held at the Bank of Ann Arbor, and to conduct any other business as deemed necessary and, further grants Bank of Ann Arbor, Agent, the authority to follow without question the direction of the following named individuals: Len Lemorie, Associate Director and Sherlonya Zobel, Associate Director; that the elected Ann Arbor District Library Board Secretary has the authority to certify this resolution; that all resolutions and parts of resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: Akmon, Kleinman, Moore, Solomon, Trudeau, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 6-0.
22-103 C. SPACE USE AGREEMENT WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY
Eli Neiburger, Director
(Item of discussion)
Director Neiburger noted changes to the Space Use Agreement would move the Friends activities to the Parkland Plaza location. They are being offered an equivalent amount of space to what they have at the Downtown Library. They would also have a locked office space and additional storage space. The Book Shop would also move to the Plaza. AADL will provide a phone line and internet access. AADL will also provide limited promotion for the FAADL. This agreement will be for one year as usual. A timeline for the move is not yet set.
Trustee Vander Broek noted that she was with the FAADL group that toured the Parkland Plaza space and those present were very happy with the location.
22-104 D. VOTE FOR CLOSED SESSION AT THE MAY 23, 2022 REGULAR BOARD MEETING FOR DISCUSSION OF REAL ESTATE AND LABOR NEGOTIATIONS
(Item of action)
Roll call vote
Secretary Moore, supported by Trustee Kleinman, moved to hold a closed session on May 23, 2022 for discussion of real estate and labor negotiations.
A roll call vote was taken.
AYES: Akmon, Kleinman, Moore, Solomon, Trudeau, Vander Broek
NAYS: None
Motion passed 6-0.
22-105 XI. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
There were no citizens’ comments.
22-106 XII. ADJOURNMENT
Vice President Akmon adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.