In attendance were Vince Volpe, President, presiding; and Keith Savage, Vice President; Jacque Land, Nina North-Murphy, Janet Rainford, Tom Schlafly, and David Sweeney attended virtually.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members, Maryann Brickey, Jon Drakesmith, Amanda Endicott, Cathy Heimberger, Liz McArthur, Mary Meyer, Joe Monahan, Tiffany Peck, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Justin Struttmann, Liz Reeves, Jim Slattery, and Jen Wiese.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Volpe.
Minutes:
Ms. North Murphy's motion, seconded by Ms. Rainford, to approve the minutes of the July 1, 2024 meeting was approved.
There was no public comment.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
Mr. McGuire noted that summer programming is a major effort underway and is going well. He noted that the major change happening in the St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) administration affects the Library's extensive services for children, families, and teachers. Library staff put considerable effort into connecting with school leadership, and Joe Monahan and his team had much success over the last year. Major efforts such as the agreement to 'automatically' make cards available to SLPL students were years in the making, and were just signed weeks ago.
Secondly, the financial situation widely reported of SLPS having moved within a year from a $17 million surplus to a $35 million deficit was undoubtedly of concern to Board members. Jim Slattery will recap the Library's safeguards.
Mr. Monahan reported that youth services staff prioritize getting into the schools every year, connecting with students and staff, and promoting services. He is presenting to early childhood teachers later in the week to find out how to best support their work, and the SLPL Board is scheduled to vote on the card agreement this week. Much is in flux. Tiffany Peck reported on back-to-school services and support. Staff will be doing 18 outreach events this year, some with Better Family Life and the Urban League, others with individual schools. Some schools arrange additional visits to SLPL locations which are programmed for them. Staff promote and demonstrate services that can support students. For instance, virtual reality demonstrations connect with students, give them an idea of what the Library has to offer, and open possibilities.
Jim Slattery went over the budget and investment reports sent out the prior week. Revenue continues strong, although June's totals from the City of St Louis were $33,000 less than June 2023. Year to date the Library is $536,000 ahead of the full budget for tax revenue with three months left in the fiscal year. In June, the Library received a payment of $437,000, representing miscellaneous income and recalculation of abated properties and protested taxes, which is slightly less than last year. Interest rates are still strong though moving downward, and Mr. Slattery just placed a Treasury Bill investment at over 5% to take advantage of the rate, At nine months through the fiscal year, the Library is ahead of budgeted revenue, and expenses are at 69.8%. Mr. Slattery is confident the library will finish the fiscal year very close to budget.
Mr Slattery and Justin Struttmann summarized the Library's fiscal controls, including bids for purchases over $10,000, the CEO's signature on invoices and documentation for purchases over $25,000, multiple levels of approval for all expenditures, and all payments being handled through the financial software, which makes them transparent to staff. Mr. Savage asked whether the cost/benefit ratio of this detailed supervision had been considered. Mr. Slattery responded that he was still familiarizing himself with details and found it worthwhile to be involved at this level for now. Mr. Struttmann pointed out that much of the safeguards and approvals are handled through the financial software, which makes it efficient as well as effective.
Mr. Slattery reported that he and Mr. Struttmann had met with the Fitch rating agency to discuss the Library's finances and controls, and the Library's rating had subsequently been upgraded from AA- to AA.
Mr. McGuire reminded the Board that the 2026 budget will need to be approved next month, and that staff will be working with Fiscal Affairs Committee Chair David Sweeney to schedule a meeting.
Jen Wiese summarized the Human Resources report with recruitment and hiring statistics sent out last week. She reported that Human Resources is in the middle of negotiating the health insurance benefit, and that after initial concerns of cost increases of 20%, negotiations have eventually reached about 8%. Mr. McGuire stated that these negotiations were always complex, with many different elements and effects, and that he believes they are being handled particularly well with Ms. Wiese, Mr. Struttmann, and Mr. Slattery studying the options and making recommendations.
Liz Reeves summarized the Foundation Report and reported the Foundation has been invited to apply to the Pettus Foundation for a second year for support of early childhood literacy programming. The Pettus Foundation funded SLPLF for the first time in 2023 with a $10,000 gift. The Foundation is also speaking to St. Louis Community Foundation about their new strategic focus to support youth connections, specifically, early childhood development. The Foundation looks to apply for funding in FY2025.
Mr. McGuire reported that the move out of the Old Post Office location had been going smoothly and would be completed on time. The last lease payment had been made for August, 2024. Ms. North-Murphy asked where the books and materials being moved out of the location would be reused. Mr. McGuire responded that the collection would be thoroughly weeded, and current materials in good condition would be redistributed through the system, primarily to Central Library and Outreach. Weeded materials are sold so the proceeds can be reinvested in the Library.
Board Office Election:
President Volpe announced that Tom Schlafly would serve as the Chair of the Nominating Committee, which according to the Bylaws will present nominations for President and Vice President at the September meeting, with the election to follow in October.
At 6:05 Mr. Savage moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Mr. Land. The motion was approved unanimously.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on August 5, 2024, the following actions were taken:
| Ms. North-Murphy moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the July 1, 2024 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Savage moved: |
that the meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.)
|
