In attendance were Vince Volpe, President, presiding; and Keith Savage, Vice President; Nina North-Murphy and Tom Schlafly. John Dubinsky, Jacque Land, Janet Rainford, and David Sweeney attended virtually.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members, Tiffany Peck, Jon Drakesmith, Cathy Heimberger, Maura Lydon, Liz McArthur, Mary Meyer, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Colleen Rose, Justin Struttmann, Liz Reeves, 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 June 3, 2024 meeting was approved.
There was no public comment.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
Mr. Struttmann reported on a proposal to change the way the Library provides retirement benefits to part-time employees. At present, very few part-time employees remain in their position the requisite five years to become vested and receive benefits from the pension program offered through the Employee Retirement System (ERS). The proposal would remove these employees from the Employee Retirement System and create a tax-sheltered annuity plan for them, to which the Library would contribute 4% of salary and match up to an additional 3% of employee contribution. All employees already vested would remain in the ERS. Mr. Sweeney stated that the Fiscal Affairs Committee had looked at the proposal in depth and recommended it to the Board as a win/win for both the Library and staff. The Resolution included in packets would allow the Library to move forward with this proposal. Ms. Rainford asked the amount of savings, and Mr. Slattery responded that assuming an average 2% employee contribution rate, roughly $90,000. Mr. Sweeney's motion, seconded by Mr. Schlafly, that the Board approve the Resolution Creating a 403(b) Plan and Removing Nonvested Employees From the Employee Retirement System was adopted.
Liz MacArthur went over the Public Services Report that was included in Board packets. Jim Slattery summarized the in-depth report he made to the Fiscal Affairs Committee. Revenue for fiscal year 2024 is forecasted to come in $1.9 higher than budget based on the continued higher than expected tax revenue and interest income. Expenses are currently below budget, but approximately $700,000 of capital expenses are being diverted to fiscal year 2025 due to equipment supply delays on the Buder and Schlafly renovations. Cash and investments are at $46 million, or about $600,00 less than this time last year and $2 million less than April. We have $11.6M more investments this year compared to May 2023, and interest rates continue high. Year to date we are on track for revenue. We are two thirds of the way through the fiscal year and total operating expenses are at 61.8%
Jen Wiese summarized the Human Resources report which was sent out in the Board packet. The Library is getting good candidates for a variety of open positions, but we are looking at ways of reducing the time-to-fill metric.
Liz Reeves summarized the Foundation Report and work on grant writing.
New leadership has been announced to two other large libraries in the state: Springfield Greene County Library and Kansas City Public Library. Neither have yet begun, and Mr. McGuire hasn't met either of them. The directorship at the Daniel Boone Regional Library (Columbus) has just become open.
Old Business:
Mr. McGuire summarized the work staff and the Board have done studying the customer usage drop and lease issues the Library has experienced at the Old Post Office location, Central Express. As discussed at the July Board meeting, a Resolution Terminating the Lease at the Central Express Location was sent out in the Board packet. This and the letter to DESCO, the location landlord, have been drafted by Lashly & Baer. The Library will close the location at the end of August. Mr. Dubinsky asked that any messaging that goes out be positive. Mr. Schlafly asked whether we have heard public questions. Mr. McGuire responded that he has informed the Mayor's Office and the Board of Aldermen, both responding that they appreciated being informed.
Ms. Rainford's motion and Ms. North-Murphy's second that the Board adopt the Resolution Terminating the Lease at the Old Post Office Building for Central Express was adopted.
At 6:00 Mr. Schlafly's motion and Ms. North-Murphy's second that the meeting be adjourned was approved.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on July 1, 2024, the following actions were taken:
| Ms. North-Murphy moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the June 3, 2024 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford,Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Sweeney moved moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the June 3, 2024 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford,Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Ms.Rainford moved: |
that the Resolution Terminating the Lease At The Old Post Office Building For Central Express; And Related Matters be approved
MOTION APPROVED |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: |
that be meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford,Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
