In attendance were Vince Volpe, President, presiding; Keith Savage, Vice President, Alison Ferring; John Dubinsky, Jacques Land, Janet Rainford, and Tom Schlafly attended remotely..
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Maryann Brickey, Jon Drakesmith, Amanda Endicott, Cathy Heimberger, Tonnya Joy, Maura Lyndon, Liz McArthur, Mary Meyer, Joe Monahan, Tiffany Peck, Jamie Pope, Liz Reeves, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Colleen Seisser, Jim Slattery, Justin Struttmann, and Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Volpe.
Minutes
Ms. Ferring's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2024 meeting was approved.
Chief Executive Officer's Report
Mr. McGuire noted that the kickoff event for the joint Summer Adventure program had taken place in Forest Park on Saturday and been a success. A public announcement of a City Health Department test program to distribute Narcan outside two SLPL locations occurred without the Library's knowledge and before the program had begun.
Ms. Porter-Reynolds reported on current public service statistics, and provided a detailed look at the difference between adult and children and teen usage of ebook materials. Mr. Slattery went through the April financial reports, stating that the Library is in strong shape, with revenue coming in well. Cash and investments stand at approximately $48 million, down only $500,000 from April 2023 after major expenditures for capital improvements. Mr. Slattery is keeping over $11 million more in invested funds than in 2024 and is continuing to realize strong returns because of high interest rates through MOSIP and USBank. Operating expenses are at approximately 54.7%, and salaries and benefits are tracking as projected. The pension rate will increase to 17.44% in July, which he forecasts will come in at $20,000 over the 2023/24 budget. Overall, the Library is in good budget shape, with revenue stronger than expected and expenses running slightly below budget. Mr. Struttmann presented the April Human Resources report and announced that the new Public Safety supervisor will be Derek Hudson.
Ms. Reeves reported on a $50,000 grant from the Burgess Foundation and other Foundation activity.
New Business
Mr. McGuire went over a series of reports concerning usage at Central Express, reporting that while usage at the Library's comparable locations had recovered after the pandemic, Central Express had continued on a downward trend. Market penetration studies show that Central Express has a very small number of unique users, and most residents in the area are now bypassing Central Express to use Central Library. The lease at Central Express is very expensive at $13,600 per month, and although the immediate issue of restroom access has been largely resolved, there continue to be conflicts with the building management, and we remain outside the lease as we have discussed with the Board. Staff is ready to recommend we close the Central Express location. He would bring a resolution to the Board in July, recommending closing in August. Mr. Dubinsky asked why there was a delay, and Ms. Rainford asked why wait until August to close. mr. McGuire responded that asking the Board to vote in July didn't affect our timeline and he felt it was important to give time to the issue. Closing in August allows us to communicate with the Mayor's office, complete the Summer Adventure program at Central Express, and gives time to move out furniture and fixtures. There was Board discussion about appropriate messaging, and Mr. Schlafly spoke about past experience with closing locations. Mr. McGuire will bring a resolution and timeline to the July meeting.
Executive Session
Mr. Land moved, seconded by Mr. Schlafly,, that the Board go into executive session to discuss legal matters. The motion was unanimously approved by roll call vote. The Board went into executive session at 6:10 p.m.
The Board came out of executive session at 6:22 p.m.
Adjournment
Mr. Dubinsky's motion, seconded by Ms. Ferring, that the meeting be adjourned was unanimously approved, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m..
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on May 6, 2024, the following actions were taken:
| Ms. Ferring moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the May 6, 2024 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Schlafly.) |
| Ms. Land moved: |
that the Board go into executive session to discuss legal matters. MOTION APPROVED BY ROLL CALL (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Schlafly.) |
| Mr Savage moved: |
that the Board come out of executive session. MOTION APPROVED BY ROLL CALL (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Schlafly.) |
| Mr. Dubinsky moved |
that the meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Schlafly.) |
