In attendance were Nina North-Murphy, President, presiding; John Dubinsky, Alison Ferring, Jacque Land, Janet Rainford, Keith Savage, Thomas Schlafly, David Sweeney, and Vince Volpe.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Tiffany Davis, Jon Drakesmith, Cathy Heimberger, William Jackson, Kathy Leitle, Mary Meyer, Angie Miraflor, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Justin Struttmann, and Jen Wiese; Liz Reeves, Library Foundation; and Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer.
The meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m. by Ms. North-Murphy.
Minutes:
Ms. Rainford's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to approve the minutes of the March 16, 2020 meeting was approved.
Fiscal Affairs Committee Report:
Fiscal Affairs Committee Chair Vince Volpe presented the report, stating that the Committee met with auditors from RubinBrown about the 2018-2019 audit report. The Library received a clean audit and the Committee recommended that the full Library Board approve it.
Ms. Rainford's motion, seconded by Mr. Schlafly, to approve the audit was approved.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
- Mr. McGuire explained that an audio recording of the meeting was being made to fulfill the requirements of the open meetings law. The recording will be posted on the Library website until the formal written minutes are posted.
- The Foundation staff are continuing to stay in contact with Foundation members and they also continue to work on various grant applications.
- HR Report- Mr. McGuire stated that during this time, staff are not accruing vacation or sick time. He has also frozen the merit pay cycle, which usually happens in April. Hiring has also been frozen and HR staff are answering any questions from employees.
- Mr. McGuire presented a report sent to the Board Members on public services and staff activities during this time of the Library buildings being closed.
- Mr. Jackson presented the financial report. The Library has received 95- 96% of funds that were projected for the 2020 fiscal year. Mr. Struttmann stated that the Library is also saving money because there no secondary officers or staff from the security company working during this time.
- Mr. McGuire presented a statement for a vote:
"The Library Board of Directors hereby authorizes, ratifies and directs the CEO of the Library to implement any measures necessary to ensure the health and safety of employees and patrons during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including but not limited to: closing any or all Library facilities, modifying operating hours, and establishing temporary rules for use of Library facilities."
After discussion, Board Members decided that this statement plus a change to the statement approved in the March 16, 2020 meeting needed to be made.
- Mr. McGuire stated that Library staff are grateful to continue being paid during this time and are working hard to continue to provide services to the community.
Mr. Schlafly's motion, seconded by Mr. Volpe, to adjourn the meeting was approved. The meeting ended at 6:23 p.m.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on April 6, 2020, the following actions were taken:
| Ms. Rainford moved: | that the Board approve the minutes of the March 16, 2020 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Ms. North Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Ms. Rainford moved: | that the Board approve the 2018-2019 audit. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Ms. North Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: | that the Board approve the statement that "The Library Board of Directors hereby authorizes, ratifies and directs the CEO of the Library to implement any measures necessary to ensure the health and safety of employees and patrons during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including but not limited to: closing any or all Library facilities, modifying operating hours, and establishing temporary rules for use of Library facilities." MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Ms. North Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Ms. Rainford moved: | that the Board approve a wording change from "paid leave for a period of up to 30 days" to read "paid leave for an undetermined number of days" in the statement approved March 16, 2020. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Ms. North Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
