In attendance were Vince Volpe, President, presiding; and Keith Savage, Vice President; John Dubinsky and Tom Schlafly. Jacque Land, Nina North-Murphy, and Janet Rainford attended virtually.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Maryann Brickey, Tiffany Davis, Jon Drakesmith, Amanda Endicott, Cathy Heimberger, Liz McArthur, Mary Meyer, Joe Monahan, Justin Struttmann, Liz Reeves, Jim Slattery, and Jen Wiese. Counsel Lisa Stump attended from Lashly & Baer.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Volpe.
Minutes:
Mr. Schlafly's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2024 meeting was approved.
There was no public comment.
Fiscal Affairs Committee Report
Mr. Volpe reported that the Fiscal Affairs Committee met on September 5, and committee chair David Sweeney and members Mr. Savage and Mr. Volpe went over the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget in detail with staff. He called on CFO Jim Slattery to summarize his Fiscal Affairs report and the budget documents that had been distributed in the Board materials the week previous. Mr. Slattery led the Board through the document labeled Fiscal 2025 Proposed Budget, summarizing the City's revenue projections, issued on September 2, and his detailed revenue calculations, including investment interest, state funds, Foundation contributions, and other revenue. He explained Erate revenue projections for 2025, and the large investment proposed for 2025 in replacing customer computers throughout the system to run new Microsoft software. After brief questions concerning other revenue, Mr. Slattery went through proposed budget expenses, with particular emphasis on capital expenditures, which total $5.6 million for the proposed budget, and salary & wages, which are the largest budget category. Mr. Dubinsky and Mr. Savage asked for additional detail about the Carpenter renovations and camera installations, which Mr. Struttmann provided. Mr. Slattery pointed out energy savings reflected in the budget resulting from the capital projects finished in the current fiscal year, and anticipated rebates of more than $700,000 from the proposed capital projects, which would appear in the 2026 budget.
Mr. McGuire pointed out the seven page "Fiscal 2024 Budget vs. Forecast Summary" document that had been distributed in the Board materials, saying that it was an excellent summary of the work and calculations behind the budget.
Mr. Volpe stated that the Fiscal Affairs Committee had voted to recommend the Board accept the 2025 Budget as proposed.
Ms. Rainford's motion, seconded by Mr. Schlafly, that the Board approve the 2025 Budget as proposed was approved.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
Mr. McGuire reported that the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) had learned of the SLPL summer camp program and visited from Washington to observe some of the camps in operation and learn about them from staff. The Library has been informed that the summer camp program will be awarded the NSLA's highest recognition, the only library program to do so. Joe Monahan and Jenny Song will travel to Washington to accept the award in November. Mr. McGuire noted the Foundation funding and enormous amount of creative staff work that makes this program possible, and the Board responded with applause. Mr. Monahan reported on the entire summer programming calendar, collectively known as Summer Adventure, this year being the first year that the Library worked in full partnership with the County Library. Participation and completion numbers were substantially up in 2024, both in the City and regionally. Partnerships with key regional cultural institutions both enhanced the program and benefitted participants. Staff surveyed families and caregivers about the program, and response was overwhelmingly positive. SLPL and SLCL staff begin work this week on next summer's program. Mr. McGuire noted that Mr. Monahan and SLPL staff have shown real leadership and innovation as well as hard work in this regional effort. He had recently met with Beth Fitzgerald, the CEO of Magic House and a well known national leader and children's advocate, who mentioned to him how much positive work SLPL and Magic House have done together through the years, and how impressed she was working with Mr. Monahan and SLPL staff.
Staff summarized the financial, Human Resources, and Foundation reports. Jen Wiese, Director of Human Resources, reported on the open enrollment process and the work done to both control insurance costs and maintain excellent benefits.
Mr. McGuire noted that the Central Express closing was complete and the final rent payment had been made. Building management had expressed that the Library had been an excellent tenant, and the closing had gone very smoothly.
Mr. Schlafly's motion, seconded by Mr. Dubinsky, to go into Executive Session to discuss legal issues and individually identifiable personnel records was unanimously approved by roll call vote at 5:20.
At 5:35 the Board came out of Executive Session and Ms. North-Murphy moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Mr. Schlafly. The motion was unanimously approved.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on September 9, 2024, the following actions were taken:
| Mr. Schlafly moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the August 5, 2024 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Schlafly.) |
| Ms. Rainford moved: |
that the proposed 2025 Budget be approved. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Schlafly.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: |
that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss legal matters and individually identifiable personnel records. MOTION APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Schlafly.) |
| Mr. Dubinsky moved: |
hat the Board come out of Executive Session MOTION APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Schlafly.) |
| Ms. North-Murphy moved: |
that be meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Schlafly.) |
