In attendance were Nina North-Murphy, President, presiding; 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, Cathy Heimberger, William Jackson, Kathy Leitle, Brenda McDonald, Jen Ohzourk, Daisy Porter-Reynolds, Anna Strackeljahn, Justin Struttmann, Lisa Thorp, and Jen Wiese; Liz Reeves, Foundation; and Tom Addis, Lashly & Baer.
The meeting was called to order at 5:32p.m. by Ms. North-Murphy.
Minutes:
Mr. Savage's motion to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2019 Board Meeting, seconded by
Mr. Land, was approved.
Mr. McGuire introduced Tom Addis from Lashly & Baer.
Communications:
Local media reported that there was a shooting in the Julia Davis Library parking lot, but staff on duty, including police officers working secondary at the location, did not hear or see an evidence of it. Public Safety also checked the security camera feed for the time period and saw nothing.
Mr. McGuire shared a Twitter post mentioning the Born to Read first library card promotion to newborns.
President's Report:
Ms. North-Murphy stated that 100% of the questionnaires for Mr. McGuire's evaluation had been: returned. She thanked everyone for their participation.
Fiscal Affairs Committee Report:
Mr. McGuire gave an overview of the status of the Central Library renovation bonds. The Library has been paying interest, but starting in 2020, principal payments will begin. Mr. McGuire authorized Stifel to research if refinancing was advantageous. Their report states that refinancing will save the Library several millions.
There was a discussion about whether the refinancing needed to go out for bid, because a company named Baird from Chicago has expressed an interest in the project. Lashly and Baer's opinion is that Mr. McGuire can make the decision that Stifel is uniquely qualified to do the work. The other company is also only interested in working with only two of the three types of bonds, while Stifel can handle the complete package. Mr. Volpe asked Mr. McGuire to write a letter stating that he is waiving an RFP for this project.
Mr. Volpe's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to A Resolution of the Board of Directors for the City of St. Louis Municipal Library District Authorizing and Approving the Consideration of Tax-Exempt Refundings ofthe Series 2010A-1, 2010A-2, and 2010A-3 Bonds; and Approving the Actions of Certain Officers of the Library, was approved with four aye votes and three abstentions.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
- Mr. McGuire stated that the Library is moving to Spectrum from AT&T for connectivity between buildings and all internet services. The contract is for five years. Central Library and the Administrative Offices will also switch to an internet-based phone system on July 19, 2019. The neighborhood libraries have been on this system for years.
- Five staff members attended the ALA annual conference is Washington, D.C.
- Policy revisions will continue to be presented to the Library Board. Three were approved last month. Several more will be presented at the August meeting, to be voted on in September.
- After careful research and study, Library Administration has decided to not train staff to administer NARCAN to customers. While some Libraries around the country are doing this, emergency response in St. Louis is good and emergency personnel have expert training.
- Mr. Jackson presented the financial report.
- Ms. Wiese presented the HR report.
- Ms. Reeves presented the Foundation report.
- Anna Strackeljahn was introduced as the new Manager of Collection Management Services.
- During the "Print to Pixels" exhibit, Firecracker Press restored a printing press, then created and printed a special print for the exhibit. Mr. McGuire gave a copy of the print to each Library Board Member and will also be giving one to each Foundation Board Member.
Mr. Schlafly's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to adjourn the meeting, was approved. The meeting ended at 6:40 p.m.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Pubic Library on July 1, 2019, the following actions were taken:
| Mr. Savage moved |
that the Board approve the minutes of the meeting of June 3, 2019. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Mr. Volpe moved |
that the Board approve A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the City of St. Louis Municipal Library District Authorizing And Approving the Consideration of Tax-Exempt Refundings of the Series 2010A-1, 2010A-2, and 2010A-3 Bonds; and Approving The Actions of Certain Officers of the Library. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, and Mr. Mr. Volpe. Abstained Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved |
that the meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Volpe.) |
