In attendance were John Dubinsky, President, presiding; Alison Ferring, Jacque Land, Nina North-Murphy, Keith Savage, Thomas F. Schlafly, and Vince Volpe.
Also present were Executive Director Waller McGuire and staff members Patty Carleton, Tiffany Davis, Freiermuth, Erin Guss, Dave Halbeck, Cathy Heimberger, William Jackson, Charles Jefferson, Brenda McDonald, Jim Moses, John Newcomer, Pepi Parshall, and Ed Witkowski; Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer; and Liz Reeves, Library Foundation.
The meeting was called to order at 5:38 p.m. by Mr. Dubinsky.
Minutes:
Mr. Schlafly pointed out a grammatical error in the New Business section of the minutes. With the correction noted, Ms. Ferring's motion to approve the minutes of the May 2, 2016 Board meeting, seconded by mr. Savage, was approved.
President's Report:
Mr. Dubinsky reported that:
- Confluence Academy has informed the Library that they are moving forward with their plan to purchase the Atrium and North Building of the Administrative Offices under the terms of their Lease Agreement.
- Community plans and discussions addressing the neighborhood surrounding Central Library are ongoing. The Bridge Outreach, 1610 Olive Street, a local nonprofit organization providing day shelter and emergency services for the homeless and at risk individuals will be closing June 30, 2016. The Board discussed the increasing security concerns at Central Library. Administration was asked to present a response addressing their concerns at the July Board meeting.
- With two vacancies on the Board, attendance at the Board Meetings was stressed. Board members discussed possible conflicts with the dates of upcoming meetings through September.
Fiscal Affairs Committee Report:
Mr. Volpe reported on the Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting of May 24, 2016. He stated that the Library's work iwth Brown Smith Wallace on the implementation of the McGladrey recommendations on Business Office operations was proceeding smoothly and that good progress has been made.
The Committee heard a presentation by the Managing Director of the Missouri Securities Investment Program (MOSIP) on investment management services and support MOSIP provides to school districts, municipalities, counties, and other political subdivisions in Missouri.
The Committee considered the consultant's recommendation that the Library invest through MOSIP. The Committee recommends that the Library make a trial investment of no more than 24% of available funds with MOSIP. After one year the program investments will be compared with other Library investments. Library participation in this investment option was discussed.
Mr. Volpe's motion, seconded by Mr. Savage, to approve a resolution authorizing Library participation in MOSIP was approved.
Mr. Volpe reported that the Library received five responses to the RFP for Banking Services. Library Administration will present the Fiscal Affairs Committee with their recommendation at a special meeting to be held at 5 p.m. on July 11, just before the full Board meeting.
Executive Director's Report:
- Mr. McGuire highlighted several activities featured in the May Monthly Report including the AARP and VITA volunteers tac assistance to 3,440 individuals; the Teen Lounge hosting of a FIRST Tournament Competition Robotics practice field with people coming to watch robotics teams from Germany, Russia, South Africa, New Zealand, Romania, Czech Republic, China, and Lebanon practice; and the continuing success of storytime programs.
- Mr. McGuire presented the HR Report. He announced that, with the retirement of Gerald Brooks, the Programming and Events Department and the Marketing Department have been merged under the direction of Cathy Heimberger. A recommendation to no longer rent the Central Library as a paid avenue for events by outside groups will be presented to the Board for consideration.
- Ms. Reeves presented the Foundation Report stating that the Friends' push that started in May was going well with a steady stream of gifts and memberships coming in to the office and through the website. She also reported that, due to term limits, four Foundation Board members will rotate off at the June meeting. Each has served 12 years on the Foundation Board. One other Board member is moving and has resigned after serving 6 years. Mr. Dubinsky requested that Mr. McGuire send a letter of thanks to each for their service on behalf of the Library.
- Mr. Jackson presented the Financial Report. In response to a question from Mr. Schlafly, Mr. Jackson stated that the variance in State Support revenue was a direct result of a cuts in State Aid to public libraries in Missouri and the elimination of the State funded Equalization program. Mr. McGuire informed the Board that the variance in the Computer Supplies and Computer Equipment lines were the result of software and hardware purchases. E-Rate reimbursements and possible economies in other lines should result in the overall budget being on target at the end of the fiscal year. The Board requested that budget variances be highlighted on the Financial Report each month. In response to a question about E-Rate, Mr. McGuire stated that a report would be prepared for the next Board Meeting.
Old Business:
Mr. McGuire presented several documents relating to the Strategic Plan for Board consideration. the first, Strategic Planning Principles, serves as an introduction to the Goals and Objectives previously reviewed by the Board. Together, these two documents will constitute the public version of the Library's new five year Strategic Plan.
Discussion followed on the Current Budget Allocation chart. Mr. McGuire explained that this was a visual presentation of how the current FY2016 budget is allocated with percentages for each category. Categories were discussed ad Mr. McGuire stated that the percentages will shift in 2017 as the Strategic Plan is implemented. Cuts will need to be made in some areas in order to add resources in areas of focus for the Strategic Plan. The FY 2107 budget will be presented to the Board in September, and will include Strategic Plan initiatives. At the same time, Administration will be taking steps to bring expenditures in line with revenue. Mr. Dubinsky reminded Board members the Library ended FY 2015 with a balanced budget, even though a deficit budget had been approved.
Mr. McGuire presented the Tactical Year One plan. The Strategic Plan will be implemented over the next five years - FY2017 through FY 2021. The Goals and Objectives will remain constant while the Tactics will change from year to year as progress on the Strategic Plan is accomplished. The next step is for the Library staff to set Action Plans for each tactic. Mr. Volpe requested that the Action Plans state details, including budget, timeline, and responsibility.
Mr. Schlafly's motion, seconded by Mr. Land, that the Board approve the Strategic Plan was approved.
Mr. Savage's motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Schlafly , was approved by a unanimous vote. The Board Meeting ended at 7:10 p.m.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on June 6, 2016, the following actions were taken:
| Mr. Schlafly moved: | that the Board approve the corrected minutes of the meeting of May 2, 2016. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Mr. Volpe moved: | that the Board approve a resolution authorizing Library participation in MOSIP. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: | that the Board approve the Strategic Plan. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Volpe.) |
| Mr. Savage moved: | that the meeting adjourn. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Savage, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Volpe.) |
