Minutes
ALLEGAN DISTRICT LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 19, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by President Susan Jerkatis. Present were Trustees: Jerkatis, Hellmann, Watts, Bortz, Garofalo, Director Perrigo and Administrative Assistant Lyzenga.

Trustee Watts made a motion to excuse Trustees Mike Kiella and Chris Antkoviak. Motion carried.

The agenda for this meeting was amended to include Board Retreat under New Business and Millage Committee put under Committee Reports.

The minutes of the October 19th board meeting were reviewed and approved with a change -under New Business – Investments, change the word “move” to “authorize”.

The October statistical report was reviewed, showing everything still on the rise. The financial report was reviewed.

Bills to be paid were approved.

LIBRARIAN’S REPORT:

Director Perrigo has been busy with committee meetings, job descriptions and salary schedules. Program on November 8th with Gary Brandt was a great program attended mostly by the Friends.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Friends Committee: Trustee Bortz said the book sale is coming up this Saturday, November 21st and will be the last one for the year. They have received 60 boxes of books from Shirley McElwee’s estate. These books will be released slowly through the upcoming book sales.

Today Rep. Bob Genetski presented a flag that flew over the state capitol to the library. The Friends had been instrumental in acquiring the flag.

Budget Committee: No report.

Personnel Committee: The board reviewed the minutes from the November 10th Personnel Committee meeting. Director Perrigo reported that the committee is working hard, and has nothing more to present now.

Finance Committee: Trustee Watts said that the finance committee had reviewed recommendations of the Personnel Committee. A report will be given at a later time.

On investments, Trustee Watts reported that the interest the library has on its checking account (.75) is better than interest on short term or long term CDs (.5). The committee will gather more information on investing and make a decision in January. For now, money has been left where it is.

Millage Proposal: Trustee Watts led discussion on a future millage. Consensus was that August of 2010 was best date for a millage election. Trustee Watts recommends that it should be for no longer than 6 years. It was moved and passed to have our library attorney draw up a proposal for a millage in the amount of .85 mil.

OLD BUSINESS:

Building issues – Director Perrigo presented estimates on the soffit repair and exterior lights. The Board is seeking at least one more estimate for this job. On the masonry repair Director Perrigo has had a second mason view the front area. He indicated that his estimate would be 10 times more than the first mason’s estimate. The Director will seek a written estimate from the first mason.

Revision of the By-Laws – not had a meeting yet.

Public Relations – Director Perrigo has not heard from the Regent Theatre. Trustee Watts will follow up with them. He had received a quote from Booth Newspapers for $1,000.00 for online advertising. A small print ad would run $75.00 as week.

NEW BUSINESS

Director Perrigo had received recommendations from our insurance risk control group that the library should amend the form signed for use of the library’s Carnegie Room by outside groups, and that there should be a form for collections that might be exhibited at the library. Each of these forms to include a hold harmless clause for the library. These forms were reviewed and approved with changes.

Board Retreat – Trustee Watts reported that in view of the most recent work of the Personnel and Finance Committees and the decisions to be made, it did not seem that the hour given to board meeting was enough time for the board to thoroughly review and in depth consider the necessary changes. A Board retreat would allow everyone to be on the same page. It would be a half day retreat (4 hours) and take place in January. In reviewing a January calendar, January 9th seemed to be a good date for the retreat.

PUBLIC COMMENT - None.

The board did inquire about the workshop day for patrons regarding downloadable audio registration and instruction. Director Perrigo said a date was not set. She will get that going as soon as possible.

Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. The next meeting will be December 21st.

Evelyn Lyzenga
Administrative Assistant