Library Board of Trustees Minutes – February 19, 2020

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MINUTES
February 19, 2020 at 4:30pm
East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Library Conference Room
950 Abbot Road

1) Call to Order 4:31pm

2) Roll Call

Trustees present were Amy Zaagman, Lance Wilkinson, and Diane Goddeeris.  Trustees Paul Cervenak and Polly Synk were excused.  Also in attendance were City Council Liaison Jessy Gregg, Friends Representative Sheila Taylor, Director Kristin Shelley, Assistant Director/Head of Customer Experience Brice Bush, Executive Assistant to the Director Shori Teeple, and one member of the public.

3) Opening
A) Approval of January 15, 2020 Meeting Minutes with date correction
Goddeeris moved.
Wilkinson seconded.
All in favor.
Motion carried.

B) Approval of Current Meeting Agenda

Wilkinson moved.
Goddeeris seconded.
All in favor.
Motion carried.

4) Communications
A) Audience: Community member Preston introduced himself then left.

5) Reports
A) City Council Liaison Report:
Gregg reported:

  • Second phase of Bogue Development discussed
  • MSUFCU will be one of the next big potential projects
  • Parking plan discussed to try to encourage more visitors to downtown
  • Marriott building involves a public/private partnership with a 40-year lease that expires soon
  • A deer management program was authorized, which could include culling of the urban herd as well as other options
  • TIFF Policy was also discussed

B) Friends of the East Lansing Public Library Report
Taylor reported:

  • A financial report was discussed
  • Plans have been considered for reconfiguring space in the book shop for more books
  • The Friends will be investing in more publicity for the book shop
  • 6) Old Business
    A) Accessibility Lawsuit
  • An overview of the lawsuit was provided regarding minor infractions with the website.

B) Michigan Library Association Substitute Bill for SB 611

  • The substitute bill as amended was discussed along with next steps
  • The bill better defines several terms and circumstances

7) New Business:

A) FY 2021 Budget

  • The budget has been submitted, with descriptions of several facilities items that need repair and/or replacement (roof, HVAC system, sidewalk and parking lot repairs, Children's Garden)
  • The library will be going fine free on July 1, 2020.
  • Funds from the Cochran Foundation will be $30,000 more in FY 2021, if the market holds.

8) Library Reports
A) Financial Report

  • 67% of annual budget has been spent so far
  • Remaining FY 2020 budget funds will be reevaluated and adjusted as needed.
  • A second payment from Friends has been requested

B) Director's Report
Shelley reported:

  • January events and activities for patrons were highlighted, along with staff attendance at conferences
  • A virtual tour of the library debuted on the website
  • A City of East Lansing Financial Forecast document was discussed, as well as, the Age-Friendly Committee Action Plan.

C) President's Report
No report was shared.

9)  Announcements

  • Shelley and Bush will be at the Public Library Association conference next week
  • A concert will take place tonight with Reggie Harris and Josh White Jr.
  • Representative Elissa Slotkin will be here Sunday, February 23.  Attendees will need to register to attend.  The focus will be a conversation on antisemitism

10) Adjournment
Wilkinson moved.
Goddeeris seconded.
All in favor.
Motion carried.

Zaagman adjourned the meeting at 5:19 p.m.

Board of Trustees
Amy Zaagman, President
Lance Wilkinson, Vice President
Diane Goddeeris, Secretary
Paul Cervenak
Polly Synk

City Council Liaison
Jessy Gregg

Staff Liaison
Kristin Shelley