HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-18 MinutesFayetteville Public Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting October 18, 2004 Minutes Prepared by Catherine Rew, C.P.A., Manager of Financial Services Board Members present: L. Gottsponer, M. Thomas, B. Schaffer, L.. Brewer, A. de Noble, and S. Singleton. Absent: M. Roberts Staff present: L. Schaper, S. Thomas, & C. Rew. Press present: Adam Wallworth (NWAT) and Jeff Smith (MN). The October 18, 2004 Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by L. Gottsponer. 1. M. Thomas moved to accept the minutes of the August meeting. B. Schaffer seconded. All voted aye. 2. Library Reports. 1.) L. Schaper reported on the move and grand opening, including the glitches and fixes. 1,800 library cards were issued in the first week, this is three times what would be issued in a whole month. 2.) Rew reported that the Arvest CD had been transferred to operations in case of need. 3.) S. Thomas reported that all opening day collection monies have been spent although, after the grand opening, the shelves are almost bear in some areas. 4.) M. Thomas asked if the memorial tree at the Roberta Fulbright building can be moved. Rew will look into it. 5.) Schaper reported that the 2005 budget request to City would be increased by $50,000 for landscaping. Singleton asked if volunteers could supplement staff on the desks, Schaper explained the problems with this 3. Statistical and Financial Report. 1.) Schaper reported that hundreds of volunteers worked in the last month to get up open and operational with RFID tags, lights, etc. M. Thomas noted that the value of these hours are can be calculated -at $7 per hour and used as in-kind match for grants. The value of Board time is $100 hour. 4. New Building, next steps: Schaper shared the 'next step' library issues, security, opening and closing procedures; with a major upcoming issue, the booking, equipment use, and set up, breakdown of the meeting room. Schaper expressed a need for more staff through January. M. Thomas moved and L. Brewer seconded to use $20,000 from reserves to fund the need for additional staff through January. All voted aye. 6.) Schaper also recommended that an RFP be issued for a library planner when the Board decides to prepare a new 5 year plan. 5. Funding: 1.) TIF- B. Schaffer reported that she and Vince have been working on this issue and whether or not the library tax is a special tax or a general for TIF purposes. There is not yet an interpretation of this in the State of Arkansas. B. Schaffer moved that the Fayetteville Public Library Board of Trustees ask the Arkansas Attorney General for an opinion about whether the specified library tax is considered to be a general property tax included in the definition of "total ad valorem rate" for the purposes of the Arkansas TIF legislation. S. Singleton seconded, all voted aye. 2.) Property millage rollback — library staff were told unofficially this would probably happen, M. Thomas was told it would not. Staff will gather more information. Because FPL might loose state aid if city millage falls under 1 mil, we might need to ask voters to roll it back up. A discussion about the adequacy of 2005 funding ensued given the increase in service levels, as well as a discussion about the City staff encouraging FPL to seek a millage increase to replace some or all of general fund support. 6. Michael Thomas Announcement% M. Thomas announced his resignation from the board effective after the November board meeting. S. Singleton requested a photograph of the current board and staff prior to Thomas leaving for historic purposes for the Blair Library. 7. M. Thomas moved to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter at 5:30, L. Brewer seconded, all voted aye. 8. At 6:12 p.m. M. Thomas moved to adjourn. L. Brewer seconded, all voted aye. At 6:12 p.m. M. Thomas moved to go back into regular session. L. Brewer seconded, all voted aye. No decisions were made in executive session. 1. 9. Two more items were discussed including (1) Steve Singleton announced he'd like to arrange a group photo of the Board and (2) comments about opening day speeches and acknowledgement of Bob Ford's excellent help in organizing the ceremony. 10. At 6:20 M. Thomas moved to adjourn. L. Brewer seconded, all voted aye.