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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-20 - Agendas - FinalFAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Kim Agee, President Maylon Rice, Treasurer Susan Graham We inspire imagination and foster learning. Board of Trustees April 20, 2015 4 pm AGENDA Regular Meeting Ann Henry Board Room Brenda Boudreaux, Vice -President Hershey Garner, Secretary Janine Parry I. Call to order II. Swearing in of Maylon Rice by Judge William A. Storey III. Minutes A. Approval of minutes 1. March 2015 regular meeting — page 2-3 B. Signed minutes 1. December 19, 2014 regular meeting — page 4 Suzanne Clark IV. Reports A. Management reports 1. Key upcoming events — page 5 2. February -March 2015 Strategic Plan progress including grants and awards— page 6-8 3. Quarterly Performance Measures — page 9-11 8. Financial reports 1. Budget to Actual as of March 31, 2015 — to be distributed if available V. Old business: A. Long -Term Revenue Committee update including public input process and date for special board meeting B. City Hospital update VI. New business A. 2014 Audit (attached) B. PTO cash out policy — page 12-14 C. Appointment of Nominating Committee for officers D. Possible fraud hotline — page 15 E. Summer Reading Club F. Sole source for tent repair — page 16-17 VII. Public Comment VIII. Adjournment Attachments: FPL press Fayetteville Public Library Board of Trustees Budget Development Session March 6, 2015 3:15 pm (rescheduled from 2.16.15 due to weather) Minutes Prepared by S. Daniel, Office Manager Library Trustees present: K. Agee, B. Boudreaux, M. Rice, S. Clark, S. Graham, H. Garner and J. Parry Library Trustees absent: Staff present: D. Johnson, S. Foley, S. Daniel, S. Davis, C. Moody, B. Holt, G. Jelinek, S. Palmer Press: Dan Holtmeyer Others: Call to Order: President K. Agee called the meeting to order at 3:15 pm. Minutes: M. Rice moved to approve the minutes of December 19, 2014; H. Garner seconded. All voted AYE. 111, Reports A. Management Reports i. Key upcoming events: D. Johnson noted Canadian writer David Bezmozgis packed the house. The popular robotics workshop for teens is being repeated. Movies will be shown during Spring Break week. ii. Oct -Nov Strategic Plan update: D. Johnson reported the FINRA grant has concluded. It was such a success, W. Fitzgibbon has been invited to present FPL's program at the next ALA meeting. Our primary eBook provider, OverDrive, has been joined by 3M which provides an easier interface for users and competition for OverDrive. Staff delivered 10,000 i -cards to public and private schools; these cards have also been provided to the Washington County Detention Center. In February 2015, staff recorded over 400 check-outs of the meeting rooms. Educating the public to the high cost of eBooks is essential as FPL pays approximately $80 per title; an individual pays about $10. Library services 2014 year in review: D. Johnson noted the growth in library use stretches the flat revenue stream. Per capita check outs exceed all FPL's peer and benchmark libraries. The book collection turns over several times each year indicating staff select the books people want. Reference transactions are down slightly, partly because patrons can access the Internet without assistance, but also because we lack the staff to answer every question. Program attendance is up. Staff are exploring how to capture all the new and different ways in which the library is being used. Meeting rooms are in great demand with over 400 check-outs in February. Database use showed a significant jump in the year i -cards were issued. Computer sessions are down because more and more people have their own devices with which to access the Internet. Library statistics do not capture free Wi-Fi use. If it were possible to capture how the Wi-Fi is being used, e.g., job searches, entertainment, FPL could provide complementary services. B. Financial Reports i. Budget to Actual as of December 31, 2014. Total revenue is about $140,000 more than planned. Expenses were budgeted at $4.588 million; FPL spent only $4.394 million. The result is $334,000 remaining. IV. Old business A. Long -Range Revenue Committee update: J. Parry reported the committee will meet three more times before issuing its report to the full board on April 20'". The committee is looking at options for both increasing revenue and decreasing expenses. B. City Hospital Update: Judge Beaumont issued a summary judgement for Washington Regional. The Stone family now has 30 days from the file mark date to appeal. Next steps are to secure the facility, raise funds for demolition, and salvage/recycle as much material as possible. It is FPL's intention to recognize the Stone family with a significant naming opportunity in any expansion. C. Blackbaud software conversion update: S. Davis noted the Blackbaud conversion now under way was deliberately timed to ensure audit years don't involve more than one software. Managers will have more access to their budgets. V. New Business A. Increase in minimum wage: The staff proposal, covering 2015 and 2016, will bring FPL into alignment with federal law. H. Garner moved to approve the staff recommendation; M. Rice seconded. All voted AYE. B. Budget Rollover Request: In the 2014 budget, $334,300.72 remains unspent. However, vendor purchases in 2014 that were delivered in 2015 total $88,941.70. H. Garner moved to add this amount to the 2015 budget; M. Rice seconded. All voted AYE. S. Clark moved to hold all discussion of the remaining 2014 unspent funds until a future date; M. Rice seconded. All voted AYE. C. Revised policy FB1: This policy change would enable the Executive Director to move money within a board -approved budget from one line item to another. Adding more than $10,000 to the budget would require board approval. H. Garner moved to approve the proposed policy FBI; M. Rice. All voted AYE. D. Plan to solicit public input for Long -Range Revenue Committee: Several suggestions have been made including a committee comprised of a representative from each ward, perhaps appointed by the city council. An open forum hosted by the board of trustees, perhaps held at city hat, is another idea. D. Johnson will present a proposal for public input at the April board meeting. E. FHS pilot drop off/pick up shuttle service pilot program: When 9"' graders begin attending FHS, parking will become even more problematic than currently. FPL proposes to be an alternative drop off point with a shuttle to and from the high school. City hospital could provide over -flow parking with a shuttle ride to the high school. Arsaga's might open a half hour earlier and offer student friendly menu options. This is an effort to better engage teens, and will be piloted in April. F. Premium events: Bob Woodward's appearance on April 10 is a partnership with the UA. A 5:30 reception precedes the public performance at FPL. Set-up will require the library close early. Miller Williams' memorial is Sunday, April 26; a significant author will be part of the service. Peter Coyote will be here at the request of Haydon Mcllroy with no cost to the library. FPL will be the venue for Jim Blair's 80' birthday in October. The event is invitation only; Blair has requested no gifts, only donations to FPL. G. Technology Enhancements: i. IT core replacement: The Board previously approved the use of designated funds for this upgrade. The existing core was installed when the building opened and is at the end of its useful life. The upgrade will provide speeds 100x faster between desk tops and servers. The PA and phone systems are also 10 years old and will be upgraded. ii. Mobile Wi-Fi distribution: Haydon Mcllroy and Dash Goff donated funds for 10 Mi-Fi devices and 5 laptops. Five Mi-Fis will be checked out as stand-alone items and 5 more will be paired with laptops for check out. The demand has been brisk. iii. Credit card cash machines associated with self -checks: PCI compliance requires credit cards have an RFID tag so FPL must have machines that accept these cards. In addition, the self - checks will have coin and bit acceptors for payment of fines. Handling money will be integrated. H. Approval of Amy Nelson-LaMont's scholarship application: M. Rice moved to approve Amy Nelson- Lamont's application and congratulate her on her excellent grades; H. Garner seconded. All voted AYE. VI. Public Comment VII. Adjournment: B. Boudreaux moved to adjourn; M. Rice seconded. All voted AYE. Meeting adjourned at 4:34 p.m. Hershey Garner, Secretary Date Fayetteville Public Library Board of Trustees Budget Development Session December 19, 2014 4 pm Minutes Prepared by S. Daniel, Office Manager Library Trustees present: K. Agee, S. Clark, M. Rice, and H. Garner Library Trustees absent: S. Graham, B. Boudreaux, and J. Parry Staff present: D. Johnson, S. Foley, S. Daniel, S. Davis, B. Holt, C. Walsh, C. Moody, G. Jelinek, W. Fitzgibbon, and M. Burdette Press: Dan Holtmeyer Others: V. Chadick I. Call to Order: President K. Agee called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. II. Minutes: M. Rice moved to approve the minutes of October 20, 2014 and November 17, 2014 with a correction to the November minutes as follows: M. Rice moved to adjourn. S. Clark seconded. B. Boudreaux, M. Rice, S. Clark and K. Agee voted AYE. J. Parry, H. Garner and S. Graham voted NAY. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm. S. Clark seconded the motion to approve the minutes of October 20, 2014 and November 17, 2014 as corrected. All voted AYE. III. Reports A. Management Reports i. Key upcoming events: D. Johnson noted yoga classes are streamed to the website. ii. Oct -Nov Strategic Plan Update: D. Johnson reported a successful True Lit program. FPL offered the first ever robotics classes. LeVar Burton and Karl Marlantes drew large crowds. IT has begun live -streaming 3 weekly children's story times. Food for Fees collected a record amount of food for Cooperative Emergency Outreach. Youth Services concluded the Books & Bites program, a partnership with Feed Fayetteville and Stephens, Inc. iii. Performance Measures: Circulation is holding steady. Digital and Freegal use have increased 23%. Staff has aggressively weeded the collection so it is slightly reduced. Cardholders are up 13% due to internet only cards. Meeting room use is down because the library's many events preclude others' use of the rooms. B. Financial Reports i. Balance sheet as of October 31, 2014. Current year to date net loss (use of reserves) is approximately ($483,000). ii. Budget to Actual as of October 31, 2014. A $200,000 difference in planned use of reserves is anticipated when compared to the planned use of reserves ($651,525); the board will be asked to re -appropriate any surplus in 2015. There is $66,000 remaining to spend on library materials in 2014. If not spent, it will be reprogrammed to 2015. IV. Old business A. Draft 2015 Budget: Changes: (1) added $6500 back to Outreach, (2) reduced Marketing to $9700. Unmet needs total $502,860, a number that will increase as fixed costs continue to increase, Some can be covered in 2015 by the projected 2014 surplus, but 2016 is uncertain. The designated funds are being drawn down and are not being replaced. M. Rice moved to approve the budget as presented by staff. H. Garner seconded. All voted AYE. Motion carried. B. Meeting Room Management: Staff researched how other libraries manage their meeting rooms and are recommending a 6 hour limit consistent with peer libraries. This will allow wider use by patrons. Advertising will begin in January with implementation in February 2015. V. New Business A. Resuming Foundation Transfer: Foundation Finance Committee recommended a continued stay on the transfer, but would entertain a formal proposal from the library for critical needs. B. Long range revenue committee: 2015 will be the last year the budget can cover all the library's critical needs. K. Agee appointed a committee to explore long-range funding. Appointed were M. Rice, J. Parry, J. Butt, G. Faucette, and a 5' person yet to be identified. The committee will report in April. VI. Public Comment VII. V. Chadick: Briefs are due 45 days before the March 4, 2015 trial date. VIII. Adjournment: M. Rice moved to adjourn. S. Clark seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:34 p.m. Hershe Garner, Secretary Date" FAYETTEVILLE PUDLIC LIBRARY Key Upcoming Events May 2015 FPL Author Talk — Peter Coyote Friday, May 1 at 7pm Details to come. Free Comic Book Day at FPL Saturday, May 2 from 10:30am to Noon Fun for all ages! Drop in for arts and crafts and receive a free comic book day. Bob Dylan and the Shapeshifter Songwriting Workshop wl J Wagner Thursday, May 7 at 6pm Folk songwriter, J Wagner, will facilitate a hands-on writer's workshop that explores the songwriting style of Bob Dylan coupled with the playful and mischievous elements of Trickster mythology May TRY FPL Series — Gardening David Slawson Japanese Garden Landscape Artist Tuesday, May 12 at 6pm Presentation by landscape artist David Slawson.Slawson is trained in the Japanese garden tradition and has designed gardens across the nation, including the Garden of the Pine Wood and the Children's Adventure Garden at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Alternative Gardening for Mini Yards and Apartment Dwellers Wednesday, May 13 at 6pm Join Washington County Extension Service Berni Kurz for container planting options for individuals with limited space. Develop your green thumb and spark creativity at this free workshop. FPL Game Nite at Nerdies Friday, May 15 from 5pm to 7pm Play in style at Nerdies' gaming studio! Play Xbox One and Xbox 360 games on 65" Flat screen HDTVs while sitting in Rocker Pro 2.1 Gaming Chairs for the ultimate gaming experience. Summer Reading Club Kickoff Saturday, May 30 Get summer started with the biggest party in NWA at City Hospital Parking lot. FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Strategic Plan Progress Report February 2015 — March 2015 Purpose: We inspire imagination and foster learning. I. Programs & Services: We offer inspiring and relevant programs and services that engage the community's curiosity, provide opportunities for education and self-improvement, and serve as the gateway to the library by addressing the diverse needs and interests of our community. a. Programs Concluded a six week creative writing class for elementary students, grades 3 — 5. ii. Continued weekly after school workshops for elementary ages. Began a series of art classes and yoga classes for preschool children. iv. Celebrated Chinese New Year, Read Across America, St. Patrick's Day, and Valentine's Day. v. Offered daily movies and two daytime lock -ins during Spring Break. vi. Continued weekly programs that include Baby Bookworms, Toddler Time, and Preschool Story Time. vii. Began a monthly Homeschool Book Share group. viii. Held robotics classes, chocolate games, creative writing classes and Teen Advisory Board for teens. ix. Hosted An Evening with David Bezmozgis, in partnership with the UA Creative Writing Program. x. Hosted two genealogy workshops on Civil War ancestors featuring esteemed genealogist Mark Lowe. xi. Continued Smart Investing @ your Library with talks by financial expert Alvin Hall. xii. Continued monthly Try FEL series featuring 'Roasting Coffee at home' and 'Urban Chicken Keeping.' xiii. Offered technology classes including 3D printing, computer basics and library egooks. xiv. Hosted nonprofit workshop and book talk by Cheryl Kester on "Writing Federal Grants to Win." xv. Continued monthly Local Author Book Talks and library book clubs. xvi. Continued weekly Chinese Language and Culture, Hatha yoga and Rosen Movement classes. b. Services Answered 48 genealogy research inquiries, proctored 7 tests, and provided 4 research consultations. Trained volunteer and recruited new participants at Butterfield Trails for Lending Hands program. c. Quality d. Relevance i. Checked out study rooms 905 times. II. Collections: We will build and support collections that inspire the community with the resources they need to explore topics of personal interest and continue to learn throughout their lives. a. Satisfy your curiosity Continued to create theme -based Book Bundles for easy check out for busy parents. Focused adult collection development on biographies, social sciences, finance and President Lincoln. Had 63% of recommended titles in Booklist, Publisher's Weekly and Library Journal; ordered 18% more. in. Met with EBSCO, Recorded Books and OverDrive to compare digital magazine options. iv. Responded to 199 patron item requests. b. Inspire learning/imagination Displayed Black History Month biographies. Developed displays and reading lists to support Compassion Fayetteville events. III. Access: We will build and expand the ease and convenience of the library experience through virtual and physical reach to all in the community, reflecting the FPL welcoming, convening and destination culture. a. Browsability b. Outreach partnerships. i. Continued partnerships with Trike Theatre, Dramatic Book Club, Girl Scouts, Walton Arts Center, UA, Fayetteville Public Schools, Fayetteville Visitors Bureau, Fayetteville Animal Shelter, and WRMC. Continued outreach programs including Reading Roadshow, Books for Babies, and Letter of the Week. Attended OLLI's "Books and Birthdays" luncheon speaking on FPL Book Club. (N. Hartney) iv. Attended One Book One Community planning meetings, a partnership with UA. (S. Walker and K. Haley) c. Virtual Implemented 3M eBook service providing additional patron access to eBooks. Continued maintaining 29 reading recommendation e -newsletters. d. Physical IV. People: We create and maintain a culture of excellence by supporting and inspiring our staff, boards, and volunteers. a. Staff Urged State Representatives to oppose funding cuts to Libraries with the Revenue Stabilization Act. Attended a 2 -day Leadership Coaching class at Vanderbilt University. (W.Fitzgibbon) b. Boards c. Volunteers Provided volunteers for Chinese New Year and McCafferty Irish Dancers events. Confirmed new kindergarten tour guides and provided 2 training sessions. Trained volunteer to update status of FPL books in OCLC worldwide catalog to better streamline ILLS. V. Facility: Our consumer -friendly, sustainable facility will be safe, accessible, clean and support the requirements for quality programs, services and collections. a. Maintenance Repaired walls in Teen and removed banquet seating. Painted walls in Teen to match existing colors. Provided infrastructure for technology upgrades. v. Installed CatSe for all new IP speakers throughout the entire facility. v. Worked with IT on self -check kiosks. Provided power and new CatSe. vi. Installed platforms for new cash drawers at check-out desk. b. Technology Replaced the complete network core with the latest 10Gig Cisco switch technology. Rewired all network closets, color coordinating the cabling for ease of troubleshooting and maintenance. Installed new Cisco Call Manager and Unity (voicemail) servers in a fault tolerant virtualized configuration, new phone system router and new IP video phones. v. Installed new IP speakers and new IP based paging system to replace the old analog system for automated announcements. v. Deployed Smart Money Manager POS system with 3 cash drawers and 3 PCI compliant credit card terminals at the Checkout Desk. vi. Installed payment towers to the Bibliotheca self -check kiosks at the Check -Out desk allowing for patron fine payment with cash and credit cards with new PCI compliant terminals. vii. Deployed new PCI compliant online payment system so patrons may pay for fines without logging into the PAC and easily pay fines from a smartphone. c. Safety/Security i. Upgraded CCTV system to latest software version providing enhanced capability to review and export security footage and allows for additional cameras to be added to the system. Deployed new InformaCast software system integrated with the new IP building speakers which will allow for enhanced mass communication, emergency alerts, etc. VI. Communication: We maximize ongoing communication to increase awareness of the library and understanding of its value and impact on the community. a. Marketing plan i. Created Free Weekly ad for author Alvin Hall, part of Saving Money Makes Cents FINRA grant. ii. Created email marketing campaign to NWA realtors and lenders to promote FINRA Saving Money Makes Cents — Home Buying 101 and Free Credit Report sessions. Updated library map for new patrons. b. Public awareness campaign Created From the Director's Desk, an online monthly blog to raise awareness about library funding and planning and to encourage community interaction and feedback. Created FPL Services section of FPL eNewsletter to bring awareness to new library services or highlight existing services, ie MiFi checkout, new online fee payments, and 3M Cloud Library eBook service. c. Operationalize brand Created FPL Kids!Family and FPL Teen eBlast monthly e-newsletters targeted to parents of youth. d. Public relations i. Partnered with KNWA, NOAA, and Plan!tNow to produce Young Meteorologist Weather Festival marketing plan including video promo, social media graphics, and logo design. Designed Book Drive logo and signage for collection boxes at Arvest Banks throughout Fayetteville. iii. Submitted monthly "Behind the Stacks" Free Weekly articles featuring library services. e. Website Updated downloadable pages to reflect addition of 3M Cloud Library. Created new FPL funding pages to educate public about library funding. Al. Funding: As good stewards of the public trust, we will pursue diverse, sustainable funding. a. Applied for a Story Corps @ your library grant through the ALA, but did not receive. b. Provided extensive research and financial reporting to the Long Term Finance Committee. (all staff) c. Coordinated Miller Williams memorial event — to be Sunday, April 26, Spm. d. Began coordinating Jim Blair 80th birthday—Saturday, October 17, Spm. e. Mentored CALS fundraiser, Christine Gronwald. f. Submitted funding grants to Schmieding Foundation, Arvest Bank and First Security Bank. g. Began planning for Meet the Funders' June event. h. Attended AFP International Conference — March 26 — 31. Comment: Program attendance has plateaued due to space limitations. Library Program Attendees N 00 co O T c) N co T N N (0 r M 0 N ' ti CD T O co 00 T r CA d N co O T - T- N CM0 N N r T co O N ID ID O T ---- __ rO N1- CO N. M � 0) r N N O 0 _--- N o T T MI __ vimmamr, Ell 0) c9 N is) co O co 0~0 O co N CA -- -� \WagaIMM N O Ch T T T C70,-, T OD T - - 1-'co N OsO M -cd- co cp QD 67 --- 1 •4 O 00 N0 CO C0 O CD CD M __CD C0 M MEE \ IIMILVIESSIMO O N N h O 0 O O T O 111� NO N N- vi .0 N T T N C? trj \ \ 1 1 O O O 0 O O O N CD Ol O O O v CD O O O O M N Or 104th Quarter 03rd Quarter ■2nd Quarter 01st Quarter Comment: First quarter check-outs are down sligtly from 2014. Library Check Outs O 0 0 O r LO O N N N LL O CO O 1303,944 283,112 276,234 333,5161339,0591349,7411336,003 LL) 'Cr CTO CO 323,059 314,729 CO 0 LOLO T Cr) N Cr) O co N CO N tN- OT o N 0 N CO N- r C) N N O M 1lMil 2009 2010 2011 247,371 238,809 292,554 N 1,-- 0) O 251,292 294,458 [7-1'T_.1 270,987 258,717 CO O N- .zf In N 1111M1....11 2007 2008 220,735 238,507 CO CO CO N 214,1541246,0511249,614 201,988 240,220 252,049 :236,525 244,866 O T O 00 N O N 2005 186,055 T Co) O T N CQ 0) r 0 N 226,411 2004 209,823 OD e co CO o co 172,005 1 1 1 0o 0 o 0 0 o co O co O O O 0 0 0 0 0 0 N O CO co .c N r T 04th Quarter 03rd Quarter O 2nd Quarter ■ 1st Quarter Fayetteville Public Library Memo To: Fayetteville Public Library Board of Trustees Through: David Johnson, Executive Director From: Stephen Davis, Accounting & HR Manager Date: April 20, 2015 Re: Proposal to suspend PTO cash out Background: Auditors in 2012 drew attention to the large number of banked PTO hours and advised FPL to reduce the accumulation. The Board of Trustees responded by approving a transitional policy at its December meeting which allowed staff with more than 320 hours to cash out their PTO. The board also instituted a cap of 320 on the number of hours an employee may accrue — a use it or lose it approach. However, it is still a policy that staff may cash out up to 50 hours of PTO per year, and to receive cash for all accrued PTO if they terminate in good standing. There is no money in the 2015 budget to fund PTO cash -outs. Recommendation: It is recommended the board suspend the PTO cash out policy from May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016 and to re-evaluate the policy at the end of this period. This recommendation, if approved, will be inserted into Policy PA12. Code PA -12 Date Approved 4/16/07 Date Revised 5/18/09; 12/17/12 Policy Name Paid Time Off Paid Time Off (PTO) is designed to meet employee needs for discretionary time off while maintaining adequate staffing for the Library. 1. PTO uses include: a. Scheduled vacation b. Personal Illness (see also PA -13 Sick Leave) c. Illness of immediate family member, i.e. spouse/domestic partner, child, parent, sibling d. Illness of extended family member, i.e. "step" parent, "step" grandparent, parent -in-law, grandparent, grandchild e. Family emergencies f. Religious observances g. Health and dental care that cannot be scheduled outside of work hours h. Closed days, i.e. Library holidays on which the employee is scheduled to work 2. PTO use requirements: Group I* (40 hrs. /wk.), Group 11* (30 hrs. /wk.) and Group III (20 hrs. /wk.) employees of the Library are eligible for PTO after being continuously employed for three months. a. PTO days may be used for closed days within the first three months of employment. b. No employee shall have a negative balance in PTO accrual. c. PTO hours do not count as hours worked towards the calculation of overtime. 3. PTO accrual: a. Employees begin to accrue PTO from their date of employment as a Group I, II or III employee. b. A temporary employee who becomes a Group I, Group II or Group 111 employee is eligible for PTO from the date of employment as a regular employee. c. If there is a break in service, PTO accrues from the re -hire date. d. The anniversary date for employees is one year from their date of hire and on that date each year thereafter. e. PTO does not accrue when an employee is on any type of leave of absence. f. Accrued PTO may not exceed 320 hours. Any PTO in excess 320 hours will be forfeited. g. PTO accrual rates for Groups I, II, and III employees are listed in the table below: Years of service Group I PTO accrual rates (days per yr/hrs per month) Group II PTO accrual rates (days per yrlhrs per month) Group III PTO accrual rates (days per yr/hrs per month) Up to 3 years 26.5 / 17.67 19.88 / 13.25 13.25 / 8.83 After 3 years 28.5 /19.00 21.38 / 14.25 14.25 / 9.5 After 5 years 31.5 / 21.00 23.63 / 15.75 15.75 / 10.5 After 7 years 33.5 / 22.33 25.13 / 16.75 16.75 / 11.17 After 10 years 36.5 / 24.33 27.38 / 18.25 18.25 / 12.17 4. Scheduled PTO: An employee wanting to take PTO must receive approval from his/her supervisor. Full-time employees are required to take a minimum of one week (5 days) of continuous PTO each year. 5. Unscheduled PTO: Illness is the most common example of unscheduled PTO. a. PTO use that is unscheduled impacts the ability of the Library to meet our patrons' needs and may be considered abuse if such unscheduled use is recurrent. b. The Library reserves the right to require employees to provide verification from a physician that they are able to fulfill the responsibilities of their position. c. The Library may at any time request an employee to verify an absence due to personal or family illness with a note from a physician 6. PTO Cash -Out: PTO cash -out is suspended by board action from May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016 at which time it will be re-evaluated. An employee who has not used all of his/her accrued PTO may relinquish PTO in exchange for cash at a rate of 100% of the value of the PTO time. a. Employees may cash -out up to 50 hours PTO per year. b. Employees may request cash -out of PTO up to two (2) times per year. Cash -out requests may be made, in writing to the accounting office, any time between January 1 and November 30. c. Employees must leave a balance of not less than 4 days of PTO by FTE in case of emergencies or closed days. 6a. Transitional policy adopted by Board of Trustees on December 17, 2012. By motion and approval, the Library Board of Trustees established a new maximum PTO accrued balance of 320 hours and approved the following options to employees who, as of January 1, 2013, have more than 320 hours of accrued PTO. After this transitional period which ends December 31, 2014, hours in excess of 320 will be forfeited. 1. Employees may request a cash out of hours that will reduce their balance to a level consistent with the maximum limit and the remainder of this policy. a. This cash out make take the form of a check written to the employee. b. This cash out may take the form of an addition to the employee's retirement fund with the library matching the contribution at the rate of 10%. c. This cash out may take the form of an addition to the employee's health savings plan. 2. Beginning January 1, 2013, employees with PTO banks in excess of 320 would receive no further PTO accrual and the employee would have up to 24 months to take the excess PTO time or lose all the PTO hours above 320. 3. Employees with PTO in excess of 320 hours may transfer hours to their ESL bank. 7. PTO compensation at separation of employment: Group I, Group II and Group III employees who have been continuously employed for three months or more and who are separated from employment shall be compensated for PTO at 100% only when the employee terminates in good standing as defined in PA -81. Burns, Cynthia From: Burchett, Todd Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2015 4:04 PM To: Burns, Cynthia Cc: Martin, Molly Subject: Fayetteville Public Library Cynthia, Below is a quote for the Fayetteville Public Library on the IntegraReport hotline service for employees and vendors. We've adjusted the Basic service level to also include access to vendors. We are offering an additional $750 discount for a three year engagement ($250 per year). Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can provide any additional information. IntegraReport Hotline Service Quote — Fayetteville Public Library Basic - $2,500 • Access to hotline and web -based portal for employees and vendors • Hotline monitored by BKD fraud professional • Reports routed to two to three individuals • Meeting with management to explain hotline service and short conversation about rollout program. • Quarterly management dashboard summarizing hotline reports Prime $3,000 • Access to hotline and web -based portal for employees and vendors • Hotline monitored by BKD fraud professional • Reports routed to two to three individuals • Management implementation and setup training o Live webinar or phone conference o Provides template for case management system and ethics policies o Approximately 1 hour, and always available for follow up questions • Industry specific fraud awareness training for office employees o DVD or access to on-line webinar for unlimited viewing within subscription year. • Consultation and samples or basic templates for rollout materials. • Quarterly management dashboard summarizing hotline reports Platinum - $ 3,750 • Access to hotline and web -based portal for employees and vendors • Hotline monitored by BKD fraud professional • Reports routed to two to five individuals, with customizable routing plans based on category • Management implementation and setup training o Live webinar or phone conference o Provides template for case management system and ethics policies o Approximately 1 hour, and always available for follow up questions • Industry specific fraud awareness training for office employees o DVD or access to on-line webinar for unlimited viewing within subscription year. • Consultation and customized templates for rollout materials, with assistance customizing • Quarterly management dashboard summarizing hotline reports Thank you! S. Todd Burchett, CPA, ABV, ASA, CFF, CFE Partner J Forensics & Valuation Services 1 BKD, LLP 10001 Reunion Place, Suite 400 1 Fayetteville Public Library Memo To: Fayetteville Public Library Board of Trustees From: David Johnson, Executive Director Date: April 16, 2015 Re: Bid Waiver — Tent Repair REQUEST: Staff requests the Board of Trustees waive competitive bidding for the repair and refurbishment of a 48x135 tent. The waiver is needed because numerous components cost over $1,000 and staff couldn't get 3 verbal or written quotes. DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND: The tent was provided to the Library in very poor condition. The estimate to repair the tent to usable status is approximately $8,000. FPL routinely rents tents of this size for use in Summer Reading Kickoffs at an annual cost of between $2,000 and $2,500. Staff contacted various vendors in the area in an effort to get competitive bids but were not successful due to the condition of the tent and the unknown repairs that would have to be performed. After consulting with a number of these vendors, each were willing to do portions of the work but were not willing to take responsibility for the total repair. Below is a recap of the efforts staff has undertaken to clean and repair the tent. OVERVIEW AAA Tents for Events is the only local installer willing to help FPL get the tent cleaned, repaired, and installed. Intents, Eventures, Celebration Party Rentals and Unforgettable, Inc. were all unwilling to undertake the project. Cleaning AAA Tents for Events is the best company to wash, repair, and install the tent for the season. Prices follow: AAA Tents for Events Dallas Party Tent Atlantic Tent Rental $2592.00 plus $300.00 delivery and pick up (Total $2892) $2268.00 plus tax and estimated shipping of $700 (Total $2968) $1620.00 plus tax and estimated shipping of $1700 (Total $3320) (located in Maine) Shredded End Miami Missionary Tent Co. is the only company that will replace the shredded end for $1650; another manufacturer would have charged $2880 but didn't agree to take the task. 1 Broken Center Pole Sections Miami Missionary Tent Co. is the only company that will provide the center pole top sections. Other companies would only sell complete center poles. New Side Walls For new side walls, the prices are: Miami Missionary Tent Co. A&J Tents in Muskogee, OK Dallas Party Tent and Event's $802.00 $1,112.00 + shipping $973.00 + shipping Resale After research on the internet, staff believes we can sell our tent 48'x135' for about $1.50/sf = $9,720.00 and recover all our cost. • Page 2 EDITORIALS Back to the books Fayetteville's library fight to hit reset button It takes a pretty stiff spine and It turns out financial realities have we're not talking about the kind on forced library supporters to realize books — to suggest slowing down their vision for expansion might have expansion of a public originated in the fiction library in a town that loves its public library. The Fayetteville Public Library's lead- ers have, for the last few years, built momentum m the public mind to- ward a new vision for t a er support. In a the library, one that em- y braces the addition of meeting space aswlot of be to cut b k on s, theservies,ns but much or more as it does expansion of nobody is eager to see the the collection of books, reference mate- Y g library closed rials, periodicals, DVDs, and other ma - cut. day a week or for its programs to be terials people use at libraries. Since the cut. Members of a long-term revenue Blair Library facility at Mountain Street committee have tried to figure out ways and School Avenue opened in 2004, its to gin up funding, but many of the ideas use has grown dramaticall both in the are unpopular or would have onl a WHAT'S THE POINT? Members of a committee examining operational funding for the Fayetteville Public Library are wise to recommend backing off an aggressive expansion plan. section. The library is ailing, though not in a shut - the -doors -and -sell -all - the -books kind of way. Costs are simply out- stripping revenue and number of volumes checked out and in the demand for event space by the library and others. Washington Regional Medical Cen- ter's decision to close then sell the 100 -year-old City Hospital next door set imaginations to overdrive at the li- brary. With a sense of urgency, library officials wanted to do their best to en- sure the hospital property didn't fall into the hands of private developers. Some of those developers were tantalized by the property, envisioning a most popular use for downtown properties these days — student -oriented apartments. Evaluated in a vacuum, the library's push to expand its footprint makes sense. Private development next door could forever land -lock the facility Fayetteville taxpayers built. Given the library's popularity, planning for the fu- ture was, and is, a wise move. The library's urgency has been tem- pered by a dispute between Washing- ton Regional and the descendants of the couple who donated the City Hospital property back at the tum of the century — as in the change from the 19th to the 20th century. The family sued, offend- ed that land donated to the community way back for medical care had made its way into the hands of Washington Regional and could end up costing the library millions of dollars to get back. That htigation continues, which may just be a blessing in disguise for the library's hopes of ever getting the land. small impact on long-term sustainability. The dollar figures and projections appear to suggest the long-term solu- tion won't be found in nickels and dimes from late fees or other sources of ser- vice -based revenue. Somewhere in the future is a request for more tax dollars. And so it is the library board's com- mittee appointed to evaluate operational funding recommended last week that the board give back $2 million it took earlier from the library's fund-raising arm. That $2 million was to be the down -payment on expansion, particu- larly the land. But if the library is strug- gling to make ends meet, why should it simultaneously work toward expanding? The money, if returned, can be invested, and its interest can be utilized in opera- tional funding in the years ahead. Libraries are not self-supporting, and Fayetteville residents have been gener- ous in providing tax dollars for a bigger Library. Growing it more is imprudent without a serious plan for operational funding. It's time for this library to live within its means while continuing to evaluate its options for future funding. Fayetteville's history shows its peo- ple love the library, but the question is whether the time is right for the people to again be expected to show their sup- port through a new source of revenue. That day may come, but there are a lot of pages to be turned before it's wise to ask for it. The champion of bad taste 114,Y�' R are a li ■II mornir no real I'm his the inft I'm jus rationa ing a Iii Sucl the oth ered, sl I'm not Some s (OK, m probler picious makeul To a (right s front, tl yea me. ■M pears n wearing camps., the one Fayetteville library should put off expansion, committee says 1 NWADG#.VRvbsaKtQfg.... Page 1 of 3 Cars 1 Jobs 1 Homes 1 Classifieds !Deals 1 Contact Us Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Weather & Traffic FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY LUOOUT Search NWADG Sections News Sports Opinion Business Features & Entertainment Photos Video Weeklies Today's Paper (ADVERTISEMENT) Daily, local deals! Fayetteville library should put off expansion, committee says By Den Hollmayer Posted. April 1, 2015 alt a.m. NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Alyson Low, (left) youth services librarian at the Fayetteville Public Library, laughs Tuesday with Harper Grace Henderson, 3, of Fayetteville as they both cluck like a chicken while singing a song during pre-school story time at the library. For photo galleries, go to nwadg.com/photos. FAYETTEVILLE -- The city's public library should return $2 million set aside for a proposed expansion back to the library's foundation instead, members of the facility's revenue committee said Tuesday. The committee plans to make recommendations to the library's board this summer about how to improve the library's finances and has no decision-making power. Still, the suggestion to reinvest the money instead of holding it as cash on hand signals library leaders believe the proposed purchase of the old City Hospital land is simply too uncertain to keep the money unused. A lawsuit over what the land can be used for has delayed the purchase and expansion project for months. David Johnson, library executive director, said descendants of the family that donated the land to the city Monday appealed Circuit Judge Cristi Beaumont's ruling against them, which sends the case to the Arkansas Court of Appeals. CORRECTION A previous version of this story inrrectly identified the plaintiffs in a lawsuit over City Hospital. The error has been corrected. 20 months or so," Johnson said. A decision there could take a year or more, Johnson said during the committee's meeting Tuesday. The committee has been working since the beginning of the year to find possible cost savings and new sources of money as demand on the library and its programming grows at a greater pace than revenue. "This (project) is now no longer really in play, at least in the next Most Popular COMMENTED VIEWED I EMAILED • Religious opt -out bill off to governor I NWADG 15 comments' 50 minutes ago • HB1228 passes House', heads to governor 1 NWADG 27 comments 7 hours ago • No nukes for Iran 1 NWADG 62 comments - 2 minutes ago • Iran nuke talks stretch into ovedime I NWADG 2 comments' 32 minutes ago • Columnists Who trashes liberal arts? 1 NWADG 2 comments' 1 hour ago Raw: 0cehner In Israel: "friendship Strong" qP AP Raw: 8oehner in Israel: "friendship Strong" he Speaker of the US 0000e epresentatives told... Stars Hit the Slack Carpet for Chanel Show Chanel's Metiers drArt show in New York attracted IOIS ol... Raw: Iraqi Troops Enter Tikrit Palace ragi soldiers entered a palace n Saddam Hussein's... v http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/apr/01/fayetteville-library-should-put-off-exp/ 4/1/2015 Fayetteville library should put off expansion, committee says I NWADG#.VRvb5aKtQfg.... Page 2 of 3 Committee member Maylon Rice, who also sits on the library board, broached the idea of returning the $2 million the foundation gave the library to buy the land. The foundation, a nonprofit group that supports the library, liquidated the $2 million from its assets last year for the land buy, Johnson said. In return, the library gave up yearly payments of about $120,000 from interest on the foundation's assets to help the foundation rebuild its reserve. Johnson said. "It made a heck of a lot of sense at the time," Janine Parry, the committee's chairwoman and a board member, said. Those yearly payments would go a long way to help shore up the library's $500,000 shortfall between its budget this year and its projected needs, a gap library officials expect will only keep growing. If the $2 million had stayed in the foundation's assets, it would've made 0600.000 in interest by now. Johnson said. The committee Tuesday also ruled out several options for raising money elsewhere. Library events and programs for children and adults shouldn't be cut, they said, and the library shouldn't close for one day a week. Those eliminations leave higher late fees for DVDs and books, charging for VIP tickets to otherwise free author and speaker events, charging for meeting room rentals and other possible actions. Jack Butt, a Fayetteville attorney, said events can cost $40 or more per attendee and could make money through sponsorships and VIP tickets to meet authors, for example. The committee was split on charging a small fee for library cards and on when and whether to ask the city for a larger slice of property tax money. With the court case dragging on, the question of a millage increase has lost some of its urgency, Parry said. "No one's going to be trying to gel a millage vote on the ballot this fall," she said. The committee hopes to get final figures on the income from each option and report to the board in June, Parry said. NW News on 04/01/2015 (ADVERTISEMENT) From Around the Web a Previous Story Next Story x Fayetteville could Today is a day to end board term limits celebrate biting FAYETTEVILLE -. A gators and... proposal by Alderman Alan DEAR READERS: In Long would do away with honor of April Fools' Day, term limits for all resident DI share a couple of boards and committees. offbeat lepers I've received 060tl 1 from readers who have attempted to pull my proverbial leg. Enjoy! Read a 11 ADVERTISEMENT Banks Might Not Wish Homeowners Knew This. Why didn't they 10 Amazing Ways The midsize SUV Sometimes, you'd tell drivers about Coconut Oil Could segment offers a be better off this new rule? If Change Your Life wide range of leaving your you drive less vehicles. See if phone/camera in than 35 mi/day your next car your pocket... read this... makes the grade. NUOTii Vli*/i' ARKANSAS LARGEST YAgqRD SALE MTRNS. Wer.Iee..eeMIEStVYI1MXIM(rCIMU t66walsaA wI MAY 3RD - S30 A.M. TILL 6 RM. WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS Northwest Arkansas' Largest Yard Sale Sell Your Stuff: NWA Largest Yard Sale Outdoor Spots for $25 (ADVERTISEMENT) http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/apr/0 1 /fayettevi l le -1 i brary-should-put-off-exp/ 4/1/2015 Fayetteville library panel refocuses on long-term plans 1 NWADG#.VQCVZeP9WZo.ema... Page 1 of 2 Cars Jobs Homes 1 Classifieds 1 Deals !Contact Us Wednesday, March 11, 2015 Weather & Traffic Sections News Sports Opinion Business Features & Entertainment Photos (ADVERTISEMENT ,detc plaQy com Daily, local deals! LOGIN REGISTER Search NWADG EITIZEI 0 Video Weeklies Today's Paper :Ar • 11 1119°ii March. :...,.t0 -I5 waltonartscenter.org Fayetteville library panel refocuses on long-term plans By Dap Heltmever Posted March 11.201S at 1 a.m. a FAYETTEVILLE -- The public library's struggle to maintain its current services and programs and its separate, on -hold plan to expand might not be so separate after all, library officials said Tuesday. During the past few months' search for new revenue sources, members of the library's long-term revenue committee have Tried to divorce the two issues, essentially saying they want to focus on the library's finances today before worrying about tomorrow's big projects. Out their meeting Tuesday brought calls for a broader perspective to tackle both issues for good and win over voters who must cover al least part of the bill. Meeting information The Fayetteville Public Library's long-term revenue committee plans to meet again Marcie 24 in the afternoon at the library, at the intersection of West Mountain Street and South School Avenue near downtown. Source: Staff report "I keep coming back to what the term 'long-term' means," said library executive director David Johnson, who takes part in the committee's discussions. "Where are we headed in the larger arc of our story?" He cited the facility's 2030 master plan, which attempts to predict what Fayetteville will want and expect of its library when the city houses twice as many people. The proposed 88,000 -square -foot expansion into the nearby old City Hospital land was meant to meet those future needs. Johnson previously has said the project will wait until after current finances are strengthened. The library isn't out of money, but the area's demand for material and programs and maintenance needs are outpacing income. This year's $4 million budget trimmed $200,000 from last year's when projected cost increases and new programs should have increased it by $300,000 instead. The library's accounting manager expects this $500,000 gap to triple in the next five years without some new source of money. The committee has talked about an increase in the library's one mill of property tax money, new or higher fees and more spending cuts as ways to bandage the issue. Members expect to recommend any or all of those options to the library's board next month. Several members have said they want to pursue at (east some cuts, while others said a solution must be more durable. The expansion, on the other hand, would likely need its own voter -approved millage increase or bond issue to cover its Costs, Johnson has said. Maybe the new revenue search and expansion should therefore be treated as pieces of a single, larger plan for voters to consider, he and some committee members said Tuesday. "The last sales tax, what people saw was a grand view," said committee member Dan Ferritor, referring to the temporary tax approved overwhelmingly 15 years ago to build the facility. Focusing on simple maintenance of an existing building is "not sexy," he said. Combining the two issues doesn't necessarily mean asking for everything at once, though that's possible, Johnson said. The library could ask for one more mill this year, begin fundraising for the expansion next year and ask for another mill years from now, for example. "We agree that we want to do both" long-term and short-term planning, committee chairwoman Janine Parry said. Dan Holtmeyer can be reached at dhottmeyerfpnwadg.com and on Twitter [`$NWADanH. NW News on 03/1112015 (ADVERTISEMENT) Next Story » Washington County hopes for state's leniency ... FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County has enlisted the help of a state Most Popular COMMENTED' VIEWED EMAILED COMMENTARY Tom Colton, puppet master 1 NWADG 16 comments • 25 minutes ago Cotton to Iran: Obama deal shaky 1 NWADG 51 comments • 2 hours ago On letter to Iran, Colton says Biden wrong again 1 NWADG 2 comments • 55 minutes ago Washington County hopes for slate's leniency over unpaid fines 1 NWADG 3 comments • 1 hour ago Clinton cites convenience in email use NWADG 8 comments • 5 hours ago Iraq Takes Back IS Stronghold, US WQeighs Role AP Iraq Takes Back (5 ^ Stronghold, U5 Weighs Role AP exclusive video shows Iraqi security farces Iiberatng the... Chip Kelly: Eagles Not After Marcus Mariota The Philadelphia Eagles have traded with the St. LOUis_,. ISHot Tub Gives Baby Calf New Shot at Life An Indiana farmer who discovmed a newborn carr_ v http://www.nwaonline.corn/news/2015/mar/11/fayetteville-library-panel-refocuses-on/ 3/11/2015 FEBRUARY 2015 VOL. 71, NO, 02 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE 1/ Ili 11 1 \ CITY HALL 1 1 Volunteer Communities of the Year honored at Winter Conference The Department of Human Services Division of Community Services and Nonprofit Support each year honors 12 cities and towns that make volunteerism a priority, giving their time, energy, and resources to improve the quality of life in their municipalities. The winning Volunteer Communities of the Year for 2014 are Bay, Benton, Bentonville, Booneville, Blytheville, Clarkridge, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Heber Springs, Maumelle, Mountain Home, and Warren. Their accomplishments are listed below. The DHS Division of Community Services and Nonprofit Support and the League honored the recipients at a Jan. 15 luncheon during the League's 2015 Winter Conference. Benton Benton citizens contributed more than 315,000 hours of volunteer work last year. Volunteers served at the Benton Senior Wellness and Activity Center and assisted with educational activities, health screenings, nutrition services, and more for senior adults. The Ralph Bunche Community Development Corporation volunteers logged over 450 hours of service through fundraisers, luncheons, and an annual Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest. Over 166 Benton Civitan Club volunteers helped to provide a place of care, support, encouragement, learning, and love for people with developmental dis- abilities in their city. Over 500 volunteers, donors and sponsors provided safe, decent, affordable housing for families through Habitat for Humanity with an incred- ible 13,723 hours of service. The hard work and support of a 155 volunteers made it possible for Saline Memorial Hospital to continue providing personalized, quality healthcare. The Saline County Master Gardeners have 59 members who donated over 3,000 volunteer hours to help design and maintain horticulture projects through- out their city. The Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, comprised of students in grades 10-12, contributed over 2,700 volunteer hours last year. Bay Bay residents completed over 13,000 hours of volunteer work last year in many different activities and events. The Bay Harvest Festival, which began in 1976, is organized by volunteers each year and promotes the community in a fun and exciting event. Through the Bay Youth Association, volunteers take time to make sure each child and young adult in the community has a place to play and a team to play on. The after school program at the community center in Bay is a special program run by volunteers for students to have a place to go after school to eat snacks and play in a positive environment until their parents can pick them up after work. Bay residents are also active volunteers with Make A Wish, senior center, community library, community garden, and the Bay Area Memorial Park. 16 CITY & TOWN Bentonville This past year, over 19,000 Bentonville volunteers have contributed more than 380,000 volunteer hours. To ad- dress a continual increase in population, volunteers have continued to assist local nonprofits, private and public institutions to meet community needs. The Samaritan Community Center's "Snack Pack for Kids" program is one way that Bentonville volunteers have given back to their community. This program started in 2005 and has delivered over 105,000 snack packs to Bentonville children in a school district considered to be at risk for hunger. Bentonville also initiated the "Outstanding Citizen Award" in 2011 and continues to recognize local volunteer contributions and promote volunteerism throughout their community. Booneville Booneville has over 30 service and volunteer organiza- tions. The Boys and Girls Club, 4-H, and youth sport leagues provide afterschool activities year round that encourage education, sportsmanship, good citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. The Senior Activity Center pro- vides community and volunteer opportunities for senior adults. Volunteers for the Historic Preservation Society work to save the history of the community through buildings, stories, and events. Booneville also has a strong faith -based community that operates a resource center for low-income families. Even though a 2008 fire at the city's largest employer left 800 people without a job, the citizens of Booneville have come together and stabilized their economy through the efforts of many volunteers and community Ieaders. Exemplifying the dedication of Booneville volunteers is Valerie Jeremiah, who despite being deaf and having muscle weakness from a car crash, volunteers xq pick up trash around the city, rain or shine. Blytheville More than 4,000 volunteers contributed over 126,000 hours to community service this past year in Blytheville. With over 55 volunteer organizations in Blytheville, the citizens are dedicated to a variety of volunteer activities that improve their community. From youth sports leagues to youth development groups, civic organizations, and business and community volunteer opportunities, Blytheville citizens go above and beyond in reaching the people in their community and helping out wherever they can. Many of these volunteer efforts are focused on helping shape their youth into productive citizens, alleviating poverty, improving job readiness, and/or preventing domestic violence. FEBRUARY 2015 Clarkridge This past year, over 900 households contributed over 17,000 hours of volunteer service. The Volunteer Fire Department of Clarkridge is described as the "linchpin of the community" and it relies on volunteer efforts to function. Yearly volunteer and fundraising efforts include an appreciation dinner, recycling, concession sales, fish fries, and craft sales. Other volunteer activities in Clarkridge include Neighbor Helping Neighbors, Literacy Council, and many lunches, dinners, and food baskets delivered to those in need. In addition, 100 volunteers spent 960 hours working to upgrade the Clarkridge Community Center. An innovative project that Clarkridge volunteers have started this past year is establishing a community webpage to showcase the town information, activities, events, and a special page that is solely devoted to volunteer communications. Fayetteville in the past year, over 36,000 volunteers have provided more than 685,000 hours of service. Volunteers in Fayetteville have found ways to connect residents who are food insecure with assistance through nonprofit farms and community gardens where volunteers plant, nurture, and harvest the produce to help hungry fami- lies. Volunteers also come from students through the University of Arkansas, and over 21,000 students gave over 200,000 hours of service last year and experienced more of their community. The Fayetteville Public Library is one of the most important assets of the community, and daily operations could not occur without the thou- sands of volunteer hours donated to the library. Fort Smith In the past year, over 25,000 volunteers provided over 702,000 hours of service in Fort Smith. Unique volunteer programs include Step Up, Speak Out, a local program that creates community awareness about child sexual abuse and has been adopted by a dozen other communi- ties; as well as the Good Samaritan Clinic, which helps low income people without insurance receive•the medi- cal care, prescriptions, and advice they need when they cannot afford treatment. Volunteers in Fort Smith also serve at the Fountain of Youth Adult Day Care Center where they focus on excellent care, fun and stimulating activities, nutritious meals, and a family environment for senior citizens. Volunteers also provide for the needs of families and individuals in the area who are facing emergency situations through the Community Services Clearing House, which also partners with schools, churches, civic and community groups. 17 A good prognosis - Arkansas Democrat -Gazette NW, 2015-03-10 Page 1 of 3 EDITORIALS A good prognosis Decision clears way for library land deal If the past could be viewed only one way, the history section would take up far less space on the shelves of local libraries. Interpretations of history are many, however. So who gets to decide which history is right? In the case of the property that was once home to Fayetteville City Hospital, it's ajudge. City Hospital isn't there anymore. In 2012, not long after acquiring the property from the city of Fayetteville, the leadership of Washington Regional Medical Center shut it down. At that point, it was a nursing home, but for most of its life since its opening in 1912, it served as a hospital for the community. That was the intent of Stephen K. and Amanda Stone, a couple who loved Fayetteville and wanted to be part of taking care of the community even beyond their time on this earth. In 1906, the couple donated the property for the city's first hospital. Among the stipulations for the property, the Stones entrusted the land to the city for the ongoing medical care of the community. And their wishes were followed until 2012, some 20 years after Washington Regional took over dayto- day management of the city -owned facility and the year after Washington Regional acquired it. Washington Regional's purchase of City Hospital was no simple transaction. It took some serious legal gymnastics to clear the way. City officials had to formally declare Washington Regional as the "successor" hospital to City Hospital. The city in 2011 reconstituted a long dormant Fayetteville City Hospital board with the sole purpose of approving the transaction. Fayetteville officials brokered a deal in http://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/ardemocratnw/PrintArticle.aspx?doc=ArDemocr... 3/10/2015 A good prognosis - Arkansas Democrat -Gazette NW, 2015-03-10 Page 2 of 3 which they agreed to turn over the 2.8 -acre City Hospital and related property to Washington Regional in exchange for 1.1 acres at Futrall Drive and North Hills Boulevard for construction of the city's first major traffic roundabout. That location is right in front of the newest Washington Regional Medical Center. The operating legal theory was that turning the land over to Washington Regional, which was given management of the old county -owned Washington General Hospital in the 1970s, would satisfy the Stones' wish -- that their property or proceeds from it would be used for the benefit of the community's medical care. Then Washington Regional shuttered City Hospital, then put the land up for sale. About this time, the leadership of the Fayetteville Public Library was eyeballing expansion. Use of the Blair Library, next door to the former City Hospital, keeps growing. Acquisition of the former hospital property seemed a good idea. Washington Regional got some bids, then decided to give the library a chance to bid. In August 2013, Washington Regional's board agreed to sell the land to the library for $2 million. The deal was viewed by its proponents as community leaders working together for the benefit of Fayetteville. Descendents of the Stone family, however, viewed it differently. As Washington Regional attempted in court to gain "quiet title" to the property, they objected. The transaction was never what Stephen and Amanda Stone had in mind, they asserted. They accused Washington Regional of "thuggish" behavior. One of the heirs said it simply didn't feel right that taxpayers of Fayetteville, to which the Stones donated the property are now expected to spend $2 million to get it back. And this is where the judge comes in. Last week, Washington County Circuit Judge Cristi Beaumont sided with Washington Regional, declaring it the lawful owner of 4 acres including City Hospital. "The way I see this ruling is that it dishonors the intent of my ancestors," Jane Stone, the great -great-granddaughter of Stephen and Amanda Stone, said in response. "It is a shame that the city was able to trade (my ancestors') gift for a roundabout and now the city has to buy it back if the library is to expand." Jane Stone said her ancestors' faith that the city would be a good steward of their gift was misplaced. We think that's too harsh. The great gift by the Stones provided Fayetteville with its first hospital, one that served the community for decades. The city used it in http://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/ardemocratnw/PrintArticle.aspx?doc=ArDemocr... 3/10/2015 A good prognosis - Arkansas Democrat -Gazette NW, 2015-03-10 Page 3 of 3 that manner for 100 years, then it took extensive measures to ensure the community's primary hospital, now Washington Regional, would benefit from it. The city's legal staff said it was clear the city could not simply transition the property into another city use because it was given as a gift to the community's medical care. The Stones, of course, could have never predicted City Hospital would give way to another facility 100 years later, but both facilities served the same goal. It would be nice if the library could get the land for little or no cost, but Washington Regional leaders also have a duty to make the most of their assets for local health care. Hopefully, with the legal issues cleared up, that clarity can set aside the hurdles to moving forward for the library and the hospital. WHAT'S THE POINT? Ajudge got it right when she ruled in favor of Washington Regional Medical Center's ownership of the former City Hospital in Fayetteville. http://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/ardemocratnw/PrintArticle.aspx?doc=ArDemocr... 3/10/2015 Fayetteville library's future still unclear after city, court decisions I NWADG#.VPr7AJvsy... Page 1 of 3 Cars 1 Jobs 1 Homes CiesSifieds I Deals I Contact Us Monday, March 9, 2015 Weather 8 Traffic fiffi Sections 60116 8O19YOR 96 9 9 0 6166 Search NWADG News Sports Opinion Business Features 8 Entertainment Photos Video Weeklies Today's Paper 6C 'kyr7(OO/z,i nu Anniy,;,sadcr 11 111.72 CStrcl Fayetteville library's future still unclear after city, court decisions By Dan Hollmeyer Posted: March ], 2015 at 1 a m. FAYETTEVILLE -- It's been a busy week for the public library, and board members said Friday the impact of recent decisions on the facilities's future remains unclear. A circuit judge's ruling Monday cleared the way for the Fayetteville Public Library to purchase and expand into the adjoining old City Hospital property after months of discussion and dispute with heirs of the land's original owners. The next day, the City Council approved a 3.75 percent pay increase for city employees, a rate the library board has said previously it would match for its employees. Fayeltevilfe Public Library board • Kim Agee, president • Brenda Boudreaux, vice president • Maylon Rice, treasurer • Hershey Garner, secretary • Susan Graham • Suzanne Clark • Janine Parry Library officials still might need to wait on both plans, because the decisions came in the middle of the board's search for new revenue sources. The library isn't out of money, but the area's demand for material and programs is on track to outpace income. This year's $4 million budget trimmed $200,000 from last year's when projected cost increases and new programs should have increased it by $300,000 instead. The library's accounting manager expects this $500,000 gap to triple in the next five years without some new source of money. "You can see where the dollar that used to be able to do a lot is being stretched further," library executive director David Johnson said. A long-term revenue committee has been looking into options such as new or higher fees, more spending cuts and a property tax hike during the past several weeks. Janine Parry, a board member and the committee's chairwoman, said the committee should have a firm plan to offer in the next month or so. "It (the discussion) has been on both the revenue and expenditure side, and there have been no sacred cows," she said. "We're on it." Board members agreed Friday the public should get involved in the discussion after the committee presents its plan. Some suggested a meeting with representatives of the city's four City Council wards; others said they should hold a public forum for questions and input from whoever wants to come. Suzanne Clark suggested both, prompting agreement from the others. "Whatever we go forward with will need public support," Kim Agee, board president, said. Johnson has said previously the library expansion would take a backseat to the library's strengthening its financial foundation. The money to buy the land is already set aside and will come from the library foundation, Heirs of Stephen K. and Amanda Stone, who gave the land to the city a century ago for a hospital, can appeal Judge Cristi Beaumont's ruling during the next several weeks. Johnson said Friday the budget has enough money for a raise for his 68 employees, but the board won't decide until April whether to tap into it. "We always follow the city's lead," he said, but "it's not clear right now." 110n1,n, At,tlr,cn,<nr_s Most Popular COMMENTED VIEWED FriAILED • Columnists I won't go to the speech I NWADG 108 comments ' 15 hours ago • Netanyahu stern in speech I NWADG 40 comments • 1 day ago As vowed, Obama vetoes pipeline bill 1 NWADG 106 comments • 6 days ago • Clinton defends foreign donations 10 foundation I NWADG 5 comments • 17 hours ago • Agency says Clinton used private email exclusively 1 NWADG 41 comments 2 days ago Combatting Sox Trafficking in 011 gpunlry AP 'Scandal' Cast on Ferguson -inspired Episode At a PaleyFesl event in Los Angeles, the cast of 'Scandal Vigil in Madison After Fatal Police Shooting Police say 05081 200 people attended a vigil for an... Raw: Airstrike Hits Refinery, Held by I.S. Group Activists say airsidkes by a U.S.-led coalition hit a Syrian.. V http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/mar/07/fayetteville-library-s-future-still-unc/ 3/9/2015 Judge's ruling clears way for library's expansion - Arkansas Democrat -Gazette NW, 2015... Page 1 of 3 Judge's ruling clears way for library's expansion JOEL WALSH NWA DEMOCRAT -GAZETTE FAYETTEVILLE — Ajudge's ruling late Monday paves the way for the Fayetteville Public Library to purchase the adjoining old City Hospital property. Washington County Circuit Judge Cristi Beaumont, in an order granting summary judgment, determined Washington Regional Medical Center is the lawful owner of the 4 -acre property that was donated to the city more than 100 years ago. "The claims of all other persons whatsoever are hereby extinguished and declared null and void," Beaumont said in her ruling. A trial had been scheduled today, but it was canceled following Beaumont's ruling. At issue was whether heirs of Stephen K. and Amanda Stone had a legal claim to the City Hospital property the couple gave the city. Tom Olmstead, Washington Regional's general counsel, wrote in an email he was pleased with Beaumont's ruling. "The court correctly applied the law in a manner consistent with the terms of the generous gift to the city of Fayetteville by S.K. and Amanda Stone," he wrote. "The decision will ensure that the Stones' gift will continue to support and enhance hospital services within the city of Fayetteville while also securing for the Fayetteville Public Library the land necessary for its future expansion. "I would anticipate Washington Regional Medical Center and the Fayetteville Public Library moving toward a closing of the agreed upon sale within the next few months." http://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/ardemocratnw/PrintArticle.aspx?doc=ArDemocra... 3/3/2015 Judge's ruling clears way for library's expansion - Arkansas Democrat -Gazette NW, 2015... Page 2 of 3 David Johnson, the library's executive director, agreed. "We're still committed to the (City Hospital) property," Johnson said Monday. "We're still committed to expanding at some point in time. We don't know, given our financial situation, how quickly that will be." But, he added, "This decision helps the library in that we can expand whenever the time is right." Library officials have spent several months looking for new revenue sources amid a growing gap between library income and ongoing operational expenses. The library is not out of money, but cut $200,000 from this year's budget compared to 2014. Johnson said the library's foundation will pay for the adjoining property. The money, left over from a fundraising effort that helped build the library in 2004, must be used for capital — not operating — expenses, Johnson explained. The Stones donated land at 221 S. School Ave. to the city more than a century ago on the condition that it would be used to establish a hospital in Fayetteville. For decades, the land was used for that purpose — first as a hospital, then as a nursing home. The nursing home dosed in September 2012. The city, via an October 2011 quitclaim deed, conveyed the property to Washington Regional in exchange for 1.1 acres in front of the medical center where a traffic roundabout was built. The library's board agreed in 2013 to buy the property from the medical center for $2 million, thinking it could be used for a roughly 80,000 -square -foot expansion. Because of restrictions placed on the property in deeds filed in 1906 and 1909, Washington Regional first had to file a quiet title lawsuit against various Stone family heirs to establish its sole claim to the property. The Stone heirs contested the medical center's claim to the land, and, through court filings, sought to regain ownership. Stephen and Amanda Stone stated in the 1906 deed if the city failed to build a hospital within four years or if the property should at any point cease to be a hospital the land would revert to them or their heirs. http://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/ardemocratnw/PrintArticle. aspx?doc=ArDemocra... 3/3/2015