July 2005 Board Minutes

Thorntown Public Library

124 N. Market St.,
Thorntown, IN 46071
Phone: 765-436-7348 Fax 765-436-7011

Vice President John Merson called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. Members in attendance were Deanna Brueggert, Teresa Carter, Ron Guinn, Patty Ramsey and Linda Yoder. Also present were Library Director Karen Niemeyer and Treasurer Barb Darnell.

The purpose of the public hearing was to consider additional appropriations from Cash Balance to Capital Projects-Building and Land. Money so appropriated is not required to be used for specific property purchases and can, if necessary, be transferred in smaller amounts for other needs. The goal is to already have the money on hand in the event of a property purchase opportunity. No members of the public were present to offer any objections to the intended appropriation.

The Board does not wish to give the impression of any intention of spending the money for property purchases in excess of the anticipated Martin house purchase. As such, there was discussion on appropriating a lesser amount of money, if possible. Since it has already been advertised, the answer to the question of being able to change the amount was not clear. Patty moved that $150,000 be appropriated for Capital Projects-Land and Building, with the authorization given to Karen to reduce the amount to $125,000, if allowable. Ron seconded, and the motion passed. Karen will clarify with the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF).

Linda moved that the public hearing be adjourned, Teresa seconded, and the hearing adjourned at 6:26 pm.

Vice President John Merson called the meeting to order at 6:26 pm. Members in attendance were Deanna Brueggert, Teresa Carter, Ron Guinn, Patty Ramsey and Linda Yoder. Also present were Library Director Karen Niemeyer and Treasurer Barb Darnell.

Ron moved the acceptance of the secretary’s report with the addition of several claims reported by Treasurer Barb Darnell. The additions are: $230.70 to Craig White (actually added during the meeting last month), $378.46 to JanWay Company, $1,923.83 to Benefit Resourcing, $132.40 to AIG American General, $69,950.00 to Home National Bank, $1,314.33 to Beesley Landscaping, $16,840.29 to Flaugher, Inc. and $230.84 to Vectren. With the changes in interest the Anthem claim for $2,558.04 was deleted. Additionally, $50,000 was used to purchase a six-month CD at Home National Bank. Deanna seconded, and the minutes were approved.

Barb presented the financial report, showing May operating receipts of $91,811.24 and disbursements of $69,296.63. The ending cash balance is $184,919.56. The tax draw received in June totaled $62,633.16 for general property and $5,076.31 for license excise. The levy excess fund has been established and a total of $12,491.00 was transferred from operating, bond and capital project funds.

Barb explained the new bond interest and redemption fund CD at Home National Bank, which will draw 2.65% interest for six months until December 29, 2005. This seemed to be better stewardship to draw CD interest instead of the minimal amount paid by having the money in the NOW account at .25%. We will need much of the money at the end of the year, but this way we will also earn more interest while we still have the funds.

The Board then considered the Claims Register. A claim for $2,172.00 was added to the register; this was to Deem Mechanical for an HVAC preventive maintenance agreement. Patty moved the acceptance of the Claims Register, Linda seconded, and the motion was approved.

In order to ensure that all accounts are in the black at year end, Karen recommended four transfers as follows:
Transfer $149.30 from 100.2.022 Operating Supplies to Rep/Maint Supplies 100.2.023
Transfer $837.00 from 100.4.052 Books to Other Insurance 100.3.039
Transfer $5,000.00 from 100.4.052 Books to Repair/maintenance 100.3.043
Transfer $4,500.00 from 100.4.054 Non Print to Repair/Maintenance 100.3.043
Linda moved that the fund transfers by approved, Teresa seconded, and the motion passed.

Karen gave the building project report. Sean Bright, who was the primary architect on our project, is no longer with the architectural firm. Bill Brown and Tom Durkin will take over for the finishing details. We have been attempting to get local quotes on repair of the interior wood railing to be accepted if Flaugher does not agree to do it. In that case, the money that was held back from the final payment to Flaugher will be used.

Under old business, the Board was updated on the health insurance progress. With the addition of the fourth employee, the payments will be increased between now and the end of the year until the second Medicare coverage takes place. A decision will be made at the beginning of the year as to whether or not the employees will need to contribute to the cost. Deanna moved we leave the situation as is for the rest of the year, Patty seconded, and the motion passed.

Karen expressed interest in purchasing a new microfilm reader printer. We have enough money on hand to pay for it, and the old one is breaking down on an ever-increasing basis and costing more than $300 per repair; no service contract is available because parts are no longer available. Deanna moved that she be authorized to purchase the new one when the old one has its “fatal error”. Teresa seconded, and the motion passed.

Nothing has been heard from Flaugher in regard to the payment of flood monies nor has there been response on the transfer of T-1 monies. Karen will pursue the T-1 transfer at the DLGF meeting on Tuesday. The other situation is up to Flaugher. Karen also suggested we plan a public hearing on August 8 for the 2006 budgets and adopt on September 12.

John gave an update on the AED; it has been ordered, but it will take about 4 weeks to arrive. Classes will be scheduled at that time.

The chimney repair is complete, and Hinshaw Roofing is still working on their job for us.

Under new business, the HVAC maintenance contract was resolved earlier in the meeting, and the other issues were put on hold until next month.

In the Director’s report, Karen reported that the windows have been cleaned, but we now know we can do most of them in-house in the future. There have been significant problems with getting any work done by the community service people, so the attitude now is to do it ourselves. The 25-year old copy machine is being replaced and a new one added downstairs; this saves money over the existing contract. Inter-library loans are on the increase; it is a good deal because there is no pick up or delivery charge. The genealogy website database is being accessed much more often. Karen got a good report from the eye surgeon. We will not be renewing the CD rom subscription with IVAN since it is not being used enough to justify it. Karen replaced the old TV for a brand new one costing about a third of the cost of the old one. Our library director is now officially the “most artsy” as the result of her gourd booth at the art sale. The Chautauqua event continues in Thorntown, and the library is sponsoring a pie contest Friday; our main role will be to eat the winning entries—and the losing ones. Preparing for the Chautauqua history also produced letters written in 1912 concerning the building of the Carnegie; amazingly enough they sound much like e-mails sent and received on our current year project. Is there nothing new under the sun?

Public Hearing: Monday, August 8, 2005 at 6:00 pm
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, August 8, 2005 at 6:15 pm