November 2005 Board Minutes

Thorntown Public Library

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

President Eric Ragsdale called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Present were Teresa Carter, Stephanie Jones, John Merson, Deanna Brueggert and Patty Ramsey. Also present were director Karen K. Niemeyer, treasurer Barbara A. Darnell, and staff member Yvonne Urban-Morgan.

John moved and Teresa seconded that the minutes of the October meeting be approved; motion carried.

Treasurer Barbara Darnell reported on additions to the October claims list; claims 15268 through 15277 are appended to the minutes. The October operating receipts were $23,390.22 and disbursements were $41,246.84. The ending cash balance is $46,459.17, and the total of cash and investments is $235.070.44. In addition, there is $46,397.03 in interest on the Operating CD’s in the Home National and Farmer’s Bank. Claims of $20,961.24 were presented. Karen answered questions about the payment to Hinshaw Roofing, explaining that leaks were repaired in the Carnegie part of the roof. After discussion, the board agreed by consensus to not allow a claim presented in behalf of staff member Rita Trafford. The claim of $250.00 represented the deductible on her insurance for repair to her car that was damaged while in the library parking area. It was agreed that this would not be a good precedent to set. Karen provided explanations for the claims for Indiana Business Equipment and the Institute for Career Research. She noted that we are paying on this claims list a $1500.00 invoice for a staked survey by Anderson and Associates. The survey is of the 113 N. Pearl St. property. An appraiser will appraise that property on November 15. After the appraisal has been completed, we shall be able to advertise for bidding, then schedule a bid opening. The sale will be awarded at a board meeting. Deanna moved and John seconded approval of the claims register; motion carried.

Young Adult Librarian Rita Trafford introduced Brittany Neese and Chloe Nelson, two of our teens who recently applied for and received a grant of $1134.97 from Youth As Resources. They explained their plans for planting bulbs this fall and plant material next spring on library property, the Tom Johnson Memorial Park, and at 118 E. Bow, the library’s rental property. They were assisted by local gardening expert Cheryl Toney as well as by Rita. The board congratulated them heartily and donated in personal funds $40 of the $50 denied by the YAR board; the funds are to allow the teens to hire a local band for their celebration party. They may, however, use the $40 for other purposes.

Under old business Karen introduced Yvonne Urban-Morgan, who has been working on the improvements for our Bow Street property and has also supervised the work of our prisoner-volunteers from the Boone County Jail. She encouraged the board to view the finished work and challenged them to find the clock they placed in a strategic location to solve a problem.

Karen reported on the building project. She is checking to be sure Flaugher has paid all the people with whom he subcontracted work. She is aware of at least two problems. She is expecting next week a replacement section and seal for the west round window. There is also a problem with who is to provide a post indicator valve for our sprinkler system. Deanna’s son Dan is working on an architectural drawing for a structure to shed water at the north entrance to our children’s department. In the future we shall need to address flood control issues and funding for remediation.

Former board member Marsha Rapp addressed the board in her role as manager of our rental property on Bow Street. She asked the board to reconsider the vote last month to raise the rent to $600.00. She considers this is too high for Thorntown. She and Karen described the repairs that had been done to make the house rentable. After a discussion, the board decided to let Marsha use her own judgment after interviewing possible renters. She is authorized to charge no more than $600 and no less than $500 per month.

Karen showed the board the surveyor’s report of the quarter block bounded by Bow Street, Pearl Street, and two alleys. It made it clear what part of the Pearl St. property we intend to sell.

Dale Dickerson, member of the town board, asked Karen to write a letter of support for a sewer planning grant. Karen will comply.

She asked the board to take a quick review of the facility to see if the board sees anything that needs changing or improving. She also invited the board to see the Bow Street house now that it is finished.

She reported on Doug Akers’ tree trimming program held in her backyard on Saturday, November 12. It was attended by 22 people and was excellent.

The staff, led by the Youth Department staff, are planning the eleventh annual Christmas Family Night at the Library and are using the theme “Feliz Navidad”. They are being assisted by Puerto Rican and Guatemalan families who live in the area and participate in the children’s programs.

Richard Beesley has planted seven trees (five Eastern Redbud and two pear) around the library. The total bill was $1134.50, but $600 had been provided from the Home and Garden Club to apply to trees.

Both Jeremy Lamar and Dick Galvin will be giving us quotations on property insurance. Dick provided a summary of coverage that will be provided to Jeremy and will be copied for the board for review.

Eric asked for a motion to adjourn. Stephanie moved and Deanna seconded that the meeting be adjourned.. Eric adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.