THORNTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
August 11, 2008
Minutes
President Ron Guinn called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present, in addition to Ron, were Fern Miner, Stephanie Jones, Deanna Brueggert and Patty Ramsey. Eric Ragsdale and Teresa Carter were absent. Also present were library director Karen K. Niemeyer and treasurer Barbara A. Darnell.

The minutes of the July 14, 2008, meeting were reviewed. Barbara provided a list of $5442.07 in additional claims through July 30, bringing the total July claims to $42,514.80. Deanna moved and Stephanie Jones seconded that the minutes be approved; motion carried.

Barbara Darnell provided the treasurer’s monthly financial report. Receipts into the operating fund for July 2008 total $26,649.37. Operating fund disbursements total $57,924.86. The July ending cash balance of all funds is $426,034.85 plus investments of $60,000.00 and interest of $7016.24. Total of all funds is $493,051.09. After discussion, Stephanie moved and Patty seconded that the register of claims, a total of $15,741.16, be approved for payment; motion carried The MBIA report shows an interest rate of 2.37% while the Home National Bank savings account is receiving 1.76% in interest. After discussion, Deanna moved and Patty seconded that $100,000 be invested in an 11-month CD with HNB at 3.3% interest.. Barbara was authorized to use the HNB savings account and any other fund line that might be unused in the next 11 months. TrustINdiana (formerly MBIA) remains a possibility for future investments.

Karen presented a new salary ordinance that reflected the hiring of Laverna Truitt and Helen Weisflog at $8.00 per hour. Deanna moved and Fern seconded that the ordinance be approved; motion carried.

Under old business Karen reported that the brick masons have not been reporting for work, that supervisor Duane Williams is hospitalized for 5 weeks, and that Craig White has been calling the head of the masonry group. She will provide a paver recommendation for the September meeting.

The Secret Garden fund has to date raised $14,263.24 in gala proceeds, donations, book sale and paver sales

The fountain will be sandblasted, repainted, and the paint allowed to cure until next spring. Robinson Iron will ship the paint to and will pay for Smart Manufacturing to complete the work. She reported that the fountain plaque is being updated by Leedy Trophy and that approximately 25 of the 26 remaining lines on the plaque will be used and two corrections made.

The report by Moisture Management indicates the water that seeps onto the processing office carpet and on carpet under the round window is entering through the round window, the treasurer’s window, and the three window units in the treasurer’s office. Karen will be working with Spohn but obtaining a competitive quotation from Whitaker Glass in case it is needed.

In the personnel report Karen noted that Laverna Truitt is working out well as the lunch site manager hired by CICOA and is beginning to work at the library circulation desk, that Helen Weisflog is working out very well, that Cathie Jackson is still out after the death of her husband, that Linda White will be returning to full-time work with her broken arm, that Shirley Hodgen is having problems with her shoulder, that there has not yet been any word from new mother Molly Donovan regarding when she will return to work in September, and that medication is helping Becki Osborne to the point that it appears she no longer will require carotid artery surgery.

Under new business the board discussed a proposed interim agreement by which the library board will pay operating expenses for the Thorntown Heritage Museum from August 25 through December 31, 2008 (or a shorter time if a subsequent contract is adopted). The Sugar Creek Historical Society will remain responsible for the collection and programming. There are a few models to study, and Karen recommends formation of an advisory committee that will make monthly recommendations to both boards. Fern moved and Patty seconded that the agreement be signed; motion carried. Karen will take the agreement to the SCHS on August 25 for their adoption.

Karen noted that the 2009 budgets will be provided to the County Council for review and that for the first time in more than fifteen years the Dept. of Local Government Finance has allowed more time for the budget process. The Thorntown library board will proceed on the earlier timetable since all budgets, ads, and hearings are in place.

After review of September 1, 2008-August 31, 2009, health insurance quotations, Deanna moved and Fern seconded that the board pay 5% and that employees pay 12% of the 17% premium increase for Anthem Blue Access Option 16 with Rx Option H; motion carried.

Deanna moved and Patty seconded that expenses be paid for Karen to attend the Small & Medium Sized Libraries Conference in New Castle in August; motion carried.

During the Director’s Report Karen noted that a student fell on the carpeted stairs on July 18 and that there may be a claim against the library’s liability insurance policy; Galvin Insurance has been notified.

She further reported on a 19-year-old man who has stalked female student customers and female staff, who has refused to comply with the library’s conduct policy, and who has twice tried to light a cigarette from the electric stove burner. She has linked him with a representative from ARC Industries, has called the town marshal, and has now reluctantly banned him entirely from the library’s property. The board requested that a non-smoking policy be drafted for review in September.

She is working on the E-Rate application by which the library is reimbursed for its T-1 line for internet access.

Youth programs have been completed for the summer and fall/winter programs are being planned. Pat Gillogly is working well with the teens and teen programming. The building continues to be heavily used by both library and outside groups.

The public hearing for 2009 budgets will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25.

There being no further business, Fern moved and Stephanie seconded the meeting be adjourned; motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen K. Niemeyer, Secretary Pro Tem