Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

Library Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Monday, July 11, 2022

PRESENT:
Frank Brady, Katie Capelli, Heather Crocker, Carol Daggs, Terence Diggory, Jean Fei, Issac (Ike) Pulver, Eric Blackman, Catherine Brenner, Jennifer Ferriss, Don Flinton, Nancy Luther, Jennifer Ogrodowski, Ric Taras, Denise Feltes

ABSENT:
Kelly McCombs

Meeting Called to Order at 5:21 PM

Approval of June Minutes: Katie moved to accept the June 13, 2022 meeting minutes. Heather seconded. All in favor. Minutes are accepted.

Approval of Expenditures:

1. Reallocation Requests: Frank moved that we reallocate $500 from 60015-1 Books & Rental Books to 60018-1 Electronic Resources and $2000 from 60005-1 Salaries to 60060-1 Automation (SALS Fees). Katie seconded. All in favor. Reallocation requests approved.
2. July Warrants/Checks # 70141 - 70244 totaling $311,532.03: The increased amount in warrants is due to a payment to DiGesare Mechanical for the HVAC equipment to be installed. Terry moved approval of the July Warrants. Katie seconded. All in favor. Motion carries.

Approval of Financial Reports: Discussion regarding the water bill and the NYS Retirement Expense on the Budget Report, and the Donation FY Estimate and the Reserve FY Estimate on the Income Report. Frank motioned to approve the July Warrant Summary Sheet, the Budget Report, and the Income Report. Heather seconded. All in favor. Financial Reports are adopted.

President’s Report: Frank thanked Ike, the board, and staff for supporting him during his tenure as President. Thanks were expressed to Frank in return.

Public Comment: None

Correspondence & Communication: None

Director’s Report: We will be reviewing our guidelines for tracking data on Covid transmission rates since data is being released less frequently. Variants are on the rise. Home testing adds to the complexity of maintaining safety protocols. We are also evaluating two big challenges regarding our policies related to obtaining and using library cards: 1) expanding our understanding of what constitutes residency; 2) serving children who show up accompanied by a nanny or grandparent rather than a parent.

Department Reports: Jen F. reported that the library has opted in to deleting overdue or manual fines to give people a clean slate; they will still be responsible for replacement costs. Catherine expressed everyone’s excitement about the new children’s library cards that display Henry. The Children’s Room has been super busy with the Summer Reading Program. Jen O. described how family engagement in our Summer Reading Program Scavenger Hunt is very popular and involves all three levels of the library. Michelle in the Saratoga History Room has partnered with the Brookside Museum and the Saratoga Springs School District to bring local history projects to students and residents. American Sign Language classes continue to be well attended as well as Spanish Language classes. Jennifer Wojtowicz will offer 2 miniature building workshops that are part of the 2022 series CREATE for Change in Saratoga in partnership with C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios. Ric reported that Operations is still understaffed which complicates all program set ups and normal maintenance requirements.

Frank moved to appoint Casey Antolick, Building Maintenance Worker (P/T). Katie seconded. All in favor. Appointment is approved.

Terry moved to approve the recommended policy language for vacation accrual time. Katie seconded. All in favor. The change is approved.

Special / Committee Reports

Old Business:

A. Vacation Accrual Policy – See Department Reports

B. HVAC Upgrade Project – See Director’s Report

C. Assistant Director Recruitment – See Director’s Report

New Business:

A. Request to Appoint: Casey Antolick, Building Maintenance Worker (P/T), effective

June 23, 2022 – See Department Reports

B. Request to modify the FY2022-23 budget by increasing 60012-1 NYS Retirement

Expense from $375,000 to $705,000 to cover delayed payment of FY2021-22

retirement expense, with income from cash on hand. – Not needed; no action taken.

C. Staffing News – See Director’s Report

D. Circulation Policy Review – See Director’s Report

E. Land Acknowledgement Proposal – SSPL would acknowledge in a policy statement the indigenous people who cared for the land on which the library stands. This statement may or may not include specific tribe names. Frank appointed Katie Capelli and Jean Fei as the ad hoc committee to consider the land acknowledgement proposal.

Meeting adjourned to an executive session.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:10 pm

Respectfully submitted by:
Denise Feltes, Senior Account Clerk