Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

Library Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Monday, December 12, 2022

PRESENT:
Frank Brady, Kathleen Capelli, Heather Crocker, Carol Daggs, Terence Diggory, Jean Fei, Nancy Luther, Issac (Ike) Pulver, Catherine Brenner, Jennifer Ferriss, Trevor Oakley, Jennifer Ogrodowski, Ric Taras, Denise Feltes

ABSENT:
Eric Blackman, Don Flinton, Kelly McCombs

Meeting Called to Order at 5:04 PM

I. Call to Order at 5:04 PM

II. Approval of November Regular Meeting Minutes – Terry made a motion to approve the November Meeting Minutes. Frank seconded. All in favor. Minutes approved.

III. Approval of Expenditures – Carol asked for clarification regarding the Amsure and Cincinnati insurance amounts. Amsure bills monthly while Cincinnati bills quarterly.

Heather made a motion to approve the November Pre-Paid Checks 70533-70534 & 70628-70629 totaling $776.22 and the December Warrants/Checks 70630 - 70710 totaling $141,069.38. Terry seconded. All in favor. Expenditures are approved.

IV. Approval of Financial Reports – Katie raised the possibility of funds being reallocated, but this is not needed at this time; she also requested rent and PILOT clarification, which Ike supplied.

Frank made a motion to approve the November Pre-Paids and December Warrant Summary Sheet, the Budget Report, and the Income Report. Heather seconded. All in favor. Financial Reports are approved.

V. President’s Report – None

VI. Public Comment – None

VII. Correspondence and Communication - None

VIII. Director’s Report

1. Director’s Written Report – The Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs is preparing to celebrate its Centennial in 2024 and would like to offer a gift of $50,000 for a capital project to the library that would be impactful to young people and education. Reorganization and various uses for library space were discussed.
2. Department Reports – Jen F. reported that The Repair Café will be held at Skidmore College during the Sustainability Fair on April 16th. Trevor announced Cathy Plowman’s retirement from the library after 22 years of service. The recent proposal to hire Bailey Bennett (see New Business below) triggered memories for Trevor since Bailey was a Teen Room regular under Trevor’s tenure. Catherine invited everyone down to the Children’s Room to see the Gingerbread Houses and mentioned that Pajama Day will become an annual event on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Frank asked Jen O. about the Historical Day Trips led by Caitlyn Sheldon. Caitlyn explores places with historical significance within a short driving distance in the Capital Area. Ric reported that the cost of paper products and fuel surcharges, along with everything else, continues rise. Unfortunately, quality is suffering.

IX. Special / Committee Reports - None

X. Old Business Unfinished Business

A. Revision of bylaws to update order of business to include “unfinished” rather than “old” business – Discussion regarding the revision of our bylaws and length of time involved to include unfinished business in meetings. Frank made a motion to change “old” business to “unfinished” business. Jean seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.

B. Revised Land Acknowledgement –

Statement:

The Saratoga Springs Public Library respectfully acknowledges that it is located on the ancestral lands of the Mohican, the Mohawk, and the Abenaki Peoples. We thank them for their enduring stewardship of this land.

History of Land Use: Purpose:

By acknowledging Indigenous people, we pay respect to those who first lived here and to communities who follow in caring for this land. We honor the significance of traditional relationships to these sacred lands and waters. We recognize the ongoing impacts of colonialism and oppression, and we commit to honor truth telling and Indigenous voices as we realize the full history of our many peoples.

If you seek more information about local Native American history and the perspectives of those who live here today, the Saratoga Springs Public Library offers resources in the Saratoga Room.

A few links for additional information:

Brookside Museum, Ballston Spa NY https://brooksidemuseum.org

MLK Saratoga Treasure Hunt https://www.mlksaratoga.org/treasure-hunt

Mohawk Community of Kanatsiohareke http://www.mohawkcommunity.com/home.html

N’Dakinna Center https://www.ndakinnacenter.org/

Place of the Swift Waters: A History of the First People of the Saratoga Lake Watershed, Skidmore College Dept of Environmental Studies https://www.skidmore.edu/environmental_studies/capstone/projects/documents/gersie_matson.pdf

Syracuse Peace Council Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) https://peacecouncil.net/noon/home/

Discussion regarding possible amendments to our Land Acknowledgement Statement. Terry made a motion to change History of Land Use to Purpose along with changes to the last paragraph as discussed and as seen above. Frank seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.

XI. New Business

1. Request to appoint Bailey Bennett, Library Clerk –PT, effective December 10, 2022 – Terry made a motion to appoint Bailey Bennett, Library Clerk – PT, effective December 10, 2022. Nancy seconded. All in favor. Motion approved. Heather abstained.
2. Proposed Trustee Education Policy – Discussion regarding the requirements of the new Trustee Education Law to become effective January 2023. Proposal postponed until the January 2023 meeting.
3. Friends Potential Interest in Café Space – Streamlined version of past café use to be manned by volunteers and one part time worker is being considered.

XII. Executive Session to Discuss Particular Personnel Matters – Adjourned to Executive Session at 6:21 PM.

XIII. Reconvening: The Board came out of Executive Session and the Regular Meeting reconvened at 6:47 PM.

XIV. Additional New Business

A. Request to grant Heather Cunningham unpaid leave of absence from December 8, 2022 (retroactively), to January 1, 2023.

Katie Capelli made a motion to approve Heather Cunningham’s request. Heather Crocker seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.

B. Salary adjustments for exempt staff

Frank Brady made a motion to approve the proposed hiring range updates, and to increase the salaries of all Librarian staff currently under the new starting salary for their titles plus the Human Resources Manager, with special adjustments for two additional Librarian I staff to account for time in title.

Specific increases, as discussed by the Board in Executive Session, will bring salary levels above anticipated new minimum salaries for exempt employees, but the Board action is not contingent on those new minimums being adopted by the State. Carol Daggs seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.

XV. Adjournment of Regular Meeting at 6:51 PM.

Respectfully submitted by:

Terence Diggory, Board Secretary

Meeting Adjourned at 6:51 pm