Minutes: April 2025
MINUTES
CLERMONT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
APRIL 21, 2025
MIAMI TOWNSHIP BRANCH
Present: Jennifer Doss, Ernie Ramos, Mary Jo Waite, Judith Kocica, Ed Humphrey, Katie Bock, Laurie Schlueter.
Staff: Chris Wick, Melanie Smithey, Debbie Williams, Andrea Brofft, Lynn Baird, Don Carpenter, Theresa Herron, Kasey Richey.
Ms. Doss called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes.
All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES:
Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Bock, to approve the March 17, 2025, board meeting minutes as corrected. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
None.
BOT BRIEF:
Mr. Ramos reviewed the role the Prosecuting Attorney’s office has in approving the Library’s contracts.
GETTING TO KNOW THE LIBRARY:
Ms. Richey shared information about the Union Township Branch Library.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT:
Ms. Smithey presented the March financial report.
Motion by Ms. Bock, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to approve the March financial report. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve the March bills paid. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to approve the March bill (Anthem) paid. All present were in favor, none opposed. Ms. Doss abstained. Motion was adopted.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Ms. Wick said the final report for the Community Survey done by the University of Cincinnati Evaluation Services Center is expected to be ready for the Board’s review in May.
She discussed the proposed changes to library funding in Ohio. The Public Library Fund (PLF) is a line item in the House’s proposed budget and there is a concern that line items are easy to reduce or eliminate. Library officials across the state are being asked to stay on target and urge legislators to keep library funding the same as the Governor’s original proposal, leaving the PLF as a percentage of the General Revenue Fund, with an increase to 1.75%.
Ms. Wick updated the trustees on the Library2Go collection delivery service. Ergonomic training was conducted at the Owensville Branch by the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation. Owensville LAS Job descriptions have been updated to reflect the work being done.
Linda Bergholz, the daughter of Paul and Mary Fischer who donated the land for the Felicity Branch, wants to donate a bench, tree, and stone in honor of her parents. Ms. Bergholz would like to conduct a dedication at the Felicity Library Sunday, May 18. Details will be shared when they are available.
Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Waite, to accept the donation outlined by the drawing detailing where the bench, tree, and stone will be placed at the Felicity Branch. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
The Library was recently accepted as an affiliate to FamilySearch, a genealogy database. The database will be accessible at the Batavia Branch on a designated computer.
The Wall Street Journal will be available to guests starting June 1 as an online service.
Ms. Wick explained that part-time staff have been offered additional hours through the Hours Bank. These hours are available because certain funded positions remain unfilled as they are under review by library administration. This approach allows branches experiencing staffing shortages to maintain service levels while long-term staffing priorities are assessed.
Ms. Wick reported that Doug Mayhugh, Lynn Baird, and Theresa Herron are meeting with vendors that install sound/video equipment to gather information on what is needed to hold virtual hybrid meetings as outlined in the new Ohio law that went into effect April 9. Once the proposals are in, the By-Law and Policy Review Committee will meet to discuss.
She reported that the age limit on library cards has been removed. The age for a juvenile card is now 0-17.
Ms. Wick congratulated Ms. Baird on receiving an award during the recent Salute to Leaders program hosted by the Clermont Chamber Foundation. Ms. Baird was nominated for the award by the Union Township Trustees.
She invited everyone to the fund-raising event set for April 29 at RJ Cinema in Eastgate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Clermont County, Ohio.
She mentioned that each Trustee was given a copy of the May/June Library Insider newsletter as well as the 2024 Annual Report.
Ms. Wick stated she had received several suggestions regarding the Branch/Update report from a board member and asked for additional input from the board on any suggested changes they would like to see in the monthly report. A discussion was held, board members conveyed their suggested changes, and Ms. Wick will review and incorporate as applicable.
NEW BUSINESS:
Motion by Ms. Schlueter, seconded by Ms. Bock, to approve Resolution 2025-12, Acceptance of Gifts to the Library, donations as listed. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve Resolution 2025-13: Disposal of Unneeded or Obsolete Library Inventory. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Carpenter updated the board on capital improvements.
Ms. Doss clarified that the Budget Committee discussed and recommended that until a firm estimate is received for the Bethel Branch roof, the exterior electronic message board signs for the Goshen and Williamsburg Branches are on hold. Each has an estimated cost of $50,000.
Mr. Carpenter said he has purchased a 2025 Ford Transit van to replace the obsolete “puppet van.” Due to the upgrades the vehicle came with, it will be used for the Library2Go pop-up library events. Shelves and other equipment ordered for the 2024 van will be placed inside the new vehicle. Cost with wrap is about $4,600. Mr. Carpenter was very satisfied of the puppet van’s trade-in value of $9,000.
Mr. Carpenter is working with roofing consultants for a proposal on evaluating the Bethel roof. Once a consultant is chosen, their recommendations will be used to write a request for proposals for an owner’s representative to manage the project.
Mr. Carpenter discussed the handicapped parking at the Miami Township branch. After careful consideration, he asked the Trustees to reconsider the plan presented at the March meeting and instead support an alternative that provides three additional accessible spaces closer to the branch’s main entrance.
Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to accept this revised handicapped parking plan at the Miami Township Branch at an estimated cost of $36,450.00. Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, present; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes. The motion was adopted.
Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Bock, to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 p.m. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
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Board President Board Secretary
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