Minutes: December 2024
MINUTES
CLERMONT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DECEMBER 16, 2024
MIAMI TOWNSHIP BRANCH
Present: Jennifer Doss, Ernie Ramos, Mary Jo Waite, Judith Kocica, Trisha Lyons, Ed Humphrey, Katie Bock.
Staff: Chris Wick, Melanie Smithey, Lynn Baird, Don Carpenter, Theresa Herron.
Guest: Emily Gelhaus.
Ms. Doss called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Jennifer Doss, here; Ernie Ramos, here; Mary Jo Waite, here; Judith Kocica, here; Tricia Lyons, here; Ed Humphrey, here; Katie Bock, here.
All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
NOVEMBER 18, 2024 MINUTES:
Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to approve the November 18, 2024, Board meeting minutes, with one correction. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion by Mr. Ramos, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to go into executive session at 6:03 p.m. pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22 (G)(4) for the purpose of reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of employment and 121.22 (G)(1) to consider the compensation of public employees. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Lyons; yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
The board returned from executive session at 7:45 p.m.
Motion by Mr. Ramos, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to give non-bargaining employees a 3% wage increase, effective the first pay period in 2025; to give the Library Director and Fiscal Officer a 3% wage increase in 2025 and a 100% OPERS pick-up starting with the first pay period in 2025. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Lyons, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
Ms. Kocica sought clarification regarding the timing of the first pay period in 2025. Ms. Smithey explained that the official first pay period spans December 16 through December 29, 2024, with the associated pay date in January 2025. The Board clarified that the intent was for the increases to take effect with the first pay period in 2025, during which the majority of workdays fall within the 2025 calendar year.
Motion by Mr. Ramos, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to amend the previous motion to make the 3% wage increases effective with the pay period beginning December 30, 2024; and the Director and Fiscal Officer OPERS pick-ups effective December 30, 2024 through December 28, 2025. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Lyons, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
Ms. Bock reported that the Board’s Nominating Committee met immediately before the Board meeting. The committee members recommended re-electing the existing slate of officers.
Motion by Ms. Bock, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to appoint the existing slate of officers to the same positions in 2025: Ms. Doss, President; Mr. Ramos, Vice President; Ms. Waite, Secretary, effective January 1, 2025. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Lyons, seconded by Ms. Waite, to re-appoint Ms. Wick as Library Director and Ms. Smithey as Library Fiscal Officer. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT:
Ms. Smithey presented the November financial report.
Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Bock, to approve the November Financial Report. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to approve the November bills paid. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to approve the November bill (Anthem) paid. All present were in favor, none opposed. Ms. Doss abstained. Motion was adopted.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Ms. Wick reported the Library received the LSTA grant for outreach services. The Library is required to provide a quarter match. Grant funds will be used to outfit the Library2Go delivery van.
Ms. Wick referred to the Director’s Report that shared positive customer service comments made about a staff member at the Miami Township Branch.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
Ms. Kocica commented on the Library’s 2025 proposed budget as reviewed by the Board’s Budget Committee.
Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to accept the committee report on the Library’s 2025 proposed budget. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted. Ms. Kocica asked that the LSTA grant, wage increases, and OPERS pick-ups be included in the appropriation and the information be forwarded to Board members.
NEW BUSINESS:
Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to approve Resolution 2024-28, Acceptance of Gifts to the Library, donations as listed. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
Motion by Mr. Ramos, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve Resolution 2024-29: Disposal of Unneeded or Obsolete Inventory. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Lyons, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve Resolution 2024-30: Permanent Appropriation 2025. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Bock, to approve Resolution 2024-31: Advance Taxes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve Resolution 2024-32: Transfer of Cash from the General Fund to Capital. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Lyons, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve Resolution 2024-33: Transfer of Cash from the General Fund to the Debt Service Fund. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Lyons, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve Resolution 2024-34: Transfer of Cash from the General Fund to 27th Pay Fund and Accrued Leave Fund. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Lyons, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Bock, to approve Resolution 2024-35: Transfer of Cash from the General Fund to the Grant Fund. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Lyons, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.
Ms. Doss reminded the Board members that the Records Commission would meet immediately following the regular meeting.
As Ms. Lyons’ term expires 12/31/2024, and is not considering a second term, Ms. Doss thanked Ms. Lyons for her seven years of service on the board and on her commitment to the communities served. The Board expressed their appreciation of Ms. Lyons’ service and wished her well in her future commitments.
Motion by Ms. Lyons, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 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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