Minutes: February 2024

MINUTES

CLERMONT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

MIAMI TOWNSHIP BRANCH

 

Present: Jennifer Doss, Ernie Ramos, Mary Jo Waite, Judith Kocica, Ed Humphrey, Katie Bock

Absent: Tricia Lyons

Staff: Chris Wick, Melanie Smithey, Leslie Jacobs, Lynn Baird, Emily Wichman, Ashley Lemaster, Amy Buskey, Don Carpenter, Beth Barker, Theresa Herron

Prior to the meeting, Ms. Katie Bock was sworn in as a commissioner-appointed trustee by Branch Manager and Notary Public, Laurie Henry.

Ms. Doss called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

Jennifer Doss, here; Ernie Ramos, here, Mary Jo Waite, here; Ed Humphrey, here; Katie Bock, here.

Judith Kocica entered at 6:12 p.m.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

JANUARY 22, 2024 MINUTES:

Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve the January 22, 2024, board meeting minutes, as edited. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

None.

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI EVALUATION SERVICES CENTER PRESENTATION:

Ms. Sonya Turner and Ms. Sara Stacy presented their survey proposal for the next strategic planning cycle. The survey will be specific to Library needs and could include pop-up surveys conducted at community events to determine how the Library can best provide services to the communities going forward.

 

The Board requested additional time to review the prior State Library survey report, of which Ms. Wick supplied copies.  Ms. Doss suggested board members send any questions to Ms. Wick ahead of the March meeting.

GET TO KNOW THE LIBRARY – BETHEL:

Ms. Emily Wichman, Branch Manager, and Ms. Ashley Lemaster, Branch Supervisor, presented information about the Bethel Branch, including history, staff, programs, and future plans.

BOARD OF TRUSTEE BRIEFS:

Mr. Ramos discussed how the Prosecutor’s Office is the Library’s legal counsel.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRESENTATION:

Ms. Herron presented information about how the Community Engagement Department shares information about the Library’s services, resources, and programs to county residents. She also discussed how the UC survey would help improve these messages.

BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT:

Ms. Waite presented information about the proposed residential apartment development in the village of Batavia and how the increase in population will affect the branch library. Mr. Carpenter provided a schematic depicting the layout of the proposed development.

Ms. Waite shared information about a long-range planning effort by Pierce Township officials. Planning is in the very early discussion stages and the Township is seeking input from community stakeholders. Ms. Waite, Mr. Ramos, and various Building Committee staff members will be attending community meetings in March where additional information will be shared.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT:

Ms. Smithey submitted and discussed the January 2024 Financial Report.

Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve the January 2024 Financial Reports, as mailed. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve the January 2024 Bills paid. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to approve January 2024 paid – Anthem. All present were in favor, none opposed. Ms. Doss abstained. Motion was adopted.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

Ms. Wick provided locker usage statistics. In 2023, 29,602 items were checked out through the lockers in comparison to 25,962 items in 2022.

APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

Building Committee – Ms. Waite, chair; Mr. Ramos

Budget Committee – Ms. Kocica, chair; Ms. Doss

By-Law and Policy Review Committee – Ms. Doss, chair; Mr. Humphrey

Personnel Committee – Ms. Doss, chair; Ms. Lyons, Ms. Bock

Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve committee appointments. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

Ms. Doss asked everyone to sign the CCPL Board of Trustees Statement of Expectations, which is signed annually by each board member.

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve Resolution 2024-05: Acceptance of Gifts to the Library, donations as listed. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to approve Resolution 2024-06: Disposal of Unneeded or Obsolete Inventory. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to enter into Executive Session for ORC Section 121.22(G)(1) to consider the employment, appointment, and compensation of public employees or officials. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock; yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted at 8:12 p.m.

After returning from Executive Session at 8:58 p.m.; motion by Mr. Ramos, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to approve the appointment of Ms. Smithey as Fiscal Officer of the Clermont County Public Library, with an annual salary of $80,000, effective February 26, 2024. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted. Ms. Kocica voted present.

Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

 

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Board President                                                          Board Secretary

 

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