FONDULAC DISTRICT LIBRARY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

April 30, 2007

 

 

            Members of the Fondulac District Library’s Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, April 30, 2007.  Vice President Goff called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

 

            On roll call the following members were present:  Mrs. Cole, Mr. Goff, Mr. Johnston and Mr. Mingus.  Also present were Ms. Falasz-Peterson, Director, Mrs. Hensley, Assistant Director and Mrs. Geier, Administrative Assistant.  Other attendees include: future board member Marilyn Humphrey, Kathy Gerber, a member of the friends group and Peoria Journal Star reporter Amber Krosel.   Mrs. Herring and Mr. Brimberry were absent.  Mr. Lasswell arrived at 6:38 p.m.

 

            M/S/P (Johnston/Cole) to accept the minutes of the March meeting of the Board of Trustees.

 

            The bills were presented for payment.

 

            M/S/P (Johnston/Mingus) to accept the Treasurer’s Report and payment of bills subject to audit.

 

            Mr. Goff asked what the impact would be on the library, since taxes will be mailed late again this year.  Ms. Falasz-Peterson stated that she didn’t feel it would have a big impact.  Like last year, we just won’t spend a lot of money until we receive a check from the county.  Mr. Johnston also stated that in case of an emergency, we have the working cash fund.

 

            Treasurer’s Report:

GENERAL FUND CHECKING

03/26/07  Balance                                                                                             1,580.28

03/30/07  Deposit – Fines, fees, misc.                                                                 733.41

03/31/07  Interest 3066700474                                                                                3.41

04/02/07  Transfer – Investment to checking                                                 25,000.00

04/05/07  Checks issued – Payroll                                                                 (22,497.20)

04/05/07  Check issued – IDES                                                                         (1,151.21)

04/05/07  Checks issued – Utilities                                                                  (2,416.92)

04/05/07  Deposit – Fines, fees, misc.                                                                 328.55

04/16/07  Transfer – Investment to checking                                                 23,000.00

04/19/07  Checks issued – Payroll                                                                 (22,007.37)

04/05/07  Checks issued – Telephone                                                                 (521.51)

04/19/07  Check issued – Credit card                                                                 (734.73)

04/19/07  Checks issued – NCPERS Group Life Ins.                                              (52.00)

04/20/07  Deposit – Fines, fees, misc.                                                              1,065.10

04/27/07  Deposit – Fines, fees, misc.                                                                 569.35

04/30/07  Transfer – Investment to checking                                                 45,500.00

04/30/07  Checks issued – Bills                                                                      (25,343.31)

04/30/07  Balance                                                                                           23,603.05

 

GENERAL FUND SAVINGS

03/26/07  Balance                                                                                             3,503.44

03/31/07  Interest 3619307057                                                                                  .35      

04/30/07  Balance                                                                                             3,503.79

 

GENERAL FUND INVESTMENT

03/26/07  Balance                                                                                         486,459.71

03/31/07  Interest 7139120393                                                                         2,302.93

04/02/07  Transfer – Investment to checking                                                (25,000.00)

04/05/07  Deposit – Replacement taxes                                                         26,333.62

04/16/07  Transfer – Investment to checking                                                (23,000.00)

04/05/07  Deposit – Per Capita Grant                                                             25,492.85

04/30/07  Transfer – Investment to checking                                                (45,500.00)

04/30/07  Balance                                                                                         447,089.11

 

WORKING CASH FUND

03/26/07  Balance                                                                                         259,255.97

03/31/07  Interest 7139120401                                                                         1,143.38

04/30/07  Balance                                                                                         260,399.35

 

RESERVE FUND

03/30/07  Balance                                                                                      1,451,945.83

03/31/07  Interest 7139120419                                                                         6,403.47

04/30/07  Balance                                                                                      1,458,349.30

 

ENTERPRISE FUND

03/26/07  Balance                                                                                           31,529.95

03/30/07  Deposit – Rent                                                                                     450.00

03/31/07  Interest 6900342215                                                                                5.90

04/05/07  Check issued – Cilco                                                                             (25.48)

04/05/07  Deposit – Rent                                                                                     420.00

04/27/07  Deposit – Rent                                                                                     200.00

04/30/07  Balance                                                                                           32,580.37

 

            There were three authorized transfers in April.  The first one on April 3rd was for $25,000, the second one on the 16th was for $23,000 and the third one on the 30th was for $45,500.

 

            Ms. Falasz-Peterson reported that we have received our per capita grant monies.  The bulk of this money will be spent on books.

 

            Mrs. Cole congratulated our Youth Services Librarian Sue Elder on her success in grant writing.   Ms. Falasz-Peterson reported that Mrs. Elder is 80% funded.

 

            Ms. Falasz-Peterson stated that she felt Advocacy Day was a great success.  She and Mrs. Hensley were able to meet and speak with both Senator Koehler as well as Representative Smith.  Ms. Falasz-Peterson has received a letter from Representative Smith inviting her to serve on his education committee. 

 

            Ms. Falasz-Peterson reported that Mrs. Herring has been in contact with Randy Gibson and they have discussed some ways to cut the cost of our building project without compromising the integrity of the building.  Mrs. Herring feels there should be a meeting with Mr. Gibson to discuss our options in greater detail.  Ms. Falasz-Peterson was pleased with the number of votes the referendum received, especially since we ran a quiet campaign.  Ms. Falasz-Peterson reported that she has heard many nice things, but also heard that a lot of people had not even heard about the project.  She stated that people felt they were not included, and that it wasn’t a particularly active campaign by involving community members.  Mrs. Cole agreed that it was a quiet campaign, but she feels that the referendum didn’t have the support of the full board that was necessary.  The comments she has heard the most is that it was too much money.  Mrs. Cole agrees that it would be a good idea to sit down with Mr. Gibson.  She also feels it would be a good faith gesture to go back to the voters asking for less money.  Mr. Lasswell heard from some supporters that they voted against the referendum because they weren’t being involved even though they offered.  Mrs. Cole stated that she feels that it is going to take each board member to get out an army of volunteers and to get organized earlier.

 

            Mr. Goff thinks that perhaps the board needs to go back to the original building program, possibly re-engage Fred Schlipf and talk with Mr. Gibson.  In his experience he feels that sometimes you can spend a lot of time to save very few dollars, that’s the reason for retreating back to the concept of the program and asking ourselves if we are meeting our original program goals.  Mr. Goff also feels that we should broaden our public exposure.  He feels we need to be more proactive when dealing with the media.  Mr. Goff stated that a very positive sign to the community is to activate, announce and start making steps towards gifts and giving by creating a foundation.  He feels that if we want to leverage tax based support, we’re going to have to make ourselves some money. 

 

            Ms. Falasz-Peterson feels that we are in a good position to think beyond the next election.  Mr. Goff stated that getting involved in a foundation and fundraising is much easier than a referendum.  Mr. Johnston stated that he also heard that the amount of increase was the reason some people did not vote for the referendum. 

 

            Ms. Falasz-Peterson indicated that there are three people have expressed interest in being appointed to our board, Kathy Gerber, Rose Chenoweth and Justin Hale.  She asked Lee Logan at Alliance Library System how boards generally go about choosing a person to appoint.  Mr. Logan suggested conducting interviews with the interested parties.  The board felt this would be a good idea and asked Ms. Falasz-Peterson to contact the interested parties and ask them to attend the June meeting, which will begin at 6:00 p.m.  Mr. Johnston stated he would like to see the position filled by the July board meeting.

 

            At previous board meetings the board had indicated they may want to amend the by-laws for term length.  After looking into the matter, Ms. Falasz-Peterson reported to the board that if they decided to adopt an ordinance changing the term length from a six year term to a four year term, the cycle would be two seats up for election, then five seats up for election.  Something else that has been mentioned is the concept of annual elections and the fact that officers only hold those positions for one to two years.  Ms. Falasz-Peterson also stated that there is nothing in the by-laws stating the board follows Robert’s Rules of Order, which the board may want to add, as it seems to be something that is very common in other library by-laws.  There was some discussion on officer’s terms.  Mrs. Cole feels the current system seems to be working.  Ms. Falasz-Peterson will bring back the amended by-laws to the next meeting for approval.

 

            Mr. Johnston reported on ALS news. 

 

            M/S/P (Johnston/Mingus) to adjourn the meeting at 7:18 p.m.