In attendance were Vince Volpe, President, presiding; and Keith Savage, Vice President; John Dubinsky, Alison Ferring, and Tom Schlafly. Jacque Land, Nina North-Murphy, Janet Rainford, and David Sweeney attended virtually. Lisa Stump attended from Lashly & Baer.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Maryann Brickey, Jon Drakesmith, Amanda Endicott, Cathy Heimberger, Mary Meyer, Joe Monahan, Lauren Mudge, Tiffany Peck, Liz Reeves, Jim Slattery, Laura Stallings, Justin Struttmann, and Jen Wiese.
The meeting was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by President Volpe.
Minutes:
Mr. Schlafly's motion, seconded by Ms. Ferring, to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2025 meeting was approved.
There was no public comment.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
Mr. Slattery reported: Cash and Investments: Total Cash and Investments as of November 30, 2025 was $31.2M which was $1.9M lower than November 2024, and $2.3M lower than October 2025. In November, we liquidated some of the reserves at Commerce reserves to pay the Library's expenses due to the low level of revenue that has been received this time of year. The use of reserves was anticipated due to revenue up only slightly in FY'25, but expenses in FY'25 were $1.9M higher, mostly in Capital expenditures. With the current switch to Commerce Bank for our regular operating account, Mr. Slattery will start looking at only MOSIP and UMB as our reserves going forward. We did transfer the Foundation's grant of approximately $1.24M in December which was higher than the $1.07M transferred in December 2024.
Statement of Support, Revenue and Expenses:
Revenue: Gross Tax Revenue for Real Estate, Personal Property and Surtax for the month was $2.9M which was $271k lower than November 2024. Through two months this fiscal year, those sources of funding are $517k lower that last year at this time. However, we did receive our December funding notices (Library receives two payments for December due to the size of the payments) and those amounts were $1.3M higher than December 2024's. There was an anomaly with interest income as we had a treasury bill at MOSIP expire on October 31. We received credit for that in October but the transaction for reinvesting that amount did not happen until November 1, so that was reversed in this month's report. We did receive a check from Chubb for just over $1.0M in December, so that is not reflected on this month's report.
Expenses: As indicated last month, there are some large annual contracts and subscriptions, especially in IT and CMS that have been paid. These look large against the budget but are in line with FY25 payments. There are no expense issues of note at this time. Totally year to date Operating Expenses are $4.9M which is $300k less than this time last year. However, we are still processing October and November payments at this time, but overall, expenses are in line with expectations.
There was a discussion concerning renewal of an insurance policy specifically protecting the Library from misbehavior by Mr. McGuire. Counsel stated it might be required by the bond issue and would investigate.
Mr. Struttmann reported on the progress made with the two locations that have been closed due to tornado damage. Regarding Cabanne Library, the insurance company's engineering report demonstrates that the visible damage to the facade was not related to the tornado and would not be considered in a claim. Based on the insurance estimates, total claims would not exceed the Library's coverage deductible of $100,000. The Library has been soliciting bids to remediate the area and make the necessary repairs to reopen the building, but the three bids have not been provided as of yet.
A significant amount of work has been completed or awarded for the Julia Davis Library repairs, including the HVAC replacement, water remediation, and roof replacement (scheduled to begin February 9th). The Library received the claim report from the insurance company on December 9th and, on December 19th, issued an RFP for the remaining repairs needed to reopen Julia Davis. The bids are due on January 20th, and we hope to award the contract by the end of the month. Mr. Schlafly commented that it would be great to reopen the building on the one year anniversary of the tornado, and Mr. McGuire commented that staff would look into having a celebration for the reopening.
Mr. Struttmann reported on the burglary attempt that occurred on January 5 at Barr Library, resulting in significant damage to the public spaces throughout the building. The suspect was apprehended before leaving the scene because of security measures staff had implemented in response to an earlier burglary on December 2, 2025. Police have linked the suspect to both incidents.
The damage to the building consisted of broken windows and doors as well as a significant amount of blood contamination caused by the suspect cutting himself during his destructive activities within the building. The initial cleanup costs were estimated at $43k and initial repairs were estimated at $85k. Additional losses to the collection were also incurred and are still being calculated by staff. Because of the biohazard created by the blood damage, the second floor of the building needed to remain closed to the public until its contaminated areas (including flooring) could be thoroughly cleaned or replaced.
Tiffany Peck presented the efforts of staff to reopen the lower level of Barr Library on January 12 - one week after the incident. Staff were able to provide limited library resources to customers and resume full access to Barr's Creative Experience. She also presented quotes from customers that expressed their support and appreciation.
Jen Wiese summarized the HR report and said winter typically is a quiet period for her department. HR will be preparing for staffing up when Julia Davis and Cabanne reopen.
Liz Reeves summarized the Foundation Report and said that the Foundation had raised over $500,000 for the annual fund so far. Work is ongoing for the fundraising gala, with $150,000 raised for sponsorship.
New Business:
Staff presented modifications to the Grievance Policy, intended to simplify the process, which would now reach a conclusion with the Library's CEO and has been aligned with Lashly & Baer's recommendations.
Mr. Schlafly's motion and Mr Dubinsky's second that the modified Grievance Policy be approved as presented was unanimously approved.
The schedule for public service hours for the Library in 2026 was introduced for a vote. The change from 2025 is the early closing of Central Library on Saturday, March 7th, for preparations for the fundraising gala that evening, and staff recommendation that the Library be closed at 5:00 p.m. on the day before Thanksgiving.
Mr. Savage's motion and Mr. Dubinsky's second that the 2026 Library Holiday Schedule as proposed be approved was unanimously approved.
Mr. Dubinsky moved and Mr. Savage seconded that the Board go into Executive session at 6:40. Motion approved by unanimous roll call vote.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 7:10.
Mr Schlafly moved and Mr. Dubinsky seconded that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was unanimously approved.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on January 12, 2026, the following actions were taken:
| Mr. Schlafly moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the November 3, 2025 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: |
that the proposed updated Grievance Policy be approved. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: |
that the 2026 public service schedule be approved MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Dubinsky moved: |
that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss individually identifiable personnel records. MOTION APPROVED by roll call vote (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Schlafly moved: |
that be meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |