In attendance were Vince Volpe, President, presiding; John Dubinsky, Alison Ferring, Nina North-Murphy, and David Sweeney; Jacque Land and Janet Rainford attended virtually.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members, Maryann Brickey, Tiffany Peck, Jon Drakesmith, Cathy Heimberger, Mary Meyer, Lauren Mudge, Justin Struttmann, Liz Reeves, and Jen Wiese. Lisa Stump attended from Lashly & Baer.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Volpe.
Minutes:
Ms. North Murphy's motion, seconded by Mr. Sweeney, to approve the minutes of the March 3, 2025 meeting was approved.
There was no public comment.
Fiscal Affairs Committee Report:
Mr. Sweeney, Fiscal Affairs Committee Chair, reported that the Committee had met on March 26th with RubinBrown, the Library's auditors, to go over the audit for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. He noted that the audited financials and the auditor's report had been sent to the Board and were also included in their meeting materials. He noted that it had been a clean audit, and a good meeting with the auditors, and asked staff to summarize the report.
Mr. Struttmann reported on the comments of the auditors, included in the Fiscal Affairs meeting minutes, and noted that the RubinBrown issued an unmodified opinion on the Library's fiscal year 2024/2025 statements, and a clean audit.
Mr. Volpe noted that there had been discussion about the March deadline for submitting the audited financial statements to the State of Missouri, and that staff had confirmed with counsel that the acceptance by the Fiscal Affairs Committee was adequate.
Mr. McGuire noted that RubinBrown's auditors had stated to the Fiscal Affairs Committee that the Library's audit was the cleanest that they had performed in their non-profit work, and acknowledged the excellent work of Jim Slattery, CFO, and Justin Struttmann, COO, in this accomplishment.
Mr. Sweeney stated that the Fiscal Affairs Committee had voted unanimously that the Board accept the fiscal year 2024/2025 audit.
Mr Dubinsky motion, seconded by Mr. Land, to accept the 2024/2025 financial audit was approved
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
Mr. Dubinsky asked for a summary of the actions of the Trump administration on the Library's finances. Mr. McGuire responded that as of May the effects were not severe: the attempts, still in the courts, to dissolve the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) had delayed some small grants but did not involve large sums. Of greater concern are future effects, including the Erate program, which is administered by the FCC to support school and library access to the internet. Attempts to defund the IMLS and Erate program had been challenged in court, and the Library is following the situation closely. At the moment it appears the funds promised to SLPL from both entities in the current fiscal year will eventually come through. Mr. Struttmann stated that the Library believes the rebates promised the Library on the solar and geothermal installations are committed and will be received.
Mr. Struttmann summarized a draft Central Library Facility Rental Policy which will be presented for vote at the next meeting.
Staff summarized the March financial reports, included in the Board packet. March takes the Library halfway through the fiscal year, and we are 47% expended, which puts us exactly where we should be. The March financials include the first of two bond payments for the fiscal year.
Mr McGuire announced that the position of Director of Neighborhood Services has been filled: Laura Stallings has been hired from her current position at the International Institute, and is a former employee of the Library. Staff are looking forward to her rejoining the Library.
Ms. Reeves summarized the Foundation Report, noting that at the end of April the Foundation has exceeded their fundraising goal for the year. 2025 has seen a substantial number of new donors, and increased support from others. She stated that work on the 2026 gala was well underway.
Mr. McGuire noted an ugly incident in which a fight had taken place outside Central Library between a group of teenagers and an adult male in which the man was seriously beaten and hospitalized. This had no connection with the Library other than staff seeing it begin and calling the police. It received media coverage, mentioning the Library. Four teenagers are under arrest without parole. He commended staff for acting quickly and preventing worse outcomes.
Ms. Ferring, seconded by Mr. Sweeney, moved that the Board go into executive session to discuss individually identifiable personnel matters. The action was unanimously approved by roll call vote. The Board went into executive session at 6:15 p.m.
At 6:25 the Board came out of Executive Session.
At 6:25 Mr Dubinsky moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Mr. Sweeney. The motion was adopted unanimously.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on May 5, 2025, the following actions were taken:
| Ms. North-Murphy moved: |
that the Board approve the minutes of the March 3, 2025 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Dubinsky moved: |
that the Board accept the 2024/2025 fiscal audit MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Ms. Ferring moved: |
that the Board go into executive session to discuss Personnel matters. MOTION APPROVED by roll call vote (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Dubinsky moved: |
that be meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Dubinsky, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, and Mr. Sweeney.) |