In attendance were Vince Volpe, President, presiding; Keith Savage, Vice President; Alison Ferring, Nina North-Murphy, Janet Rainford, and David Sweeney were present. Jacque Land and Tom Schlafly attended virtually.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer Waller McGuire and staff members Maryann Brickey, Tiffany Davis, Jon Drakesmith, Amanda Endicott, Cathy Heimberger, Mary Meyer, Justin Struttmann, Liz Reeves, Jim Slattery, Lisa Stump, Lashly & Baer, and a member of the public.
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 July 10, 2023 meeting was approved.
Public Comment:
A member of the public asked about the Library's notary services and suggested moving public comment to the end of the meeting.
Reading of Communications:
Mr. McGuire acknowledged a particularly detailed letter thanking Carpenter staff member Timothy Havis for excellent public service.
Report of the President:
Mr. Volpe commented that he was speaking with Board members about committee assignments.
Report of the Fiscal Affairs Committee:
Committee Chair Sweeney reported that the Committee had met to consider the proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget and voted to recommend approval to the Board. Mr. Sweeney asked staff to present the draft budget reviewed by the Committee and sent to the Board. Mr. Slattery discussed projected revenue, reserve funds, and the main elements of the proposed deficit budget, as well as the major changes to expenses and the reasons behind each; Mr. Struttmann discussed proposed capital expenditures. Mr. Savage asked about energy usage and possible means of reducing costs. Ms. North-Murphy asked for additional details of employee benefit programs. Mr. Sweeney moved the proposed budget be approved as presented, seconded by Ms. North-Murphy. The motion was unanimously approved.
Chief Executive Officer's Report:
Mr. McGuire reported on a meeting he had been invited to attend by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, headed by Crosby Kemper, about disturbing national trends in literacy rates and how public libraries might work to help the public counter those trends. Our summer reading programs are one example of the work we are doing on this issue. Mr. McGuire asked Board members to look over summary reports of major Library efforts included in the Board packets: the summer camp program, the long-term hotspot lending program, and a report on the variety of programming being supported by the Library's Foundation.
Mr. McGuire is in early discussions with the Foundation about the possibility of taking on a new campaign for support of the Library.
The Library continues to look carefully at the question of supplying Narcan in the community. This is a complex issue and staff, many of whom have seen Narcan administered, know it is not as simple as it is sometimes presented. The Library is working with City health officials to test a program that distributes Narcan from machines outside. Mr. Savage brought up liability issues and recommended the Library continue working with the City on the issue.
New Business:
The Conflict of Interest Resolution the Library files with the Missouri Ethics Commission every other year is due for renewal. Mr. McGuire stated that the draft Resolution in Board packets has been modified with new dates and titles, but otherwise is simply a renewal. Ms. Rainford moved the Resolution Concerning Conflict of Interest for 2023 be approved, seconded by Ms. North-Murphy. The Resolution was unanimously approved.
At 6:25 Ms. North-Murphy moved the meeting to be adjourned, seconded by Mr. Sweeney. The motion was approved unanimously.
At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Library on September 11, 2023, the following actions were taken:
| Ms. North-Murphy moved: | that the Board approve the minutes of the July 10, 2023 meeting. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Mr. Sweeney moved: | hat the proposed 2023/2024 budget be approved. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Ms. Rainford moved: | that the Resolution Concerning the Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interests for Certain Officials and Employees be approved. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
| Ms. North-Murphy moved: | that be meeting be adjourned. MOTION APPROVED (In favor Mr. Volpe, Mr. Savage, Ms. Ferring, Mr. Land, Ms. North-Murphy, Ms. Rainford, Mr. Schlafly, and Mr. Sweeney.) |
