CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Jane Callahan. Also attending were Ken Brown, John Hunziker, Judy Kereakos, Mike McNeil, Brian Murphy, Mark Neville, Sue Reinke, Elizabeth Ritman, and Harry Swedlund.
Staff Present: Carrie Farrow, Director of Communications; Kathy Olson, Administrative Assistant.
Jane welcomed Elizabeth Ritman, Friends representative replacing Joyce Wenz.
MINUTES
Motion by Sue Reinke, seconded by Judy Kereakos, to approve the meeting minutes from May 23, 2007, as submitted. Motion carried.
LIBRARY BOARD AND DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Carrie stated that we mourn the death of Library Board member Jerry Balm. Library Board members and staff took up a collection for a Book-A-Year Endowment in Jerry's memory.
The Library Board Finance Committee has been reviewing 2008 budget requests and the Board approved submittal of the proposed budget to the City. The Board has changed procedures to better accommodate the Friends and Foundation funding. As part of the budget review process, the Board reviewed special projects and programs for possible Foundation and/or Friends funding.
Audrey and several staff members are visiting several library sites to review materials handling systems. The Library received funding of $350,000 for a 2007 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) for an automated materials handling system. Such a system reads the bar codes of materials as they come in through the book drop and discharges and rough sorts the materials. The system will save staff time and provide efficiencies for the library. The target installation date is January 2008.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Advocacy: Ken Brown reported that Steve Kvenvold, Dick Devlin, Mayor Brede, Deborah Westerland, and he met with Ann Hutton of SELCO in an attempt to forge some kind of relationship and share concerns. SELCO receives approximately $1 million in RLBSS money from the State. The funding is based on area, population, distribution, etc. Rochester biases that equation dramatically and increases funding for SELCO; however, RPL receives almost nothing in return. We would like to see some level of equity in the services received by RPL.
Finance: The Committee reviewed sources of revenues and uses which will be sent to the entire Board in the next meeting packet.
The Committee also discussed putting some short-term funds into a money market account to earn some interest, since the checking account does not earn interest. These funds are not appropriate for the Endowment Fund since they are not targeted to Endowment and are short-term in nature, not long-term.
We have received a bequest of approximately $50,000 in savings bonds from the Ruth Polzin estate. As per our Gift Acceptance Policy, and prior Board discussion, the Committee recommends that these bonds be cashed and the proceeds deposited in the Endowment Fund.
Jane suggested that the bequest be acknowledged in some way. At a minimum, a plaque should be placed on the donor recognition wall. Mark volunteered to help review the policy on naming possibilities.
The Board was in agreement with the Finance Committee recommendation to redeem the savings bonds and deposit the proceeds in the Endowment Fund.
The Committee discussed an audit of Foundation accounts. The state requires an audit if an organization receive $350,000 or more in revenue per year. We have not yet reached that level and have had no formal audits to this point. Mike will check with Al Schaefer about audit requirements.
Development: Correspondence received from Mayo after the presentation by Chris and Jane indicates that Mayo will entertain future requests for special projects.
The direct mail campaign for materials funding has been sent and donations are starting to come in.
Special Events: The Amuzing Race event was very successful and met our expectations. Expenses totaled just over $1,000, resulting in net income of over $10,000. We had 26 paid teams and 9 sponsor teams, and have received very positive feedback and suggestions to improve the race.
Carrie thanked the Board for all their work in planning and helping at this event.
Judy presented Jane a gift for her leadership in this event.
Now that the Amuzing Race is over, we need to start planning for Wit, Wisdom & Wine 2008. If anyone has ideas for speakers, please contact Carrie or Kathy.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
If you have not yet submitted a signed Conflict of Interest statement, please do so.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 22, 2007, at 4:45 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Shimek Olson
Secretary Pro Tem