Meeting 2005-09-26 (Library Board)

CALL TO ORDER

President Steffener called the meeting to order at 1:02 P.M. at the Freeland Library.

ROLL CALL

Board Members Present: Jacquelyn DeFazio, Bob Freeman, Art Kirschenbaum, Joel Selling, Jeanne Steffener, Alanna Stone

Staff Present: Arch Fonken, Mary Kelly, Pat Olafson, Janet Sund, Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory,

Staff Absent: Judy Carter, Cheryl Telford

AGENDA APPROVAL

Mr. Freeman moved to accept the agenda as presented. Mr. Selling seconded the motion. The Board unanimously approved the agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ms. DeFazio moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mr. Kirschenbaum seconded the motion, and the Board unanimously approved the motion.

VISITORS

Martha Rose, Executive Director IslandTransit; Dr. Pamela Jull, Applied Research Northwest; Art Peterson, President of Freeland Friends of the Library; Dani Fowler, Oak Harbor

PUBLIC COMMENT

Art Peterson, President of the Friends of the Freeland Library, welcomed the Trustees to the Freeland Library. Mr. Peterson reported that the transfer of property was going smoothly and was close to resolution.

Former Board member Dani Fowler greeted the Trustees.

COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD

There were no communications to the Board at this meeting.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Martha Rose, Executive Director IslandTransit, gave a presentation to the Board regarding Island Transit’s mission in providing “fare-free” public transportation to Island County residents within a tri-county area that includes Skagit and Whatcom Counties.

Dr. Pamela M. Jull, Applied Research Northwest, presented an overview of results from the recent district-wide customer survey.

The Board recessed for 10 minutes at 2:00 P.M. and reconvened at 2:10 P.M.

MANAGEMENT REPORTS

Executive Director

Ms. Woolf-Ivory congratulated staff on their recent participation in United Way of Snohomish County’s Day of Caring. Over 20 staff participated, completing two community projects.

Ms. Woolf-Ivory reported that plans are underway for the Foundation Gala at the Mukilteo Library on October 22, and invited Board of Trustee members.

Ms. Woolf-Ivory reported to the Board that the Louisiana State Library is overwhelmed by offers of surplus computers and books from around the country and has declined our offer. We may be able to provide materials in the future.

Ms. Woolf-Ivory updated the Board on the progress of the Sno-Isle Libraries Capital Facilities Plan.

Ms. Woolf-Ivory reported to the Board regarding an administrative subpoena served in August by an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Ms. Woolf-Ivory announced that All Staff Day is scheduled for Friday, October 14, at the Lynnwood Convention Center and encouraged Board members to attend all or part of the day.

OLD BUSINESS

Board Development

The Board will hold a work session on Thursday, October 6, 2005, at 9:30 A.M. at the Marysville Service Center.

Mukilteo Advisory Library Board

Ms. Stone moved the Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees appoint Michael Chun and Peggy Nye to one-year terms, Cheryl Eriksen and Julie Smith to two-year terms, and Scott Specht to a three-year term to the Mukilteo Library Advisory Board effective October 1, 2005. Ms. DeFazio seconded the motion, and the Board unanimously passed the motion.

NEW BUSINESS

2006 Preliminary Budget

Ms. Woolf-Ivory discussed with Board highlights of the first draft of the 2006 proposed budget. The preliminary budget is currently $1 million out of balance.

• Revenue:
  • Projected increase of 4%
  • Cash forward $5,340,000
• Expenditures:
  • Materials budget set at 16.5% of operating budget
  • Machinery and equipment budget at $1,460,896
  • Projected 14% increase in benefits
  • Proposed 4.2% increase in funds for additional staff hours

Ms. Woolf-Ivory reported that staff will work with the Finance Committee to prepare a balanced budget for the October Board meeting.

Island County Trustee

Ms. De Fazio reported to the Board that the Trustee Selection Committee interviewed three applicants for the Island County Trustee position. The committee submitted two names to the Board of Island County Commissioners for approval.

Snohomish Library Advisory Board

Mr. Selling moved the Sno-Isle Board of Trustees re-appoint Lois Fox and Sara Pendergast each to a three-year term on the Snohomish Advisory Library Board retroactively effective to March 22, 2005. Mr. Freeman seconded the motion and the Board unanimously passed the motion.

Lake Stevens Contract Revision

Ms. Woolf-Ivory informed the Board of recent discussions with Lake Stevens Mayor Lynn Walty. Ms. Woolf-Ivory suggested phasing in the full contract rate over a four-year period. This agreement would go into effect when the Library Capital Facility Area (LCFA) formation passes.

The Board suggested some changes to the draft contract. Staff will make the recommended changes and provide a revised version to the Board for approval at the October Board meeting.

Woodway – Request for Library Service

Ms. Woolf-Ivory updated the Board on the status of a request from Woodway Town Councilman Bert Anderson to allow individual Woodway residents to pay directly for library services. She stated that she had not received any further communication from the councilman.

Resolution 05-04 – Celebrating the Freedom to Read

After brief discussion on the wording of proposed Resolution 05-04, Mr. Kirschenbaum moved the Sno-Isle Board of Trustees adopt Resolution 05-04 celebrating the freedom to read with the stipulation that the fourth WHEREAS paragraph be corrected to read:

WHEREAS some individuals, groups, and public authorities work to remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in libraries and schools, to label "controversial" views, to distribute lists of "objectionable" books or authors, and to purge libraries of materials reflecting the diversity of society; and

Ms. De Fazio seconded the motion, and the Board unanimously passed the motion.

After discussion, the Board instructed staff to send a letter to Washington’s local and national legislators stating the Board’s support for the passage of Resolution 05-04 and to post this information on the Sno-Isle Libraries website.

Business Expense Reimbursement Policy

Ms. Woolf-Ivory reported to the Board that the Board Administration / Development Committee reviewed adjustments to the Business Expense Reimbursement Policy regarding reimbursement to selected staff of membership expenses to civic organizations and professional organization dues.

The committee recommends the Board approve the policy revisions at the October Board meeting.

Executive Director’s Evaluation

Ms. Woolf-Ivory reported the Board Executive Committee selected Steve Boyd, MacDonald Boyd and Associates, to assist the Board in the director’s annual evaluation.

USA Patriot Act

The Board discussed the implications of the USA Patriot Act and the confidentiality of patron records. The Board also indicated an interest in continuing education on the Patriot Act and its effect on libraries.

Mr. Kirschenbaum’s Reappointment

Mr. Selling moved the Board of Trustees vote at the October Board meeting on the reappointment of Mr. Kirschenbaum. Ms. Stone seconded the motion, and the Board passed the motion with a vote of five yes and one opposed.

BOARD COMMENTS

Mr. Freeman, Mr. Selling, Mr. Kirschenbaum, Ms. Stone, and Ms. De Fazio gave brief reports on their attendance at the Workshop in Library Leadership (WILL) conference.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 P.M.

Next Meeting

The next regular Board meeting will be held on Monday, October 24, 2005, at 1:00 P.M. at the Marysville Service Center.