Macon Reporter

Decatur Public Library Board of Trustees met May 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Present: Sofia Xethalis (Chair)

Samantha Carroll

Jecobie Jones

Staff: Rick Meyer, City Librarian, Michelle Whitehead, Executive Administrative Assistant, Alissa Henkel, Programs, Resources, & Services

Absent:

Anay Hunt

Alana Banks

Guests:

Securitas – Becky Wilburn

Call to Order:

Ms. Xethalis called the meeting to order at 4:31 pm.

Approval of Agenda

Ms. Xethalis requested a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Meyer suggested that we move Securitas Proposal and discussion to the beginning of the agenda because she is participating via zoom. Ms Carroll moved to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Jones. All in favor. The motion was adopted.

Approval of Minutes: March 9, 2022 and April 13, 2022 meeting minutes

Ms. Xethalis requested a motion to approve the March 9, and April 13, 2022 meeting minutes. Ms. Carroll stated that the April 13 need to be amended to include that Ms. Carroll approved with a yes. Ms. Carroll made a motion to approve the minutes with the amendment, seconded by Mr. Jones. All in favor. The motion was adopted.

Public Comments: 15-minute time period for citizens to appear and express their views before the Decatur Public Library Board. Limit of 3 minutes per speaker; total of 15 minutes. No immediate response will be given by the Library Trustees or Library staff members.

Old Business

Capital Needs (Discussion) Mr. Meyer there is still some patchy grass, however it is much better. Hopefully we can have our Summer Reading kickoff in our green space next year.

Security cameras have been purchased and we are in the process of running cables to get them installed.

New Business

April 2022 Check Registers (Action) There was a discussion about the April check register. Ms. Xethalis requested a motion to approve the April 2022 check register. Baker and Taylor will give us credit as we return used books. No need to bring the Regions credit card statement to the board each month. Ms. Carroll made a motion to send the April check register to the full board, seconded by Mr. Jones. Ms. Xethalis requested a roll call vote, Mr. Jones, yes, Ms. Carroll, yes, Ms. Xethalis yes. All in favor. The motion was adopted.

April Actuals (Discussion) Mr. Meyer discussed the expenditures for the month of April. We are in good shape. If we free up the Cantoni fund to buy books, the attorney fees will be around three thousand. Ms. Carroll and Ms. Xethalis suggested we free up the funds to use.

FY2022 Projection (Discussion) Mr. Meyer discussed the projected expenditures for the remainder of the fiscal year. PPRT is still coming in at a much higher rate than expected. We are expecting to come in over budget on employee costs due to medical costs being higher.

Securitas Proposal (Action) Ms. Wilburn gave a presentation on the Securitas Proposal via zoom. Ms. Wilburn stated Securitas does their own hiring and training through the local office. Ken Hollis would be your point of contact for The Library security team. Daily electronic activity reports are provided. There is a dedicated smart phone provided to staff to report any incidents. Reports are digitally archived for 5 years. Securitas has set performance indicators. We can provide 20 to 48 hours of security. The Library has peak hours for disturbances that are typically between 11 – 12 pm and 4 – 5 pm. Securitas can monitor patron behavior. Mr. Meyer feels this service would free up Library staff to perform standard tasks without disturbances. Hopefully security staff on site would promote a sense of safety for our patrons. All of the other entities in the building would also benefit from this program. Hopefully the City would see that as a benefit and would be willing to participate in sharing the cost. The cost of City Deputies has still not been expressed. Mr. Meyer would like to have a dry run with City Deputies here at the Library. There might be some grant money available for that service.

Shelving/Furniture Budget (Action) Mr. Meyer reported that doing the remodel piece meal will cost more. There would need to be a budget amendment in order to pay for it all at once. There is grant money available next year. If we get rid of A/V shelving and magazine shelving, we can save 70 thousand dollars. Either way, we still need a budget amendment. Mr. Meyer will contact the City to make the change. There isn’t a budget for the furniture yet. Ms. Carroll recommended a motion to amend the budget and send it to the full Board. Mr. Jones seconded the motion. Ms. Xethalis requested a roll call vote, Ms. Carroll yes, Ms. Xethalis yes, Mr. Jones yes. The motion was adopted.

Ms. Carroll left the meeting at 5:20pm

There was a discussion on carpet and furniture. The Library has over $100 thousand in sling back chairs we could auction off.

Adjournment

Ms. Xethalis made a motion to adjourn at 5:24 pm, seconded by Mr. Jones. The motion was adopted.

https://d30xyenmgipudp.cloudfront.net/media/uploads/fp-minutes-202205.pdf