MINUTES OF THE MEETING THRALL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT OF MIDDLETOWN AND WALLKILL BOARD OF TRUSTEES February 11, 2010 I. Attendance Mrs. Boyd called the roll: Present Mr. Carl Berkowitz, President Mrs. Rosa Boyd, Vice President Ms. Marlena Lange Mr. Richard C. Bell Mrs. Tonia Crown (arrived at 7:04pm) Mr. Kevin J. Gallagher, Director Absent Ms. Barbara Kay, Treasurer (excused) Mrs. Lois Ruckert, Secretary (excused) Visitors No visitors II. Agenda A. Roll Call G. Treasurer's Report B. Minutes H. Library Staff Reports C. Visitor Comments I. Committee Report D. Correspondence J. Old Business E. President's Report K. New Business F. Director's Report L. Adjournment III. Discussion and Recommendation A. Mr. Carl Berkowitz, President, opened the meeting at 7:00pm. B. Minutes Mr. Bell moved for adoption of the organizational minutes of January 13, 2010 meeting. Mr. Berkowitz suggested adding “There being no other nominations, Mrs. Ruckert….” on page 1, under III Election of Officers. Mrs. Boyd seconded. Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Boyd, Crown, Lange – 5 Noes: None Motion declared approved. (2/11/10 – 12) Mr. Bell moved for adoption of the minutes of the January 13, 2010 meeting. Mrs. Crown seconded. Ayes: Berkowitz, Boyd, Lange, Bell, Crown – 5 Noes: None Motion declared approved. (2/11/10 – 13) C. Visitor Comments No comments. D. Correspondence A copy of all the correspondence sent to each Board member is attached to the official minutes. Mr. Berkowitz read a thank you note from Joan Hutchinson. E. President's Report Mr. Berkowitz discussed the January RCLS Board meeting. Discussion followed. Mr. Berkowitz presented the following committee assignments for 2010: Building & Grounds: Marlena Lange Contract Negotiations: Barbara Kay; Marlena Lange Finance & Budget: Tonia Crown; Lois Ruckert Personnel: Richard Bell; Rosa Boyd F. Director's Report (A copy of the Director's Report sent to each Board member is attached to the official minutes.) Mr. Gallagher reported that Jerome Weisbaum, part-time clerk, should be back to work in a couple of weeks. Mr. Gallagher reported that the NYS Statistical Report was submitted on February 9th. G. Treasurer's Report There was no report on the accounts and balances due to closing out 2009. H. Library Staff Reports No report. I. Committee Reports Finance Committee: Mr. Bell moved that the regular monthly disbursements for December 2009 in the amount of $73,529.72 having been audited by Marlena Lange and found to be correct, be approved. Mrs. Boyd seconded. Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Boyd, Crown, Lange - 5 Noes: None Motion declared approved. (2/11/10 – 14) Mr. Bell moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accept the following budget transfers: BUDGET TRANSFER #5 (12/31/2009) 1. TO: L7410.8540.12.0000.0 Building Utilities $5,375.00 FROM: L7410.8200.12.0000.7 Furniture & Equipment $5,375.00 2. TO: L7410.8425.12.0000.0 Pub/Program/Printing $1,502.00 FROM: L7410.8506.12.0000.5 Circulation Control $1,502.00 3. TO: L7410.8160.12.0000.6 Administration $1,205.00 L7410.8161.12.0000.6 F/T Clerical $1,225.00 L7410.8163.12.0000.6 F/T Custodial $ 880.00 L7410.8164.12.0000.6 P/T Cleaners $3,100.00 FROM: L7410.8167.12.0000.6 P/T Clerical $6,410.00 4. TO: L7410.8158.12.0000.6 P/T Librarians $7,500.00 FROM: L7410.8157.12.0000.6 F/T Librarians $7,500.00 5. TO: L7410.8462.12.0000.0 Service Contracts $ 500.00 L7410.8440.12.0000.0 Professional Service $ 50.00 FROM: L7410.8420.12.0000.0 Insurance $ 550.00 These amounts represent the final transfers for fiscal year 2008 from auditor adjustments Overages in salary accounts is due to end of year accruals for part-time salaries Mrs. Boyd seconded. Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Boyd, Crown, Lange – 5 Noes: None Motion declared approved. (2/11/10 – 15) Building & Grounds: Tri-County has been in about the heat problem in the building. They borrowed the blue prints to look over. Mr. Gallagher reported that we are going to rent a lift to change the light bulbs in the reading room and to install ceiling fans. Mr. Gallagher reported that we have almost run out of DVD shelving space. The staff will be weeding the collection. J. Old Business No report. K. New Business Mr. Gallagher reported receiving a letter from Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther saying she introduced a bill to include libraries in the Drug Free Zone Program. (Letter attached to official minutes) Mr. Bell moved to adopt as presented the following: Whereas New York State has failed to provide library funding at a level dictated by State Education law for the past two decades, and; Whereas, the use of library services and material has continued to grow placing even greater demands on both libraries and systems throughout the state, and; Whereas, it is now becoming apparent that Library Systems are considering instituting fees for member libraries that would result in either service cuts or an increased burden on already overburdened local property tax payers, We do hereby urge that New York State act immediately to restore State Library funding to the levels dictated by State Education Law. Failing that, we demand that New York State take every opportunity to make efficient use of the limited state dollars available to both libraries and library systems. These efforts should include, but not be limited to, reforming the entire New York State Library System by eliminating the duplication created by having 73 systems overseeing multiple library services. We strongly urge that New York State follow the lead of 49 other states by consolidating services provided by 73 library systems. The 1989 “Library Systems in New York State” study and the 2000 Regents Commission on Library Services report entitled “Meeting the Needs of All New Yorkers: Library Service in the New Century” both recommended such consolidation. Such action would result in substantial savings due to the reduction in duplication of services throughout the state. Failing restoration of library state aid and consolidation of systems, we then urge State Library officials to institute cost efficiencies throughout the state that will guarantee that additional funding from local taxpayers will not be needed to fill state library aid gaps while maintaining current levels of service. We call on you to take action on these steps immediately. Ms. Lange seconded. Ayes: Berkowitz, Lange, Bell, Boyd, Crown – 5 Noes: None Motion declared approved. (2/11/10 – 16) Mr. Bell moved to go into executive session at 8:02pm to discuss labor negotiations and part-time salaries. Ms. Lange seconded. Ayes: Berkowitz, Lange, Bell, Boyd, Crown – 5 Noes: None Motion declared approved. (2/11/10 – 17) The Board returned from executive session at 8:28pm. L. Adjournment Mrs. Boyd moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:29pm. Ms. Lange seconded. Ayes: Berkowitz, Lange, Bell, Crown, Boyd – 5 Noes: None Motion declared approved. (2/11/10 – 18) Respectfully submitted, Lois Ruckert, Secretary TABLE OF MOTIONS (01/13/10 - 1) Accepted slate of officers (01/13/10 - 2) Designated Middletown Times Herald Record as official newspaper (01/13/10 - 3) Designated the Orange County Trust Company as official bank (01/13/10 - 4) Reappointed Richard Guertin as Library District Attorney (01/13/10 - 5) Adjournment (01/13/10 - 6) Approval of 12/09/09 minutes (01/14/10 - 7) Approved BUDGET AMENDMENT #6 (12/31/09) (01/13/10 – 8) Approved BUDGET AMENDMENT #1 (01/13/10 – 9) Accepted Insurance change from Chubb to Utica National (01/13/10 – 10) Executive session (01/13/10 – 11) Adjournment (02/11/10 – 12) Approval of 1/13/10 organizational meeting minutes (02/11/10 – 13) Approval of 1/13/10 minutes (02/11/10 – 14) Approved monthly disbursement for December 2009 (02/11/10 – 15) Approved BUDGET TRANSFER #5 (12/31/2009) (02/11/10 – 16) Approved resolution on library systems (02/11/10 – 17) Executive session (02/11/10 – 18) Adjournment