Library Board Meeting Minutes — Thursday, September 16, 2021

The Chairperson, Nancy Eggenberger, called the meeting to order at 7:41 PM.

Present:    N. Eggenberger, M. Farell, A. Iqbal, J. Lee, C. Spas, A. Watts                                      

Absent:      None

Also Present:  E. Davis, K. Gladden

CALL TO AUDIENCE   (K. Bounds, D. Ewick, L. Golden, D. McHugh, M. Nicholson) – None       

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.

APPROVAL OF GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

The minutes were accepted by unanimous consent.

COMMUNICATIONS — Director Eva Davis shared a Thank You card from Ypsilanti District Library management and staff members who had toured the CPL staff area in advance of ordering Trendway office furniture for their own space.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

As of August 31, the library is 66% through the year and Fringes and Insurance are trending high, due to a large payment made to MERS in January and insurance premiums expenditures, also made earlier in the year. The 3rd Quarter Budget Amendment in October will bring some revenue and expenditures in line.

Also in October, the board will see a preview demonstration of the new BiblioCommons website, which is on track for a full public launch on November 29th.

The focus of this year’s annual fall donation solicitation will be improvements to the Rebecca Havenstein-Coughlin Memorial Courtyard. Library staff are working with Michael Coughlin in this endeavor.

TRUSTEE COMMENTS — Trustee Jasmine Lee asked if the new website will retain the Google virtual tour of the library (it will).

Trustee Claire Spas asked if the new HVAC units are all running at capacity yet. Business Services Department Head Marian Nicholson said that they are still working the calibration of the air handler equipment.

Board Chair Nancy Eggenberger thanked Davis for her willingness to serve the Canton community through her participation as Chair of the Police Transparency and Guidance Subcommittee, a part of the Canton Coalition for Inclusive Communities.

COMMITTEE REPORTS — None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS & GENERAL ORDERS

Additional 2021 Payment to MERS — The board reviewed a proposal to make a one-time payment of $525,000 to the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS). The payment would fully fund the closed employee pension plan as of the plan’s valuation on 12/31/2020.

M. Farell moved and A. Watts supported a motion to approve a one-time payment of $525,000 to the MERS pension fund.

The motion passed unanimously 21/9-16-1

NEW BUSINESS

2022 Schedule of Board Meetings and Library Closures (1st look) —The trustees will vote on the proposed calendar at the October meeting.

CALL TO AUDIENCE – None

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 PM.