Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Minutes	June 12, 2018	4:30 p.m.	Central Library Boardroom
Meeting Called By	James A. Sullivan, President
Type of Meeting	Regular Board Meeting
Attendees	Trustees:Wardine Alexander, Fatima Carter, Willie S. Davis III, Sherri Nielson, Kimberly Richardson , Eunice Johnson Rogers, James A. Sullivan, Judge Scott Vowell Advisory Member Present: Patricia B. Rumore, Friends Foundation President Trustee Not Present: Gwendolyn Amamoo Staff: Floyd Council, Executive Director; Sandra Lee, Deputy Director; Tobin Cataldo, Collection Management; Karyn Davis-West, Central Manager; Yolanda Hardy, Northeast Regional Manager; Janine Langston, Southwest Regional Manager; Mary Little, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director; Edith Major, Personnel Officer; Phillip Willingham, IT Services Others Present: Veronica Merritt, Assistant City Attorney; Terry Oglesby, City Architect; Kay Kinnear, Retiree; Nadia Richardson, No More Martyrs; Jackie Walburn, Birmingham Watch

Call To Order

Dr. Nadia Richardson spoke to the board about the organization No More Martyrs, a mental health awareness campaign committed to building support for Black women and all people with mental health concerns. There will be a No More Martyrs conference in Birmingham on July 12 – 14. Kimberly Richardson stated Dr. Richardson was instrumental in bringing this initiative to Birmingham from Washington, D.C. Floyd Council and Melvia Walton have been in touch with Dr. Richardson and are excited about the next steps.

Floyd Council presented a certificate of appreciation to Benjamin Williams, Central security officer for his professionalism and proactive work when the Central library had to be evacuated during the possibility of a gas leak. Williams thanked the board, Mr. Council, Sandra Lee, Karyn Davis-West, Sergeant Lewis, Sergeant Griffin, and fellow employees. Karyn Davis-West stated Williams has been training other security staff at Central.

Wardine Alexander moved to approve the agenda. Eunice Johnson Rogers seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Kimberly Richardson moved to approve the consent agenda. Eunice Johnson Rogers seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Terry Obglesby reported the roof went out for bid at the Powderly Library. The Central staircase replacement went out for bid with two high bids received. The city is asking Creig Hoskins, architect to revise the plans to reduce costs. The VOIP proposal is pending at the clerk’s office.
Public Works is working on pricing for the replacement of the air units at Ensley Branch Library. Trane asked the city department heads to fill out surveys regarding recent work at city facilities, and Oglesby reported the library had good participation. Trane will provide information including how to modify temperatures to deviate from the usual schedule. The crosswalk at Central and skylights in the East building are experiencing leaks and will get resealed. Powderly Branch Library’s lobby roof leak will get repaired soon. East Lake Branch Library has a leak in the stairwell.
The lowest bid for the Central staircase was $1.78 million when the architect estimated $750,000 to complete the project. The architect is going to make changes in the plans to help reduce costs and present the revisions to the board. Kimberly Richardson looks forward to the revised designs and reminded the board about their responsibility to advocate for the library.

Attorney Merritt recommended the board go into executive session pursuant to Alabama State Code 36-25-A1 pending litigation. Kimberly Richardson moved the board enter executive session. Eunice Johnson Rogers seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Damein Baity presented the finance report to the board. Kimberly Richardson suggested tracking and reporting donated items in place of fines such as the annual canned food drive. Baity reported the library will end this year in the black when the past four out of five years have ended in the hole. This was the first year the city assisted with covering the expenses of computer leases, janitorial supplies, and telecommunication costs. Plans are being formed to spend efficiently next year and ensure the library has what it needs. Council thanked Baity and Sandra Lee for their work on the budget.

James Sullivan announced Judge Scott Vowell is currently the chair of the Personnel Committee since Gwendolyn Amamoo is currently out of the county. Judge Vowell moved the board enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters. Fatima Carter seconded the motion, and it was approved.
Eunice Johnson Rogers moved to exit executive session. Wardine Alexander seconded the motion, and it was approved.
Judge Scott Vowell moved to accept the recommendations that were made in executive session. Wardine Alexander seconded the motion, and it was approved.

Floyd Council thanked Janine Langston, her team, and all involved for their work in the Summer Learning preparations. Council recommended the rebranding of Summer Reading to Summer Learning. Janine Langston emphasized reading is still a major component to the Summer Learning program. Judge Scott Vowell moved to change the designation from Summer Reading to Summer Learning. Willie Davis seconded the motion, and it was approved. The board requested research and publications regarding the Summer Learning name change.

Floyd Council requested the Policy, Procedures, and By-Laws Committee review areas of the library in which patrons are prohibited to sit such as ledges, window ledges, and floors. James Sullivan referred the matter to the Policy Committee.

Floyd Council updated the board that Ensley Branch Library will have modified hours until further notice due to HVAC issues.
The legal department is drafting a response for the Eastwood lease renewal.
A writing response is being drafted in regards to the East Lake parking lot.
Sandra Lee, Karyn Davis-West, and Council are working on starting passport services at select branches. Approximately 90% of the staff needed have been trained. Council estimated the start of the service in 30 – 60 days.
BPL and the Friends Foundation will start MoU discussions during the first week of July.
A staffing model is on hold pending the budget approval.
Council is actively working on updates from the strategic plan.

James Sullivan thanked Wardine Alexander and Janine Langston for appearing on the television show Talk of Alabama to speak about Summer Learning.
Wardine Alexander thanked the board for the opportunity.
Willie Davis provided an update on the partnership between the Dannon Project and the library.
Eunice Johnson Rogers echoed Kimberly Richardsons request for board members to continue to advocate for funding at the library.
Kimberly Richarsdson stated the first floor looks good with the reconfiguration of the fiction department. Floyd Council confirmed the library is working with One Roof.
Sherri Nielson apologized for her tardiness to the meeting.

Floyd Council, Secretary