Birmingham Public Library Board Minutes

Call To Order

• The March 9, 2021 board meeting was called to order by Willie Davis III at 4:30 p.m.
• Lynn Flowers-Martin provided the Invocation.

Public Voices

None.

Presentations

Retiree Slide Show

Janine Langston presented a slide show honoring the 2020-2021 BPL retirees. Board comments and retiree comments followed.

Approval of Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda: Approval

All items designated as “consent” are considered to be routine and non-controversial and will be approved by one motion.

• Minutes of March 9, 2021 Board Meeting
• Personnel Actions
• Willie Davis III called for a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.
• Kimberly Richardson motioned to accept the Consent Agenda.
• Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
• Willie Davis III confirmed the Consent Agenda was approved as printed.

Terry Oglesby, City Architect

No Report

Malera Wright, Assistant City Attorney

No Report

Operational Items Requiring Board Approval

Damein Baity, Finance Report

Damein Baity, Chief Financial Officer, presented the financial report to the board.

• Willie Davis III called for a motion to accept the financial report.
• Sherri Nielsen motioned to accept the financial report.
• James Sullivan seconded the motion.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Willie Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Reports of the Committees

Advocacy, Fundraising & Development Committee

• James Sullivan reported no official committee meeting. Advocacy committee working with Janine Langston and team on talking points to advocate for BPL. Bookmobile press conference went well.

Policies, Procedures, and By-Laws Committee

Judge Scott Vowell reported a proposal to amend two policies.

1. In-person services at the library, change number nine “No seating will be available…” to “Limited seating is available…”
2. Amendments to the human resources policy concerning prohibiting political activity of City of Birmingham employees during work hours. Applicable to all City of Birmingham employees.
3. Judge Scott Vowell proposed a motion to accept the amendment change to the in-person services policy.
4. Kimberly Richardson seconded the motion.
5. The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
6. Willie Davis III confirmed the motion carried.
7. Judge Scott Vowell proposed a motion to adopt the City of Birmingham Prohibited Political Activity Policy.
8. Mona Lisa Morris seconded the motion.
9. The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
10. Willie Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Joint Finance & Long-Range Planning Committee

Mona Lisa Morris stated there was a joint Finance and Long-Range Planning Committee meeting. Kimberly Richardson reported on the joint committee meeting.

• Kimberly Richardson motioned to explore the closing of five branch locations based on City of Birmingham budget restraints.
• Mona Lisa Morris seconded.
• The Board responded unanimously in favor of the motion to accept.
• Willie Davis III confirmed the motion carried.

Unfinished Business

Janine Langston reported on the micro-mobility program in Birmingham. The City is moving forward with installation of corrals at Smithfield, Titusville, and North Avondale.

New Business

None.

Interim Director's Report:

Janine Langston reported on several topics including:

• National Library Week
• Bookmobile Media Day
• Congratulations to BPL Archivist Jim Baggett on his honors from the Alabama Historical Association and University of Alabama

Board Member's Comments

Presented.

Next Board Meeting is Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 5:36 p.m.

Submitted By

Janine Langston, Interim Director