3.1. LIBMIN 01-23-2018Meeting of the Elk River Public Library Board
Held at Elk River Public Library
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Members Present: Chair Mary Eberley, Rita Dreissig (5:40pm), Willie Jackson, Mary
Keifenheim
Members Absent: Mick Stoffers
Council Liaison: Councilman Nate Ovall
Staff Present: Brandi Canter, Patron Services Supervisor - GRRL
Laura Wetch, Recording Secretary, City of Elk River
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Public Library
Board was called to order at 5:32 pm by Chair Mary Eberley.
2. Consider August 1, 2017 Agenda
Moved by Mary Keifenheim and seconded by Willie Jackson to accept the
October 4, 2017 agenda as submitted. Motion carried 3-0.
3. Consent Agenda
3.1 Secretary’s Report
August 1, 2017 Meeting Minutes
3.2 Treasurer’s Report
July and August 2017 Revenue and Expense Reports
Moved by Mary Keifenheim and seconded by Willie Jackson to accept the
Consent Agenda as submitted. Motion carried 3-0.
5. General Business
5.1 New Business
5.1.a Permanent Patio Furniture Proposals – Tim Sevcik, Parks
Superintendent
Tim pointed out the curbing project is complete, as well as the
paved trail segment from 183rd Avenue NW to the library.
3.1
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The windmill has rust in a gear box and is not working. His staff
have talked to the windmill designed and will meet next week to
find a solution.
Due to several significant wind storms this summer, parks staff
were re-focused on tree removal and clean up in the parks and
the stump removal on library grounds had to be put on hold. He
will make sure it is done before the snow flies.
The CIP’s for $10,000 for the patio furniture and $20,000 for
parking lot lighting are set for approval in December by City
Council. He doesn’t see any issue with this getting final approval
by Council.
Tim provided handouts of several types and manufacturers of
permanent patio furniture. The example from Wausau is what the
city purchased for Rivers Edge Commons Park and it has worked
out great. He had seen this same brand and style when he did a
tour of Shoreview Parks and Recreation and 8 years after they
purchased their furniture, it still looks brand new and they have
had no issues. Tim also provided photographic samples of
benches and trash receptacles that could closely match the tables.
The tables from Wausau that Tim recommends also come
handicap accessible and can take an umbrella. Rather than a fixed
umbrella that can never go up or down, Tim recommends
purchasing some umbrellas for much less money at Menards that
Library staff could put out at special events.
If there was a trash receptacle outside, parks staff will check the
trash bin on Monday and Friday when they do their trash run at
all the other city park locations.
Moved by Willie Jackson to purchase two (2) handicap
accessible tables, one (1) bench with a back and one (1)
trash receptacle pending final budget approval in December
2017, seconded by Mark Keifenheim. Motion carried 4-0.
Tim Sevcik will provide final costs for these four items in January
2018 and will purchase thereafter.
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4. Open Forum
Gail Martin was present to find out if the library hours were going to be modified to
start at 10am each morning. She knew it was being discussed, but hadn’t heard anything
recently about it.
Brandi advised that the City and GRRL have reached a tentative agreement that is being
written up for approval by GRRL at their October 17th board meeting, and will go before
Elk River city council thereafter. If approved, it will be a 5 year agreement with hours as
follows:
Monday – Thursday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
5.2 Old Business
5.2.a Approve Amended Bylaws
Moved by Mary Keifenheim and seconded by Willie Jackson to
accept the Bylaws as submitted. Motion carried 4-0.
5.3 Library Grounds Report
Discussed in item 5.1.a.
5.4 Building Maintenance Report
There were no questions or comments about the report.
5.5 Library Zones Report
Rita reported that the hand dryers in the bathrooms are very weak and people
drip water from their hands to get to the dryer across the room and could
Building Maintenance look at relocating and replacing the dryers with new,
stronger air dryers.
Rita also noted there needs to be a fix for the DVDs on the shelf – maybe a
spring loaded rod placed behind the DVD’s so they don’t fall to the back of the
shelf. There are 55 shelves with DVD’s, so she will talk to the Friends group to
see if they can find a solution.
There were no other zone issues reported.
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5.6 City Council Report
As mentioned, City Council approved the concept for additional hours at the
library and the budget as presented. The agreement between the two agencies
is in process.
The county appointed Jayne Dietz to the GRRL board.
5.7 Patron Services Supervisors Report
The final draft of the Elk River/GRRL agreement is complete. Cal Portner
has a copy and hopefully any changes he has can be presented to the GRRL
board on October 17th.
Brandi and Robbie are working on adjusting staff schedules in preparation
for the increased hours.
The final cost of the proposed increased hours is reduced by $900 as some
staff with more years and higher salaries have resigned. Brandi does not
know if the city will keep the $900 in the budget for programming or reduce
the overall budget by that amount.
Brandi is working with Robbie on programming.
When Willie asked if any advertising will be done to announce the new hours
at the library Brandi said once the agreement is approved, both GRRL and
the city will put out news releases, post on social media, advertise at the
library, post on their respective websites, etc.
Legacy program funding has increased $200 per year for each branch.
As of today, the classic catalog is off the website due to a software
malfunction. If people go to the site they will be directed to the Ufind site.
GRRL anticipates some people will take issue with it, but they cannot
guarantee patron privacy because of the malfunction, so they had to shut
down the site.
5.8 Library Services Coordinator Report
Brandi had nothing to add to the report Robbie prepared. She took the
opportunity to say that Robbie is doing a great job and with her staff in
place, there is a new energy level at the library that is exciting to see.
5.9 GRRL Trustee Report
Letters were mailed out for the annual fundraiser requesting money to
support the library system. A follow up letter will go out late November.
The Friends Meet Friends event in September was a success with about
60 people in attendance and about 16 library branches represented. The
Fund Development group committee is going to focus on engaging
Friends groups.
Mary would like to conduct a building and grounds tour of the library,
but it will be held off until spring.
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The Safety and Security group will meet in the nest couple weeks.
6. Announcements
The next meeting will be held at the City of Elk River in the conference room directly
across from Council Chambers.
7. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Eberley adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Public Library Board at 6:43 pm.
Minutes submitted by Laura Wetch.
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Tina Allard, City Clerk
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Mary Eberley, Chair