THORNTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 11, 2005

President Eric Ragsdale called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm. Members in attendance were Deanna Brueggert, Teresa Carter, Ron Guinn, John Merson, Patty Ramsey and Linda Yoder. Also present were Library Director Karen Niemeyer and Treasurer Barb Darnell.

Because John had to leave, he reported on an opportunity for purchasing an automated external defibrillator (AED). John is going to buy several for the hospital and suggested that the library might like to get in on the available discount. The brand is a Phillips Heart Start and the discounted price is $1,350 for the machine only. There is an alarm box that is also available for another $300, but he does not recommend that additional purchase since the machine can be located in an area where there is always adult supervision. Training is included with the purchase. He noted that the AED is for use in the case of cardiac arrest when the victim is not breathing and has no pulse; at that point it is the best chance for survival even though the percentage of success is still not high. It comes with a five-year battery life and has an audible alarm, much like a smoke detector, to warn when the battery is low. Karen suggested that we could apply to the Community Foundation of Boon County for help in financing the purchase.

Turning to the secretary’s report, Treasurer Barb Darnell noted the following additions to the claim register for March: Flaugher (PCO #22) $5,861, Flaugher (CO #6 and 7, less retainage) $6.342, CompuTrain $130, and Vectren $941.54. Deanna then moved the Board accept the minutes of the public hearing and the March minutes of the regular meeting, as corrected. Teresa seconded, and the minutes were approved.

Barb presented the financial report, showing March operating receipts of $23,621.17 and disbursements of $43,356.85. The ending cash balance is $155,952.51. Our CDs are now being recorded as principal only with the interest reported separately; this was a recommendation, which came out of our recent audit. The change in reporting made us aware that we have about $38,000 in interest, which seems like “found money”. The $38,000 had been rolled into our $250,000 CD, which pays interest at a rate of 4.9%.

Karen reported that she had on March 30 mailed our Certified Copy of Additional Appropriations to the Indiana Dept. of Local Government Finance. The Department has until April 18 to issue a written determination that sufficient funds are available to fund the proposal.

The Board then considered the Claims Register. Linda moved the acceptance of the Claims Register, Patty seconded, and the motion was approved.

Karen gave the building project reports. There is still a hold on the retainage this month. As she phrased it, we are in a “nudge” pattern. Discussion with Zionsville’s Hussey-Mayfield Library director revealed that it took a year before they were able to close out the retainage. Karen provided an updated “to do” list. The test and balance report was received, but Wilderman and Associates provided a copy of the report with four oversights noted, so it must be resubmitted. The ECS controls software was installed, but it is not yet operational, so the training has not been completed.

Under old business, Deanna has a list of 25 concerns that have been forwarded to the architect; we still do not have any as-builts except for Brown Sprinkler Systems. The health insurance discussion and research is still in process. Everyone is scheduled to go through the underwriting tomorrow. As it stands now the main question is whether we would have to wait until January 1, 2006 to join the State of IN plan, which could drop the cost from $31,117.68 a year for medical, dental and vision to perhaps $11,648.52 per year, with the employee being charged $246.22 annually. Our second choice would be Unicare at $12,950.50, which does not include vision. Karen mentioned that Fern and Shirley will be eligible for Medicare in 2005-6, so we will benefit from having to pay for supplementary insurance, not a full policy.

The window washing is still unresolved since there is a problem trying to get the quotes. Karen should have them by the next board meeting. Workman’s compensation costs are going up; we paid one bill and could see another $400. The fountain fund has received $1,250 thus far in donations. Karen suggested we might make a sculpture of a fountain with water droplets containing the names of the donors; she will continue to investigate that plan. We still haven’t gotten bids on the clay tile roof yet, so that will be addressed at the next meeting. After thinking the elevator maintenance was resolved last month, new information changed the decision. Mid-America comes recommended by Witham Hospital; they also handle Methodist, St. Vincent and IUPUI. The annual fee is $1,571.40 and includes regular and systematic maintenance plus annual no-load safety test plus monthly firefighters’ service test. Patty moved we go with Mid-America, Deanna seconded and the motion passed.

Under new business, the annual report was by-passed because of time constraints. The fence project came with a decision about whether or not to have a gate. It was suggested we get some quotes and then decide next month; we will need a gate big enough to get the air handler out if it should become necessary. The dumpster pad fence needs to be painted, so Karen recommended we pay Jake White $5.15 per hour, with Craig White supervising. Linda moved we go ahead with hiring Jake, Ron seconded and the motion passed.

Returning to the question of the AED: after discussion, Deanna moved we go ahead with the purchase, Teresa seconded, and the motion passed.

The Capital Projects Fund is all done except for updating the program material. Karen suggested proposing the replacement of the Carnegie doors, seals, and roof cement, parking lot seal, copier and DVD repair machine for 2006 with the Carnegie storage floor and wood trim painting in 2007. We will plan a public hearing at the next meeting, but we need to be aware that we may not get the amount we request when the process is finally completed. Patty moved we set the public hearing for the day of our May meeting, Deanna seconded and the motion passed, with the caveat that the capital projects fund does put more burden on the tax payers. Karen responded that otherwise the expense would be in the operating fund; when we began our capital projects fund in 1998, we decreased the operating fund by that same amount.

In the Director’s report, Karen noted that our library is featured in the brochures of our architect Veazey Parrott Durkin and Shoulders. The brochures and exhibit booth at the recent Indiana Library Federation state conference were displayed for all to see. Also available were program photos of such events as the Easter parade, complete with fancy hats. The library has been featured in the Sun Times and the Reporter. Cleaning is still an issue since the restroom floors are not up to our standards. Karen mentioned that she will be selling a low, sturdy black book case that the library can’t use. We also looked through an annual put together by another library. Since we have a library birthday in 2014, it is something to consider. New copies of “In the Public Trust” were distributed, and each board member was asked to look through it and decide if we need to address an issue each month.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 on a motion from Linda and a second by Teresa.

Public Hearing: Monday, May 9, 2005 at 6:00 pm
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, May 9, 2005 at 6:15 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Yoder, Secretary
Thorntown Public Library Board of Trustees