Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Putnam County District Library held at the Ottawa Library Location, Ottawa, Ohio at 6:30 p.m., December 17, 2024
BOARD: Wendie Swary, Melanie Stokes, Melanie Lauth, Erika Snyder, Chelsie Niese, and Allison Sickles.
ADMINISTRATION: Kelly Ward, Director; Nancy Stauffer, Fiscal Officer
PUBLIC: John Schlumbohm, Debbie Schlumbohm, Nancy Ruhe, Karen Okuley, and Judy Ruen
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A Appointment of the Fiscal Officer. Chelsie Niese moved to re-appoint Nancy Stauffer as Fiscal Officer for one-year, effective January 1, 2025 (32 hours per week). Erika Snyder seconded the motion, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
B. Appointment of the Deputy Fiscal Officer. Erika Snyder moved to appoint Kelly Ward as Deputy Fiscal Officer for one-year, effective January 1, 2025. Wendie Swary seconded the motion, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
C. Fiscal Officer and Deputy Fiscal Officer Oath of Offices. Putnam County Commissioners, John Schlumbohm, administered the oath of office to Nancy Stauffer, Fiscal Officer and Kelly Ward, Deputy Fiscal Officer. Do you solemnly swear, or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Ohio; and that you will faithfully and impartially discharge your duties as Fiscal Officer {or Deputy Fiscal Officer) of the Putnam County District Library, Putnam County, Ohio, to the best of your ability, and in accordance with the laws now in effect and hereinafter to be enacted, during your term of office? Nancy Stauffer and Kelly Ward responded I do.
D. Regular Minutes. The minutes of the November 19, 2024 meeting were approved by Melanie Lauth and seconded by Chelsie Niese. Alt voted yes on the roll call vote.
E. Bills and Financial Reports. The November receipts, payments, income and expense statement, and bank reconciliation reports were approved on motion by Melanie Stokes and seconded by Wendie Swary. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
F. GIFTS. Wendie Swary moved to accept the following donations received in November: Memorial Fund $570.57 and Paver Fund $120.00. Melanie Stokes seconded the motion, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
G. DIRECTOR'S REPORT. Kelly Ward, Director, presented her November 2024 Director's Report (see attached report).
NEW BUSINESS
H. Director and Fiscal Officer 2025 Saleries. Motion was made by Melanie Stokes and seconded by Chelsie Niese to increase the Director's and Fiscal Officer's 2025 by 4.5% increasing their annual salaries to $90,061.86 (40 hours per week) and $75, 276.66 (32 hours per week) respectively. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
I. RETURN OF ADVANCE. Motion was made by Melanie Stokes and seconded by Chelsie Niese to approve the return of advance from the Friends of the PCDL back to the General Fund in the amount of $10,000.00. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
J. INVENTORY DELETION. Motion was made by Chelsie Niese and seconded by Melanie Stokes to approve the deletion list as presented. (See attached list). All voted yes on the roll call vote.
K. 2025 TEMPORARY APPROPRIATIONS. The Fiscal Officer presented the 2025 Temporary Appropriations for review. Melanie Lauth moved to adopt Resolution 8-2024 approving the 2025 temporary appropriations as presented. Chelsie Niese seconded, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
L. 2024 APPROPRIATIONS MODIFICATION. (Resolution 7-2024)
Melanie Stokes moved to adopt Resolution 7-2024 approving the 2024 Appropriations Modifications increasing Wendie Swary seconded and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
General Fund
Library Service
Public Services and Programs Salaries 25,000.00
Collection Development and Processing Salaries (15, 000.00)
Support Services
Business Administration
Salaries (10,000.00)
Supplies 1500.00
Eloise Bunn Bequest Fund
Library Service
Public Services and Programs Salaries (1500.00)
Collection Development and Processing
Library Materials and Information 1500.00
M. Resolution To Pay Bills. Chelsie Niese moved to adopt Resolution 9-2024 authorizing the Fiscal Officer to pay bills as they become due, within the provisions of approved appropriations, with a report of bills paid to be presented for approval at the following Board meeting. Erika Snyder seconded the motion, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
N. STAFF ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIP. Motion was made by Melanie Stokes and seconded by Melanie Lauth to pay half the cost of the annual Ohio Library Council individual member dues for all interested staff. And to also pay 100% of the cost of the annual dues for the Fiscal Officer's membership to the Ottawa/Glandorf Rotary Club and 100% of the cost of the annual dues for the Director's membership to the Ottawa Kiwanis Club and Ottawa Chamber of Commerce as well as reimbursement of all meals. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
O. Election Of Board Of Trustee Officers (President). Wendie Swary nominated Melanie Lauth to the position of President of the PCDL Board of Trustees, nomination was seconded by Erika Snyder. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
P. Election Of Board Of Trustee Officers (Vice-President). Erika Snyder nominated Melanie Stokes to the position of Vice-President of the PCDL Board of Trustees, nomination was seconded by Melanie Lauth. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
Q. Election Of Board Of Trustee Officers (Secretary). Wendie Swary nominated Chelsie Niese to the position of Secretary of the PCDL Board of Trustees, nomination was seconded by Allison Sickles. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
R. EXECUTIVE SESSION. Motion was may by Erika Snyder and seconded by Melanie Lauth to adjourn into executive session at 8:03 p.m. to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official or to consider the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual, unless the employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
s. EXECUTIVE SESSION. Motion was made by Melanie Lauth and seconded by Chelsie Niese to come out of executive session at 8:25 pm. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
T. STAFF. The Director discussed with the Board that Linda Hermiller had exhausted her Family Medical Leave Act leave on December 14, 2024 and the Board had extended her unpaid leave through December 20, 2024 at the November 19, 2024 Board meeting. Motion was made by Wendie Swary and seconded by Erika Snyder to terminate Linda Hermiller's employment effective December 31, 2024, pending attorney approval. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
U. Report of Branches and Friends
PCDL Friends of the library members commented on the following items:
• The Christmas Tree Festive open house was held on December 10th with Santa, the Dulcimer Group and the Lima Symphony. Four PCDL Friends charter members were recognized at the conclusion of the Christmas Tree Festive. The PCDL Friends group was started 55 years ago.
• 2025 bus trips are being planned for May 21st (VIP tour of Ohio State University Stadium) and September 18th (to La Comedia to see Legally Blonde).
• The next meeting will be held 1/6/2025. At that meeting they will begin planning for the June book sale.•
V. Comments From Individual Board Members. None
W. Comments From the Public. None.
ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m., on motion by Melanie Lauth. The next regular board meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ott