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 28, 2023.
BOARD: Tony Schroeder, Melanie Stokes, Melanie Lauth, and Chelsie Niese.
ADMINISTRATION: Kelly Ward, Director; Nancy Stauffer, Fiscal Officer.
PUBLIC: Michael Lammers, Karen Okuley and Judy Ruen
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A Board Member Oath of Office. Putnam County Commissioner, Michael Lammers, administered the oath of office to Chelsie Niese. Do you solemnly 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 a member of the board of trustees 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? Chelsie Niese responded I do.
B. Appointment of the Fiscal Officer. Tony Schroeder moved to re-appoint Nancy Stauffer as Fiscal Officer for one-year, effective January 1 (29 hours per week). Melanie Stokes seconded the motion, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
C. Appointment of the Deputy Fiscal Officer. Tony Schroeder moved to appoint Kelly Ward as Deputy Fiscal Officer for one-year, effective January 1. Melanie Stokes seconded the motion, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
D. Fiscal Officer and Deputy Fiscal Officer Oath of Offices. Putnam County Commissioners, Michael Lammers, 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 inaccordance with the laws now in effect and hereinafter to be enacted, during your term of office? Nancy Stauffer and Kelly Ward responded I do.
E. REGULAR MINUTES. The minutes of the October 17, 2023 meeting were approved by Melanie Lauth and seconded by Tony Schroeder. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
F. Bills and Financial Reports. The October and November receipts, payments, income and expense statement, and bank reconciliation reports were approved on motion by Tony Schroeder and seconded by Melanie Lauth. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
G. GIFTS. Melanie Lauth moved to accept the following donations received in October and November: Memorial Fund $915.00 and $699.89 respectively. Tony Schroeder seconded the motion, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
H. Directors Report Kelly Ward, Director, presented her October and November 2023 Director's Report (see attached report).
I. Director and Fiscal Officer 2023 Saleries. Motion was made by Melanie Lauth and seconded by Melanie Stokes to increase the Director's and Fiscal Officer's 2023 by 4% increasing their annual salaries to $86,183.60 (40 hours per week) and $651281.79 (29 hours per week) respectively. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
J. RETURN OF ADVANCE. Motion was made by Tony Schroeder and seconded by Melanie Stokes 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.
k. 2024 TEMPORARY APPROPRIATIONS. The Fiscal Officer presented the 2024 Temporary Appropriations for review. Tony Schroeder moved to adopt Resolution 6-2023 approving the 2024 temporary appropriations as presented. Chelsie Niese seconded, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
L. INVENTORY DELETIONS. Motion was made by Melanie Lauth and seconded by Chelsie Niese to approve the deletion list as presented. (See attached list). All voted yes on the roll call vote.
M. Resolution To Pay Billse. Tony Schroeder, moved to adopt Resolution 7-2023 authorizing the Fiscal Officer to pay bills as they come due, within the provisions of approved appropriations, with a report of bills paid to be presented for approval at the following Board meeting. Melanie Lauth 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 or Trustee Officers (President). Tony Schroeder nominated Melanie Lauth to the position of President of the PCDL Board of Trustees, nomination was seconded by Chelsie Niese. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
P. Election of Board or Trustee Officers (Vice-President). Tony Schroeder nominated Melanie Stokes to the position of Vice-President of the PCDL Board of Trustees, nomination was seconded by Chelsie Niese. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
Q. Election of Board or Trustee Officers (Secretary) Tony Schroeder nominated Chelsie Niese to the position of Secretary of the PCDL Board of Trustees, nomination was seconded by Melanie Stokes. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
R. Report of Branches and Friends. Karen Okuley commented that the bus trip made a profit of approximately $800 to $900. She commented that they are planning another bus trip to Shipshewana on June 11, 2024. Karen reported that the Chocolate Festival has a huge success and they made $1642 in profit. Judy Ruen reported that she closed the Beyond Books (levy) bank account.
S. Comments From Individual Board Members. The Board discussed Board member attendance at regular meetings.
T. Comments From the Public. None.
Adjournment. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m., on motion by Melanie Lauth. The Next regular board meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ottawa Library Location.