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., November 19, 2024
BOARD: Wendie Swary, Tony Schroder, Melanie Stokes, Melanie Lauth, Erika Snyder, Chelsie Niese, and Allison Sickles
ADMINISTRATION: Kelly Ward, Director and Nancy Stauffer, Fiscal Officer
PUBLIC: Nancy Ruhe, Karen Okuley, and Judy Ruen
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Board Member Oath Of Office. Putnam County Common Pleas Judge, Keith Schierloh, administered the oath of office to Allison Sickles. 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? Allison Sickles responded I do.
A REGULAR MINUTES. The minutes of the October 15, 2024 meeting were approved by Melanie Stokes and seconded by Wendie Swary. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
B. Bills and Financial Reports. The October receipts, payments, income and expense statement, and bank reconciliation reports were approved on motion by Tony Schroeder and seconded by Melanie Stokes. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
C. GIFTS. Wendie Swary moved to accept the following donations received in September: Memorial Fund $755.00. Melanie Lauth seconded the motion, and all voted yes on the roll call vote.
D. DIRECTOR,S REPORT. The Board reviewed the Director's October 2024 Report (see attached report}.
NEW BUSINESS
E. INVENTORY DELETIONS. Motion was made by Melanie Stokes and seconded by Erika Snyder to approved the inventory deletions list as presented. All voted yes on the roll call vote. (see attached list)
F. PCDL Employee Policy and Procedure Manual Change To Section 8.8
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE. Motion was made by Melanie Lauth and seconded by Chelsie Niese to modify section 8.8 Bereavement Leave of the PCDL Employee Policy and Procedure Manual as presented by the Director to include all employees. All voted yes on the roll call vote. {see attached policy)
G. Employee Policy and Procedure Manual Change To Section 8.3
VACATION LEAVE. Tabled until December Board meeting.
H. 2025 PAY SCALE MODIFICATIONS. Motion was made by Tony Schroeder and seconded by Melanie Lauth to approve a 2.5% increase in the pay scale effective January 1, 2025 (see attached pay scale and longevity scales). Additionally, all eligible employees will receive one step increase on the pay scale effective January 1, 2025. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION. Motion was may by Wendie Swary and seconded by Erika Snyder to adjourn into executive session at 7:26 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.
J. EXECUTIVE SESSION. Motion was made by Wendie Swary and seconded by Melanie Lauth to come out of executive session at 8:06 pm. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
K. Unpaid Leave For Linda Hermiller. Motion was made by Tony Schroeder and seconded by Chelsie Niese to grant Linda Hermiller an unpaid leave of absence effective 12/15/2024 through 12/20/2024. Linda Hermiller's FMLA leave will expire on December 14, 2024. All voted yes on the roll call vote.
L. Report of Branches and Friends.
PCDL Friends of the Library members commented on the following items:
• The Chocolate Fest was held on November 11, 2024. They sold all 80 tickets and had 72 new members.
• The Christmas Tree Festive setup is set for December 5th and December 6th. The open house will be December 10th with Santa and the Dulcimer Group and possibly the Lima Symphony to do a story time.
• 2025 bus trips are being planned for May 2ist {VIP tour of Ohio State University Stadium) and September 18th (to La Comedia to see Legally Blonde).
M. Comments From Individual Board Members. The Board discussed the Ottawa/Glandorf LifeWise Academy mobile home on the Putnam County YMCA property. The Putnam Parkway Covenant Agreement variance signed to by Board on 2/21/2023 stated that the building would be a modular like building. The Board asked the Director to contact the Putnam County YMCA Director and/or the Village of Ottawa concerning the issue.
N. Comments From the Public. None.
ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m., on motion by Melanie Lauth. The next regular board meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ottawa Library Location.