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November 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

ADDISON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD 

MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, November 21, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m.

Call to Order: The Library Board President called the meeting to order at 7:02PM, in the Addison Township Public Library, 1400 Rochester Rd, Leonard, MI 48367

Board Members Present:  J. Baldiga - Yes, J. Eller - Yes, J. Elsarelli - Yes, K. King - Yes,

  1. Newby - Yes, M. Szost - Yes.

Pledge of Allegiance: All in attendance participated

Approval of Agenda: J. Elsarelli moves to accept the agenda, 2nd by M. Szost, none opposed motion carries.

Call to Audience: (two minutes per visitor) 

  1. Frost addressed the Board on behalf of the Addison Township Trustee Board with concerns of a neighbor whose property is boarding the new property for the Library build.  The neighbor is concerned with her property values with the library being next to her property.  The Township Board has advised the Library Board of the concerns and directed the resident to contact the Library Board to share concerns.  Closed call to audience. 

Consent Agenda: 

  • Approval of October 17, 2023 meeting minutes
  • Approval of October 25, 2023 special meeting minutes
  • Approval of October 2023 bills and expenses as paid

-A motion to accept the consent agenda by M. Szost, 2nd J. Baldiga, roll call vote; J. Baldiga - yes, J. Eller - yes, J. Elsarelli - yes, K. King - yes, J. Newby - yes,  M. Szost - yes, all yes, motion carries.

Financial Report: 

CPA, D. Lamsa recommends moving funds due to Insurance premium and audit bills coming due in conjunction with normal operating funds.  CPA recommends moving $110,000.00 from LGIP to Savings to cover expenses through March 2024.  The Board is hesitant to move all the funds since LGIP has been earning interest.

-M. Szost, Treasurer, moves to transfer $60,000.00 from LGIP to the savings account to cover all bills through Jan 2023.  2nd by K. King.  Roll Call Vote; J. Baldiga - yes, J. Eller - yes, J. Elsarelli - yes, K. King - yes, J. Newby - yes, M. Szost - yes, all yes, motion carries.

Discussion took place.

Friends gave a generous donation of $7000.00 to the Library.

-J. Eller moves to add Director, D. Elsarelli, to the Operational Funds checking and savings.  2nd by J. Newby.  Roll Call Vote; J. Baldia - yes, J. Eller - yes, J. Elsarelli - yes, K. King - yes, J. Newby - yes, M. Szost - yes, all in favor of motion with yes votes, motion carries.

-J. Elsarelli moves to accept the Financial Report as presented, 2nd by M. Szost. Roll call; J. Baldiga - yes, J. Eller - yes, J. Elsarelli - yes, J. Newby - yes,  M. Szost - yes, K. King - yes, all yes, motion carries.

Director’s Report: 

New program, Kanopy, is now available.  New program, Handy Crafters, has been added to our growing programs. D. Elsarelli has completed the Beginners Director’s Workshop and will be enrolling in the Advance Director’s Workshop. Working closely with D. Lamsa, CPA becoming familiar with the financials. 

Director Elsarelli will be presenting a part time Assistant Director position.

-J. Baldiga, moves to accept the directors report as presented, K. King, 2nd, all in favor, none opposed motion carries.

Committee Reports:

  New Building:

  • Update on site plan / special use application status 

No public hiring due to not meeting the quorum.  Residents in attendance shared possible concerns of having the new library adjacent to properties.  Discussion took place.  December 12, 2023 is the potential new date for the planning commission meeting.

  • Environmental Review status
  1. Baldiaga shared 2 pieces completed this month and invoice has been received.  Additional steps to come.

Public Information: none

Policy: *J. Baldiga will follow up with the attorney and the new director to help facilitate an ATPL Employee Handbook.

Finance: none

Capital: none

By-Law:

  • Update on proposed By-Law amendments. Next step is to share with an attorney, more to come.

Restorative Millage Renewal Committee: Disbanded in September | Discussion took place.

New Director Hiring Committee:  J. Baldiga moves to dissolve the new director hiring committee, J. Newby 2nd, all in favor, motion approved.

Communication:

  • Acknowledgment of new Director 

  • Accept Public notion for 2024 regular scheduled meeting dates. J.Eller moves to accept meeting dates, 2nd by J. Baldiga, none opposed motion carries.

Old Business:

  • Approval to proceed with purchase agreement for parcels 05-27-256-009 and 05-27-254-007
  1. Baldiga contacted realtors, attorneys, and Foster & Swift to advise on the process of purchasing the property.  Information collected, cost would be roughly $1200 -  $1300.00. Discussion took place.  

-J. Elsarelli, moves to have J. Baldiga draft purchase agreement with Travis Fuch and for it to be returned to board for approval, 2nd by J. Newby, all in favor, motion carries.

New Business:

  • Discuss language for millage renewal
  1. Baldiga will continue to work on verbiage and will have Foster & Swift review it prior to the January meeting.  

-J. Elsarelli moves to allow J. Baldiga to draft language for 2024 millage renewal.   2nd by K. King, all in favor, motion carries.

  • Review role and responsibilities for potential Directors Aid position

Director D. Elsarelli shared a potential Director’s Aid Job Position description.  Discussion took place along with suggestions.

  • Annual officer election (President, Vice-president, Treasurer and Secretary) 
  1. King moves to keep the board and positions as is, 2nd by J. Newby with J. Elsarelli as President, J. Baldiga as Vice President, M. Szost as Treasurer, J. Eller as Secretary, all in favor, motion carries.

Public Forum:  J. King shared with the Board.

Next Meeting: January 16, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. (unless otherwise posted) 

Adjournment: J. Elsarelli moves to adjourn at 8:25PM, 2nd by J. Eller, all in favor, the meeting adjourned.