July 12, 2021
Benton Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
July 12, 2021
Members Present: Debbie Clark, Sue Wells, Brian Crisp, Pat Hollada, Kathy Storey
Absent: Chris Jerrells, Stephanie Hart
Library Director: Susan Stickel
Meeting Called to Order: 5:31 pm by Sue Wells
Corrections to the June 14th board meeting minutes were made: non-tax based discount from $112 to $85 ($27.00 discount)
1st by Kathy Storey 2nd by Pat Hollada
Passed by unanimous vote
Payment of Bills:
1st by Debbie Clark 2nd by Kathy Storey
Passed by unanimous vote
Financial Report:
Kim Livesay presented a larger packet to the ptustee members. She wanted us to see where the spending was going in more detail.
1st by Brian Crisp 2nd by Pat Hollada
Passed by unanimous vote
Librarian’s Report:
Chris Jerrells sent in a resignation letter for his position as a library trustee. His resignation was accepted by the group
1st by Debbie Clark 2nd by Kathy Storey
Passed by unanimous vote
We discussed the need to appoint someone to fill his position. We discussed different candidates and Sue was going to contact them
With the departure of Chris, his position of secretary needed to be replaced. Brian volunteered to take the position.
1st by Sue Wells 2nd by Pat Hollada
Passed by unanimous vote
The signature forms for the bank signings will be put on hold until we get more information about future members.
The Per Capita Grant is now $1500.75 for the 2020-2021 year. (This is the highest this has ever been) Tis money might be used for shelving in the Young Adult room, miscellaneous item, etc. We can make an amendment to the grant for this.
We are still waiting to hear back from the railroad on our minimum bid. We have been told this process could take a while.
Susan showed Jonathan Cantrell (attorney) the bid for the car chargers and seems to be impressed.
Susan has finished up the tax exempt package for C & J Motors.
Reading Garden: Henry has fixed the flower structure so that they won’t leak. The final three blooming bushes were put in by Plantscape Nursery. Henry made improvements to the log.
Henry discussed rubber mats vs. rubber mulch chips and cost. Susan is going to check with Burkdell Mulch and the Benton Park District to see where they get their mulch. Sue mentioned that the mulch needs to meet certification requirements (ADA)
Henry patched the back parking lot. Susan mentioned that it is time to seal the lot and get it restriped.
Susan said that F.W. Electric came by and worked on the air conditioner for the office. He ordered the part for it to be fixed. They also did their bi-yearly inspection.
Siding needs to be put on the shed. Gutter guards need to go back up after the winds have blown them off.
Lloyd Electric came by and checked out the possibility for running electricity to the car chargers.
Kim prepared a handout that showed detailed check information for the members. A corrected June budget was passed out.
Old Business:
Approval of the Annual Budget/Appropriation Ordinance 102-21
1st by Debbie Clark 2nd by Kathy Storey
Passed unanimously by roll call vote.
Personnel: nothing
New Business/Old Business:
Brian mentioned the idea of having a jigsaw puzzle checkout. Sue mentioned that we could even bring back the table and a puzzle for people to work on while at the library. We decided that we would do this.
Sue mentioned that the Benton Library is not features in a publication of Benton businesses. We are going to check into getting into it the next time.
Sue passed out handouts pertaining to Joe Hickman and a little bit about the history of the fair jug. The jug will be moving from the Benton Historical Jail and going to the new Franklin County Courthouse.
We are still looking into information about the charging stations.
Henry went over the estimate of the possible construction of the pirate ship. We discussed the possibility of purchasing a camera for the back and new fencing to surround the area for the pirate ship. Susan is going to check with the fencing company.
Motion by Brian Crisp seconded by Pat Hollada to move forward with the ship project.
1st by Brian Crisp 2nd by Pat Hollada
All voted unanimously
Adjournment: 7:00
1st by Kathy Storey 2nd by Sue Wells
Brian Crisp – Secretary
