Bostwick Design Partnership Chosen for New Chardon Branch
Geauga County Public Library (GCPL) - December 17, 2024
Meeting: The GCPL Board met on Tuesday, December 17th at 4:00 pm at the GCPL Administration Building. This meeting was in-person with a virtual option. To access the virtual option see information here. The meeting was not recorded. Minutes of this meeting will be posted on the GCPL website / GCPL Board after they are approved at the January 21, 2025 meeting.
Public Comment: Permitted and included in the regular order of business per GCPL bylaws. Further clarified in Policy 215 - Public Participation at Board Meetings.
Board Attendance: President Paul A. Newman, Vice President Karen Delano, Board Secretary Kristen Brinkman and Board Trustees Joshua Hutchinson, Crist Miller, Kate Pitrone and Jake Yanchar.
Staff Attendance:
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Kris Carroll - Director
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Katy Farrell (Assistant Director) - Recording Secretary
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Lisa Havlin - Fiscal Officer
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Nicole Burnside - Human Resources
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Deborah Schrock - Development Coordinator
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Erika Noark - Geauga West Branch Manager
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Denise Javins - Marketing Manager
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Rachael Hartman - Middlefield Branch Manager
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Mike Pope - IT Manager
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Dani Hollar - Bainbridge Branch Manager
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Marlene Pelyhes -Tech Services Manager
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Jonathan Kopp - Marketing assistant
Public: This Observer attended in person. One other person attended virtually.
President Newman called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm and roll call was taken.
Minutes: Minutes of the November Records Committee and Board Meeting were approved without discussion. Board minutes are available online. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to access minutes. The minutes are posted as soon as they are approved at the following month’s Board meeting.
Agenda: The agenda presented in the Board packet was approved with no additions or subtractions.
Communications - Ms. Carroll
Fiscal Officers Report – Ms. Havlin
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Pay periods and mileage reimbursements for 2025 were discussed and resolved.
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Points on the Bank of America were redeemed and the money put into the General Fund.
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All credit card reports had been given to Karen Delano, Compliance Office for review.
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The Ohio Library Council reported that in Calendar Year 2024, the Public Library Fund (PFL) total revenue was 10.6 million below the Ohio Department of Taxation’s original estimate and below the 2023 funding by almost 29 million. GCPL’s estimated 2024 PFL revenue was $206,000 less than 2023. Reviewer Note: See June 3, 2024 article from Ohio Capital Journal explaining how libraries are funded in Ohio and declining revenue trends.
Director’s Report - Ms. Carroll
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GCPL withdrew from the agreement with NOACA for an electric vehicle charging station at the Thompson branch due to missed deadlines and a lack of communication.
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Reported on the Evaluation Committee conducting interviews with architects on the Chardon Branch project. Observer Note: See approved motion below to choose architect.
Assistant Director’s Report - Ms. Farrell
Human Resources Report - Ms. Burnside
Local Manager’s Report - Denise Javins -Marketing
Committee Reports - Ms Carroll
Unfinished Business -
New Business - Ms Carroll
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Bainbridge Branch will have limited hours April 5, 2025 for the Foundation Mini Golf Event.
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The Board approved changes to the credit card policy to increase the IT Manager credit card limit to accommodate multiple software renewals by credit card.
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Board discussed increased costs to the library and approved changes to the Loan Periods, renewals, Fines and Fees Policy.
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The Board discussed and approved changes to the Operating Policy 331 Execution of Contracts. Purchases not falling under the requirements of section 3375.41 of the Ohio Revised Code. It revised the threshold for the need to get multiple quotes. This change would be in effect as long as the current fiscal officer is in office.
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Jake Yanchar was removed from the Evaluation Committee and Kate Pitron added.
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Board approved the Evaluation Committee Selection Coordinator, Authorizing Construction Manager at Risk Procurement Process.
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The Board took separate votes and selected Bostwick Design Partnership as the most qualified firm to provide design services for the new Chardon Branch in accordance with ORC 153.69(B) and authorized Director Kris Carroll to begin contract negotiations.
Board Development - Ms Carroll
Development Coordinator - Foundation report - Ms Schrock
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There are plans for a 2025 GCPL Board retreat.
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The Christmas tree fundraiser brought in almost $3,000.
Public Comment - This Observer thanked the members of the GCPL for their help with the LWVG report.
Executive Session - The Board went into executive session to consider purchase of property at 4:38 pm.
The Board returned to regular session at 4:58 pm and authorized Director Kris Carroll to begin an inquiry to purchase the West Geauga branch property as described in the lease agreement between the Library Board and the West Geauga Local School District. Library Representative Larry Corbus was also authorized to negotiate as needed. All terms would be subject to the approval of the board.
Adjournment:
Ms. Pitrone made a motion, seconded by Mr. Miller, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.
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Next Meeting: January 21, 4:00 pm, Administration Building. The February meeting will be February 18 at the Middlefield branch. See website for information on meeting dates and locations.
Minutes: The latest minutes are posted here. Prior to March 2023, videos of meetings were available to the public here. The GCPL is no longer posting videos of their meetings.
Observer: Cris Takacs
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: 2/1/2025
The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.