OZARK DALE COUNTY LIBRARY, INC.

Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees

Board Meeting held on November 18, 2020

Members Present: Marie Black

Dr. Imogene Mixson
Christina Faulkner

Absent: Mike Cairns

Also Present: Karen Speck, Director

Joni Wood, Administrative Assistant

Audience: Lou Harry

Liz Delaney
Andrew Godeke
Leah Harlow

Marie Black called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.

Chairman Remarks: Marie reminded everyone about the upcoming memorial service for
Sandra Holmes on Tuesday, November 24th at 10am in the Library’s West Wing and front lawn.
Imogene asked for clarification of the social distancing protocols being followed for the event.
Karen replied there will be refreshments in the hallway, the larger room in the West Wing will
have tables, with no chairs, for photos, and a podium outside with chairs six feet apart. Father
Tom from St. Michael’s Episcopal Church will lead the memorial service and individuals are
welcome to speak, as well.

She commented about the resignation of Marian Jenkins from the Board and a lively discussion
followed of how much she will be missed. The Board all agreed her technology expertise was a
great asset to the Library. A list of suggested individuals to fill her spot as Vice Chairman will be
procured and submitted to the Ozark City Council for their review. The Council agreed at last
night’s meeting, November 17th, to table the appointment until their December 21st meeting to
allow time for suggestions from the Board and council members.

Karen mentioned she contacted Larry Clark and Dr. Brenda Harper and Christina contacted
Winnie Frazier. Although they all said they were unable to commit at this time, Mrs. Frazier
offered to reach out to a few individuals on our behalf.

Minutes from October 14, 2020 Meeting: Imogene motioned to have the October 14th
minutes approved and Christina seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Circulation and Library Statistics: Circulation statistics are still low; however children’s
programming is doing really well. Christina commented our website visits are phenomenal.
The Friends of the Library’s Santa’s Workshop event was a great success and they raised $400
from it. This is amazing considering most items were valued at $5 or less!

Financial Reports: Karen said it is necessary for Imogene, Debbie, and herself to meet and
review the breakdown of the budget that Cynthia created for the individual codes for this fiscal
year. A meeting is to be scheduled.

Note, there are three documents titled “Custom Summary Report”. The document with three
columns and percentages is supposed to be titled “Profit & Loss versus Actual Budget”.

Christina questioned why we are already at 20% of the budget for codes 609c: Computer /
Software / Hardware and 30% of the budget for 610a: Copier/Lease. 609c includes the first of
three payments for Rosetta Stone and 610a includes the first of four payments for the copier
lease.

Karen pointed out that income code 504c: Donations - Friends of the Library will be more than
we budgeted. The Friends have since agreed to pay $100 monthly to support the Pokémon
League and Magic: The Gathering Club.

Our State Aid income is also at 26% because we have received the first of three allocations and
our next allocation is due in January.

Old Business

Governor Ivey’s Mandate Extension: Governor Ivey extended the order again until December
11, 2020.

New Business

Nanci Brown Ludlam: Imogene commented she appreciated the acknowledgement of Nanci
Brown Ludlam’s donation in memory of her parents to the New Building Fund.

Leah Harlow: Marie introduced Leah Harlow, an attending City Council member, to the Board
members. Leah briefly commented on the progress in appointing a new board member to fill the
vacant Vice Chairman position. She believes the appointed member should be an individual who
is vested in the Library. She suggested the Board submit the resumes of their suggested
individuals in an anonymous format so a decision can be made based on their qualifications.

Lou Harry, Lael Walding, and Mark Blankenship: Lou Harry was given the floor to speak
regarding the meeting her and Lael Walding had with Mark Blankenship shortly after he was
elected Mayor. Lael had previously presented to the Board her suggestions to renovate the
current library building and discussed those same suggestions with Mark at this meeting. Mark
responded he would consider it if they presented petitions and a list of individuals who would
financially back it.
Lou, however, said after last Monday’s tour of the building, where the Board said it is a done
deal, that a petition is not going to work. She said she has resigned from the Library and is
“putting her poms poms down”, effectively backing down on the issue of renovating the current
building.

Floor Plan: Andrew and Jayden, a volunteer, drafted up a floor plan as a potential layout for the
new building – it is not an official blueprint. The members will take it home to review. Mark
requested such a plan and the Board’s final decision regarding the building in preparation to
present to the City Council the option of donating it to us.

Imogene questioned our relationship with Mark in this process. Is he doing this in the capacity of
Mayor? Christina responded he is doing it out of his dedication to the community.

City Council – Moving Forward: Leah confirmed that after talking with Mark, a resolution to
donate the building to us is pending the Board’s final decision, as well as a list of fundraising
ideas. Christina further added the resolving of the renovation petition was necessary.

In response to fundraising ideas, it was brought up regarding USDA grants and Wiregrass
Foundation grants. We are only eligible for USDA grants if we first apply for a loan, which is
not feasible for us. Karen reported that the Wiregrass Foundation has a few minor grants
available for renovations, but we would have to wait till next year to apply for them.

Letter from Charles Auman: Karen commented a letter was received from Mr. Charles Auman
requesting the records of estimates we procured for renovating the current library.

Christina motioned to go into an executive meeting to further discuss the letter received from
Charles Auman and Imogene seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed. The Board
went into executive session at 10:00am and returned at 10:45am.

A short discussion ensued of plans in response to the letter. Marie previously responded to the
letter in person last Monday. As such, it was decided to postpone a written response until January
2021, pending further responses from Mr. Auman. However, Christina will draft a letter in
preparation for review by our lawyer, Mr. Brogden. Meanwhile, he is welcome to visit the
Library at his convenience during regular operating hours to peruse our previous minutes for the
information he is seeking.

Public Comments: There were no public comments.

Imogene motioned to adjourn and Christina seconded. The meeting adjourned at 11:02 a.m. and
the next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted by ____________________________

Approved by Secretary _______________________________