Minutes for February 20, 2023

Jeff Whittingham called the monthly meeting of the Faulkner County Library board to order on February 20th, 2023, at 5:35pm. Among those present were board members Stephanie Vanderslice, Suzann Waggoner, and Jeff Whittingham; numerous members of library administration including Director John McGraw, Assistant Director Deanna Dillon, Network Administrator Chris Bowen, and Children’s Services Manager Mary Spears Polk; County Judge Allen Dodson, along with members of the community.

Jeff W moved to suspend the normal order of business to allow for public comment on old business and any agenda item. Suzann seconded the motion, which passed.

The floor was then open to the community to comment on the agenda items.

Old Business

Nine community members spoke about their concerns about the use after hours.

Suggestions from the community were to partner with CAPCA (Community Action Program for Central Arkansas) and Toad Suck Coalition to help with the unhoused population and to have more community volunteer clean up days on the campus.

Judge Alan Dodson spoke about the progress made over the last 30 days of concerns brought to the board's attention at the last meeting. John stated that signs have been ordered and cameras and walks around the property are being done daily.

Two community members spoke about how grateful they were to have a library with diverse books so they could find themselves in the books in the collection.

Minutes of the January 23rd meeting were reviewed. Suzann moved to approve the minutes as presented. Stephanie seconded the motion, which passed.

Summary Statements of Operations were reviewed. Statistical Reports and Programming were reviewed.

Bookkeeper's Reports were reviewed. John stated that there was no income in the state aid budget because of a transferring of funds issues but that they will appear in the February report. Hoopla has also started charging a use tax on our account so that has taken away some of the budget allotted for Hoopla in the state aid.

Purchase Orders were reviewed. Suzann moved to approve the Purchase orders as presented. Stephanie seconded the motion, which passed.

Fines and Donations spending was reviewed. Suzann moved to approve the expenditures. Stephanie seconded the motion, which passed.

Regional transactions were reviewed. John pointed out that the next regional meeting is scheduled for April 26

New Business

Laptops: Chris Bowen proposed the purchase of 5 iMacs and 5 MacBook Airs for use at the branches totaling 13,703.40. Older computers would be replaced and used in Conway. Suzann moved to approve the purchase. Stephanie seconded the motion, which passed.

Speaking Policy: John presented a policy that Garland County Library has for its board meetings. Jeff W requested that John rework their policy and present at the next meeting an official one for Faulkner County board meetings.

Lighting Replacements: John presented three quotes from Middlebrooks Electric to replace lighting fixture and install LED panels at Greenbrier, Mayflower & Vilonia for a total cost of 14,148.48. Suzann moved to approve the purchase. Stephanie seconded the motion, which passed.

Legislative Audit: John reported no significant findings on any of our accounts. Supplemental findings for the ComiConway account had been reported previously: copies of the checks are not with the bank statements. An additional supplemental finding found the Fines And Donations account was briefly under-collateralized when the ARP funds were deposited, a situation unlikely to occur again.

Legislative affairs: John informed the board that SB81 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 6-2 this morning and will be going in front of the full Senate in the coming days. John explained the amendments that were made to the bill before it was passed. The law will create a reconsideration policy which will send appeals to quorum court, but lacks the constitutional framework given to the initial committee, which could open counties and municipalities to lawsuits.

Suzann moved to adjourn at 7:48 PM. Stephanie seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned.

Supplemental materials provided: Executive Order on Camping, SB81, Regional meeting January minutes, correspondence.