MEETING MINUTES
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MARCH 02, 2006
A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library was held on Thursday, March 2, 2006, in the Central Library pursuant to due notice to trustees.
The following members were present:
Rebecca L. Pordum, Chair
Richard L. Berger, Treasurer
Sheldon M. Berlow
Jack Connors
Phyllis A. Horton
Annette A. Juncewicz
John B. Long
Hormoz Mansouri
Elaine M. Panty
Judith K. Summer
Wayne D. Wisbaum
Robert J. Plache, Trustee Emeritus
George M. Zimmermann, Trustee EmeritusExcused:
W. Lawrence Buck, out of town
Frank Gist
Susan Maggiore, out of town
Sharon A. Thomas
Chair Rebecca L. Pordum called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. in the Joseph B. Rounds Conference Room.
Agenda Item B Approval / Changes to the Agenda. The agenda was approved as presented.
Agenda Item C Report of the Chair. The Chair introduced new B&ECPL Trustee Sheldon Berlow to Board members. He has impressive credentials as a board member for many local community organizations and is the founder of Berlow Real Estate. Mr. Berlow replied he is honored to be on the Board and looks forward to working with the organization.
The Chair stated the meeting was called due to some developments with the Library Foundation that occurred subsequent to the last regular meeting. She felt it was imperative to convene this meeting to discuss issues rather than engage in several individual conversations. In this forum, trustees can share information and make decisions.
Ms. Pordum read the B&ECPL Mission Statement, which is the underlying principle she applies to confirm why trustees are here and what they should be doing. The Mission is to connect our diverse community with library resources that enrich, enlighten and entertain. As a 12-year member of this Board, she stated her goal for serving on this Board is to provide library services to the community. Every time she questions what direction the Library should be taking, she reverts back to this guiding tenet. It is necessary to resolve the relationship with the Foundation, so the Board can focus energy on providing services to the public and re-building this System for the future.
The Chair inquired whether Board members felt the need to enter Executive Session prior to starting the discussion. Dr. Mansouri felt it would be appropriate to enter into Executive Session. The Chair entertained a motion to enter Executive Session. This was moved by Ms. Summer, seconded by Dr. Mansouri and approved by a vote of nine to one, with Mr. Connors opposing. Ms. Pordum informed the audience she expected to be in Executive Session for 10-15 minutes, after which she planned to share information with the public. At 4:09 p.m. , the Board adjourned into Executive Session to discuss personnel and financial matters. The Chair asked Mr. Mahaney and Mr. Stone to remain in the room in order to answer any questions that might arise.
Trustee Wayne Wisbaum arrived at approximately 4:10 p.m. and entered the boardroom.
At 4:55 p.m. , on motion by Ms. Horton and a second by Ms. Panty, the Board unanimously agreed to reconvene in public session. Chair Pordum entertained a motion for the Board's Project Review Committee to meet with members of the Foundation's Select Committee to generate a plan for the Library Foundation for 2006. Mr. Berger moved. Ms. Horton seconded. There being no discussion, approval was unanimous.
Ms. Pordum acknowledged Trustee Mansouri's inquiry regarding the postal permit. She informed Dr. Mansouri she had assembled some information in that regard, which she would refer to Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Richard Berger. She asked that Committee to review this matter and report back at the next Board meeting.
The Chair addressed Trustee Wisbaum. She presented him with a draft budget of the Development Office and a proposal for a Plan of Action for the years 2006 and 2007. As Chairman of the Development Committee, she asked him to report back on activity at the March meeting.
Ms. Pordum reminded trustees that administrator Shirley Whelan made a presentation to the Board at the December meeting, requesting authorization to submit a grant application to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Chair Pordum reported the Library had just received notification that it had been awarded a grant of $301,500 to update and replace computers. She thanked staff members who were involved in this project.
Mr. Mahaney reported the working date for the grand opening of the new Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library is April 1 st , pending confirmation by Mayor Brown's Office
There being no further business, on motion by Ms. Horton and a second by Dr. Mansouri, the meeting was adjourned at 4:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank Gist
Secretary