Roswell Public Library Board of Trustees

Roswell Public Library Board April 27, 2017 at 4:00pm Bondurant Room at Roswell Public Library 301 N. Pennsylvania Avenue Board President: Magil Duran Board Members: Judy Armstrong, Patti Bristol, Michelle Hembree, Linda Madrid, Lewie Montgomery, and Alyssa Rogers Staff Coordinator: Matthew Gormley Call to Order The regular meeting of the Roswell Public Library Board was called to order at 4:00pm by President Magil Duran. Roll Call Members present: Magil Duran, Judy Armstrong, Lewie Montgomery, Linda Madrid, Patti Bristol (arrived at 4:05), Alyssa Rogers and Michelle Hembree. Staff present: Matthew Gormley, Interim Library Director, and Kay Carrasco, Recording Secretary. Guest: Troy Hays, representing the Roswell Library Foundation. Approval of Agenda Mr. Duran called for approval of the agenda. Mr. Montgomery moved to approve; Ms. Hembree seconded, and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Approval of the Minutes Mr. Duran called for approval of the minutes of the March 23rd meeting as presented. Mr. Montgomery moved, Ms. Hembree seconded, and the motion passed. Non-Action Items In addition to his written report, Interim Director Matt Gormley reported that employee Elia Mondugaro has completed 35 years of service for the Library. An upcoming event of note is a Blood Drive on Wednesday, May 10th. Regular Items (Action Items) There were no action items. Other Business (Non-Action) Mr. Duran introduced Troy Hays, long-time member of the board of the Roswell Library Foundation. Mr. Hays gave a brief history of the Foundation, which was formed in the 1970s as a source of support and long term investments for the benefit of the Library. Over the years, they have supported the Children’s department, particularly the Summer Reading Program, and Tech and other operations with equipment purchases; the Foundation also purchased a building on Richardson Ave. to serve the Children’s department during expansion and remodeling. The Foundation is now in a position to purchase the rest of the eastern half of the block we now occupy, from the southern edge of the former Cobean’s building to the corner, and from Richardson Ave. to the alley. (The new owners of the Cobean building have said that their intention for the property will be something “compatible with the Library’s mission,” though no concrete plans have yet been announced.) The process has begun, and could be complete within about six months, for the Foundation to purchase the properties, lease them back to the current owners, and deed them to the City of Roswell as a gift, with the proviso that after eight years lease will end and the land will be cleared and developed by the City “for the benefit of the Roswell Public Library.” There are as yet no specific plans as to what that development will be. There was extensive discussion and requests for clarification, as well as the strong suggestion that the transfer of property to the City make the stipulation abundantly clear as to “benefit of the Roswell Public Library,” including that this is to be extra-budget (that is, not in substitute for the City’s normal obligation to fund Library operations). The point was made that in eight years’ time, it was not likely that anyone now involved in the transaction would still be around. Mr. Hays encouraged the board members to call or email him if they had any further questions or concerns. The next step is for the City’s engineers to inspect the properties and meet again with the Infrastructure Committee on May 15th, which Mr. Hays will attend. Adjournment Mr. Duran moved that the meeting be adjourned. Dr. Armstrong seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 5:01pm. Next Meeting: May 25, 2017 ______________________________ Magil Duran, President