Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BOARD MEETING February 27, 2020 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library met for a special Board meeting on February 27, 2020 at the Library. Board Members Present: President Patrick Rouse, Vice President Kathleen Cook, Secretary/Treasurer Soon Juhng, Teresa Austin, Martin Gilbert, Shama Haider and Elizabeth Warms. Absent: Mabel Allen. David DiGregorio Staff present: Library Director Julie Marallo and Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Connolly The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Julie Marallo reported that notices of the meeting had been posted and sent to the media. The Board discussed funding the grant writer for the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act Grant. Ms. Marallo stressed that there is a misconception that the Library Board is asking to expand the footprint of the building. According to the several blueprints submitted by the architects Arcaro & Iovino, the project is a reconfiguration of the existing space. This reconfiguration will enable the library to meet the current technological and space needs of the many age groups who utilize the Tenafly Library. The priorities of the redesign are to expand the toddler and children’s area; relocate the teen area away from the quiet study areas, including a group working area equipped with laptop computers; a quiet study area for adults, and a large general room equipped with up-to-date audio/visual technology to use for day and evening programs for teens and adults. Also included in the proposed project are the electrical, HVAC, ceilings, wall, floors, lighting, furniture and data processing needed to complete the project. The Board discussed the proposal as presented by Maser Consulting and requested that the wording of the proposal be changed. “The Library Director must be included on the distribution list for all correspondence and be involved and consulted on all aspects of the grant and construction.” $175,000 will be paid by the Borough. The Library has to provide the rest of the Grant match. The Grant date is April 6, 2020. After discussion the following resolution was passed: BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT: The Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library of the Borough of Tenafly in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey approves the $8,300 lump sum fee requested by Maser Consulting for the use of their grant writer Kelsey Howard and her associates to provide Grant Writing services associated with the New Jersey Library construction Bond Act Grant, due April 6, 2020. Moved by: Martin Gilbert Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms Voting as follows: Teresa Austin – Aye Soon Juhng - Aye Kathleen Cook – Aye Patrick Rouse - Aye Martin Gilbert – Aye Elizabeth Warms – Aye Shama Haider - Aye Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Patrick Rouse. Unanimously accepted. Respectfully submitted, Soon Juhng Secretary/Treasurer Approved: March 9, 2020