Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING February 14, 2022 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library held a teleconference Board meeting on February 14, 2022 for its regular Board meeting. Board Members Signed-In: President Kathleen Cook, Vice President Soon Juhng, Secretary/Treasurer Martin Gilbert, Teresa Austin, Nicole Motz, and Elizabeth Warms. Absent: David DiGregorio, Meena Krishnamsetty and Patrick Rouse. Staff Signed-In: Library Director Julie Marallo and Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Connolly. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. Julie Marallo reported that notices of the meeting had been posted and sent to the media. Minutes Board members approved the Minutes of the regular Board meeting of January 10, 2022. Moved by: Elizabeth Warms. Seconded by: Soon Juhng. Unanimously approved. Treasurer’s Report Martin Gilbert reviewed with the Board the Library’s financial statements of January 2022. He noted that he had examined and approved the statements and reported that they were current and accurate. A motion was made to approve the financial reports. Moved by: Elizabeth Warms. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. Correspondence None Director’s Report Library Façade Project The façade project is due to begin in April. Ms. Marallo emailed (pictures attached) the Mayor, Board members and Joseph Rossi of the Maintenance Department informing them that ceiling tiles fell from the original high ceiling of the Library right outside of the Gallery. The tile crashed down right next to a chair in the area a deaf employee was working. Ms. Marallo emphasized that this is an ongoing problem which is happening with more frequency. There are tiles that are stained from squirrel urine, eaten away and also bulging from the ceiling due to the many squirrels that have free run of the ceilings in the Library. They have eaten the wires in the HVAC system which had to be repaired and are a known cause of fires in homes and businesses. They also pose a health hazard to employees and patrons. The question was raised as to liability and responsibility due to fire, injury or health problems from urine and feces. When questioned, Ms. Marallo stated that the Borough Council had been notified of the problem as was the Health Inspector for Tenafly who came once and noted that the place was not safe for children or adults. Resolution for Terminal Leave Funds Due to Covid-19 in 2020, all but three library employees were furloughed for approximately three months. The $300,251.47 in unused salary funds was distributed to the library. The Board discussed depositing part of these funds into a Terminal Leave Account to help fund the library’s terminal leave obligations which are no longer sheltered in a Borough Employees Terminal Leave Account. The remaining funds will be deposited into the Capital Funds account at Valley Bank. After discussion the following Resolution was approved:  RESOLUTION Funding – Terminal Leave 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 of designating $96,000 of Library 2020 Reserve Funds to fund terminal leave obligations. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook Voting as follows Teresa Austin – Aye Soon Juhng – Aye Kathleen Cook – Aye Nicole Motz – Aye Martin Gilbert – Aye Elizabeth Warms - Aye President’s Report None Old Business None Report from the Mayor’s Alternate Ms. Motz spoke with Mayor Mark Zinna about the dire need to repair the roof. The Mayor agreed, and the Borough is preparing to go out to bid shortly. A new project manager will be assigned to the roof project. An engineer will be writing up the specs which will include shingles and a warranty. Board members were urged by Ms. Motz to contribute any expertise on the right shingles to use in view of a northeast exposure and shingles that offer an excellent warranty. To date we have not been able to get the square footage of the roof. Mayor Zinna will also work on getting these measurements. She will discuss with Mayor Mark Zinna the alarming issues that were discussed at this meeting and set up a meeting with the Board members and the Mayor as soon as possible. Report from the Superintendent’s Alternate None Citizen’s Portion of the Meeting None Any Other Business None Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously accepted. Respectfully submitted, Martin Gilbert Secretary/Treasurer The next regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Approved: March 14, 2022