Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING December 11, 2023 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library met on December 11, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Library for its regular Board meeting. Board Members Present: President Kathleen Cook, Vice-President Soon Juhng, Secretary/Treasurer Martin Gilbert, Teresa Austin, Julie Lev, Nicole Motz and Elizabeth Warms. Absent: 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. Minutes Board members approved the Minutes of the regular Board meeting of November 13, 2023. Moved by: Elizabeth Warms. Seconded by: Soon Juhng. Treasurer’s Report Martin Gilbert reviewed with the Board the Library’s Financial Statements of November 2023. 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: Kathleen Cook. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously approved. Correspondence The family of longtime former Tenafly resident Beverly Allen notified the library of her passing and of their gratitude for the love she had for the library and staff and the joy her frequent visits gave her. Beverly’s obituary asks that donations be made to the Tenafly Public Library in her memory. Director’s Report On November 14, Joseph Cierich from Skyline Inspection Services, who had inspected our roof and EIFS siding in 2019, returned to inspect our new roof and the roof over the Picture Book Room and Front Entrance. He determined that the new roof was constructed well with good materials. However, he was concerned about pools of standing water on the Picture Book Room roof. At the time of his inspection, it had not rained in days, so there was no reason to have that much water on the roof. He noted uneven pitches in the flat roof and a lack of drainage that was causing the water to pool. On December 1, Dean Logan of CRS Roofing examined the flat roof over Picture Book Room and Front Entrance to provide an estimate for repairs or replacement. He determined that the roof itself is good, but the water problems are occurring as a result of poor workmanship. The pictures he took show the same drain that was clogged in April is clogged again with leaves. There are not enough drains to handle the water from two other roofs that drain onto the flat roof. CRS is proposing $8,730 in repairs, in addition to establishing a regular preventative maintenance program at a cost of $475.00 per visit. On November 27, water leaked from the ceiling in the left alcove off of the art gallery. This is where the new roof was installed. The maintenance staff had Grayson Roofing come back to fix the roof sealant. The Board discussed hiring CRS (Complete Roof Systems) to repair the flat roof over the Picture Book Room. After discussion a motion was made to hire CRS to do the necessary roof repairs at a cost of $8,730. Moved by: Kathleen Cook. Seconded by Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously approved. The Board discussed hiring CRS to perform preventive maintenance on the flat roof over the Picture Book Room. After discussion a motion was made to hire CRS to perform preventative maintenance on the flat roof over the Picture Book Room in the spring and fall at a cost of $475.00 per visit. Moved by: Kathleen Cook. Seconded by: Martin Gilbert. Unanimously approved. President’s Report Mrs. Cook thanked Elizabeth Warms for scheduling the wonderful concerts the Friends have sponsored this year. N. Peter Robley will be retiring on December 20th after 23 years of service to the library. Board members agreed that Peter will be missed by patrons and staff alike who got to share in the abundance of his fruit trees and vegetable and flower gardens. Old Business The Board discussed filling the 2024 Board positions of President, Vice President and Treasurer. During the discussion several Board members expressed their interest in being an officer on the Tenafly Library Board of Trustees in 2024. At the January 8, 2024 Board Meeting, Board members will nominate members for these positions and hold an election. New Business The Board discussed the renewal of the Helen Miller Gould Mitchell Fund at Valley Bank which matures on December 16, 2023. After discussion the Board decided to renew the account for the best interest rate being offered under 24 months. Moved by: Kathleen Cook. Seconded by: Martin Gilbert. Unanimously approved. Report from the Mayor’s Alternate Nicole Motz will discuss with Mayor Zinna the library’s proposed plans for the flat roof over the Picture Book Room. Report from the Superintendent’s Alternate None Citizens’ Portion of the Meeting None Any Other Business None Adjournment to Closed Session The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m. p.m. to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues. Moved by: Soon Juhng. Seconded by: Martin Gilbert. Unanimously accepted. Open Session The Board returned to open session at 8:32 p.m. Board members approved the 2024 salaries for non-union personnel: 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 a $10,000 salary increase for the Year 2024 for Library Director Julie Marallo. All benefits contained in the Tenafly Public Library Personnel Manual shall remain in effect unless altered through negotiations between the Director and the Board of Trustees. MOVED BY: Teresa Austin SECONDED BY: Kathleen Cook Voting as Follows Teresa Austin – Aye Julie Lev - Aye Kathleen Cook – Aye Nicole Motz – Aye Martin Gilbert - Aye Elizabeth Warms – Nay Soon Juhng - Aye 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 a 5% base salary increase for the Year 2024 for Library Assistant Director Marcia Literati. All benefits contained in the Tenafly Public Library Personnel Manual shall remain in effect unless altered through negotiations between the Assistant Director and the Board of Trustees. MOVED BY: Soon Juhng SECONDED BY: Kathleen Cook Voting as Follows: Teresa Austin – Aye Julie Lev - Aye Kathleen Cook – Aye Nicole Motz – Aye Martin Gilbert - Aye Elizabeth Warms – Aye Soon Juhng - Aye 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 a 5% base salary increase for the Year 2023 for Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Connolly. Final salary shall be adjusted for longevity where applicable. All benefits contained in the Tenafly Public Library Personnel Manual shall remain in effect unless altered through negotiations between the Administrative Assistant and the Board of Trustees. MOVED BY: Soon Juhng SECONDED BY: Kathleen Cook Voting as Follows: Teresa Austin – Aye Julie Lev - Aye Kathleen Cook – Aye Nicole Motz – Aye Martin Gilbert - Aye Elizabeth Warms – Aye Soon Juhng - Aye  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 a 3% hourly wage increase for the Year 2024 for Sunday personnel. MOVED BY: Teresa Austin SECONDED BY: Soon Juhng Voting as Follows: Teresa Austin – Aye Julie Lev - Aye Kathleen Cook – Aye Nicole Motz – Aye Martin Gilbert - Aye Elizabeth Warms – Aye Soon Juhng - Aye Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Moved by: Teresa Austin. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. Respectfully submitted, Martin Gilbert Secretary/Treasurer The next regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Approved: January 8, 2024