Library Board Meeting Update

Submitted by Nikki Watkins

 

At its regular board meeting held last night at Sharon Forks, the Library Board approved or discussed the following items:

• The members welcomed Lisa Stortzum, our newest board member (Lisa replaced Tim Plotner)
• Lisa was recommended for appointment by Commissioner Todd Levent and represents District 3

•  The Board received updates on all activities and circulation statistics through June

•  The Board approved the following FY2022 budget adjustments:

o   Carry over of 2021 MRR grant for the purchase and installation of the generator at the Cumming Library.  This is a 50/50 grant, with the State contributing $100,000 and FCPL contributing $100,000.

o   Carry over of 2021 MRR grant for the repurposing of the Cumming Library.  This is a 90/10 grant, with the State contributing $360,000 and FCPL contributing $40,000.  This will pay for the new ASK US desk, LED lights, end panels, canopy tops, furniture, signage, and children’s feature.

o   Carry over of 2021 MRR grant for $100,000 for emergency roof repair for HQ and Cumming.  The County is funding the roof replacement.

o   MRR grant for FY2022 for HVAC replacements at Post Road and Hampton Park.  With the State contributing $122,000 and FCPL contributing $122,000.

o   Encumbrances of $59,900.54 in Operations and $3,768.72 in Materials.  Per Governmental accounting standards all items are to be paid in the fiscal year in which they are received.  We did not receive these prior to June 30, 2021 so they will be paid in FY2022 using fund balance.

o   Personnel increase of $2,030 for required employer TRS contribution and a Materials increase of $26,123 by GPLS due to the increase in population.

o   Materials increase to revenue and expenses for $500.  For the third year, the Rotary Club of Lanier Forsyth has provided a $500 donation to purchase children’s books in honor of speakers at the weekly meetings.  Each donated book has a bookplate that recognizes the Rotary Club and specific speaker.

• Mary Helen McGruder gave the board an update regarding an upcoming meeting with the County Manager to continue the discussions of the CY2022 funding by the County.  FCPL has requested $502,000 to implement the Evergreen Salary Study.  This request has not been approved and is still in discussions.  We expect the commissioners to finalize the CY2022 budget within the next couple of months.  We anticipate the budget to be adopted in October.

• The board will be recommending the award of the architectural services RFP for the new Denmark Library to McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture.  The board saw presentations from MPS and Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture.  We have worked with both firms previously.  MPS is currently providing services for the Cumming upfit phases I and II and they also did the expansion and renovation at Sharon Forks.  Craig Gaulden Davis designed the Post Road Library.  This will need to be approved by the commissioners before we can award the RFP.  It is tentatively scheduled for the County’s July 27 work session.

• The board moved the September 20, 2021 board meeting to September 27^th, 2021 (fall break is during the week of Sept. 20).