Executive Committee meeting summary - October 14, 2020

The public is welcome at all library board meetings

Attendees

Present: Sheila Letscher, Chris Damsgard, Tim Dolan, Jonathan Gaw and LaBelle Nambangi

Hennepin County Staff: Janet Mills and Jeannette Lewis

Public:

Welcome and Call to Order

Chair Sheila Letscher called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. and welcomed attendees.

Approval of Agenda and Meeting summary

The Agenda and June 3, 2020, meeting summary tabled until next Executive committee meeting on October 14, 2020.

Quorum not met. Committee members cannot vote on official business.

Bylaws/Code of Conduct review

Members of the committee discussed a timeline to begin reviewing Bylaws. It is important to the Board to have input from library staff on possible Bylaw amendments. Committee members agreed the review of Bylaws should be postponed until year 2021. Library staff are currently facing difficult times due to the pandemic. Allowing staff to focus on the needs of the community during this time is best.

Discussion: Security staff vs. social workers in libraries

Janet Mills discussed the current status of security staff and social workers in the libraries. Security officers are present in less than half of the libraries. Security staff are trained with a customer service approach to align and adapt to the needs of patrons. We strive in the library to provide a welcoming experience.

Currently there are (2) Library staff social workers, one at the Minneapolis Central Library and one at Franklin/East Lake/Hosmer. Since COVID-19, both individuals have been working with the County, providing services to the community in response to the pandemic.

Budget process update

Janet Mills briefly discussed where we are at in the county budget process. A requested 2021 Budget has been submitted to the Hennepin County of Office Budget & Finance. A zero percent increase in property tax support has been requested in the Budget.

County Administrator David Hough will propose a county budget to the Hennepin County Board at the end of September. In December, the County Board will vote on the Budget for 2021. The next Budget and Long-Term planning committee meeting is Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

Agenda for next board meeting

Agenda item tabled.

New business

No new business.

Adjourn

Chair Sheila Letscher adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.