Minutes
New Orleans Public Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting Main Library Board Room Tuesday, December 15, 2015 4:30 PM Minutes
AGENDA I.
Call to Order—Board Chair
II.
Roll Call—Board Clerk 1. Bernard Charbonnet— Present 2. William A. Settoon – Present 3. Vonda Flentroy-Rice—Not Present 4. Arnel Cosey— Not Present 5. Raquel Dufauchard Baptiste—Present 6. Laurance Eustis III – Present 7. Phala Kimbrough Mire – Present 8. Lee Reid— Present 9. Duane Stelly—Not Present 10. Charles Brown, John Marc Sharpe, Jessica Styons, Michel Thompson, and Lawrence Williams—Staff Present
III.
Action Item: Approval of Board Meeting Minutes for October 20th. The Board Chairman requested motion to approve the minutes for the October 20, 2015 Regular Board Meeting minutes. Motion by R. Dufauchard. Seconded by L. Reid. Motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
IV.
Reports 1. NOPL Library Foundation – the NOPL Foundation President Bob Brown updated the Library Board on the organization’s recent multi-year audit of its finances and its potential responses to its public funding scandal. Mr. Brown indicated that at the NOPL Foundation will meet on January 29 th to update its bylaws to reflect more typical governance policies and admit additional members to its ranks to produce a better board product. Additionally, Mr. Brown indicated that the NOPL Foundation should have a more public statement about its finances and strategic direction in early 2016. 2. Summary of Question & Answers with NOPL Foundation President Bob Brown 1. Bill Settoon—the Library Board vice-chairman asked if the NOPL Board could receive a copy of the Sexton-Hebert (Ethics) Report. The Foundation President Bob Brown stated that he was unable to commit to providing the Library Board with a copy of the report to the Board but he would commit to recommending that the NOPL
Foundation Board provide a copy of the comprehensive summary of the Sexton- Hebert report to the Library Board. Additionally, Mr. Settoon requested that the NOPL Foundation review the section of the city charter that mandates responsibility for managing donations to the public library system to the NOPL Board. Mr. Settoon believes that the NOPL Foundation’s original structure (i.e., NOPL Foundation’s board was comprised of members of the Library Board, Friends of NOPL and the public) was based of the mandate of the city charter. He asked the Foundation’s president to review this mandate with its legal counsel to comprise its next board membership. 2. Laurance Eustis—Library Board member Laurance Eustis asked if the NOPL Foundation Board had any material discussions about the return of the funds appropriated to the New Orleans Jazz Foundation (NOJO). Mr. Brown indicated that he advised the NOPL Foundation Board to avoid becoming fixated on the money issue because it was too early to know how much money was at issue. Also, since the Foundation Board did not have a completed audit for three years, it would be difficult to have a clear understanding of the relationship between the Foundation and the NOJO. However, Mr. Brown indicated that a review of the audit documents and the NOPLF board meeting minutes can assist with determining the true value of the funds transferred between NOPL Foundation and the NOJO. Once the Foundation has determined the exact number, Mr. Brown indicated that he would submit a demand letter to Ron Forman (NOJO Board Chairman) that outlines the Foundation’s demand to return the funds. 3. Laurance Eustis—Mr. Eustis asked the board chairman if the NOPL Foundation board will request fair market compensation for the lost use of the funds. Mr. Brown stated that the question has not included in the Board’s discussion regarding recapture of opportunity cost however it is something that the Foundation President will address with the organization’s attorneys while drafting the demand letter. 4. Bill Settoon—the Board vice-chairman asked about the relationship between the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and the New Orleans Jazz Market. Mr. Brown explained that the New Orleans Jazz Market is a Central City facility that is owned and operated by the NOJO. The Jazz Market opened in March 2015. 5. Karon Reese—the Friends of the NOPL asked the Foundation President to describe the Library materials on display at the Jazz Market and what monetary value would he assess to those materials. Mr. Brown indicated the Jazz Market showcases a collection of laptop computers, books, CDs, records and tapes. Although, he is unable to describe the collection’s extent or monetary value but he knows the materials are there and are available for public use. 6. Karon Reese—Dr. Reese asked if the Jazz Market has any public acknowledgement of the NOPL Foundation that recognizes its contributions. Mr. Brown answered that the New Orleans Jazz Market has no public acknowledgment of the NOPL Foundation’s contributions and the Foundation has not requested any form of acknowledgement for the NOJO or the Jazz Market.
7. Laurance Eustis—Mr. Eustis asked the Foundation President if he was aware of any attempt by the NOJO to raise the funds to return to the Foundation. Mr. Brown answered that he was aware anecdotally that there was an effort to raise the repayment funds but he is not aware of the extent or success of those efforts.
V.
VI.
3. Friends of NOPL—the Friends of NOPL President Karon Reese provided a report of the Friends of the NOPL’s activities for the month. 4. Management Reports 1. Fiscal—Business Manager Michel Thompson provided the Board an overview of the NOPL’s current fiscal health and budget status. 2. NOPL Location Circulation Statistics—NOPL Library Director Charles Brown reviewed the Library’s 2014 vs. 2015 circulation statistics by location. Old Business 1. Nora Navra Status Update—overview of the Nora Navra rebuilding project. 1. Action Item: Approval of Nora Navra Design Plan—in consultation with the Library Administration, the Library Board reviewed several designs for the Nora Navra Library location. The Chairman requested the Library Board for a motion to adopt the Manning Architectural firm’s current design plan which does not allow additional onsite parking. Motion by L. Eustis. Seconded by W. Settoon. Motion carried by voice vote. 2. Proposed January Review and Adoption of Library Strategic Directions an Organizational Focus—the Library Director requested that the Library Board consider issuing an invitation to the Providence & Associates principals to present a detailed overview of the Library’s strategic direction document. The Library Board would adopt the plan that the consultants developed as the Library’s strategic direction at its January 2016 Board meeting. The Library Board granted its permission for the Administration to extend the invitation. New Business 1. Appointment of Members to the Library Board’s Enterprise Zone Committee— the New Orleans Public Library Board requested authorization for him to appoint members to serve on the Library Board’s ad hoc Board Enterprise Zone Committee. Motion by Laurance Eustis. Seconded by W. Settoon. Motion passes by unanimous voice vote. The Board chairman appointed Raquel Dufauchard (Chairman), Laurance Eustis and Lee Reid. The Committee is charged to accomplish the following goals: 1. Establishment of Policy/Criteria for Use 2. Decision Regarding Two Separate Proposals for Use of the EZ at East New Orleans 3. Report Back on Both Issues at the January Board Meeting 2. Action Item: Proposed 2016 Holiday Schedule—Mr. Brown requested that the Library Board to approve the presented Holiday Calendar for 2016. The Board Chairman requested a motion to approve the Administration’s
VII.
holiday closing schedule. Motion by R. Dufauchard. Motion by W. Settoon. Motion passes by unanimous voice vote. 3. Action Item: Proposed 2016 Library Board Meeting Calendar—the Library Board Chairman requested a motion to accept the Library Administration’s recommendations for a Library Board meeting calendar as presented. Motion by W. Settoon. Seconded by L. Eustis. Motion passes by unanimous voice vote. Public Comments—no public comments
VIII.
Attachments—the Board Chairman requested the board to review the attachments to the agenda packet.
IX.
Adjournment— the Board Chairman Officer requested unanimous consent to adjourn the meeting. The board offered no objection and the December 15, 2015 meeting adjourned at approximately 5:30P.
AGENDA I.
Call to Order—Board Chair
II.
Roll Call—Board Clerk 1. Bernard Charbonnet— Present 2. William A. Settoon – Present 3. Vonda Flentroy-Rice—Not Present 4. Arnel Cosey— Not Present 5. Raquel Dufauchard Baptiste—Present 6. Laurance Eustis III – Present 7. Phala Kimbrough Mire – Present 8. Lee Reid— Present 9. Duane Stelly—Not Present 10. Charles Brown, John Marc Sharpe, Jessica Styons, Michel Thompson, and Lawrence Williams—Staff Present
III.
Action Item: Approval of Board Meeting Minutes for October 20th. The Board Chairman requested motion to approve the minutes for the October 20, 2015 Regular Board Meeting minutes. Motion by R. Dufauchard. Seconded by L. Reid. Motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
IV.
Reports 1. NOPL Library Foundation – the NOPL Foundation President Bob Brown updated the Library Board on the organization’s recent multi-year audit of its finances and its potential responses to its public funding scandal. Mr. Brown indicated that at the NOPL Foundation will meet on January 29 th to update its bylaws to reflect more typical governance policies and admit additional members to its ranks to produce a better board product. Additionally, Mr. Brown indicated that the NOPL Foundation should have a more public statement about its finances and strategic direction in early 2016. 2. Summary of Question & Answers with NOPL Foundation President Bob Brown 1. Bill Settoon—the Library Board vice-chairman asked if the NOPL Board could receive a copy of the Sexton-Hebert (Ethics) Report. The Foundation President Bob Brown stated that he was unable to commit to providing the Library Board with a copy of the report to the Board but he would commit to recommending that the NOPL
Foundation Board provide a copy of the comprehensive summary of the Sexton- Hebert report to the Library Board. Additionally, Mr. Settoon requested that the NOPL Foundation review the section of the city charter that mandates responsibility for managing donations to the public library system to the NOPL Board. Mr. Settoon believes that the NOPL Foundation’s original structure (i.e., NOPL Foundation’s board was comprised of members of the Library Board, Friends of NOPL and the public) was based of the mandate of the city charter. He asked the Foundation’s president to review this mandate with its legal counsel to comprise its next board membership. 2. Laurance Eustis—Library Board member Laurance Eustis asked if the NOPL Foundation Board had any material discussions about the return of the funds appropriated to the New Orleans Jazz Foundation (NOJO). Mr. Brown indicated that he advised the NOPL Foundation Board to avoid becoming fixated on the money issue because it was too early to know how much money was at issue. Also, since the Foundation Board did not have a completed audit for three years, it would be difficult to have a clear understanding of the relationship between the Foundation and the NOJO. However, Mr. Brown indicated that a review of the audit documents and the NOPLF board meeting minutes can assist with determining the true value of the funds transferred between NOPL Foundation and the NOJO. Once the Foundation has determined the exact number, Mr. Brown indicated that he would submit a demand letter to Ron Forman (NOJO Board Chairman) that outlines the Foundation’s demand to return the funds. 3. Laurance Eustis—Mr. Eustis asked the board chairman if the NOPL Foundation board will request fair market compensation for the lost use of the funds. Mr. Brown stated that the question has not included in the Board’s discussion regarding recapture of opportunity cost however it is something that the Foundation President will address with the organization’s attorneys while drafting the demand letter. 4. Bill Settoon—the Board vice-chairman asked about the relationship between the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and the New Orleans Jazz Market. Mr. Brown explained that the New Orleans Jazz Market is a Central City facility that is owned and operated by the NOJO. The Jazz Market opened in March 2015. 5. Karon Reese—the Friends of the NOPL asked the Foundation President to describe the Library materials on display at the Jazz Market and what monetary value would he assess to those materials. Mr. Brown indicated the Jazz Market showcases a collection of laptop computers, books, CDs, records and tapes. Although, he is unable to describe the collection’s extent or monetary value but he knows the materials are there and are available for public use. 6. Karon Reese—Dr. Reese asked if the Jazz Market has any public acknowledgement of the NOPL Foundation that recognizes its contributions. Mr. Brown answered that the New Orleans Jazz Market has no public acknowledgment of the NOPL Foundation’s contributions and the Foundation has not requested any form of acknowledgement for the NOJO or the Jazz Market.
7. Laurance Eustis—Mr. Eustis asked the Foundation President if he was aware of any attempt by the NOJO to raise the funds to return to the Foundation. Mr. Brown answered that he was aware anecdotally that there was an effort to raise the repayment funds but he is not aware of the extent or success of those efforts.
V.
VI.
3. Friends of NOPL—the Friends of NOPL President Karon Reese provided a report of the Friends of the NOPL’s activities for the month. 4. Management Reports 1. Fiscal—Business Manager Michel Thompson provided the Board an overview of the NOPL’s current fiscal health and budget status. 2. NOPL Location Circulation Statistics—NOPL Library Director Charles Brown reviewed the Library’s 2014 vs. 2015 circulation statistics by location. Old Business 1. Nora Navra Status Update—overview of the Nora Navra rebuilding project. 1. Action Item: Approval of Nora Navra Design Plan—in consultation with the Library Administration, the Library Board reviewed several designs for the Nora Navra Library location. The Chairman requested the Library Board for a motion to adopt the Manning Architectural firm’s current design plan which does not allow additional onsite parking. Motion by L. Eustis. Seconded by W. Settoon. Motion carried by voice vote. 2. Proposed January Review and Adoption of Library Strategic Directions an Organizational Focus—the Library Director requested that the Library Board consider issuing an invitation to the Providence & Associates principals to present a detailed overview of the Library’s strategic direction document. The Library Board would adopt the plan that the consultants developed as the Library’s strategic direction at its January 2016 Board meeting. The Library Board granted its permission for the Administration to extend the invitation. New Business 1. Appointment of Members to the Library Board’s Enterprise Zone Committee— the New Orleans Public Library Board requested authorization for him to appoint members to serve on the Library Board’s ad hoc Board Enterprise Zone Committee. Motion by Laurance Eustis. Seconded by W. Settoon. Motion passes by unanimous voice vote. The Board chairman appointed Raquel Dufauchard (Chairman), Laurance Eustis and Lee Reid. The Committee is charged to accomplish the following goals: 1. Establishment of Policy/Criteria for Use 2. Decision Regarding Two Separate Proposals for Use of the EZ at East New Orleans 3. Report Back on Both Issues at the January Board Meeting 2. Action Item: Proposed 2016 Holiday Schedule—Mr. Brown requested that the Library Board to approve the presented Holiday Calendar for 2016. The Board Chairman requested a motion to approve the Administration’s
VII.
holiday closing schedule. Motion by R. Dufauchard. Motion by W. Settoon. Motion passes by unanimous voice vote. 3. Action Item: Proposed 2016 Library Board Meeting Calendar—the Library Board Chairman requested a motion to accept the Library Administration’s recommendations for a Library Board meeting calendar as presented. Motion by W. Settoon. Seconded by L. Eustis. Motion passes by unanimous voice vote. Public Comments—no public comments
VIII.
Attachments—the Board Chairman requested the board to review the attachments to the agenda packet.
IX.
Adjournment— the Board Chairman Officer requested unanimous consent to adjourn the meeting. The board offered no objection and the December 15, 2015 meeting adjourned at approximately 5:30P.
