LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS/Cleveland Heights University Heights Library Board of Trustees meeting highlights
AUGUST 5, 2024, regular meeting
- Presentations
- Board action
- Human resources
- Strategic plan annual report
- Awards
Present were Vice President Annette Iwamoto, Secretary Patti Carlyle, Dana Fluellen, Melissa Soto-Schwartz, Tyler McTigue, and Halle Turnberrez. President Vikas Turakhia was not present. The meeting lasted 50 minutes.
Presentations
The board thanked Noble Realtors for their gift of a four-foot square stained glass window that is placed on the north side of the Noble Library Branch. The design on the window is an open book with a tree. It is beautiful from inside and outside the library.
Jack Valancy sent a report on the activities of the Fund for the Future of Heights Libraries including the Fence Art for the construction fence and the “by invitation” fundraising event.
Board action
The board:
- Authorized the director, fiscal officer, or owner’s representative to sign any change orders up to $20,000 for the PEACE park and playground.
- Approved up to $11,178.06 to replace flooring in the Noble Library meeting rooms. The guaranteed maximum price for the project and the contract to Independence Construction was therefore increased to $9,858,031.45.
- Approved the agreement to conform to all reporting guidelines dictated by the City of Cleveland Heights in order to receive the allocated $300,000 from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA). This money will be used in the construction of Coventry PEACE park.
- Granted a two percent lump sum bonus for eleven page staff who have worked for the system for at least four years and are at the top of their pay grade, capped at $16 per hour. The total sum is not to exceed $3800.
Human resources
There are two new hires and one job offer in the last month. Six positions are open, of which three are in the interview process.
It was suggested that the board and administrative leadership consider attending the upcoming DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) education offered by the American Library Association. Cost for three or more persons is $49/person.
Strategic plan annual report
Kim De-Nero-Ackroyd, deputy director, reviewed the progress with the strategic plan:
- Focus #1: Foster diversity, equity and inclusion: Forty-one staff members completed a goal in this area. More than thirty programs were presented in this area.
- Focus #2: Ensure an environment of safety, security, and well-being for community members: Thirty-four staff members completed a goal in this area. More than twenty-five programs were presented in this area.
- Focus #3: Promote unbiased sources of information and combat censorship and disinformation: Twelve staff members completed a goal in this area. Two programs were presented in this area.
- Focus #4: Champion community workforce and tech skill development: Fifteen staff members reached a goal in this area. More than twenty programs were presented in this area.
Awards
Cleveland Heights/University Heights Libraries won four Best of the Heights Awards including best place to take the kids, best place to work, best place for youth to hang out, and best programs for youth.
LWV observers: Judith Beeler
Information about the board, board meeting minutes and audio recordings of board meetings can be found at https://heightslibrary.org/locations/heights-libraries-board/