The next regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the East Hills Library.
Draft Minutes from the April 23, 2026 Board meeting:
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
April 23, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Carnegie Library
M I N U T E S
The Board of Trustees of the St. Joseph Public Library met on April 23, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Carnegie Library. Trustees in attendance were Rosetta Ballew-Jennings, Kathie Brunner, Bobbie Cronk, Kate Davison, Harriet Gordon, Kyla Ward, and LaTonya Williams. Jonht Slayden was absent. Library staff in attendance were Jenny Ellis, Katie Green, and Mary Beth Revels.
Kyla Ward called the meeting to order, and the roll call was taken.
Upon review of the March 26, 2026 meeting minutes, Kate Davison moved and LaTonya Williams seconded that the March 26, 2026 minutes be approved as written. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes”. Motion carried.
Under the Report of the Treasurer, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings moved and Kyla Ward seconded to approve checks #36069 through #36115, March electronic withdrawals, direct deposits, and journal entries. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” and the motion carried.
Bobbie Cronk presented the March Financial Reports. Bobbie and Mary Beth Revels met with accountant Tim Gawatz who reported no significant changes or concerns. Rosetta Ballew-Jennings moved and LaTonya Williams seconded to accept pages 9-33 of the financial report as presented. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” and the motion carried.
Under Reports of Committees, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings reported that the Nominating Committee has been working with the city on applications for Trustees, both renewing and new to the Board. Kyla Ward reported that Heidi DeSchepper resigned from the Library Board due to time constraints.
Bobbie Cronk reported that the Budget Committee met earlier in the evening and an initial version of the 2026-2027 budget was examined and discussed.
Under Old Business, Mary Beth Revels presented the Library Projects Overview. The new sign at Carnegie Library, paid for with River Bluff Gateway Grant funds, is complete and installed. Artists’ bids for painting both Carnegie and Washington Park Library’s book drops are due in May. Chad Sawyer completed the lock changeover at the Downtown library in March.
There was no other Old Business.
In New Business, Jenny Ellis reported on her attendance at the Public Library Association Conference and shared information about her interaction with authors at the event.
Under Other, Mary Beth Revels announced that a majority of library staff who participate in the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS) were in favor of contributing 2% of their wages to the plan in order to move from the L-1 benefit level to the L-3 benefit level. LAGERS provided a “Supplemental Actuarial Valuation of Alternate LAGERS Benefits” that is attached to these minutes and will be available for public inspection for at least 45-days before the Board of Trustees takes any action.
There was no other New Business.
Under the Report of the Director, Mary Beth Revels talked about programming, the success of this spring’s seed library, the library participating in Earth Day at the Remington Center, and this weekend’s annual Trivia Night fundraiser.
There was no public comment.
The next meeting will be May 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., at East Hills Library.
There being no further business, Bobbie Cronk moved and LaTonya Williams seconded to adjourn the meeting. All Board members in attendance voted “yes.” Motion carried.
Harriet Gordon
Secretary