The next regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the East Hills Library.
Minutes from the August 28, 2025 Board meeting:
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
August 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Downtown Library
M I N U T E S
The Board of Trustees of the St. Joseph Public Library met on August 28, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Downtown Library. Board members in attendance were Rosetta Ballew-Jennings, Kathie Brunner, Kate Davison, Jonht Slayden (via Zoom), Kyla Ward, and LaTonya Williams (also via Zoom). Bobbie Cronk, Heidi DeSchepper, and Harriet Gordon were absent. Present library staff were Director Mary Beth Revels, Carnegie Manager Jenny Ellis, Administrative Assistant Katie Green, East Hills Manager Crystal Stuck, and Downtown Manager Jen Wildhagen.
Kyla Ward called the meeting to order, and the roll call was taken.
The public hearing for the tax rate was held. Mary Beth Revels explained the information provided by the State Auditor’s office. The legal tax rate ceiling for the library is $0.42 per $100 of assessed valuation. The library’s tax money comes from a $0.27 permanent levy and a $0.15 temporary levy that expires in 2039. The maximum amount that can be approved this year is $0.4175. Hearing no questions or comments from the public, the public hearing was closed.
Upon review of the July 24, 2025 meeting minutes, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings moved and Kate Davison seconded that the minutes be approved with one correction of a misspelled name. All Board members in attendance voted “yes.” Motion carried.
Under the Report of the Treasurer, Jonht Slayden moved and Rosetta Ballew-Jennings seconded to approve checks #35640 through #35722, July electronic withdrawals, direct deposits, and journal entries. All Board members in attendance voted “yes” and the motion carried.
Mary Beth Revels presented the July Financial Reports. She and Bobbie Cronk met with accountant Tim Gawatz earlier in the month. Rosetta Ballew-Jennings moved and Kate Davison seconded to accept pages 13-27 of the financial report as presented. All Board members in attendance voted “yes” and the motion carried.
Under Reports of Committees, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings spoke on behalf of the Personnel Committee. The annual review of the Director is completed. One outcome is that the electronic version of the meeting packet is now shared with all staff along with a link to an anonymous survey so staff can share input with the Board about the packet.
There were no other Committee Reports.
Under Old Business, Mary Beth Revels updated the Board on ongoing library projects reporting that at East Hills Library the second AC Unit is up and functioning properly. Fascia and guttering at the Washington Park Library are being repaired by staff members Anthony Prawitz and Dalton Burns. It was suggested that the library projects documents be organized so that it is clear if projects are in the planning stage, in process, or complete.
There was no other Old Business.
In New Business, Kathie Brunner moved and Rosetta Ballew-Jennings seconded to set the tax rate at $0.4175 per $100 of assessed valuation. All Board members in attendance voted “yes”. Motion carried.
Under the Camera System for the East Hills Library, Crystal Stuck explained the need for a new camera system and the reasoning behind only contacting Tech Team for a quote, as they currently provide IT services to the library. Discussion ensued and it was suggested that the Board consider approving a procurement policy for large purchases. Kate Davison moved and Rosetta Ballew-Jennings seconded to approve the new camera system for the East Hills Library, provided by Tech Team. All Board members in attendance voted “yes” and the motion carried.
Under approval of policies, it was suggested that an attorney review all policies before they are presented to the Board for approval. Further discussion was tabled, and Mary Beth Revels was directed to send the policies to attorney Mark Woodbury for his input.
Jen Wildhagen, Branch Manager of the Downtown Library, discussed the upcoming Missouri Library Association Conference, and the session she and staff member Dr. Paula Hayward will be leading on the ongoing genrefication project at the Downtown Library. She invited all Board members to attend the conference that will be held in the St. Louis area in October.
There was no other New Business.
In the Director’s Report, Mary Beth highlighted Local History Week programs, cooking programs using equipment purchased with funds from a Food Insecurity Grant from the American Heart Association, and new Colibri book covering machines at every branch that were purchased with grant funds from the Region D Recycling & Solid Waste Management District.
There was no other board discussion or public comment.
The next meeting will be September 24, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., at Carnegie Library.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned by consensus.
Katie Green
Secretary Pro Tempore