09-15-2005 PLIBMPIONEERLAND LIBRARY SYSTEM BOARD
September 15, 2005, Meeting Minutes
The September 15, 2005, meeting of the Pioneerland Library System, board was called to order by Chair
Garrison Hale at 7:35 p.m. in the Willmar Public Library meeting room. Roll call was taken; a quorum was
announced. Hale asked that two items be added to the agenda: M.A. Recording Secretary; and VII.B.
PLS /PCLS Meeting. Brent Olson moved to approve the agenda as modified; second by Ron Antony;
carried. Joan Reckdahl moved to approve the June 16, 2005, minutes; second by Barb Nelson;
carried.
Jeff Lopez presented for the Finance Committee:
1) August 2005 financial report stated expected levels; recommended approval.
2) August 2005 bills /check registers reflected routing expenditures; recommended approval. Jack
Sandburg moved to approve the August 2005 Financial report and the August 2005 bills and
check register; second by Brent Olson; carried.
3) Lopez asked Director John Houlahan to provide information on Canby and Benson library vacancies
resulting from retirements. Houlahan reported there are several options available to PLS (sharing a
head librarian with another PLS member library or having an Asst III staff person serve as interim
acting head librarian until June 2006). No action will be taken until the union reviews the proposed
course of action.
4) Lopez moved that PLS' State Report on Results of Accomplishments, due in early October,
should be signed by Chair Hale upon the finalization of the budget numbers, John Baker
second; motion carried.
5) Investment strategies for managing and increasing interest income was tabled until the October
meeting so that all options and requirements for investing federal and/or grant monies can be
investigated.
8) Houlahan reported 2006 health insurance rate increases were significantly less than expected and
recommended PLS learn more about VEBA and insurance options. He will be investigating further
information sessions/ workshops with Appletree to see if VEBA will be appropriate and/or cost
effective.
7) 2006 City and. County MOE showed a significant increase in net tax capacity. PLS cities and counties
particularly affected include Atwater, Renville County, Yellow Medicine and Meeker.
8) Houlahan provided information on special monies available to PLS: a matched- funding Gates grant;
extension of grant funds upon Mardag Foundation's approval of the Marketing Plan (provided for
review). He also recommended the librarians' request that they be reimbursed for mileage and time
when they attend LMC meetings become a topic for discussion at the upcoming union contract
negotiation meetings.
Contrary to the IRS increase in mileage to 48.5¢, PLS should adopt a wait- and -see posture and retain
its 40.5¢ mileage reimbursement amount figures until 1/1106, generating much discussion. Richard
Falk moved that PLS raise its mileage reimbursement rate to 48C effective 10115105; second by
Antony. Fallowing more discussion and a request by Reckdahl, Richard Falk amended his motion
too raise the PLS mileage reimbursement rate to 48¢ for PLS employees and retain the 40.5¢
reimbursement rate for board members, effective 10115(05; second by Antony; cared with two
dissenting votes.
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