The Ossining Public LibraryPresident Minzesheimer called the meeting to order at 7:14 P.M. in the community room of the library.
The October 16 meeting minutes needed one small revision:, it was noted. In the New Business section, the search committee for a new director will include two members of the public and one member of the OPL’s Foundation. Following this correction, a motion was made (Ludlum, Lannert) to approve the minutes. Unanimous.
Regarding a cleaning contract: Hraban presented the board with the bids; Lannert pointed to discrepancies in bids that included window cleaning. It was stated by Capek that the bid specifications for the cleaning bid was unspecific as to some aspects (such as frequency) of window cleaning. In order to avoid the need to redo the entire bid process, Minzesheimer proposed that each of the bidders be asked to agree that the bids would be interpreted as not including window cleaning, and if all agree to this, we would proceed with the existing bids.
Minzesheimer asked that a letter be sent to bidders that would include all of the window information; re-bidding then would be unnecessary. Bid will stand minus window costs.
Regarding the school district audit, Jen Gobel will assist Barbara Hall with year-end accounting.
The Greenburgh Public Library will not need to rent space from OPL.
Five new phone lines are being readied in the new building to facilitate efforts there.
The Dede Emerson Foundation has awarded the OPL a $1000 grant for programming use. Minzesheimer said a public thank you is in order.
Jane Clark decided against holding the annual volunteer luncheon this year because of uncertainty about whether the library would be closed.
The minutes of the board meeting will posted on the library’s website sooner, it is hoped.
Capek and Lannert accepted the award given to the OPL for its "green building" at the League of Conservation Voters dinner in September.
The Project Committee met on November 14. Mold testing is completed; all checked out after a second inspection—the library was given a clean bill of health. Malcolm Patrick’s side-wall extension quote is $3000.
The heat was turned on. Carpet was arriving on Nov. 27; shelving will go up 3-4 days after. Movers will be told to start Dec. 18. A tentative "soft opening" is scheduled tentatively for Jan. 6, to be decided by acting-director, and ribbon-cutting will take place tentatively on Jan. 13. Parade of books to take place on first opening day.
A window seat was omitted from the construction and will be added; price quote being readied.
A motion was made (Lannert, Ludlum) to approve the following invoices: Hahn Engineering #6227 ($2415.00), Eberlin and Eberlin #3795 ($4900.00), Keane & Keane #428184 ($48.75), Regional Scaffolding & Hoisting CO. #3 ($2300.00), Special Testing Laboratory #19948 ($925.00) and #20419 $509.00, Beatty, Harvey #3158 ($25,646.91), Beatty, Harvey #3160 ($3132.50), JMOA Engineering #96730 ($2300.00) and #96760 ($300.00). Unanimous. Payment on Horizon #H4Z-45LP ($1248.75) was deferred for review.
The foundation has received its 501c3 status and proposals for activities to be proposed to the foundation for funding will be sent to Capek and Hraban.
The two lists of qualified candidates provided by the county have been canvassed, as per required procedure, and are being reviewed. A letter has been sent to everyone on both lists to apply for the director’s position. Capek will help place ads.
Staudter to prepare resolutions for next meeting.
Joselow reported that a representative from the library is asked to attend an inter-municipal meeting regarding youth on Dec. 15. She also suggested the board think about hosting a "parents’ center" in the new library.
JMOA Engineering has merged with Savin Engineers, PC of the Savin Group.
C. Cohen pointed out that the planned Jan. 13 ribbon cutting would occur on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. Cohen also offered that computer instruction should be offered in Spanish. Minzesheimer suggested that the library host Spanish classes for English-speaking parents of students in the school district’s dual language classes.
At 10 p.m. a motion was made (Staudter, Ludlum) to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation. Unanimous.
At 10:20 a motion was made (Staudter, Ludlum) to exit the Executive Session and adjourn. Unanimous.
The next meeting of the board will take place December 18 at 7 P. M. in the community room of the library.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Staudter