MINUTES

CLERMONT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OCTOBER 20, 2025

MIAMI TOWNSHIP BRANCH

Present: Jennifer Doss, Ernie Ramos, Mary Jo Waite, Judith Kocica, Edwin Humphrey, Katie Bock, Laurie Schlueter

Staff: Chris Wick, Andrea Brofft, Melanie Smithey, Debbie Williams, Dot Crane, Vic Smith, Kasey Richey, Lynn Baird, Don Carpenter

Absent: None

Guests: Heather Arling, Bradley Paine and Joe Violand, RedTree Investment Group

Ms. Doss called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Ms. Doss, here; Mr. Ramos, here; Ms. Waite, here; Ms. Kocica, here; Mr. Humphrey, here; Ms. Bock, here; Ms. Schlueter, here.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025, MINUTES:

Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to approve the September 15, 2025, Board meeting minutes. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

None.

MIAMI TOWNSHIP DEBT PAYOFF

Ms. Arling of Bradley Payne spoke about the debt for the Miami Township facility. The 2016 debt has a call date of December 2026 and can be repaid 60 days prior without a penalty. Bradley Payne will prepare legislation for the Board’s review. The repayment of the loan will be addressed at the next Budget Committee meeting. The Budget Committee will document and recommend proposed actions to bring to the Board for final review and approval next spring.

REDTREE INVESTMENT GROUP

Mr. Violand from Redtree Investment Group gave an overview as to how his firm has invested on behalf of CCPL since 2022. Redtree Investment Group invests, but US Bank holds the account for CCPL. Ms. Doss asked if changes are coming from the state of Ohio regarding investments. Mr. Violand replied that there is no talk of imminent changes that would impact the Library. He discussed current economic conditions, saying that ongoing inflation and weakening job growth, as well as the U.S. deficit, are creating challenges for investors. Redtree is shifting some CCPL investments to longer-term interest rate items as a result.

BOT BRIEF

Mr. Ramos reported on the Cybersecurity Plan statute. Compliance with the statute is not optional and must be effective as of July, 2026. Ms. Wick mentioned that the Information Services department is working on the plan and will present it to the By-Law and Policy Review Committee in February.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT:

Ms. Smithey presented the September financial report and discussed the over transfer of $94,550 in the debt fund. The Board acknowledged their awareness of the over-transfer and expressed appreciation for Ms. Smithey's diligence and transparency.

Ms. Williams reported that we are still awaiting the final 2024 audit results.

Motion by Mr. Ramos, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve the September financial report. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Bock, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve the September bills paid. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to approve the September bill (Anthem) paid. All present were in favor, none opposed. Ms. Doss abstained. Motion was adopted.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

BOT DEPARTMENT BRIEF

Collection Services -- Vic Smith presented information about the digital collection and its circulation. There was discussion of the state-wide donation of Sprout backpacks made by 4C for Children. CCPL asked for and received 99 Sprout backpacks. They also reported on the CCPL collection becoming a floating collection.

Ms. Wick reported that CCPL is discontinuing the pocket Wi-Fi devices.

She directed attention to the property tax issue mentioned in her report. She, Andrea Brofft, and Lisa Breithaupt met with Rep. Bird recently at the Union Township branch to discuss the materials issue that was in the budget bill as well as concerns about property tax issues. The Library has discussed how to be sensitive to parental concerns about materials. CCPL is separating the adult non-fiction from the juvenile non-fiction as a result. New Richmond and Amelia branches are the pilots for this. CCPL will also introduce library cards similar to the current 3 for Me cards, but there wouldn’t be a limit on how many items can be checked out. These new cards would be restricted to whatever part of the collection parents would like their children to have access to.

Kasey Richey showed the video she created for Staff Development Day.

Dot Crane showed the 30-second and 15-second commercials for CCPL created by Gray Media/Fox 19 that are running on streaming channels through the end of 2025.

Ms. Wick shared information about the Tech Smart from the Start series starting in November.

Ms. Wick communicated that the Library is planning for local government officials to participate in America 250 storytime events next summer.

COMMITTEE REPORT:

Ms. Waite updated the Board as to the recent Building Committee meeting. The committee approved the easement and mural design for the Williamsburg branch. The mural will be completed in 2-3 weeks once begun.

Mr. Carpenter reported that the Goshen Zoning Commission approved the new Library sign. Re-approval from ODOT is required for placement near the road.  This will be handled by the sign vendor.

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to approve Resolution 2025-24, Acceptance of Gifts to the Library, donations as listed. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Ms. Bock, to approve Resolution 2025-21: Disposal of Unneeded or Obsolete Library Inventory. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to go into executive session at 7:43 p.m. pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22 (G)(1) to consider the employment of a public employee. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

The board returned from executive session at 8:01 p.m.

Motion by Ms. Bock, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

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Board President Board Secretary

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