MINUTES

CLERMONT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

MIAMI TOWNSHIP BRANCH

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

Staff: Chris Wick, Melanie Smithey, Debbie Williams, Andrea Brofft, Lynn Baird, Kasey Richey, Don Carpenter, Jennifer Bucher.

Guests: Sarah Gleason of the Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Jeannette Maxey, Esq., Maxey Law Firm, LLC., representing Clermont America 250 Committee.

Ms. Doss called the meeting to order at 6:03 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.

August 18, 2025, MINUTES:

Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Bock, to approve the August 18, 2025, meeting minutes. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

None.

BOT BRIEF:

Mr. Ramos shared per the Ohio Attorney General that the Library can accept common stocks and bonds with specific conditions of gifts.

A board of library trustees may accept common and/or preferred stocks and/or bonds as a specific bequest upon the conditions connected with such bequest under the provisions of Section 3375.40 (J), Revised Code.

A testator or donor may attach a condition to a specific bequest, gift, or endowment of stocks or bonds permitting a board of library trustees as legatee or donee, at its discretion, to sell such stocks or bonds and invest the proceeds in other securities on a continuing investment basis.

Moneys coming into the hands of the clerk of a board of library trustees derived from the sale of gifts or bequests of stocks or bonds may not, unless, permitted by the terms of the gift or bequest, be invested in securities other than as provided for in Section 135.01, et seq., Revised Code.

GUEST:

Ms. Wick shared that the Library was approached by the America 250-Clermont committee to propose a mural be painted on the Library's Williamsburg branch. The Building committee met earlier to learn more about the proposal and was advised that the mural would be funded in part by Clermont County, the Clermont Visitors Bureau, Connect Clermont, and the Village of Williamsburg. Ms. Gleason and Ms. Maxey, representing the project, were present to share additional details about the proposal and to answer questions from the Board related to both the proposed design and the resulting easement agreement. Ms. Doss noted the Building Committee would be presenting their recommended action on the mural proposal during the Committee Report later in the meeting agenda.

Agenda item F, Heather Arling of Bradley Paine, was unable to attend and was deferred to the October meeting.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT:

Ms. Smithey presented the August financial report. Ms. Williams shared operational notes from the Fiscal Officer’s report, including that the RC-2 review was reviewed and returned by Ms. Nichols of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The Fiscal Office is working to incorporate her suggested changes.

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

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

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

Ms. Smithey said the state auditor has not released the 2024 audit.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

Ms. Wick shared an Ohio Library Council (OLC) funding update regarding the Public Library Fund (PLF) and property tax issues. Ms. Wick, Ms. Smithey, and Ms. Brofft attended the OLC Regional Directors and Fiscal Officers meeting for insights on financial and policy matters affecting Ohio’s public libraries. Ms. Wick shared information presented at the regional meeting, including proposed legislation of HB 420 to eliminate continuing levies in 2030 (the structure of the Library’s current operating levy), HB 335 eliminating inside millage, HB 355 increasing voter threshold, HB 421 allowing voters to reduce inside millage, and HJR 6 amending Ohio’s Constitution to limit property taxes.

Ms. Wick reported that a group in northern Ohio, Citizens for Property Tax Reform, has started a campaign to amend Ohio’s constitution to eliminate property taxes. They have been certified by the Ohio ballot board to collect signatures and they need over 400,000 signatures to get the amendment on the 2026 ballot. OLC referenced a poll of Ohioans in which 60% would vote to approve the amendment to eliminate property taxes. Libraries, counties, townships, DD boards, parks, municipalities, and public safety, etc. are organizing opposition.

Ms. Wick shared that she had discussed the issue with Rep. Bird and she stressed the importance of Library Board of Trustees and staff advocating for libraries.

Ms. Wick reported Ms. Baird and Ms. Richey are preparing for the Cybersecurity Program Plan to be completed by February 2026 and presented to the By-Law and Policy Review Committee before being presented to the Board.

Ms. Wick reported that the electronic signs for the Williamsburg and Goshen branches are considered separate projects and do not have to be put out to bid, as confirmed by the Prosecutor’s Office. Due to zoning restrictions, a question has been raised about the type of electronic sign Goshen can receive. Mr. Carpenter stated the vendor is applying for a variance to zoning, which will be decided at Goshen Township’s Zoning meeting in October. He added it will take 6-8 weeks per location to install each sign.

Ms. Doss has requested that more information about the Board be made available on the Library’s website, so each board member was asked to complete a short biography by October 20, 2025.

Motion by Mr. Ramos, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve $500 for the purchase of snacks to support the Library’s annual Staff Development Day and Health Fair events.

Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to approve the 2026 holidays. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to approve the Board of Trustees’ meeting dates for 2026. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

Ms. Brofft said a draft of the strategic plan has been reviewed by the Director and given to the staff committee that participated in the Community Survey for review and feedback.

Ms. Brofft updated the Board on the Library’s programming plans for the America 250 celebration.

Ms. Wick reported the enrollment rate of Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Clermont County (DPILCCO) is at 63%. The School Readiness Committee is planning graduation events to celebrate 5-year-olds who have completed the program. The first event is planned for March 2026.

COMMITTEE REPORT:

Ms. Doss presented the By-law and Policy Review Committee report. The committee met on August 18, 2025, regarding four items: Virtual Meeting Policy, HR Policy Manual – Tuition Reimbursement section, CCPL Trustee By-Laws, and the Collection Development Policy, effective immediately.

Motion by Ms. Schlueter, seconded by Ms. Bock, to approve the Virtual Meeting Policy effective immediately. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes. The motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve the HR Policy Manual, CCPL Trustee By-Laws, and the Collection Development Policy. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

Ms. Waite presented the Building Committee report. She shared that the Building Committee met and suggested the Library proceed with the addition of an America 250 mural on the Williamsburg branch building. The topic was opened for discussion.

Mr. Carpenter will investigate the exterior lettering on the Williamsburg branch, since the current ones are reportedly warping and need to be replaced.

Ms. Waite asked for a motion to approve the easement agreement for the America 250 mural on the Main St. side of the Williamsburg branch building, pending edits to the easement and design rendering as discussed in the meeting.

Motion by Ms. Bock, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to move forward with the America 250 mural on the Williamsburg branch with the Board giving the Building Committee authority to have final approval of the easement agreement and design rendering.  Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, present; Mr. Humphrey, yes; Ms. Bock, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes. The motion was adopted.

Ms. Waite also reported the Building Committee discussed looking at property for a new Batavia branch, but there is not much in the village and a 2-acre lot up the hill is not ideal. Committee suggests using the current lot, but need to consider costs of project, including acquiring adjacent parcels, demolition of building, and zoning. The Building Committee will work with the Facilities Department to outline potential costs of this project so the Board can make an informed decision.

For the October meeting, Facilities is asked to share the list of branches in need of refresh, what needs to be done, and the related cost estimates.

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Bock, to approve Resolution 2025-22, Acceptance of Gifts to the Library, donations as listed. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

Motion by Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve Resolution 2025-23: 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. Bock, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

____________________________________  ____________________________________

Board President Board Secretary

____________________________________

Date