Proceedings May 7, 2024

PROCEEDINGS
Vermilion Parish Library
Board of Control
May 7, 2024

Board President, Anita Levy, called the Vermilion Parish Library Board of Control meeting to order on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the Abbeville Library at 6:00PM.  The following members were present:  Anita Levy, Bridget Winters, Yolanda Broussard, Meg Hebert, Melanie Hensgens, Shane Meaux, and JB Moreno.  John LeBlanc was absent.  Guests were Charlotte Bourg, Library Director, Amy Stelly, Business Manager, Dawn Hebert, Administrative Manager, Paul Moresi, Attorney, and Kristina Sage, Auditor.  The prayer was led by Bridget Winters.  The pledge was led by a member of the public attending Elbert Dawson.  Amy Stelly called the roll.

The public comment section of the agenda was moved until after the audit report by Kristina Sage.

The 2023 Audit Report was presented by Kristina Sage of Kolder, Slaven & Company.  The audit for the year had no findings, this is the highest level that can be achieved.  On the motion of Shane Meaux, seconded by Meg Hebert, the board accepted the audit report.

YEAS: Anita Levy, Bridget Winters, JB Moreno, Meg Hebert, Melanie Hensgens, Shane Meaux, Yolanda Broussard
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: John LeBlanc

The board asked for public comment on any agenda item.  It was asked for those on the agenda please wait until their item came up on the agenda.  There were no comments from other audience members.

The board had a discussion on the restriction of patrons using the meeting rooms.  Bridget Winters had made note of policies that had been broken and provided suggestions on changes to the policy.  Several board members made suggestions to revise the policy to increase the ease understanding of the policy and use of the facility for the public and the staff.  The board deferred this matter until the August 6, 2024, regular board meeting.  At that time Director Charlotte Bourg will submit a revised Meeting Room Policy for approval.  A new procedure for using the meeting room will also be established and presented to the board.

The changes to the meeting room policy item on the agenda were addressed in the previous agenda item.  The changes were deferred until the next meeting.

Linda Cockrell, President of the Vermilion Parish NAACP #6276 addressed the board at this time.  She addressed some of the misunderstandings between the director and the organization.

Elaine Provost of All Streets All People (ASAP) addressed the board regarding use of the meeting room.  She made suggestions based on how the Shreve Memorial Library System conducted their meeting room use.

Angela Eaglin of Village 337 addressed the board regarding the work of her organization to protect the civil rights of minorities in the area.

On the motion of Shane Meaux and seconded by Yolanda Broussard the board approved the meeting minutes from the last meetings.
YEAS: Anita Levy, Bridget Winters, JB Moreno, Meg Hebert, Melanie Hensgens, Shane Meaux, Yolanda Broussard
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: John LeBlanc

On the motion of Shane Meaux and seconded by Bridget Winters the board voted to approve the financial report including a budget to actual comparison as presented by Amy Stelly.
YEAS: Anita Levy, Bridget Winters, JB Moreno, Meg Hebert, Melanie Hensgens, Shane Meaux, Yolanda Broussard
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: John LeBlanc

On the motion of Shane Meaux and seconded by Bridget Winters the board approved the Director’s Report.
YEAS: Anita Levy, Bridget Winters, JB Moreno, Meg Hebert, Melanie Hensgens, Shane Meaux, Yolanda Broussard
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: John LeBlanc

The board discussed the system repairs and maintenance needed.  It was discussed that at the August 6, 2024, meeting Charlotte Bourg would present a prioritized list of repairs needed with safety concerns at the top.  Charlotte Bourg and Amy Stelly will go over the budget to see where line items can be moved to amend the budget to make the most urgent repairs.

Information was presented by Charlotte Bourg on AED devices.  Cost and training information was provided.  The board deferred any decision on the AED devices until the next meeting pending the budget and prioritized repairs.

On the motion of Shane Meaux and seconded by Melanie Hensgens the board approved changes to the 3D Printer Policy.
YEAS: Anita Levy, Bridget Winters, JB Moreno, Meg Hebert, Melanie Hensgens, Shane Meaux, Yolanda Broussard
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: John LeBlanc

On the motion of Yolanda Broussard and seconded by Shane Meaux the board approved the closing of the library for Staff Training Day on December 13, 2024.
YEAS: Anita Levy, Bridget Winters, JB Moreno, Meg Hebert, Melanie Hensgens, Shane Meaux, Yolanda Broussard
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: John LeBlanc

The board briefly revisited the Director’s Report to approve on the motion of Shane Meaux and seconded by Melanie Hensgens to allow Charlotte Bourg to attend the Association of Rural and Small Libraries in September.
YEAS: Anita Levy, Bridget Winters, JB Moreno, Meg Hebert, Melanie Hensgens, Shane Meaux, Yolanda Broussard
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: John LeBlanc

On the motion of Shane Meaux and seconded by Meg Hebert the meeting was adjourned.