I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll, please. Okay.
kind of Mike >> Mark. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Um, I know Pat sent out the minutes from September.
Um, were there any questions? Uh, needed to be added. We had two votes that we did. And the information I think did I have to send something to this one? >> Oh, yeah. I did. I sent for this one.
So, the survey was sent to the burrow. Um, in fact, they hand delivered it um back in September right after the meeting. So, can we accept the minutes from September? >> Okay. Dine. >> Second.
>> Seconded. Maria. >> Okay. Update, sir. >> Okay. Okay. So, two items uh for the agenda tonight and then Louis is going to go over the uh success of our programs recently and what we're uh we're going to have in the next few months. Um we have to do the the
calendar. So, I just want to go through real quick and if you have any questions um from the previous year, uh just I'll go through the the month what we've done before. We obviously have had January 1 off. We've had Martin Luther King off.
We do normally have um the library open that weekend. Is everyone okay with that for January, Saturday and Sunday? >> Okay. Then in February, we have a President's Day off and we're normally open that weekend as well. Everyone okay
with that? Same as last year. Um in terms of of uh March, um we don't have let's see Easter is so It's not until April. So March we don't have any holidays in March.
Um we normally have um April we have Good Friday, Saturday and Easter off. Everyone okay with that? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh Memorial Day we have the Memorial Day weekend off. Saturday, Sunday Monday. >> Okay. >> Is that okay with everyone?
>> Okay. Okay. Uh June, we don't have any days that we've had off in June. We have um town doesn't have Junth off, but we have the celebration happening Junth. Um July 4th is on a Saturday. So
normally we >> close early on Friday. >> Yeah, it's You know what? I should have found out from the town if it's if they're I would you think they have all Friday or Monday? What would that >> for? Either the 3rd or the sixth. >> How about if I How about if I just check
it out and whatever it is, whatever day they have off with them. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I think it's Friday. >> Is it Friday? >> Um August uh we don't have anything because Labor Day is not till the 7th. So we
have off that 5th, 6th, and 7th that weekend. Is everyone okay with that? We've done that in the past. Right. >> It's when we get around Christmas, >> Thanksgiving. Let's see. Columbus Day. We normally are in for Saturday and
Sunday, but we have Columbus Day off because the town is off. >> Okay. With that, >> same as last year. >> November we normally have off for Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday.
>> That whole weekend off. We did the same last year and we're planning on that for this year if everyone's okay with that. >> I think I thought Did we close early on Wednesday? >> We we do. I kind of let the staff um that's they normally want to. So if if
you don't mind I I you know I says the people that are on you need to leave at 2:00, you know, and usually the town closes early too. So you're okay with that. Um but if the if we have two people that would like to >> stay
>> stay kind of play it around that. Um Christmas is this year is on a um Friday so we definitely have we normally do uh Christmas Eve Christmas day. I don't know what you want to do.
Normally we have off the 26 too. We're doing that this year which we talked about last time. Do we want do we do the whole weekend? Um do you not want to do that? Kind of strange to come in Sunday. We're 24 25 26. >> This year we're doing 24 25 26.
>> We did do 23 24 25 year. >> Yeah. >> So what's the problem? >> So the question is do we want to come in >> Christmas on a Friday? >> Yeah. >> Open on Monday. >> Yeah. Is that fine? >> Good. Everyone okay with that? >> Okay. And then the um January 1st is on
a Monday. We normally um >> you're looking at 27 now. >> I'm looking at 27 >> is but January 1st is on a Friday in 2027. >> 2027 it's Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. My mistake. I was looking at the next
month. I'm sorry. So, normally we just have >> day of the week is Christmas, bro. >> Sorry. Normally we have uh you know um close early on the 31st then we're closed on the 1st. What do you want to do on the weekend after that? Stay open
Saturday Sunday. >> Close. >> I would close. >> Close. Okay. Close. So that weekend. Okay. Good. All right. I have that. Have that in agreement. Okay. The the other thing is we we've developed a um
uh an events committee and we're changing some of of the events, keeping some of the events and changing them since we've been doing some of the same events. Um and we will be able to give that report to you in January. But coming up with the March and April, the
plan is to have the St. Patrick's Day as we normally do, the soda bread uh celebration with the dancers um as well. And then our other plan is to have a 250th celebration. We do not want to do it during the
summer because of parking. So, we want to do it in April before parking the parking problem starts. We have a date saved for the 16th. We wanted to do something, you know, kind of a one-time unusual. And I brought up to the
committee, I don't know if you've ever seen the Ocean Avenue Stompers. Pretty talented, uh, band that has played at see here now every year, but the first year, uh, backed up Bruce two years ago at the Pony. Um, they're all low. I say
kids, they're like 35, 25 to 35 kids, all you know, man squan high school, all the sending district musicians. They're really becoming very successful quickly. They just was the Congress Hall down in
Cape May just um invited them for a 250th celebration. They're I sent you a video to your phones. I don't know if you want to take a look. I can show you. Um, but they're they're expensive. Normally, we've the highest we've we've
spent for a band is 1,700. Uh, they would be 3,000. So, that's why I'm coming to you. I, you know, if you decide that's too much, I understand, but I just wanted to show you the quality, tell you the quality. This should be a one-time deal. It's kind of
a brass band. Uh if you see if you look you'll see the them they they actually walk through um you know the see here now. The idea would be they'd be playing at Taylor Pavilion and then hopefully if it's nice
they would um they would like take us out on the boardwalk maybe even on the beach maybe around the pavilion like really really it's a really fun band. I've seen them kind of stationary and I've seen them when they move and they're they're really good, but they're
expensive. But I I will tell you that price of 3,000 is a is a is a discount for what they normally um charge. But >> I want to be upfront with everyone. Cole has played with them before. Uh this I'm
I'm not profiting in any way. They're they're kind of, you know, so it's totally up it's totally up to you. I don't know if you want to look at them. >> What is that? A Thursday? >> Yeah, it's a Thursday. Yeah. Um they um you could if you wanted to, they would
hold the date. If you wanted to go online and check out their Instagram and check out all kinds of videos, things they've done in the past, you could do that or you could say too expensive. >> You might want to mention that they book quickly. So,
>> well, I think I can get them to hold up April 16th. I can I could probably find out um when I spoke to Ian um I think till the January meeting. It's a Thursday, so that helps. It's not a Friday, Saturday,
or Sunday, but I think I could get them to hold, >> but I'm not sure on that. I'd have to check. Um I mean, we could have a >> quick meeting if we had >> Well, I'm just saying if you're unsure what the price and you wanted to do a little research. I don't I don't know. Um >> what was the name of them again? Ocean
Stompers, >> Ocean Ocean uh Avenue Stompers. So, and they're this year, if you see the pictures they did, they kind of made themselves uh you know, look like the for the celebration. Um
has anyone ever been to Cornell Seas? Because if you were, you'd see I mean, they just go up and down the boardwalk and they're really good, but it's more than we normally spend. So that's why it's over 2,000. I'm supposed to come to you anything over 2,000. So
>> do you know what they what they would be playing? I mean, I heard that it's like I I'm getting the Whitney Houston and all the the good stuff. >> Yeah. So they have great they have a they're they have a New Orleans sound, Mottown sound. Um Ian told me he tried
to get me, he was in the middle of something, but he tried to get me a video of when they played uh a long video of them playing um uh East Street Shuffle, uh 10th Avenue Freeze Out, and um what's the other song they they play
by Bruce? Um because I know I'm sure some people are going to want to hear Bruce, but but they're also very um Mottown um jazzy. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Are we looking at six o'clock?
>> 6 to 8. Yeah. >> So it's the 16th, right? >> I think I think we should listen to them for a minute and then >> so you have a I mean you heard a snippet. >> Yeah, if you want I can put it on. My bigger concern isn't necessarily the price, but the venue. Sounds like
they're going to bring more people and we can handle them providing. >> Um, >> and the weather could be kind of sketchy, particularly in evenings that time. >> Yeah. >> Is there any kind of deal we could work out with Jimmy and potentially use a school and do some sort of parading down Main Street kind of thing or something
along those lines? >> So, have have them at at the in the auditorium? >> That's fantastic. he has a as a backup >> or do you want to do that as a >> I think I'm thinking as a secondary like like a ring. >> I don't think we need to figure it out
now. I think weigh the costs if we're going to book the date. >> The question is the money and the date right now. >> Yeah. >> The details can be worked out later. My concern would be I don't know if Taylor pavilion is going to be the best option for that. >> I was just hoping they bring their own people. >> I would love to have them possibly play either on the front end or the back end
of of Taylor Pavilion so people could sit on the beach. >> If the weather was good, it'd be great. Yeah. Yeah. But we wouldn't know that until that date. So >> I'd say >> especially April could still be cold. >> April gets a little nasty. >> Yep.
>> It's a good idea to have a backup for BAR elementary. Um, I don't know whether, and I'm just trying to think for the 250th celebration, whether they could play any period music, you know, just throw them in occasionally. Um, so
that it fits in a little bit better with 250th or whether they can coordinate. We can coordinate with Belmont Historic Society and maybe have some pictures of, you know, I mean, if we're doing >> Well, that gets dumped on Lewis. >> Yeah, that >> it does. I'm sorry. I don't I don't mean to dump that on Lewis. I'm just saying
that I'm I'm I'm if the celebration is to is the celebration just this concert? >> No. >> Or is it something beyond that for the library? That's my question. >> I think the the committee is not really is the next meeting is next Monday to
really like talk about things. >> I just wanted I have to ask you because of the costs of the band, right? >> You know what I mean? So this is this is more this is more or less the anchor and then if you're going to run with this anchor >> then you all are going to figure out how to put it in the context cultural
context that's in line with correct the library >> goals. Yes. >> Yep. And the only problem I would have is if we had if we have I don't know if we can have food. I guess we could go into the cafeteria but if we were at the school you know >> we could work it out. >> What's that?
>> Food's not a requirement. Yeah, we were thinking a birth at least a birthday cake for everyone celebration. >> That'd be fun. >> But again, we haven't decided that yet, but I have I wanted to make sure you were okay with the price to come back to the committee and say the board approved
if we want to go with them. >> Well, you want to build something out for 250 and you need to know what you can build on. >> Do they do patriotic songs? >> Yeah. So, so it's really just the idea of the
price is I if the if the committee, you know, I'm not really the only reason I was showing you the the videos and stuff to show you the quality of them. Do you know what I mean? It's really the committee's decision. Are we going with them or not? But I but I needed to to
book them. I needed to know if it's okay to if if we um if we want to go with that. So that's uh >> I'm for it. >> I can say I have a motion that we >> move forward. I mean, you know, I think
it could be a nice um beginning for our town and that we be starting it in April and maybe the town might pick up more, you know, in May, June, you know, whatever. But, um, by doing it early enough, I think the residents can appreciate what what's going to be done.
And that would then fall on the the girl to maybe pick up and do something else. So >> that's what Kate May is doing. They're doing a lot of stuff until July. Yeah, that's why they do. >> So this net plus one as far as the events go
>> the events is you mean >> so we have so many we have so many events during a year festival, Hispanic festival. This is just one additional event for >> really we're we're right now again the meeting we had one meeting last week we're going to have a meeting next
Monday to finalize but right now we have help me out with this Louisis we have soda bread we have the 250th >> we're doing all the stuff that we typically do >> we're not doing Diwali we're not doing Chinese New Year we're making some changes so >> right now you're not proposing any new
cultural events any additional cultural events different different format, different no additionals. >> We're we're swapping two events out for two other ones. So, for example, we're not doing Chinese New Year and we're not doing Diwali.
>> Okay. Uh we're going to be doing like this 215th is a major event and then the other one we're doing is a Native American cultural event. >> Okay. So, those going to be the two swappings, right? There's going to be an additional event later in the year
uh regarding um uh formation of the library we were talking about. So there's going to be that where the story of the library is formation. >> What's the cost? >> Huh? >> Ballpark. What's the wall cost? About
three grand between the food and yeah about not even that. Not even that. Closer to like two. A little over two. >> Yeah. A little over two. Like like the Hispanic was nice. >> Hispanic was more like three. >> It was almost three. It was about three. Yeah.
>> And we could we could we could upsell we could upsell on the on the entertainment and probably cut the food budget just getting the Costco. >> Yeah. >> And you're still in line with no net additional cost even though one
particular vendor is getting more. >> Correct. >> Or minimal net increase cost. Yeah, >> it's just more going to the vendor versus some of the other amenities. >> Well, we have to take into account whatever expenses we need. >> I get they out like decorations or whatever we do.
>> Yeah, but compare. Yeah, we could lower the food and increase the entertainment >> because Costco a long time. >> Like, right. It's a it's a break. It's really that's what that's what a few people on the committee brought up last
time, but we said we were going to, you know, get into the specifics next meeting, but that's that was the idea that people seem to like, but it wasn't violent. >> We you don't really need um I guess you could if you if you wanted to uh do a resolution. I just wanted to get your
approval to for the for the three grand. >> We're simply approving a budget for a vendor. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And the Costco cakes. >> No, that's that's within his will. >> Might be some local places that would
would uh you know fit the bill. >> That will fit the bill. >> And this is not something that we would do frequently. >> Unusual situation. So >> once every century >> once every 250 >> simply simply a vote on a budget per.
>> Yeah. >> And they can and they can just one second please. They can be um they're willing to apply for to be a vendor because they're they're on. Okay. Yeah. All right. So I just want to make sure. Okay. >> So um let's do a vote. All in favor? I
guess roll call first. >> Someone can say the resolution. You just say >> I think Darlene >> started >> um help me out here to $3,200 to be applied to
>> Ocean Avenue stop. >> There you go. >> The 250th anniversary question. Do you want this do you want this to to remain in effect in the event that the
Ocean Avenue stoppers are ultimately not available and you want to engage another vendor that's of similar value? Do you want this authority to continue? >> No, we don't. >> We want to approve one vendor for one price >> just for the specific vendor >> and then if you can't get that vendor for that price, we want you to come back
and count that before us. >> Okay. >> Fair enough. >> Fair enough. >> Rough. Ardane Darling. >> It's been that kind of week. Okay. >> Second. >> Someone had second. I know. I don't think it was me. >> Darling, >> I'll second.
>> Okay. Discussion. >> Okay. >> Uh just just bring it back to your to the Who's on the committee? Is it Is that um >> So, it's Yeah. So, it's it's Lewis, it's myself, it's Joyce, it's Patty, and Lorraine.
>> Who am I missing? >> Susan. >> Susan. Thank you. six. >> We were talking about events and there were 11 of, you know, there were too many people at the staff meeting. So, I wanted to have it at five. But what's really nice is we have each person that has a particular interest and is going
to uh have something that they're responsible for. Kids events, Louis is the cultural events, you know, Susan is the the POS and requisitions, and there's a bunch of other stuff Louis is responsible for as well. But um uh Patty is the one who organizes things. So
>> can I just put in the suggestion that there be some rotation as well with it? Like I love the idea of the Native American cultural event, but I know people who are going to really miss the Diwali event or Chinese New Year because you've made it so good. That's the problem. >> Yeah.
But but the the the response to that is well well those are very very popular and I I I I feel like those of all of the two to cut those two are like hard. >> But at the same time >> if we really want to uh make room for
other cultures that we can do. We just can't add more and more cultures. We can only do so much. Right. Absolutely. >> So by swapping it out and maybe in 2027 >> we'll come back to one or two of them. We may keep one out and maybe we'll put in a new one, >> you know. Uh so let's see. There's
there's we've we've mentioned again the Arabic one. There's there's uh there's one we could do for uh like various other cultures we can do. So >> So without going too far down a tangent of of these events, one sensitivity that I would personally have would be meeting
the needs uh or or filling the gaps. You know what I mean? What I like about Diwali is there are not very many Diwali celebrations around here. I didn't even know what Diwali was until the library had it. >> You know that that that that is a a a cultural focus on something that most
people might not have exposure to. >> You know, now I love the Soread Festival, but everyone around this area is is familiar with a lot of the Irish cultural experiences, >> you know. So, I know it's heresy to even
even contemplate putting that one out on the rotation, but my point being um from an enrichment standpoint, exposing people to things that they otherwise might not be exposed to where an Arabic festival or some some
of those types of things might get people >> aware of something that >> y the committee. I agree with you. But the idea is to to rotate and to bring in other >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. So, but it will come back.
>> I like the complimentary concept of >> uh United States and complimenting it with uh a Native American event. You know, it's like American pageant and Howard Zim's people history.
>> Great. Oh, I know. One of the things that I had mentioned probably two, three years ago was, you know, an international night where you have like a variety of, you know, different >> No, I know I had it in my own I had it in my own school. So, I figured it was something and since I was ESL based for
38 years, it was something that I I definitely tried to keep going. So, all right. Uh, roll call, I guess, please. >> Okay. Do I need to read the whole roll call? Most of them are >> just just the names. Just the ones that the five that are here.
>> All right, Darlene. Yes. Yes. Okay. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> See? >> Okay. That was me. Uh Lewis, you're on. >> Okay. So, we have had as as David suggested earlier, we have had a
successful run of events um uh since we last met um including two uh three major uh events plus two of the three uh live animal series. Um the the latest one was the wolves animal which was just this
past Saturday and we had uh over 220 people actually at the event and it was a fantastic event. They brought three wolves and um and uh we also changed up how we work people to go meet the wolves
and pet them and take their pictures. Last year we ran everyone over one line and it took forever and some people were a little upset. But now because we had three wolves I was able to break it break the room up into three groups. Everyone was able to flow through much more smoothly and it went very very
well. >> Uh a lot of people so excited to see the kids were really thrilled. Um Penguins was also another big success of the prior week. Um not as many people there but that's okay. Uh still very popular.
they came and saw um the the scanning e scanning system has been uh working very very well. Uh it's been it's been a market success making it very easy for me to generate these reports over here. So you can see by the numbers you know how many people came in, how many are
outside of town and all this other stuff like that. Um the Hispanic cultural celebration was um a bigger success than it was the previous year. So it's gotten better. uh slightly larger crowd, a little over a hundred total. Uh and uh
the band was fantastic. The food was good. And we had a really, if you were there, you would see there was we had a a lot more people up and dancing. >> No one wanted to. >> It was fun. >> No, it was a lot. >> You know, I was up there dancing up a storm right there. You know,
>> I got you on video. >> You got me on video. Dancing. you know, uh we even there was one lady in a wheelchair. >> She went up she got up first. She was up first. >> She got up. Most of the other people were like she's got and she was from Cuba originally. So
that's >> Oh yeah. So it was that was really really good. The food came out very very well. Uh and again the event went off without a hitch. And then Diwali that was by far the really um really cool
event that went down very very well. Had a lot of people um from uh out of the area as well. Um and a lot of uh Indian people uh that were there as well and and that they were coming up and telling us how much they really enjoyed it. They
learned a lot from the event. uh when you have Indian people telling you that wow even I didn't know this about Diwali and I learned it from here I like that you know you're doing something right so which was really really cool um and so
um we did um uh a lot a bit of a some takeaways how we can do things better our our systems of preparedness uh with our to- go boxes and everything like that with all the equipment everything pre-planned preset ready to go made planning and setup for the event
very much some much more simpler and uh as part of the committee uh Patty who has been a big force in developing that um is just only going to get better in refining that kit more and more so the more we go the future events it's just
grab and go lit the go box right there so um the events committee when we met the last time uh we kind of focused our energies on laying out our game plan for the first half of the year through May.
Okay. And the goal was to have our uh as many of our uh front end we want to frontload the the year with our major events and avoid the summertime nuttiness over with the parking. The only event that kind of falls out of that really would be Junth.
>> Okay. So, um but we're already exploring some avenues about up uh changing that event update the school. >> Yeah. Uh well there's that but there's uh but uh other aspects of the event as well we're talking about uh but um
upcoming just to close out the year we have oh first of all I should mention the book fair was another big success okay it was a huge success we have well over 3 400 people come walking through the the book authors were telling me that they were successful in selling uh
every author sold uh at least four or five books or more >> okay one author Top Gun was 30 >> sold books. So, I was like really really impressed with them and they were very happy with the whole layup and everything. So, it's it's a it's a nice
uh growing success and I already have a roster of authors who didn't make this show wanting to participate in the next one in spring right there. So, um uh we'll be setting that up as well. uh for going uh we now going into December. The
only uh major event we got left is the holiday concert with Zack Alexander. That is December 11th. That's a Thursday at 6 p.m. at Taylor Pavilion. And Zach Alexander is a professional singer who um I'm saying this as like one of his he
won Sinatra Idol for two years in a row in in uh in Jersey City. So, and I've seen his performance. He's very very good. and uh and unfortunately we couldn't get him with his trio of a band players. So, it's going to be him and a karaoke
machine, but um he'll be good enough for now. Maybe next year we'll look out and he'll have his trio available. Um if we wanted to get the full 15 piece band, it would have been five grand, but I don't think we're going to do that. So, that'll be cool. Um we also have our um
our holiday movie night for the kids. Um uh the u I don't have the date for that. I know actually that's earlier that's going to be around December 9th or so before right before the concert and um the uh staff Patty and one of the others going to be selecting the movie
and we'll be promoting that as well for the kids to come in and uh watch a holiday film and for Christmas we've been doing for the past few years. Uh pretty good success. The kids seem to love coming do that's been another new institution that we've we've developed.
Um, so roughly speaking into the new year, we're planning out our living history series. Uh, currently the characters we have on deck for a living history series is, and again, it has a it has a connection to the 250th
anniversary and uh, and that all these characters are American characters throughout our history. Uh, starting with in February, there'll be two a month, two in February, two in March, and two in April. uh George Washington.
We'll have it in February and we're probably gonna have uh a du a duet Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in a program called Conflict and the Constitution. Then um Bessie Coleman uh the
African-American uh female pilot uh will be coming on. And then bringing things closer to home, we're going to do we're going to be having Molly Pitcher come and that'll be really good. And then in ap in uh in March, in early
March, this is a really cool one. We're having Julia Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts, >> she is uh that characters coming in early March. Uh and that's right when the Girl Scout cookies come out. So, we're going to have the vent at Taylor
Pavilion and I'm going to heavily promote it with the cooperation of the local Girl Scout troop leaders that we have here that meets here and they'll get the word out to all the Girl Scouts up and down the whole area and we're going to have them all come in there and then we're going to run out and there's going to be a lot of Girl Scout fans in
there and the local Girl Scouts will have a table and they can sell their cookies at after the event. So, it's going to be a really really cool one uh for that one right there. So, Julian, Gordon, Low, and then um and one possibly later in the year for
Halloween. Uh um we're going to consider having uh one uh Kabad notabad. Yeah. Uh Washington Irving, the author of the uh Legend of Sleepy Hollow where he talks about the book and then becomes Kabad Crane. And it's a great uh a great
program for uh for kids um right up through 8th grade. It would be pretty cool. So, uh that's the living history series. Um and then other events we're planning at the Iris uh soda bread contest. Um that's already um uh uh uh
set for and the dates we have already for Taylor Pavilion is already locked down. Um there's going to be a poetry power hour uh uh jam that we had like last year. We're going to have one of those. And um and there's going to be I
don't have it outlined here, but there um we are going to be tying things in for Black History Month and Women's History Month like Molly Pitcher and Bessie Coleman will be two events that will be part of that. >> So is it possible as soon as you get these dates to um email them to Jenna to
add to the burrow calendar >> under library events? >> Yeah, sure. >> Every single one of them. >> Yeah. because um the residents keep saying there's so many things on the same day and they're asking for a place that they can look to see what's
happening in town >> so that we don't missched something on top of library events or that the chamber doesn't as we've had now several times in a row where there's been you know conflicting
um events. If we give them if we have this early, what dates are our dates, you can blast that out so that you >> I'm just I'm just I have the dates locked out. >> Yeah. >> Um I just have to confirm which character is going to which date. >> Totally fine.
>> Just put historical figure until until you have >> absolutely anything. Anything that you have, >> please put it and ask specifically for it to be put on the municipal calendar. >> Okay. And you can do that with and you could say Maria told me and then you
could say Jerry told me after that >> after I'm done you could say that. >> So just so you know our next meeting our goal is and and the way we kind of lock down the dates with the um soda bread and with the 250 was we talked about
what months we're going to do it. We want to try to keep it to Thursday nights because more people are more apt to come in a Thursday night rather than a Monday night, you know. and they're they know that usually things happen a lot. So we say to Louisis, Lewis, okay, here are the three Thursdays. Could you try to see if you can get the
entertainer, you know, see if you can get the Taylor Pavilion, you know, and then he kind of texts us and say, hey, I couldn't get this, but I got this. And so our next meeting hopefully our goal is to be able to have, you know, the the entire year as much as we can with what
we kind of give a framework to do. And then and then he he he fits it in. So as soon we're going to have it a lot earlier than we normally do. >> Sweet. And book fair, anything anything that is coming library way because people want to be at the library events. >> Great. Okay. Yeah, the the events have
been awesome. You're doing a great job. >> Thank you. Thank you. Anybody have any questions about anything? >> Uh I just had a couple of comments or sure notes because my eyes are going crazy. Um, I noticed one thing that we didn't have with Dvali and I I wished we had were uh two lines for the food
>> because the line was so long. >> Yes. >> So, um I think since we're ordering almost double of everything if we could have because I know we had it for one of the other I don't remember which one it was, but one of the others we had them lined up on two sides and it just made it flow through faster.
>> Yeah, we made that mistake once then we fixed it. I don't know why we went back uh we thought well you know what happened we've been we were opening up early >> and we we were able to one time just have one line and it worked but because
I guess oh the food came late >> the food came late one time >> the food came late that's what it was the food came late and then it caused the problem so >> to prevent that again we'll just have two lines >> it just makes I think it just makes it easier >> that's what happened the food came late
and and we We thought we'd be okay with one. Yeah. >> Um the other thing I like numbers. So, um I noticed with the wolves we had more non-residents than residents. >> And I always wonder like >> why I'm just I just thought it was
wolves because it's >> because it's it's the words getting out free and it's quality. I mean it's just like the fitness classes, right? >> That people from around what's going to happen. Just so you know, Erica's class is with the is starting to get too large
with the residents, non-residents. We have one one class that's just residents >> and the other class the other day was up to like 35 >> and she's she had to change the the class. So what happens is the word gets out outside of Belmont. >> Mhm.
>> That not only are they is it great, but it's free and and so that's kind of, you know, that's what's happening. But for these, I mean, you were there. I wasn't there. >> Was it to a point where >> it affected anyone negatively with the wolves because
>> No. No. Well, here's the thing. What happened was is that the problem is we're limited in the number of chairs there. So, the tail pavilion is currently equipped with 90 plus chairs. >> Yeah. And whenever we want more chairs, George can bring about another 50, maybe
60 max from Burough Hall to Taylor Pavilion. And so we max out, let's say you had 150 seats capable. And then um and so what happens is we brought those chairs over all the chairs pretty much taken up and
there was a lot of standing room only. And I remember I sent out the email to everybody saying, "Look, late comers may not have seats, >> okay? had standing room in the back and and sure enough if you look at the pictures on both sid you see people all standing that whole end over by the
kitchen was like strewn with you saw that it was like >> little there were kids sitting and everything I mean it was well organized I mean and everybody got to see each wall like >> I mean they weren't rushing you know the
people were there um it was a really wellresented >> presentation it's storage for more chairs. >> Well, here's the thing. So, George has >> suggested is that he had the amount of
because it takes him and Billy time and labor to move those rather difficult to move metal chairs, >> right? >> They're stored in the men's room of the gym. So he figured he got to move it out of the men's room in the gym over out the front door into the van. How many
trips? And then bring it over the tail pavilion up the steps and in there. That's a lot. He suggested it would be cheaper overall. We if uh somehow another rack of chairs was >> I was going to say if you look at the closet >> maybe. Yeah, I think one more fit in there. >> Storing another rack of chairs in there.
If we bought a rack of chairs, >> I think I was That's what I was going to say. I'm thinking we I think we can fit one more rack in there and we would purchase and it would benefit. >> Yeah, I think >> right. And get the white get the white ones. That's another 45. So then that you know you get 45 per rack. I think 46
45. >> There's not too many times we need that many chairs. >> No for a kill stand up every once in a while. >> Yeah. Right. >> Because I mean when you think about it, we're the ones that use all those extra chairs the most, >> you know? So, >> it's not really used by Yeah.
>> Okay. So, do you um I'll look into, you know, another rack of chairs and make sure that um the town is okay with us buying them. I don't know why they would say no. Right. >> I imagine that would be >> whoever is going to be using that room at the time is going to be having access to them.
>> Yeah. And there is space >> with the tables on there. Yeah. And it's a good thing that we didn't have some of the non regist the registered non-shows not come >> because I was just thinking we were talking about like 200 there.
>> Yeah. We always have. >> Right. But that's percentage. >> I mean that's a that's a low one. That's one of the low ones. The no shows. >> And I should say Dave for Dewali we got a lot of compliments on her outfits. >> You like our outfits.
>> Oh yeah. Well that's true. I got >> I heard how it always was trying to find a new home, but I I know I know it got into someone's car, so that's all I needed to know. >> Um, how did the And I don't know how it went. The talking carrot something on
Halloween. What was What was that movie for Halloween? >> Oh, it was what it was. >> Carrot something. I'm like, what? It was actually a uh a DVD with like four different DreamWorks uh animated uh uh movies 15 15 20
minutes each um with characters from DreamWorks uh movies. There were some Shrek characters in there. Okay. There were characters from Monsters uh Monsters versus Aliens, stuff like that. >> And so uh that was just one of the stories. >> Okay.
>> You know carrots. I was very >> possessed carrots, you know. >> Did we have a nice attendance for that? >> We had good show. >> We had a good show. Yeah, we had I forget exactly how much, but we what 20 kids did. No, >> you know, so that was good. They enjoyed
it and uh they were happy with their treat and they went on. >> Can't go wrong with the treats. >> Bruce, can you speak to the um no-show rate? Do you think it has any effect on people registering the registered >> the no-show rate?
Wait, can we open a public comment? >> Yeah, I still have it. >> Okay. Um, >> okay. I just wanted to go over just a couple things in my report. Nothing major to report, but I wanted to see if we could secure the dates for our trustee meetings.
>> I I went through I went through that. >> Normally, we do that at the January meeting and and we just say what the January at this meeting, we say what the January meeting is. >> Should be approve it >> at the January meeting. So January 12th is is that the >> that's the second >> second one.
>> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So I just wanted to make sure because we hadn't picked one and I just wanted to make sure ahead of time. >> Is that the one you want me to put in the newspaper? >> Um yes. >> Reorganization >> reord trustee meeting.
>> It's a reorder too. >> Yes. Reord u Pat when you get a chance can you check to see if um anyone's term is up? I know that's April usually my version. >> Yeah, I know. We I like your version.
>> Let's communicate on that. I have some emails, too. Okay. >> We can do that together. Okay. >> Yeah. I And I can >> since we don't need to >> Yeah, I know there's there's there's someone each time. One or two each time. >> That's what I want to know.
Nope. She >> did whack her head. She can't remember. I'm >> telling you, you don't you have no idea. Um, other than that, I'm good. Um, the other things that we can talk about are our survey moving forward and also the next facility meeting. Yeah,
to do that now. >> Okay. Uh, so then we are in uh any old business. >> Do you want the budget? >> Yes, please. Thank you, Darling. I skipped you. I apologize. >> That's okay. All right. to October's
budget. Our budget amount was $973,580. We spent to date $488,613.33. Waiting to pay the vendor was 40 $49,87956. Um to waiting to pay the vendor and spent to date was $538,492.89, 89, which leaves us a balance of
$435,87.11. >> Okay. And we don't have any other major expenditures between now and the end of the year. Correct. >> Sorry, my husband's checking to make sure I'm still alive.
Okay. All right. So, we did the new calendar dates. >> All right, so now we can go on to public session comments. >> Um, Anita Buckley, Elm of Summer 1 Avenue. Um, a year ago, a strategic plan was created by the taxpayers with their
opinions and um despite um some issues. It was approved by the board. That was a year ago and it's been shelved. It's you there's nothing on your agenda um that has anything to do with this. we should be talking about the bathroom and we
should be talking about the ADA changes and we should be making big out um lawn plans. Um it's very distressing and discomforting because I put a lot of work into it as did the rest of the committee and that is basically what you
should be doing. There should be a landscape committee, there should be an ADA committee. We're looking at the door, the back door, the extension. You know, this is what we should be thinking of in any time. I in 10 years, I've
realized there's no good time to spend big money and nobody is ever going to approve it. Nobody's going to be happy about it, but there's no no time to not spend big money. If you look over at the housing authority, you'll see what I'm talking about. Uh just so you understand
completely, if we went on Mammoth County line, if we went to be a Mammoth County Library, that million dollars that is our budget would just be a check that we write to the county and we would give that to the county and they would do
they would make all the decisions. I'm very distressed. Um I will be talking to the state library because it's been a year. It's with that strategic plan is just gathering dust and it's it's just very dis disconving.
In other news, um Bruce and Andrew's pictures, I mean, that was months and months and months ago where, you know, I don't understand why they're not back up. We talked about things about using the school buses for seniors to get to our programs. This has been, you know, discussion again for months and months
and months and nothing happens. It's just it's it's very upsetting to me. I've been at this for 10 years. All I ever wanted to do was volunteer. Um and I'd just like to see some movement.
Thank you very much. Good night. Where are we with the um I know talked about getting the engineering um estimate um for repairs and things that are coming up. Where are we with that right now?
>> You're going out to bid >> specifically not necessarily overall estimate for repairs, but we are preparing documents for the exterior side of the building. Right. Mhm. >> Specific to the exterior side of the building with the idea of sealing up the
exterior and working the way inside. >> That has to be done first before you >> are they are they done their kickoff? Did they come out here or >> Yeah, they came out. Yeah, they met with me. >> Yeah. So, the the goal is for them to put it out for it to go out to bid and
the um vendor to be approved so we can put it into this budget this year. specifically that also is solid to make sure that we're watertight, clean it up because it's got all paint it those sorts of things. But per David's
recommendation, I believe they're also incorporating the exterior doors all >> that's what I was follow. >> So you got this one, you got the one in the boiler room and then something with the front door. >> Yeah. >> Ask them to put particular attention to the original surround on the front door
because that's a historical element. that's not just slot taped on like everything else. Uh we've al asked them to address the both of these doors because we had issues with them. Um as well as what the options would be for the main entrance different
bootstrapping on that as well. We recently um had a survey commission and we received an actual property survey because that's something that we did not have that will enable us to do some additional planning. So, while some may perceive that nothing's going on, we're
doing the uh I'll say homework necessary to implement the changes within our strategic plan forward. Yes. >> You know, can't just go slapping things on the building without knowing where the building sits on the property. So, we have the survey commission. That way, the survey commission can start working
off of that. And with regard to the the structure itself, we want to seal up the outside as priority. There's no sense in fixing the inside if we have problems with with the exterior of the building. And you come in the building, you see the inside of the building. Everyone that drives
through town sees the outside of the building. So the reason we need to make it presentable with the bios and whatnot. >> I think what also um I've learned is that, you know, a structure such as this is much different than a per personal
home. you know, in your own home, you know, kind of what's going on, you know, inside and outside hopefully. But when it comes to a building, the age of this building, you know, as well as the the historical value of this building, there's certain things that have to be done first. And so, you know, yes, the
public may not see that that's being done, but it is being done. So, going through the proper steps, which is, I think, the right way. >> It's also enabling us to um assess the needs and what makes sense. just targeting acute problem might not make
sense. You know, if say the bathrooms are once they put another bathroom in and just shoehorn it in, well, we could do that, but it might not be good value for the taxpayer. Um, we have a lot of space downstairs that's kind of awkward to use. We have three different heating
systems in the building, you know, so playing it on, if we could consider a more efficient use of space with regard to our heating system, that could free up other areas and we could perhaps have a more efficient project to to retool the program use down here, you know, and
that's what we're trying to walk through. We're trying to understand to be as responsible as possible to the taxpayers, you know, while maintaining the the needs and functionality of the structure. The goal has always been windows, the,
you know, the roof is in good shape and do the outside of the building and then come in. It's always it's always and that's the right thing to do, you know, and it's um and to do all of the things that are in the strategic plan,
it wouldn't make sense to the taxpayers wouldn't be able to do it. >> Even if even if we did, >> yeah, >> even if we did, it's our responsibility to do it >> in the way that brings the most value to the taxpayer, >> you know. So just just jumping on things because we can throw money at it because our
>> our budget is a little bit cartoonish. >> Yeah. >> Is somewhat irresponsible. You know, going through the the steps to approach it in a rational manner where we weigh the costs and the benefits and then approach it in the in the the part that brings the most value to the taxpayers
is I think by far the most responsible approach. And I think the positive part that's come out of the windows this past summer was seeing how many times the windows were open >> and the screens were in and you know everyone was talking about how how wonderful it was to have fresh air. You
know >> it's quite nice. >> It was wonderful. I was so happy. >> And without without knowing what you're looking for, they look great. >> Yeah. >> You can see a couple differences here and there if you're specifically looking for those differences, but otherwise you
wouldn't expect them. and they've held tight. We've had some really bad storms and a lot of rain. Everything's been nice and tight. >> Maybe it's worth it to to write up something each year of the five years that just says exactly what you guys are
saying that, you know, so that they know the process. So, yeah, they just kind of reported on where we are in the process and why we're making decisions that we are just to have a little something that if somebody came in and they said, "What's happening with such and such?" At some point in the spring, it would be
good to have just a meeting dedicated to tracking a strategic plan. I believe we did that at the school. We have a fiveyear cycle on the strategic plan, but each year we would at least have an annual meeting >> to toate to benchmark where we're at. Well, and there were a lot of things in
the strategic plan too that we wanted as far as digital content, things that have been worked on um that would be great to be able to bring back and say, you know, yes, we you know, this isn't something that like for example the ADA bathroom. I think that I still think that that's a
top priority. >> Not 100% sure what's out of compliance with that. Do you know what's out of compliance with that bathroom? I've been told that you can't get around with a >> It's in compliance right now based on when it was done, but if you were to put
in a new bathroom, if we were to open up the walls, it would not be >> meaning the plan was well the plan was years ago before I got here is to put in an extra bathroom and kind of put in a I
wasn't 100% clear on what is out on that particular space. I think the square footage, my understanding is that it would it it is in compliance, but it would not be in compliance once we do any work on anything in it. The square footage
there. >> Okay. >> In compliance for when it was built, >> right? It's grandfathered in for what it is today. The walls have changed so that now it's different. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> I mean, there's that lip. >> It's a lip. >> Okay. that prevents a rolling veh wheel
wheelchair to smoothly roll in and out. >> Right. So, so that would be one element >> and the size of it >> and there's no way you can mess with any of it without like putting you know exactly what you said like something there with for the lip without saying oh
well you've >> altered it because >> I I'll research that but my understanding is once you start doing that that you have to follow all compliances >> but on check >> which is not something we're trying to avoid. We're just trying to approach it
strategically. >> I don't think it's just >> when you look in this little closet right here, >> there's a lot of wasted space. >> You know, you look at a closet on the other side, there's a lot of wast >> the boiler room. There's no reason with the heater we have here and the the units we have upstairs
>> and with the problems we're having with the with the pipes that I'm being told we're going to have a lot of things that will happen like that with the boiler. To me, it makes sense to do the whole thing at once >> and have and make sure that the bathrooms are the right size and use that space,
>> right? >> Maybe even come out this way a little bit. I don't know. >> I don't think you'd have anyone disagreeing with you on >> Yeah, but that's we wanted to do the outside of the building first. And the other thing is in terms of wanting to save money each year, if you know it, it
makes more sense to do one piece at a time and put money away if the board would want to do some type of addition rather than doing >> things that we're just going to add >> right there, you know.
>> Yeah. So maybe would be I like what Pat had suggested that even even if it it's changeable >> but that we could get back to this because I was on the strategic committee as well and and we did work very hard and diligently throughout the summer um
coming in and really did take attention to um what we believed were some issues that all of us had different um strengths and different community um coming together and saying well we
believe that these are some of the needs >> and I think a lot of them have been met but I I do understand the frustration with the structural listen on the you know we have learned for like the Belmer housing authority that facade not only was it extremely expensive and getting
more expensive by the moment to make sure it's up you know um in in good shape >> it starts to go >> but if it goes it goes and that's you know so I think that's important as well to, you know, make sure that people know
um that this is, you know, yes, it's not the emergency right now, but that's millions of dollars if it becomes an emergency. If the contest when I started on the school board, Les Richens and Rea would
repoint a section of the school every year just >> maybe maybe 20% but every five years everything was repointed. >> And the cost of doing it that way versus the cost of having to do full repairs every 10 years was was so much more
value for the taxpayer. >> You know, staying on top of the things as best you can. Yeah, absolutely. >> That's what we're trying to do. And also, like I said, we're trying to look at the long-term strategy so we're not duplicating expenses to the taxpayer as we go.
>> Do you think it'll be wise to maybe embark on and I think this is something that Pat was alluding to is to periodically, even if it's only like a year, every year or so, some kind of like public education effort to just
update the people at large. So we avoid like uh concerns like this, you know, I mean the the her concerns are legitimate in many ways and uh however an unanswered concern could lead to uh misunderstandings
>> 100%. >> So perhaps an effort to kind of like update the public in a way where they understand where we are, where we're going. >> Sh we should put that on their plate. >> It's a it's a you'd have a facilities plan. You create a Oh, so that's one aspect of it.
>> Yeah. >> And you modify it each year and you meet each year and look at the strategic plan. >> Mhm. >> And then we somehow communicate. >> But but again, it's important to know that the strategic plan is is approved by the board, but it's not a document
saying that that's what's going to happen. It's the board saying, >> you know, I just want, you know, that that you know, this is something that we hear you. This is something that we're going to try to do. But there's there's aspects of the plan that that um
that the committee is um is not familiar with, you know. So um but um I think we should, you know, I can create a facilities plan. We can do it. Yeah. >> That's what we're working toward. >> Yeah.
And then you and then you you have it a meeting where you present the facilities plan >> and then you show how it's related to the strategic plan. >> Again, having having a specific strategic plan meeting every year for purposes also does the same purpose.
>> Yep. >> This is what the trending is. >> Anything else to bring up? >> I just want to say thank you guys. It's really been a pleasure being on this board and I'm sorry to to leave it. If you ever need me again, please bring me
back. Um, but it I'm so so proud to be a part of of this library and some of the incredible decisions and progress you have all made. I don't know a better library around. So, and I appreciate you all so much. Really, thank you so much
for what you've brought. >> Thank you for all your support. Thank you for all your support being there at the meeting, being at the events and things like that, helping serve and all this stuff. It's a huge it's a huge plus and it really says a lot to the people when they see a very
active and engaged board of trustees along with the staff and volunteers and it just it says to sends the message that the library is an institution that is well supported and and uh wellun and that's good. That's good. So, thank you. >> Of course.
>> Well said. And it's good. you know, we are we have a mayor who really wants to support, you know, have the library support itself and use its its funds and so, you know, the only parting words of wisdom is please use that. >> Yeah.
>> But great job. Great work. Thanks very much. You >> enjoyed working with >> It's not the end. >> No, no, I'm still around. You'll see me all the time. I'm just saying it very been very meaningful.
>> Um the only thing I forgot to bring up and maybe we can talk about this even off the meeting is um dues for the trustees for the state. >> Do we do you remember I remember >> we got the >> we did we sent it in. >> Okay.
>> We need our little cards. >> Oh, your card. Your card. >> I want my card. >> I want a card. I've never got a card. You got your car so you can flash it. >> You ever got a car? >> Flash pulled over. >> It's It's a I will have to bring my old
one in and show you. We haven't had it in >> You get pulled over, you flash it just >> If you don't want a card, you don't have to have one. >> But I know when you pay your dues, you get a card. >> Okay. >> Just thought I'd bring that. I I
received the new uh the new bylaws. So if anyone wants to look at them after the meeting, you can. I I think I forwarded it to Wales as well. Okay. >> All right. Call this meeting ajourn. All in favor?
>> All right. Thank you. 706