BOARD OF TRUSTEE'S MEETING - CUYAHOGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY - Tuesday, May 25, 2021 / 5:00 p.m.
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CUYAHOGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEE’S MEETING
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 / 5:00 p.m.
Administration Building / 2111 Snow Road, Parma, OH 44134CUYAHOGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING AGENDA
25 May 2021
REMOTE CONFERENCE CALL MEETING
5:00 p.m.
TOPIC PAGE# MOTION
1. Call to Order: William Leonard, President ROLL-CALL
2. Approval of Minutes: April 27, 2021 Board Meeting 1-14 ACTION
3. Retiree Recognition 15-16 INFORMATION
4. Public Comment
5. Report of the Board President INFORMATION
6. Report of the Executive Director 17-28 INFORMATION
Pamela Jankowski, Deputy Director of Public
Services, and Mohamed Ragheb, Software &
Applications, Manager
-Tri C Library Card
7. Human Resources Report 29-34 ACTION
8. Finance Committee Report: 35-36
Financial Statement Review – Fiscal 2021 – April 37-41 INFORMATION
Investments: Fiscal 2021 – April 42 ROLL-CALL
Purchase Approval List 43-44 ACTION
Gift Report 45 ACTION
9. New Business
Resolution to Amend Official Certificate of Estimated 47 ROLL-CALL
Resources and Amend Appropriations
2022 Alternate Budget 48-54 ROLL-CALL
10. Adjourn ACTION1
CUYAHOGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
MINUTES
27 April 2021
The April 27, 2021 meeting of the Cuyahoga County Public Library Board of Trustees was held in-person
and broadcast on Facebook Live. With a quorum of five (5) Board members present, President Leonard
called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Roll-Call: Present: Allyn Davies; William J. Leonard; Patricia A. Shlonsky; Maria L.
Spangler; Robert W. Varley – 5.
Absent: Edward H. Blakemore; Dean E. DePiero – 2.
Also present: Executive Director Tracy Strobel; Deputy Director-Support Services and Fiscal Officer
Scott Morgan; Communications & External Relations Director Hallie Rich, Human Resources Director
Monique Good, Deputy Director of Public Services Pam Jankowski, Assistant Finance Director Robert
Dolan, Facilities Director, Jeffery Mori and Bridget Hawes, Development Director
Approval of Minutes:
President Leonard asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the March 23, 2021 Board meeting that
were sent to the Board members in advance of this meeting.
01-04/2021
Trustee Spangler moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Trustee Davies. Seeing no corrections,
omissions or additions, the minutes of the March 23, 2021 Board Meeting were approved by unanimous
vote of the Board members present.
Approval of Minutes:
President Leonard asked for a motion to approve the Special Board meeting minutes of the April 13, 2021
Special Board meeting that were sent to the Board members in advance of this meeting.
02-04/2021
Trustee Spangler moved to approve the Special Board meeting minutes, seconded by Trustee Davies.
Seeing no corrections, omissions or additions, the minutes of the April 13, 2021 Special Board Meeting
were approved by unanimous vote of the Board members present.
Amendment to the Agenda:
President Leonard requested a motion to approve an amendment to the agenda. The Report of the Board
President will follow the Retiree Recognition.
03-04/2021
Trustee Varley moved to approve the amendment to the agenda, seconded by Trustee Shlonsky. Seeing
no corrections, omissions or additions, the amendment to the agenda was approved by unanimous vote
of the Board members present.
113 | P a g e2
Retiree Recognition:
President Leonard recognized and thanked Katherine Malmquist, Judy Molnar, and Marcia Pollack for
their many years of service to Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) and wished them the best on their
retirement. This meeting was held in-person and broadcast on Facebook Live, and none of the retirees
participated in the meeting. (See pages 127-129)
Report of the Board President:
President Leonard asked Director Morgan to report back on questions relative to the Vocational Guidance
Services (VGS) contract from the last Board meeting.
Director Morgan stated that we saw a decline in the level of service from VGS over a year ago and we
made many attempts to try and improve the level of service, but decline continued without any change.
This decline in service was more apparent as we began to reopen our buildings after the closures due to
COVID-19. There were multiple missed cleanings from day cleaners for high touch cleaning during the
worst of the pandemic when cleaners would not show up. This would require our front-line staff to
perform those tasks pulling them away from their ability to help customers.
Director Morgan stated the Library made the difficult but necessary decision to look for another cleaning
contractor and issued Request for Proposal by invitation.
The RFP included specific language as follows:
Must be part of an active and accepted union having proper representation OR
Must be paid a livable wage which is defined for the purpose of this RFP as a minimum of $15.00
per hour.
Must also offer a benefits package including a form of health insurance and retirement.
Director Morgan stated we received five responses from that RFP and ultimately, we chose Summit
Building Services as the contractor who would receive the contract.
Director Morgan stated not long after the announcement of Summit Building Services was our choice to
receive the contract, we received an e-mail from Max Gerboc, Assistant Director of Collective Bargaining
for SEIU Local 1. This is the Union that represents the employees of VGS. Mr. Gerboc requested a
meeting and wanted us to know the Union expected Summit to assume the current staff and their
collective bargaining agreement.
Director Morgan stated we did meet with Mr. Gerboc and he wanted us to know that he would also be
reaching out to Summit Building Services but wanted to talk to us first. We told Mr. Gerboc that we were
asking Summit to make a commitment to the Library that all current VGS staff would receive the
opportunity to interview with Summit and that it was our intention to let Summit manage the contract just
as we had let VGS manage the contract in the past. He ultimately requested another meeting between
the Union, Library and Summit.
Director Morgan stated we consulted with Jim Wilkins, Labor Attorney for the Library and he agreed to
send a letter to SEIU Local 1. The letter stressed the Library is not and does not intend to become a joint
employer with Summit and the Library does not control the hiring decisions or dictate terms and
conditions of employment beyond the expectation that Summit pay a living wage to the workers assigned
to library facilities.
Director Morgan stated it is our understanding VGS will be retaining some of the current workers from the
Library and Summit has committed to interview all other current workers.
114 | P a g e3 Director Morgan stated those workers who become Summit employees will receive a living wage of $15 per hour. This is a 31% increase over what those workers currently receive under the collective bargaining agreement with SEIU as VGS employees. Summit also pays a 4% annual bonus upon the 1st anniversary. These workers would also accrue four (4) more vacation days after their second year of employment. All compensation and benefits being offered by Summit are better than or equal to what these workers are currently receiving from VGS. Director Morgan stated the Library appreciates the willingness of VGS and Summit to work together for a smooth transition for both cleaning service for the Library as well as the staff that work at our Library buildings. President Leonard asked is SEIU the Union representing VGS employees? Stressing that having a clean environment was more important? Executive Director Strobel answered yes to both questions. President Leonard asked if the wages and benefits would be less or more than they were previously? (with SEIU) Director Morgan answered they are better or the same. Trustee Shlonsky asked what are the benefits? Director Morgan answered the 4% annual bonus is not offered by VGS and the vacation accrual that Summit employees receive is higher than what the employees are receiving currently. The health care benefit was the same on both sides SEIU and Summit. There is payment into a retirement plan that is on both sides is somewhat better with Summit than SEIU. President Leonard asked is it Summit’s intention to give every employee that was working as janitors in our buildings an opportunity to interview for a position? Director Morgan answered yes that is Summit’s commitment they have made to us. We have asked for that commitment for those employees that are not being retained by VGS. VGS does have the intention of retaining some of those employees for other contracts they have. Those employees that are not being retained will have the opportunity if they choose to have an interview for positions with Summit. Trustee Varley asked when Director Morgan and Director Mori started this project originally how long ago was it? You went through a dialogue. Director Morgan answered we started this actual process about 4 months ago we had multiple problems where we discussed missed cleanings and the cleaning contract. Trustee Varley commented this was something that did not happen overnight or a short horizon. The whole process was not a knee jerk reaction to one instance and Director Morgan and Director Mori sat down with VGS to counsel them in the process. Director Morgan answered yes, we did. President Leonard commented that those who have been at prior Board meetings know this decision to move away from VGS is extremely difficult for all of us. We have a lot of respect and appreciation for VGS and their mission. We were very concerned about what happens to their people it is important to us and our primary concern was not putting them out on the street without providing an opportunity with Summit. We are proud of the work the administration has done. Summit will interview everyone and hopefully hire them and be able to earn better compensation. This is an exercise that is toward the welfare of the individuals we are not here to preserve the Union but preserve the welfare of the people. 115 | P a g e
4 Virtual Public Comment Gregory Mullin, Coordinator, Media Services facilitated the Virtual Public Comments. He stated public comments are limited to three-minutes. Chris Hannigan, 6816 Westview Drive, Brecksville Mr. Hannigan commented: He spends a lot of time at CCPL Brecksville Branch. As a supporter he wants to interject that there is more to Union membership than just pay. It is good that the workers will be receiving a living wage but not having that Union representation does harm them if there are any grievances, they might have there is a power in the Union for workers. As a parent of somebody with pretty severe developmental delays it is his understanding that there are currently a lot of employees with the current contractor are folks with developmental delays and or various disabilities. Typically, the employment available to folks like my son can be frankly exploitative and it is good to see folks with various disabilities to have access to Union membership and a living wage and it feels like a part of that is being taking from them here and it does disappointment him on some level. Thank you. Trustee Varley asked Mr. Gerboc due to the three-minute limit on Public Comments which he has gone over the limit if he would forward his comments in writing we would accept them. Maximilian Gerboc Assistant Director Collective Bargaining SEIU Local 1 Mr. Gerboc sent us his Public Comment in its entirety that read: The Union which represents the janitors who work at the Cuyahoga County Public Library. I found out in March that the Library was awarding its janitorial contract to Summit Building Services, a contractor who is not signatory to any of our agreements in Ohio. Now, contractor transitions happen regularly in our world, and Local 1 has a very good reputation for working with any new contractors in our market. Understanding the immense value, the Library brings to our community, we wanted to ensure the smoothest possible transition between VGS and Summit. With that in mind, I spoke with Library administrators and the new contractor. Fiscal officer Scott Morgan and Facilities Director Jeff Mori told me that Summit had committed to consider all current employees for hire as part of their getting the service contract. Heartened but wanting to verify the intent of that, I called Tom Lesiczka from Summit Building Services. He told me that he would not voluntarily recognize the Union. When I asked about hiring current janitors, and legal obligations around negotiation when hiring a currently Unionized staff, Mr. Lesiczka very pointedly asked me “If I don’t hire any of them and bring in my own crew, I won’t have to deal with you guys at all, right?” While he is right, that seemed to hollow out the promise he made the Library, and therefore the community which it serves, when he made this commitment. I spoke with Tom again as recently as last Friday, April 23, where he confirmed his position. A little background. As the chief negotiator for the Union, I was responsible for the last collective bargaining agreement negotiated with VGS in 2017. SEIU has been the primary advocate for a $15 minimum wage across the country, including here in northeast Ohio. $15/hour has been the goal of our bargaining for several years. When we made these proposals to VGS in 2017, we were told we would not even be able to get close to that in a 4-year agreement because of budget constraints that were put on them by the Library. This is common when negotiating with contractors and based on the circumstances 116 | P a g e
5 of their recent bid against Scioto, we had no reason not to believe them, and settled for less in the interest of labor peace. The Union notes that in the RFP, there was a requirement to either recognize a collective bargaining agreement or pay $15/hour to its employees. While we applaud the Library’s newly found commitment to economic justice for its janitors, a wage rate is no substitute for a collectively bargained contract. Our members currently receive employer contributions to a 401(k)-retirement fund, paid days off, including paid sick days which has become so important, a progressive non-discrimination policy, and just cause provisions with equal access to due process. Full time employees have fully-employer paid, high quality health insurance. Most importantly, all these things are guaranteed by a contract. Without a contract, without a union, all these benefits exist at the whim of the employer. What we are asking of the board is simple and within your authority: Require Summit Building Services to hire any employees who want to stay in the Library system and require them to either sign our current CBA or negotiate a new one in good faith. Our discussions with members before this current predicament was positive – they were all looking forward to reopening our contract this year to negotiate for higher wages. Now, our members, most of whom are in some way disabled, see this positivity vanishing before them. Instead of coming together to work with their new employer to provide great service to the library while negotiating for a living wage, they see themselves being kicked to the curb so that a new, for-profit company can avoid the legal responsibility to sit down and bargain with them. They see themselves losing their job in the middle of a global pandemic and subsequent economic crisis, entering into an unfriendly labor market where they will be marginalized and face discrimination. All because of management decisions that have nothing to do with them. VGS had issues servicing the Cuyahoga County Public Library because of how much they could pay to attract and retain employees. Do not punish the workers who stuck through it, who served the library during this crisis. As library board members, you absolutely have the authority to require any contractor to sign an assumption agreement and recognize the Union. You also have the authority to change your mind about which contractor you will use if that contractor will not do the responsible thing and hire these janitors. As a citizen, as a Union representative, as a taxpayer in Cuyahoga County, and as a fellow Library Board member, I ask that you please make the right decision today by requiring Summit Building Services to hire the current janitorial staff and recognize their Union. If Summit is truly offering as good or better than what is currently offered, why won’t they agree to negotiate with us and let workers be in the Union. Camilo Villa 7402 Franklin Blvd., Cleveland Mr. Villa commented: He lives in Cleveland and have spent much of the last decade and a half in Berea he and his family and two kids still frequently use the Cuyahoga County Public Library and the wonderful services that are offered. He is a Union Representative with SEIU Local 1, and he represent and have over the years worked closely with the janitors at the libraires. We welcome changes in the contractor that will provide a better working environment for our members and as my colleague mentioned janitors have fought for years across the country to raise wages to a minimum $15 which we really see as the floor for decent living here. Loyal workers at CCPL should have the opportunity to make those wages and have their Union rights respected and that is not an either or it is a false choice that the Board have put upon contractors to either pay $15 or respect Union rights workers should have $15 and a Union as their minimum right and that should come with any commitment to social justice and economic justice. The opportunity to 117 | P a g e
6 interview is not the same as the opportunity to work as Mr. Gerboc mentioned some has indicted that they are very reluctant to hire any of our members because they would then have legal obligations to them in terms of their Union rights. Some of the workers you will hear from know that staffing has been short they know there has been problems here at the libraries because they are the ones who in many cases have had to try to pick up the slack because of the low wages pushed upon the contractor by the library in the past. We believe the work should be done at a high standard, but it is the responsibility of the contractors to hire a staff appropriately. Over the last year we have not contested, disciplined, or interfered with management’s ability to manage their team. The industry norm in property services is that low wages contribute to high turnover and that is why the library is having the problems it has but not due to Union environment. In fact, the Unions have been at the forefront for the fight against low wages and high turnovers and other employment issues that low wage worker service creates. We have worked productively with major employers such as the City of Cleveland, Hamilton Libraries in Cincinnati and Cuyahoga Community College and others who have had issues with the quality of work to resolve them and maintain high standards and workers working under a Collective Bargaining agreement whether it’s with a client or the contractor we are pretty well known in the industry for working well with employers and clients to ensure high quality when the issue is brought to the Union. Additionally, as Mr. Gerboc mentioned many of the workers here at the Library who have been here for a long time some many as 15 and 20 years. Thank you. Akshai Singh 2585 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights Mr. Singh commented: He grew up in CCPL system and he live in Solon he went to high school there he has Aunt and cousins who have both their kids go to Solon schools. The library is an incredibly important institution in his life and their lives as well as the whole network. He does not know the individual members of CCPL Board and does not know who said that the responsibility is not to protect the Union but to protect the workers and he wants to take exception to that strongly. This is a group of workers who are members of a Union what is being called for is to make sure that your workers are kept whole not the Union. The question is what is the Union reply? it means that folks have a contract. That means that folks that have been working for the Library for over 15 years do not face perhaps eviction. You know we are in the midst of a pandemic any amount of fate that could befall folks at a moment’s notice during these economic times. I do not think this is something that has to be shared with you as news. He thinks it is incredibly critical that we consider that it’s not fair for someone who has been doing their job have to reapply and fight for it because we made a decision of switching a contractor without creating any standards to make sure that there is just cause for firing that people are not under at will conditions which means they can be fired at any time for any reason as opposed to just cause which is part of the Union contract. This is not about protecting a Union but protecting actual workers who are putting in the time and work to make sure the facilities are able to perform. He really wishes we have given more time to the folks previously because they had some really important points to make that are pertinent to what we are considering right now, and we should have heard them out. Steve Helecko 14035 Claremont Ave., Middleburg Heights Mr. Helecko commented: He is the Political Director; Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus (CCPC) and he is commenting tonight on behalf of the organization. Before the pandemic he would estimate they had 15-20 meetings all around the County, east, west, and south in CCPL meeting rooms. They have probably had about 100 meetings in the five years of their existence they are connoisseurs of the library meeting rooms. He says they have always had very courteous staff and clean meeting rooms it has been a great experience. I remember with great sadness reading that about a year ago library workers were being furloughed because of the pandemic and he remembers posting on social media good luck to our brothers and sisters at CCPL in their hard times and getting numerous positive comments. I also remember about a year ago when organizations were discussing endorsements we got to certain candidates and there was a big discussion and we got to issue 70 and of course we are going to support CCPL’s levy and that has 118 | P a g e
7 kind of been our organizations relationship with CCPL. It makes sense because libraries are an important part of creating equity and social justice in communities and that is what the CCPC stands for they commend CCPL or agreeing to a living wage with their janitorial workers. They also very strongly believe in Collective Bargaining rights and simply giving the employees that are currently working as janitors at CCPL an opportunity to reapply for the jobs they had is highly unacceptable to us. Some of building services he does not understand he have listened to what we have said and to what his brothers in Labor Union have said why can’t the same workers be kept because if they are not hired back all the good of paying a living wage is totally undone. As an organization we imminently oppose the idea of having these workers reapply for the jobs they already have and to be honest and in good conscious based on what his organization stands for he does not know if this stands if they can continue to utilize the library services. Thank you. Angelic Johnson 8925 Hough Ave., Cleveland Ms. Johnson commented: She has been with VGS VSI for 11 years and she does not feel it is right to have to reapply for her job. If it is that serious about workers not showing up for work check the calendar to see how many times, we had blizzards. She says she has busted her behind with her 2-year-old daughter who can get sick or injured out here to come to work to pick up shifts nobody else have. She is that dedicated, and a hard worker why is she being put at risk for someone else’s blame that is bad for business she understands you are supposed to protect your company but get rid of them do not get rid of her and co-workers like her we will regret it yes, we are going to regret it seriously. She understands you want good people to work for this company she wants it to, and she values her job. That is why she busts her behind to do it every single day. She does whatever they ask her even if it is not part of her role. That should not be an option for you to fire somebody like that. That is not protecting the Union or the employees. That is being downright stupid to her honestly and that is all she has to say. Thank you. Abigail Skully 8815 Tompkins Ave., Cudell Neighborhood Ms. Skully commented: She grew up in Cleveland Heights and she patronize the South-Euclid Lyndhurst Branch when she was growing up and she is now a lover of the Parma Branch. She is a Union Nurse and in the Ohio Nurses Association, she is an inpatient nurse at St. Vincent’s she loves her job, and she is also a member of Cleveland DSA she guesses you can say labor is really important to her. She believes every single worker in the world should be in a Union and has that right to be organized collectively and make their rights be respected and certainly that applies to the janitors at CCPL. She can echo Mr. Helecko and say she have been in some squeaky-clean library facilities. As Ms. Johnson alluded to, she is sure there are issues sometimes when some people do not make it in a lot of times it is because of emergency’s and with the global pandemic and everything it is understandable. In short, she thinks the workers should get to keep their hard-earned Union rights she is hearing some wishy-washy she is in favor of $15 an hour and great benefits package that is fantastic she is happy to hear CCPL is prioritizing that. The right to interview is not the same as the right to stay. In short to echo what many have said she believes the library should preserve the contract and respect the Union. Thank you. Andy Schumann 4606 Franklin Blvd., #5, Ohio City Mr. Schumann commented: Mr. Schumann thanked us for letting him speak. He grew up in Cleveland in the Brooklyn Center the Old Brooklyn Ohio City neighborhoods. He attended CCPL Brooklyn Branch for many, many years and there was a Cleveland Public Branch closer to them on West 25th street and Mapledale, but they loved the environment of CCPL so much that always made it out there and thanks to the diverse collection of books 119 | P a g e
8 and the great clean awesome environment that was there. He wanted to remark regarding the change of contractor it is just to echo especially what Angelic said and opportunity for the current staff to interview for these new positions is not the same as guaranteeing them a job. The workers should get to keep their Union rights and get the benefits of that amazing $15 hour floor you know that is the absolute minimum and that is awesome we are working on that and the benefits package sounds great. It is really important to him as somebody who learned about the importance of Unions and of workers safety through our system it seems very hypocritical to him that we would not be in support of this. He echoes what everyone else is saying and CCPL Board must tell the new contractor to hire the cleaners who are at the library presently and to respect those hard-earned Union rights. Grace Heffernan 6514 Wakefield Ave., Cleveland Ms. Heffernan commented: She has the pleasure of seeing Public Library staff out in the community regularly. She has seen our leadership in her field Workforce Development firsthand and she applaud the library’s move to ensure a $15 minimum wage, and increased benefits, this is bomb, these are all good things, they are great things in fact, and she understands the complexity of balancing of quality work environment and meeting a new contractor. She thinks it is clear to everyone that we have made considerable efforts to make this a smooth transition. She also thinks it is also fair to say that it can be difficult to hear that despite those best efforts there is more to be done and that what we have done is not enough. She says she want to share her own story and a recent reckoning in her own work which is workforce development. They love training programs she might be involved in training programs we may have heard of; they love them for everything. You need a job they have a training program; you need a better job they have a training program. Did you know that recent research has told us that joining a Union is actually better than any type of job training you can do. It is better for wages, better for benefits, there is an inherent power in a Union even the best intention job training program or employer such as us cannot provide. She shares today to ask us as she had to relearn some of the tools at her disposal for building equity in her community and work power in her community and hope we can reconsider the value of the Union to the library’s janitorial staff and just know that we all have more work to do, and we are here with you in that work, and we are here with the workers as well. Thank you. Yiran Zhang 2204 Edgewood Rd., Cleveland Heights Ms. Zhang commented: She grew up in Dayton, Ohio, but now she lives at 2204 Edgewood Rd., in Cleveland Heights. As a lifelong avid library patron, she truly appreciates the wealth of information, resources, and opportunities that her local library provides. The library to her has been really a positive force in her community going above and beyond just being a giant repository of books whether it has been providing computer and internet access to the public, providing communal meeting spaces, keeping young learners engaged with thoughtful programming and so on. For years now the library has also employed custodial staff, differently abled workers who already face discrimination and barriers to employment and everywhere else as a gentleman earlier pointed out. These workers just like library staff and volunteers work hard daily to make a library feel like a safe and clean community. But for too long the janitorial industry has been beset by low wages, high turnover the other traditional hallmark of the service industry and Unions have fought for years to raise those wages and benefits because we believe that all work is dignified labor. Union janitors have fought for decades to raise standards in Northeast Ohio and to have a seat at the table where decisions that affect them and their workplaces are made. For all workers, the opportunity to join a Union is priceless it means having a collective voice with your coworkers. It is troubling to her the new janitorial contractor Summit Building Services will not commit to upholding Union standards by signing onto the Collective Bargaining agreement by janitors negotiated or even bargaining new contracts. They have even said they would not commit to hiring the current employees who work at the library, employees who have dedicated years of faithfully cleaning the library. She knows the library has stated that our vision is to be in support of improving the quality of life in Cuyahoga County and our key objectives are strengthening the economic vitality at our region and being recognized as an essential 120 | P a g e
9 community asset. She applauds the efforts of the library to address the economic piece by raising wages to $15/hour. She also hopes that the library can consider the ways in losing one’s job in the middle of a pandemic as a worker who already faces discrimination and barriers to employment does not improve the quality of life for these dozens of workers in Cuyahoga County. VGS has issues servicing CCPL because of how much they can pay in order to attract and retain employees. Do not punish the workers who stuck through it who served the library during this crisis workers like Angelic that you heard from earlier. The library in mandating in the RFP process that the prospective vendors meet specific wage and benefit requirements have shown their power as a client to ensure certain standards are met. Interested vendors. were asked to uphold Union rights or pay $15 with certain benefits and this shows that the library has a deciding voice in matters of labor in their facilities. Thank you. Tabatha Vannie 6806 Cheryl Ann Drive, Seven Hills Ms. Vannie Commented: She grew up in the West side of Cleveland area mainly Old Brooklyn where she utilized the Old Brooklyn Branch and Brooklyn Branch now, she goes to the closest Branch to her in Parma. She says she have five children and she and her children live at the library. They live at the library because it is a safe environment and a clean environment for her children. She has never seen it dirty she trusts her kids playing with everything there. Her heart truly hurts from what she just heard you are taking long term employees and telling them well you know what this company over her might hire you go apply with them or go interview with them. That is not good enough these are people lives we are talking about and on top of their lives we are in a middle of a pandemic this is terrifying and to hear this is the most scariest thing ever and her heart truly breaks. She hopes that the library is better than that these individuals these members deserve to stay at the library and work. They have been here for years some 10 years some 15 years they have dedication to us and why would anybody want to get rid of somebody with this type of dedication. She asks that we keep these members and honor the Union contract. It its very very important as many people on here have already stated there are tons and tons of reasons why a Collective Bargaining Agreement is good, she says she have to back them up and yes, they are good. There are so many people who have benefits, and she is happy that the $15 hour is going and that is what Unions are about a livable wage and that is what we want for everybody. She is sure we would want it for our kids, our wives for everybody. These employees are mothers, brothers, sisters, our children’s age. She is just asking that we have a heart these are individuals lives we are talking about and their livelihood. That is all she has to say. Daniel Davis 1526 Broadway, Maple Heights Mr. Davis Commented: He has been working at the library for almost the last two years and he is so irritated about one thing he has been working so hard cleaning up the libraries making them squeaky clean. He has been working so hard he and his coworkers keeping these libraries clean and what are we to do all out nothing. They have disabilities since he was born, and some have disabilities like other people do. They have been working so hard since the pandemic hit cleaning the walls, cleaning the tables and vacuuming and everything else. He is sick of everything else and agrees with Angelic don’t’ punish them for what they are doing they have been working so hard for the last several years, decades. He loves this, he loves working here. This is his one of his life and he and his coworkers have been working hard in what they are doing. That is all he has to say. Amar Brown 4030 St. Clair, Cleveland Mr. Brown commented: He is from Detroit he now resides in Cleveland he has been here for about six months now. He gets choked up just talking about it can we respect the worker? The Unions are important because they help set the standards for education, skill levels, wages, working conditions and quality of life for workers. 121 | P a g e
10 Union negotiated wages and benefits are generally superior to what nonunion workers receive. Most Union contracts provide far more protection than the State and Federal laws. That’s’ all there is to say. Thank you. Omar Jimenez 19155 Winward Way, Strongsville Mr. Jimenez commented: He visits the Strongsville library. This is very distraught to him. Unions as his colleagues, and individuals and Amar and everybody else has spoken is the standard right $15 an hour in a Union is standard. By displacing these workers, we are definitely going in the opposite direction especially since the majority if not all these workers have some sort of disability what does that say for our type of library and organization. It is not a good picture like his colleague Mr. Gerboc said we work very well with other libraries in other counties and other cities to uphold these standards and making sure that these individuals that work there have a livable wage and a Union to be safe and to have something they can be proud of. By us displacing these workers where are they going to go, they have nowhere else to go we cannot guarantee them they will have an interview or even if they do have an interview that they will be hired or even given a fair shot at being hired. This is unacceptable and it need to change. Thank you. Ben Hall 5239 Sable Court, Dayton Mr. Hall commented: He is also new to the Cleveland area moved here about six years ago he is from the Dayton area. He just wants to draw attention to the workers themselves who are here testifying pleading at our feet not to fire them and that should mean something. He thinks the fact that there are so many people here to speak on behalf of the Union and what the Union represents which as we discussed is more than just $15 an hour. He thinks this should really strike a chord with us and he understands this can be frustrating sitting around listening to these people dropping in on our meeting and take up our entire evening, but he thinks it is important to keep in mind there are people behind these decisions and there are employees who are going to lose their jobs for things that potentially they did not even do. That in and of itself is not fair and before we get into all the additional benefits in having a Union and having control over the conditions of your employment he thinks it is important to call out what people have said like not only are we firing people we are firing people in the middle of a pandemic. He understands we want to cut costs and he understand there are different motivations but what we have in front of us is a large group of people who are not driven by cutting costs they are here to make sure the people are taken care of and he thinks that is important and he want to highlight that. Thank you. President Leonard thanked everyone for taking the time to express their public comments we appreciate it. Report of the Executive Director: Executive Director Strobel expressed her pride in the recent announcement that CCPL will receive the 2021 American Red Cross Heroes Award. This is given to us in recognition of our efforts to assist the blood drives during the pandemic when we reopened several branches for the sole purpose of collecting blood donations. She thanked Bill Kelly, Adult Services Manager, and Theresa Brightman, LLD Clerk, Adult Programming for coordinating with the American Red Cross as well as many Branch Managers who opened the buildings and provided oversight during the blood drives. Executive Director Strobel gave highlights on a beautiful article about CCPL Warrensville Heights Branch garden. It appeared in the Spring edition of Children and Libraries Journal written by CCPL’s Children’s Branch Supervisor, Maria Trivisonno and Children’s Branch Services Assistant Beate van der Schalie. They both spearheaded this garden project with staff at CCPL Warrensville Heights Branch inspired many young gardeners. The article is wonderfully written and beautifully photographed very touching. It sheds a positive light on what we are doing in Warrensville Heights. As you know it is a food desert and this 122 | P a g e
11 introduction to growing healthy food and cooking has been a great and positive asset in Warrensville Heights. She has copies or will provide the link for anyone interested in the full article. Executive Director Strobel stated this evening learning moment will provide information about CCPL’s contribution to fighting the pandemic through registering people to receive vaccinations and distributing Rapid Test Kits. Executive Director Strobel introduced Caroline Vicchiarelli, Branch Services Director-West and Kristen Brennan, BSAI, CCPL Parma-Snow Branch. Director Vicchiarelli reminded us of the many ways the library has been essential to our customers during the pandemic, and she shared how branch staff assisted with the COVID-19 vaccine appointments and other COVID support. She stated in the beginning, when our oldest population could sign up, there were a few major places giving the vaccines such as Drug Mart, Giant Eagle, and Marcs, and all registrations had to be done online. Staff quickly learned to navigate the complicated system and along with information on the State website, began assisting customers with both securing appointments and information. Staff continued to pivot as new information came out daily, and additional sites and age changes were shared through email to ensure all staff received the same updated information quickly. When the County announced that beginning on March 17th, the Wolstein Center would be a mass vaccination site, staff pivoted again and learned how to access a new website, found phone numbers, and started signing up customers for appointments. During this same time, we also partnered with the Department of Health, who provided each branch with 25 bus passes to hand out to those who needed transportation to the Wolstein Center. Using those special passes, we were able to provide 144 customers with transportation downtown. The Ohio Department of Health also reached out to local library systems, whereby we could help connect with those who were underserved. We began to host FEMA Representatives, who would come to some of our branches and sit at tables 5-7 hours at a time, and they would secure appointments for those walk- in customers. As of today, they have been in our branches 334 hours, and signed up over 250 people who were able to get to the Wolstein Center and receive their vaccinations. FEMA has signed up over 4,000 walk-ins due to having those pop-up sites in communities around the county. On Wednesday, March 31, the Library also received special access codes through a partnership with Global Cleveland, allowing staff to directly schedule vaccine appointments for those who had medical, language or transportation barriers. The codes had to be used by Saturday, April 3rd, and CCPL staff jumped into action and registered more than 275 residents for the vaccine in just 36 hours! It was an amazing success and staff were thrilled they were able to assist so many so quickly. On Thursday, April 22, Director Rich was able to get an additional 1,000 codes and staff continued to schedule customers and provide assistance now that the Wolstein Center is vaccinating again. The Ohio Department of Health and the State worked together to create a Stay-at-Home Covid-19 test kit, which they offered to libraries in every county. We were able to get 2,400 kits, which were delivered to the eleven branches with drive up windows, customers could drive up, ask for a kit, then take it home and work with a telehealth professional to obtain results. By the time the library received the kits, more Covid-19 testing places had opened, and these test kits were not flying off the shelf, and we did a small Facebook announcement. We heard that people are mostly using these to obtain negative results to be able to show employers so they could return to work. We have given out 406 kits over five weeks, and on Monday, we began emailing our customers more broadly so more can take advantage of this service. 123 | P a g e
12 FEMA is now providing funeral assistance to those who lost loved ones to COVID-19. Information was sent to staff last week, and they are aiding by giving the helpline phone number to call, and the addresses/fax numbers to send documentation. Families can get up to $9,000 per person and up to $35,000 per family if you had multiple losses. Director Vicchiarelli stated our staff have done a wonderful job assisting and supporting customers during the many phases of COVID-19. Director Vicchiarelli commented some people just intuitively “get” things as she introduced and welcomed Kristin Brennan, BSAI, CCPL Parma Snow Branch. She stated Ms. Brennan immediately dove in the vaccination signup and helped over 100 customers alone. Ms. Brennan thanked everyone for giving her the opportunity to be here this evening especially the Board and Executive Director Strobel and Director Vicchiarelli to secure some of the things like vaccine codes and email information. She shared some of her tricks of the trade in getting people scheduled. She stated she have been with CCPL Parma-Snow Branch for 21 years in the children’s department. This was quite a jump over to try something new, but it became a passion for her, very important for us and for her to get her parents signed up then she also felt very passionate about getting her colleagues signed up they are a very close branch like family to each other. She is very proud to say she signed up 14 people at the Parma-Snow Branch and a couple of people in Administration. She wanted to make sure we were all vaccinated to come to work every day and serve our customers. She also helped sign up several family members. Her tricks to signing up so many people, she would come into work each day she would load up at least three different servers and three different browsers, Giant Eagle, and Marcs because those are the two that requires very little information and when a customer called, she would go into one and when she got signed out of one browser, she could jump to the next one she always had it loaded. She would load her computer 200 to 400 times a day back in the old days in February and March when it was almost impossible to find appointments and maybe get two appointments. Now with the wonderful codes we received it is much easier. To date she have scheduled 106 people. Ms. Brennan shared a story of our night cleaners Ms. Kay and Mr. Bill who have been with us for 38 years, both in their 80’s and two weeks ago just retired. She said like her parents, and grandparents they love them, and she took it upon herself to get them two an appointment as soon as possible. She worked with their daughter since they do not have cell phones, or a computer or emails and she was able to secure them an appointment. Ms. Kay pulled Ms. Brennan aside and said her husband Mr. Bill got very emotional when he heard she had gotten them appointments. Mr. Bill said now that we have been together 60 years hopefully, this will keep us together even longer. That pulled at Ms. Brennan’s heart and made a difference. Ms. Brennan shared the story about Ms. Cara a customer who Ms. Brennan was her sons’ story time person 12 years ago. Ms. Cara contacted Ms. Brennan she was trying to get a vaccine because she has an in-home day care service, and she really needed an appointment as soon as possible. Ms. Brennan secured her an appointment and Ms. Cara called to see if she could secure a friend whose father have MS and of course anybody who told her there were medical issues their names jumped to the top of her list. She scheduled five family members in Ms. Cara’s group. Ms. Brennan told us about Ms. Katie a customer who comes in every week and her parents were having difficulty scheduling an appointment and Ms. Brennan secured appointments for them and they came in and thanked her. So many emotions go along with a lot of this. Ms. Brennan also scheduled her Manager Amy Chatlos and her husband Jeff Chatlos who works for CCPL as well. They were the only couple she knows of that was scheduled at the same time within 15 minutes of each other. She told Ms. Chatlos that she was able to find a date night for her and her husband. Ms. Brennan thanked the library for giving us the skills needed to give back to the community these are lifesaving, and she appreciates being able to give back. 124 | P a g e
13
Executive Director Strobel thanked both Director Vicchiarelli and Ms. Brennan for their hard work and
dedication.
Trustee Varley commented this should be reflected in the report that they were aggressive in what they
were doing and there was no provision for employees to be vaccinated. That is even more important they
were putting themselves out there for that and they should be commended, and he thanks them for it.
Executive Director Strobel commented that is the nature of our library team is to put themselves second.
Human Resources Report:
Human Resources Director Good summarized the HR report. We had five increasing hours, one
employee moved from BSAI to BSAII, and three retirements and on pages 31 and 32 are a list of subs
that received increases on the new rates agreed upon in negotiations.
04-04/2021
Trustee Spangler moved approval, seconded by Trustee Davies. Seeing no discussion, the Human
Resources Report dated April 27, 2021, was approved as presented by unanimous vote of the Board
members present. (See pages 130-137)
Finance Committee Report:
Acting Finance Chairperson Spangler reminded us that the Finance Committee met prior to the Board
meeting, and Director Morgan gave an in-depth review of the financials. She stated all participants here
at this meeting were at the Finance meeting and if there are no questions for Director Morgan, she asks
that we move forward to approve the Investment report.
(See Under FINANCE
05-04/2021
Trustee Shlonsky moved approval, seconded by Trustee Spangler. Seeing no additional discussion, the
Investment Report Fiscal 2021 – March listing all Money Market Funds, Star Ohio Accounts, U.S.
Treasury Investments, Certificates of Deposit and Agency Securities was approved as presented by roll-
call vote.
(See Under FINANCE)
Roll-Call: Yea: Allyn Davies; William J. Leonard; Patricia A. Shlonsky; Maria L.
Spangler; Robert W. Varley; – 5.
Nea: – 0.
Purchase Approval List
The Purchase Approval List (PAL) was reviewed in depth at the Finance Committee Meeting. President
Leonard asks for a motion to approve the Purchase Approval List.
06-04/2021
Trustee Spangler moved approval of Purchase Approval List, seconded by Trustee Davies. Seeing no
additional discussion, the Purchase Approval List dated April 27, 2021, was approved as presented by
unanimous vote of the Board members present. (See pages 138-140)
Gift Report
President Leonard asked for a motion to approve the Gift Report.
07-04/2021
Trustee Spangler moved approval, seconded by Trustee Shlonsky. The gift report was approved by
unanimous vote of the Board members present. (See page 141)
125 | P a g e14
Resolution to Amend Official Certificate of Estimated Resources and Amend
Appropriations
Director Morgan stated this resolution is to amend our budget both the certificate and estimated
resources and appropriations. We have two amendments to our official certificate of estimated resources
one for $260,000.00 for My Com Neighborhood Project and the other for $83,802.00 for Adult Education
Services (AES) which is the ASPIRE program. We are also asking for an appropriation adjustment in
each one of those special revenue funds for the same amount as well as an additional appropriation in
the special trust fund for $50,000.00.
08-04/2021
Trustee Shlonsky moved approval, seconded by Trustee Spangler. Seeing no additional discussion, the
Resolution to Amend Official Certificate of Estimated Resources and Amend Appropriations was
approved by unanimous vote of the Board members present. (See page 142)
Roll-Call: Yea: Allyn Davies; William J. Leonard; Patricia A. Shlonsky; Maria L.
Spangler; Robert W. Varley; – 5.
Nea: – 0.
Depository Account - Bank Approval
Director Morgan stated this is a request to approve an additional depository contract with Dollar Bank.
We do not currently have an account with Dollar Bank they have an escrow product we would like to use,
and we would like Board approval to sign this additional depository contract.
09/04/2021
Trustee Spangler moved approval, seconded by Trustee Varley. Seeing no additional discussion, the
Depository Account - Dollar Bank Approval was approved by unanimous vote of the Board members
present. (See pages 143-144)
Motion to Adjourn.
Seeing no other business under consideration for vote, President Leonard asked for a motion to adjourn
the meeting.
10-04/2021
Upon motion of Trustee Shlonsky, seconded by Trustee Varley, the April 27, 2021 meeting of the
Cuyahoga County Public Library adjourned at 6:11 p.m.
Approved 25 May 2021
X________________________
William J. Leonard
President
X________________________
Allyn Davies
Secretary
126 | P a g e15
Resolution of Appreciation
for
Rhonda Kiefer
WHEREAS, Rhonda has served with great loyalty as an employee of Cuyahoga County Public
Library since her hire on January 4, 1999, as a Public Services Librarian II at the
Strongsville Branch; on October 9, 2006, she transferred to the Brook Park Branch,
a position she held until her retirement on May 31, 2021; and,
WHEREAS, she had a strong knowledge and interest in children’s literature and consistently
provided courteous, kind and empathetic service and readers’ advisory to
customers. She cultivated long-lasting friendships with many young customers and
their caregivers. She was open to new ideas, adapted to changes and new
technologies, and always strived for personal and professional improvement. She led
hundreds of quality storytimes and youth book discussions, demonstrating her
conscientiousness and ability to engage all children. With her kind heart and
interest in science and literature, she arranged numerous after-school and Summer
Reading programs in areas spanning from arts and culture, astronomy and bubbles,
magic and puppetry, and nature and wildlife to literacy and STEAM, fostering a
wide appreciation for books and animals among children; and,
WHEREAS, she inspired staff to further their education through school and training
opportunities and encouraged them to branch out with their personal interests. She
supported staff creation and delivery of programming based on their passions by
providing them with the necessary time, instruction and supplies. She showed astute
judgment when supervising, recognized others for their hard work and enjoyed
mentoring and assisting colleagues, authors and performers alike. She maintained
friendly connections with school and daycare teachers and faculty, coordinating
more than a dozen class visits each month that were beloved by students. She
oversaw the steady implementation of Baby Club, The Family Place and the
Homework Center, through which –along with a robust children’s material
collection – she encouraged reading literacy and scholastic achievement among
younger generations; and,
WHEREAS, she showed organization, attention to detail, dedication and a great talent for
writing, taking immense pride in her work and that of the Children’s department.
She was a kind, compassionate leader who always looked toward the best interest of
N
other people and creatures.
OW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Library Trustees records its
appreciation to Rhonda Kiefer for all the years of service she has rendered to the Library
and the public and extends to her all good wishes for a happy, healthy and rewarding
life.
William J. Leonard, President
Board of Trustees
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Date: May 25, 202116
Resolution of Appreciation
for
Doris Zelko
WHEREAS, Doris has served with great loyalty as an employee of Cuyahoga
County Public Library since her hire on January 13, 1998, as a Page at
the Gates Mill Branch; on April 14, 2003, she became a Branch
Regional Clerk at the Chagrin Falls Branch; on July 3, 2006, her title
changed to Branch Clerk; on March 29, 2015, her title changed to
Branch Services Clerk, a position she held until her retirement on May
31, 2021; and,
WHEREAS, she consistently represented CCPL and promoted its services in a
positive manner. She could be counted on to be patient and calm with
all, especially while instructing customers on the self-check machines;
and,
WHEREAS, she was good natured and friendly with all staff and customers. She
had a quiet nature and calming effect, which helped diffuse difficult
situations. She always adhered to established customer service
guidelines and procedures; and,
WHEREAS, she displayed very good customer service skills. She was very
dependable, humble, detail oriented and agreeable. She took initiative
in her job and was a great asset with processing passport applications.
N
OW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Library Trustees
records its appreciation to Doris Zelko for all the years of service she has
rendered to the Library and the public and extends to her all good wishes for
a happy, healthy and rewarding life.
William J. Leonard, President
Board of Trustees
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Date: May 25, 202117 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE MAKE PUBLIC LIBRARIES A PRIORITY On April 20, the Ohio House Finance Committee accepted an omnibus amendment to Substitute House Bill (Sub. HB) 110 that would reduce the Public Library Fund (PLF) from 1.7% to 1.66% of the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF). It may not sound like much, but it actually represents a $22 million loss for libraries across the state, including a $1 million loss for Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL). Sub. HB 110 also includes a 2% income tax cut that will negatively impact the GRF (from which the PLF is derived), which would result in additional losses for Ohio’s public libraries. On May 19, I had the opportunity to testify before the State Senate Finance Committee to advocate for libraries statewide. My message was simple – now is not the time to cut funding for Ohio’s public libraries. Here are a just few reasons why: • Ohio has more than 8.4 million registered borrowers statewide. Ohioans love their libraries and turn to them for a wide variety of services. Throughout the pandemic, libraries have had to find new ways to continue doing what they do best, and that is serving their communities. Whether it is providing specialized technology assistance, aiding job seekers and small businesses, or adapting educational services to assist students and parents who are new to remote learning, libraries continue to innovate for the benefit of Ohioans. • Libraries are NOT receiving aid from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan. • A reduction in funding will negatively affect libraries, especially those that do not have a local property tax levy and rely solely on their state funding as their main source of revenue for day-to-day operations. • Cutting library funding will only widen the digital divide in our state. Imagine trying to Zoom into your fourth grade class from the backseat of your mom’s car. It is a scenario that Ohio libraries saw over and over. When CCPL’s buildings were closed, county residents logged more than 70,000 sessions on our Wi-Fi network – from our parking lots. • Per the Ohio Library Council, Ohio’s public libraries provided more than $2.77 billion in direct economic benefit to Ohio residents in 2019. In addition, for every $1 spent by public libraries, a total economic value of almost $5 was returned to Ohioans. I urge library supporters to reach out to their Ohio legislators and ask them to maintain the PLF at 1.7% and hold libraries harmless from reductions as a result of tax cuts. This funding is critical for public libraries, and for the millions of Ohioans who benefit from their services every day. Tracy R. Strobel Executive Director
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