Attending:

• Mike Jefferis, Chairperson
• Karen LaCorte-Nies, Vice Chairperson
• J.P. Gellermann, Secretary/Treasurer
• Veronica Ettel
• Nancy McKibben
• Angela Pietras
• Cheryl Morales, Executive Director
• Martha Frenchek, Recording Secretary
• David McMurrin, LDAC Liaison

Absent: Sean Gaffney, Maggie Paluch

1. Call to Order:
   Mike Jefferis, Chairperson called the Board Meeting to order at 3:30 pm.
2. Roll Call:
   Martha Frenchek conducted Roll Call.
   Present: Mike Jefferis, Karen LaCorte-Nies, J.P. Gellermann, Veronica Ettel, Nancy McKibben,
   Angela Pietras, Cheryl Morales, Martha Frenchek. A quorum was represented.
   Absent: Sean Gaffney, Maggie Paluch
   Guest: Heidi Hugh
3. Minutes from November 20, 2024, Board Meeting were accepted as presented. (Pietras/Gellermann)
4. Monthly Financial Committee Report:
   1. Level Four Management Report: November/December 2024
   2. PDR Account Financial Statement: November/December 2024
      LaCorte-Nies remarked that Morales did a great job providing all the data in line with all expenses and revenue. LaCorte-Nies commented the  committee has been reviewing how the Portfolio looks. The Bond Portfolio was discussed, and the Finance Committee may recommend shifting Bond investments to a Money Market fund or CD’s upon maturity. Ettel asked Morales to request that Level 4 produce a 3-year Analysis Report, and Jeffris requested to include an active vs. passive Management Report.
5. Correspondence:
   Morales read thank-you cards and holiday greetings from member libraries.
6. Executive Director’s Report – Cheryl Morales
   1. Building/Admin.
      1. Painting in the Meeting Room completed for the cost of materials.
      2. Continued collaboration with the LDAC committee on Public Service Policies
         and eContent planning
   2. Countywide Services / Member Libraries
      1. Disaster recovery status of closed libraries and collaborations
         1. Clearwater Beach Branch – ongoing reconstruction may open in August
         2. Gulf Beaches Library- opening date 2.10.25
         3. Indian Rocks Beach Library (non-member) ongoing reconstruction
      2. DLC and TBL reports included in the Agenda packet. Note: TBL provided services to residents of the panhandle area during the
         days when the library there was closed due to snow
   3. Executive Director Activities-since August Board Meeting:
      1. 11.22 TBLC Strategic Planning Group
      2. 12.11-12.13 State Library Directors annual meeting in Tallassee
      3. 1.2.25 Launched Safford House and Heritage Museum Passes
      4. 1.6.25 Lighthouse for the Blind planning meeting
      5. 1.7.25 CLSP planning meeting for Summer Reading 2025
      6. 1.15.25 Promoted PPLC at a Dunedin Rotary Club meeting
      7. 1.16.25 FEMA application for assistance with Gulf Beaches Library Director
      8. 1.17.25 MOM (Museum of Motherhood) new partner meeting
      9. 1.21-1.28 Meetings and calls with Bankers and Financial Advisors regarding PPLC’s investment accounts options
      10. 1.21.25 Photography in Marketing and PR – participated in webinar
      11. 1.22.25 Midwest Tapes (Hoopla) and LDAC eContent committee meeting at PPLC
      12. 1.27.25 Gulf Beaches Public Library Board Meeting
   4. Upcoming:
      1. 2.10.25 Gulf Beaches Public Library Reopening
      2. 2.20-22 promoting PPLC at the S.P.I.F.F.S. Annual Festival – Pinellas Park
7. Old Business:
   1. 1. Roth Memorial
         Morales announced that the Largo Library plans to install a Giving Tree. After some discussion, Morales requested that PPLC allocate funds to donate three leaves in honor of
         three board members who have passed away: Bill Horn, Lynne Faimalie, and Karen Roth. The Board unanimously approved adding 3 leaves to the Giving Tree. Wording will be discussed at a later date (LaCorte-Nies/Gellermann).
      2. Annual Performance Evaluation Committee
         Further discussions regarding the committee’s meeting schedule and objectives. The committee will soon select a date for the first meeting.
8. New Business:
   1. Member Library Spotlight: Clearwater Public Library System Jen Obermaier, The Director of the Clearwater Public Library System highlighted the demographics and various activities at each branch:
      1. Main Branch:
         1. (Downtown) There is exhibit space for a Museum and the City Council would like to establish an actual museum, Hosting the HR department,
         2. Hotel is being built near the library, The Heritage Studio, and 4 Maker Studios were highlighted.
      2. Beach Branch: Did not survive Hurricane Helene. Rebuilding should re-open in August
      3. East Branch: Shared partnership with SPC, Hispanic Community
      4. Countryside Branch: North County neighborhood library
      5. North Greenwood Branch: Serves the African American Community. Received a CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) allocation, and a mural will be created in front of the building. The library will also have major modifications made this year.
   2. FY’25 Budget Revision
      Morales presented a revised budget for FY’25 and explained the formula error and corrective actions. The Board unanimously approved the revised Budget (McKibben/Ettel).
9. LDAC Report – David McMurrin
   Reviewed November & January meetings:
   1. Voted not to charge patrons for Hurricane damaged items
   2. Discussion about linking Florida Electronic Library records in the ILS
10. Announcements/Miscellaneous: Angela Pietras introduced Heidi Hugh and explained that Heidi will replace Angela on the PPLC Board and in the City of Pinellas Park, as the new Leisure Services Administrator.
11. Public Comments: None
12. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned @ 4:52 pm (LaCorte-Nies/Gellermann)