Bryan-Bennett Library

September 22, 2020, Special Board Meeting

Bryan-Bennett Library

Special Board Meeting Minutes

September 22, 2020

 Call to order

Board Member and Ethics Officer Jack McGuire called the special meeting to order at 6 p.m. The following trustees were present: Tom Champion, Ed Dolbeare, Jack McGuire, Lynn Larimer, Joyce Raver, and Ann Wilzbach. Also present was Library Director Kim Keller. Board member Gayla Wilkerson entered the meeting at 6:29 p.m. Board President Jane Gaston was absent.

Ethics Officer McGuire said that the meeting was called to hear a complaint about the resolution of a dispute.

Closed Session

At 6:05 p.m., the Board approved a motion by Trustee Champion to enter closed session. The motion was seconded by Trustee Dolbeare.

At 8:02 p.m., the Board returned to open session.

Ethics Officer McGuire summarized the findings of the Board:

  • It was a consensus of the Board that the disagreement had occurred.
  • Ricker-Pitts and Mr. Leuty had discussed the dispute with Library Director Keller.
  • There had been a cooling off period, during which Ms. Ricker Pitts and Mr. Leuty were scheduled separately.
  • After listening to witnesses, the Board concluded that a hand gesture in question was not sufficiently outrageous to warrant the grievance.
  • The Board stands behind the director.
  • The Board reserved the right to reprimand both parties. However, the Board may find that the discussion between the 2 employees and Director Keller will suffice.
  • The Board was of the opinion that the Library was not large enough and did not have the resources to be able to accommodate special schedule requests indefinitely.

Adjournment

At 8:10 p.m., the meeting adjourned upon a motion by Trustee Wilkerson, with a second by Trustee Champion.

Respectfully submitted,

 Ann Wilzbach                                                                                                                                                              BBL Board Secretary