Avoca Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes for June 2026

Regular Meeting of the Avoca Public Library Board of Trustees
Monday June 8, 2026 6:00PM

Present: Kathy Denning, Becky Bahnfleth, Amy Pattee, Gary Schultz, Amy Parker, Mary Beatty, Denise Suedkamp, Librarian Sabrina Lewis.  City Admin Shawnna Silvius, City Clerk Teresa Hoepner

The meeting audio was recorded.

Call to Order: Kathy

Public Comments: None

Secretary Report: Minutes of May Meeting, Motion to approve Mary, Second Amy Parker. Motion passed.

Financial Report: Midstates 002-$4356.23  Midstates 004-$107099.86

Memorial Fund: $32,160.45

Librarian Report:

  1. City Contracts-Shelby not yet done.  Minden may want to contract with Avoca instead of Council Bluffs.
  2. Summer Reading-51 people on the first day.  Music performance is this week
  3. D&D Programs-8 in 16 & up, 8 in below 16 groups
  4. Pizza Hut Coupons will be given for checking out a specific number of books & reading them
  5. C1st Credit Union Anniv event will be June 26th outside in front of library
  6. Historical Society Display by back door is new, Cake pans will be photographed and a check out book will be made to keep up front at desk.

Scheduled dates:

  • Story Time every Wed @10:30 & Daycare Outreach
  • Friday Book Club @1
  • Book Clubs x2
  • League of Human Dignity-1st Friday 1-3
  • Friday Flix-Every Friday @10 (June had 14 people)
  • Overall Buddies Concert- June 10 10:30
  • Tween & Teen Crafting June 24th 5:30-7, Creating 3-D Cacti
  • Movie Monday-June 29 at 10
  • Library Closed July 3-4
  • Author Visit-Ron Rosmann-July 8 5:30-6:30

Old Business:

  1. Strategic Plan-Nothing new
  2. Trustee Training Link
  3. 2021 Trustee Handbook-Kathy asked how often this is updated, Sabrina will find out
  4. Library Roof/Window Flashing-NO LEAKS, Sabrina & Shawnna unsure of status
  5. Library Landscaping-Contractor to return due to weeds & issues with black fabric showing, may need more rock.  City needs to weed eat after mowing.
  6. Tobacco-Free/Nicotine Free Policy-Motion to approve Amy Pattee, 2nd Mary, Motion approved.
  7. Will consider moving the outdoor ashtray away from the back bench & building.

New Business:

  1. Sign Bills/Hours Motion to approve-Amy Pattee, 2nd-Becky, Motion approved.
  2. Gifts & Memorials:$120 
  3. Memorial of $100 to purchase books in honor of Ray Olsen-kids books, trucks, Kansas sports.  Motion Amy Parker, 2nd Mary, Motion approved.
  4. Libraries with Heart Program: Pott Co Health & American Heart to provide BP monitors to check out or to use at the library.  They would teach staff how to use cuffs.  Board stated they would like more information on this before moving forward.
  5. Wage Increase Percentage-Motion to set Librarian wage increase to 4% by Amy Parker, 2nd Becky.  Motion passed.
  6. Notary Service: Used 43 times in past 3 years.  Sabrina renewed as Notary ($30 out of budget)​​​​​​​
  7. July Meeting Time Change-Motion to change time to July 13th @ 7pm by Denise, 2nd by Amy Pattee, motion passed​​​​​​​
  8. Joint Session with City Council will be July 13th @ 6:00 pm  
  9. Conflict of Interest/Confidentiality Policy-Policies explained by Shawnna with examples given and reviewed by Library Board.  Each Library Board Trustee signed agreements.

Shawnna & Trustee members discussed current issues with CFWI funds, IPAIT and the upcoming joint meeting with City Council.​​​​​​​

Trustee Comments: None

Next Meeting: Monday July 13th @ 7pm

Joint Session with City Council will be July 13th @ 6:00