OZARK DALE COUNTY LIBRARY, INC.

Special Called Board Meeting of the Board of Trustees

Board Meeting held on January 14, 2021

Members Present: Marie Black

Liz Delaney
Dr. Imogene Mixson
Mike Cairns
Christina Faulkner

Also Present: Karen Speck, Director

Joni Wood, Administrative Assistant

Audience: Charles F. Auman

Amber Chancey, FOL President
Nikki Britton, FOL Secretary
Jayden Driggers

Marie Black called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.

Paid advertisement by Charles Auman regarding the Library Board: In response to the paid
advertisement published in the January 14th, 2021 Southern Star, Marie provided a synopsis of
the history of our actions since 2012. The below points are transcribed verbatim from her notes
and any additional comments made are added as necessary.
1. 2012 - Got estimates to fix roof & do some renovating – cost was too much
a. Additional Comments: In 2012, the library badly needed roof repairs, not too
much the inside needing renovating. Earl Hyers, the Board Chairman at the
time and Sandra, the Director at the time, worked together to get estimates for
both the roof repairs and the renovations. They concluded the cost was too
much to renovate.
2. 2013 - Asked Wiregrass Foundation to help with renovating – but they refused to put
money into the old library
a. Additional Comments: None
3. 2013 – Board wanted to accept building at end of city owned shopping center
a. Additional Comments: This is the building on the opposite end where Church
with U is currently located.
4. 2013 – Had Chad Brown draw up plans to renovate – cost was almost $2,000,000
a. Additional Comments: None
5. 2013 – Board dropped that plan due to lack of money
a. Additional Comments: None
6. Board decided to hire consultant to do focus groups – They wanted a new building or
an existing building to renovate
a. After dropping those plans, the Board hired a consulting company to host
focus groups to determine what the citizens of Ozark and Dale County wanted
to do about a library. After the groups concluded the community wanted either
 a new building or renovate an existing building, they (the Board) got busy
looking for a suitable, standalone building to renovate.
7. There was no building available – so Board bought a lot to build a new one
a. Additional Comments: This lot is located in front of the current building we
are moving into.
8. When Chuck Auman heard this he took back $132,000 that he had given us
a. Additional Comments: None
9. He thought we were using that money to put on a new library – So it was taken out of
savings and given back to him
a. Additional Comments: The savings referred to was a Vanguard account.
10. The Board has no idea why he opposes a new library
a. Additional Comments: Mr. Auman interjected stating that, “It didn’t happen. I
know it says public comments later, but that needs correcting right now. It did
not happen.” When Marie responded with, “What did not happen?”, Mr.
Auman replied “That I took money back from you.” After a pause of silence,
Marie and Mr. Auman agreed to not get into that, but not before Auman
commented that it cost me $15,000 in lawyer’s fees last time we did.

Marie continued with her synopsis and picked up with fundraising for the new building. The
money has been slow coming in and we have only raised about $115,000. The Board next went
to the County Commission and City Council for financial backing; however, both entities could
not put any money towards it. Marie concluded saying that’s the background of this library – we
wanted you to all know the steps we took to get where we are today.

After asking for any comments, Imogene stated that she is still pleased with how many people
participated in the focus groups several years ago. She said she believes we can still profit a lot
from the ideas that were submitted back then.

Agreement terms between City of Ozark and the Library. Marie asked for comments or
concerns about the contract terms.

Christina and Karen both voiced concerns over a definitive timeline for the project for the
clawback clause. Karen suggested three years to allow more time for fundraising and any issues
that may arise due to the COVID pandemic. Mike agreed.

Marie asked if we should talk to the Mayor about this before voting. Christina said we should
talk to him about a construction timeline since he is project lead. Imogene agreed we can’t make
a decision right now. Christina later commented that we need to go back to Nicky Bull, our
attorney, to learn more about the timeframe Mark and the City is expecting for us. All agree.

The discussion continued with other concerns, such as the flat roof needing repairs. Mike said
the roof repair is taken care of through a grant. Karen commented that someone pointed out a flat
roof is still a flat roof and the thicker roof just means it will take longer to start leaking. Christina
replied that the TPO is better than a Duralast roof.
Imogene asked if we can leave the timeline open ended. No, because of the clawback clause in
the agreement. Plus, it will serve our purpose well in fundraising to know the timeframe.
Karen stated she had spoken to Brenda about the timeline and she said regardless of the
timeframe we are given, we can ask for an extension, within reason. Christina and Mike both
agreed that needed to be in the contract.

Christina commented about renovating it into a state of the art modern library, which includes
new furniture. Karen replied that Alabama Power has a grant to help with new furniture and that
Liz’s sister, Dr. Anna Waldron who is a grant writer, is working with Amber on grants.

Christina motioned to table the agreement discussion until we can talk to Nicky Bull, Liz
seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Christina asked if we were still meeting next week to discuss a fundraising committee. Karen
replied that no, the FOL is the committee and they will get the fundraising ideas together to
present to the Board.

Christina voiced her concern that the FOL doesn’t meet again till next month. Here’s my thing,
both of our groups (i.e. Library Board and FOL Board) meet once a month and if we really want
to jump on this and get it going, we need to meet more often.

Amber, FOL President, responded that the FOL officers are meeting outside of the monthly
meetings. We actually have one planned for this Saturday to brainstorm ideas, as well as to
finalize details for the Basketball 3-Point Shootout and Crawdad Festival.

Karen added that Joni and I can work on doing another postcard campaign mail out in the
coming weeks. The last campaign in 2019 raised over $8,000.

Christina said we need to get the community involved and in order to do so, need to have more
meetings that are open to the public. Amber responded that people are not coming to our
meetings and we are working with the people who are showing up and actively helping.

Imogene suggested that in addition to our fundraising efforts and grant applications, we should
think about our major donors in the Wiregrass area. We need to look into our personal contacts
and talk to these individuals one-on-one. Now that we have a plan that is underway, our
community members will have a better sense of what is going to happen. She proposed that we
add that to our mix of fundraising efforts and write up a plan that outlines the fundraising, grants,
and major donors.

January 13th, 2021 minutes approval for name changes on bank accounts. Imogene
motioned to approve the January 13th, 2021 minutes and Liz seconded. All were in favor and the
motion passed.

Liz, who is also the FOL Treasurer, voiced her concern of fundraising burnout by the
community. However, Marie and Christina commented that if the events are spaced out and are a
variety of events, that it should be fine. There are annual events that include the Crawdad
Festival, Claybank Jamboree, and the Santa’s Workshop, as well as bi-annual events that include
the yard sale. Christina, referencing the sheet of fundraising ideas provided by the Friends,
commented that these are all really good ideas.

Mike suggested setting up a table at the Library’s new location during the Crawdad Festival to
give tours, show off the plans, pictures, and generally raise awareness of our project. He offered
to be in charge of it. All agreed it was a great idea.

Public Comments: There were no additional public comments.

Christina motioned to adjourn and Liz seconded. The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by ____________________________

Approved by Secretary _______________________________