Library Board

Minutes Agenda Packet City Website ↗

The Library Board held a closed session to evaluate Library Director Jeff Dawson, then returned to open session without reporting any action. The only recorded vote outside routine business was a unanimous approval to keep the Bloodborne Pathogens policy unchanged.

The board went into closed session under the state’s personnel exception to conduct the Library Director’s evaluation, then came back to open session with no public summary of outcomes or next steps.

Trustees unanimously approved a review of the Bloodborne Pathogens policy with no changes, keeping the existing workplace safety rules in place.

The board signaled a leadership change is coming: a slate of officers is expected to be voted on in April (Kate Gadd for president, Jack Powalisz for vice president).

No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.

CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
Passed 8-0
Trustees voted to go into closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) to conduct the Library Director evaluation. They returned to open session about 14 minutes later, but the minutes do not describe any action taken afterward (such as direction, goals, or contract/pay decisions). Closed sessions may be allowed for personnel matters, but the lack of any public-facing takeaway leaves residents with little ability to understand what, if anything, changed as a result of the evaluation.
NEW BUSINESS A. Motion to approve the review of the Bloodborne Pathogens policy with no changes
Passed
The board approved keeping the Bloodborne Pathogens policy as-is after its review. This is a routine but important safety policy for staff, and the vote indicates trustees did not see a need for updates at this time. The minutes do not describe any discussion of incidents, training, or compliance issues that might have driven the review.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Final Annual Report, as presented to the State, was included in the packet.
The board received the library’s final annual report that was submitted to the state. The minutes don’t summarize the report’s key numbers or trends, so residents can’t tell from this record whether usage, staffing, or finances are improving or slipping. If the annual report is a major accountability document, it would be more useful if the board discussion (if any) and headline metrics were captured in the minutes.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS B. Sleger reported the slate of officers to be presented and voted on at the April meeting are – Kate Gadd, President and Jack Powalisz, Vice President.
The board previewed its next officer slate, with Kate Gadd proposed as president and Jack Powalisz as vice president for an April vote. This matters because board leadership shapes agendas and how transparent and responsive meetings feel to the public. No vote happened at this meeting, and the minutes don’t describe whether other nominations will be accepted.