Summary
- Employee survey results showed that workers are feeling less supported and valued than they were two years ago. A board member suggested that a contentious bargaining period that ended in June 2024 contributed.
- Similar to remarks in the August Cuyahoga Developmental Disabilities Board meeting, there was conversation about what some see as potentially disastrous effects of a repeal or significant reduction in property taxes in Ohio.
- It seems — based on comments from a board member — that a fair amount of discussion happens in the Finance Committee meetings, and then those discussed items are briefly approved in full board meetings.
Follow-Up Question
- It was interesting to see that employee survey results are worse than two years ago, especially after a contentious bargaining period. This suggests to me that the approved contract and the difficulty in reaching that agreement has taken a toll on staff morale. The union contract that Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) workers won offered less than what they asked for in terms of wages. I think it will be interesting to watch the employee engagement programming results. Will CCPL be able to better engage employees?
- Is the library making tactical plans to prepare for a property tax reduction or elimination? [Editor’s note: Ohio lawmakers want to immediately cut property taxes for many.]
Cuyahoga County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting
The meeting was at the Parma-Snow branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library in the administration section, which is to the left and up a flight of stairs after entering the main doors. The doors to enter the admin offices were locked, requiring staff ID to enter. There were no signs directing people to the location of the meeting. There was no dedicated person at the doors to let people in, causing a group to congregate and wait to be let in.
The auditorium had approximately 15 chairs for attendees and three rows of tables and chairs for CCPL staff. In addition to the board and multimedia staff, there were approximately 8 to 10 staff (they were in and out of the meeting) and eight members of the public in attendance.
Board members and employees had printed versions of the agenda document that had been made available online, but copies were not available for non-employee attendees.
Roll Call
5:04 p.m., all board members present
Resolution to appoint deputy fiscal officer
Chlondra Hunter was appointed to this position for a five-month term, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3375.32. She took an oath, and the resolution was approved.
Approval of July 22 meeting minutes
Approved with no changes.
Retiree recognition
None of the retirees were in attendance, but each had their titles and career progression read aloud and were sent well wishes. Six retirees were recognized, most with 25 to 30 years of service to CCPL. [Editor’s note: Find the retirees beginning at this point in the meeting packet].
Public comment
Michael Niederhausen, technology training supervisor at CCPL: He congratulated the SEIU 1199 members who retired. He is president of SEIU 1199 and said he wanted to introduce himself to the board. He left the meeting after his comment.
No further public comment.
Report of the board president
Board President Allyn Davies attended a Books & Bites event with author Samin Nosrat, sponsored by the CCPL Foundation. The event raised an estimated $64,000.
Property tax reduction could decimate library system
Report of the CEO
The meeting turned over to Jamar Rahming, who is the new CEO and new to the area. He has been spending time meeting with local and state politicians and lobbyists and speaking against proposed property tax reduction/elimination bills. He is thinking about and planning for nonpartisan advocacy should these bills advance in the Statehouse. He said that if a proposed property tax reduction bill passes, CCPL could potentially be “decimated in five years.” He is committed to watching the trajectory of those bills.
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He attended the National Book Festival hosted by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., in September. He viewed it as a networking opportunity with publishers and authors in order to continue hosting high-quality author events at CCPL (Writers Center Stage). Fundraising driven by these events is set to surpass last year’s numbers.
Employee satisfaction down
Monique Good (chief human resources officer, substituted for Maritina Moore of Moore Counseling & Mediation Services, who was ill): Employee engagement survey results were presented. The survey was conducted in February and is on an every-two-year basis. This is the Plain Dealer Workplace Survey.
- 64% response rate (598 responses of the 932 staff invited); 68% response rate for the last survey in 2023.
- Average score was 3.62 out of 6. Overall down 6% from 2023 and 14% below their benchmark score compared to other public libraries and local and state governments. Responses were also below this benchmark in the 2023 survey.
- The survey was grouped into six topics, all of which were rated lower in 2025 than they were in 2023:
- Respected and supported: down 3% from 2023, 10% below CCPL’s benchmark
- Engaged: down 9%, 11% below benchmark
- Enabled to grow: down 3%, 12% below benchmark
- Closely aligned: down 10%, 12% below benchmark
- Empowered to execute: down 5%, 19% below benchmark
- Fairly valued: down 12%, 19% below benchmark
Moore has been hired to help improve relationships between employees and management, restore trust, improve communication, enhance collaboration, and develop conflict resolution practices. Leadership and the union were part of this decision.
Results of the survey will be shared with staff, then an action plan will be firmed up and Moore will start her programming.
Some positive comments were also shared from the employee survey.
Suggested Reading
Board Member William Leonard: “The numbers are down, we all know why they’re down. Have you seen a corresponding increase in turnover?”
Good said she has not seen a rise in turnover but will pull numbers and share with the board. Leonard mentioned that staff were “frustrated” after the last round of contract negotiations.
Contract negotiations were difficult last year, with a vote to authorize a strike if an agreement wasn’t reached, as reported by Ideastream.
The HR team will report back at these meetings with results of Pulse Surveys (short surveys between the every-two-year surveys) after Moore’s programming has begun.
HR Report
Good gave a quick rundown of recent metrics: 17 hires, two rehires, three promotions, four employees started new roles, five started acting roles, nine added a second rate, and some pages got scheduled raises.
HR report approved by vote.
Finance Committee Report
Finance Committee Chair Edward Blakemore
July/August fiscal review: Other than scheduled property tax disbursement, no additional revenue is expected in 2025. Overall, CCPL is $2 million off target. Public Library Fund dollars were reduced due to Ohio House Bill 6. Expenses are on target, and there may be some savings by not filling all staff vacancies (small dollar amount relative to the shortfall).
July/August investments review: Board declined a reading of all investments. Blakemore said, “There’s not anything particularly noteworthy.”
Transfers: Grant dollars moved from general fund in case the original funding agency of grant programs was unable to cover the full cost.
Purchase and gift approval: Blakemore said there were “robust discussions” in the finance meeting immediately prior to this meeting. All discussion was skipped.
Finance report approved by vote.
$2.5 million for new roof at North Olmsted branch
New business
Resolution to amend official certificate of estimated resources and amend appropriations. $100,000 increase in budget/appropriations for adult education services fund to cover Aspire, Project Learn and Benefits Navigator programs. Approved.
Resolution authorizing CCPL to accept cost for Maple Heights generator upgrade project: Approval a total of $203,664 for this project. The quote originally provided was lower, so approval is needed for the new total. Approved.
Resolution authorizing CCPL to enter agreement with the Garland Co. for roof replacement at North Olmsted branch: Approval of $2,502,260 — Blakemore said this is a complex job consisting of a flat roof, side walls and a shingled roof. Replacement is expected to last 30 years. This was discussed in the finance committee meeting as well. Approved.
Resolution to approve agreements with City of Middleburg Heights for development of a reading garden: Approval to commit $500,000, half in this fiscal year, half in next fiscal year. This will also allow for an easement allowing them to build adjacent to library property. Approved.
Resolution to approve change order #1 for Infinity Construction Co. for the addition/renovation of Solon branch: Approval for an increase of $19,621.11 on a $5 million project for overruns due to geothermal repair and city-required work. The Inflation Reduction Act was supposed to fund the geothermal repair, but those funds are no longer available. Approved.
Approval of naming rights of bench outside CCPL South Euclid-Lyndhurst: Immediate approval pursuant to sizeable previous donations by Board Member Patricia Shlonsky and Steve Hinkle.
Adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
These notes are by Documenter Julia Brookover. Documenter Rosie Palfy recorded audio of this meeting.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcleveland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.