Monday, March 9, 2020

Open Meetings Act? What's That?

Laws? We don't need no laws! We are the Library Board!  The Open Meetings Act apparently doesn't apply to the Jackson-Hinds Library Board of Trustees as it held at least one board meeting last year despite the absence of a quorum.  The Board also  

The Board had its regular meeting on March 26, 2019.  Only six members attended the meeting - Dr. Earline Strickland, Mary Garner, Imelda Brown, Dr. Alferdteen Harrison, Chester Jones, and Chairman Rickey Jones - while six members were absent.  There are two vacancies on the Board.  However, the by-laws state that a quorum only exists when a majority of the members are present:

Eight  (8) members  at any regular  or special  meeting  will constitute a quorum authorized  to
transact  Board  business and  to take actions as approved  by the vote of a majority  of  those
present.
The minutes were modified last year to require a simple majority to make a quorum yet the Board would not have met the more lax requirements. Despite not having a quorum, the Board moved full speed ahead as it plowed through the agenda, voting here and voting there.  The Board voted to:

1. Approve minutes of February meeting.
2. Approved agenda
3. Approved a motion asking Mississippi Library Commission to continue a grant program at the current formula.
4. Approved travel expenses for Executive Director.
5. Approved accepting financial and human resources  reports.
6. Approved changing dates of monthly meetings.
7. Approved changing terms of officers to two years from one year.
8. Approved three other amendments to the by-laws.

However, this wasn't the last time the Board ignored the Open Meetings Act last year.  The Board conducted a whole bunch of regular bidness in Executive Session at the August 2019 meeting.  The Open Meetings Act is rather specific on what can be discussed in Executive Session: 

* Personnel matters
* Litigation
* Plans regarding security personnel and devices
* Investigations by the public body ( Jackson water investigation, for example)
* Economic development

What did the Board discuss at the August 2019 meeting?*

* Voted not to renew internet services contract for River Hills office
* Approved law library contract with Hinds County
* Appointed a committee to investigate moving or rebuilding Byram library.
* Informing Jackson and Hinds County it would cede all interest in Tisdale library.
* Accepted and discussed regular financial report.
* Accepted and discussed regular technical services report.
* Accepted and discussed regular public services report. 

The minutes state:


Rev. McDaniels moved, second by Dr. Harrison, that the Board enter Executive Session to discuss budgetary and personnel matters, and that Mrs. Brenette Nichols, Director for Human Resources, would remain to record minutes of the Executive Session. 
 
Hmmm...... do any of these items pass muster under the Open Meetings Act? One Board member had such a question.  The September Board minutes state:

Mr. C.R. Jones, Board Parliamentarian, expressed concerns about the actions taken in the Executive Session of the meeting as to the nature of the matters discussed, the character of the  motions enacted, and the census of the votes, all of which should have been made known to the  general body after the Executive Session.

Chairman Rickey Jones replied that the Executive Session was undertaken to discuss matters related to personnel and the budget and that all actions were taken unanimously.
There was a unanimous vote.  That settles it.  No violation of the Open Meetings Act took place. 

Kingfish note: Should I?

* The actual minutes of Executive Session. 






20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Same group that missed payroll. Didn't bother to tell the employees until the day of payroll even though the board knew for almost a month that they would miss payroll. Merry Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish note: Should I?

Yes. Absolutely YES. If you don't nobody else will.

Anonymous said...

Clearly this board functions well without legal counsel.

I gave up on Jackson..... said...

This is the damn LIBRARY BOARD. Who cares. These facilities, in Jackson, are nothing more than day care centers for shitty mothers (who knows who the dads are), and homeless shelters downtown. Go to Clinton for a *real* library.

Anonymous said...

What’s left to manage? Why even have a board?

Anonymous said...

I reckon you'll call me a racist for asking; however, should I?

Is this board, like the airport board, 100% black?

Don't any white people have an interest in the existence, maintenance and relevance of libraries?

Kingfish said...

All but one or two members are black. The Supervisors and City Council appoint the members. All black board, mostly black city council, don't be surprised if all the appointees are black.

Anonymous said...

I know the Clinton Library is a part of the County Library Association. There was artwork, specifically donated by Clinton residents - to the Clinton, Library. The head (President/Chairman/?) of the Library association had them removed from the walls of the Clinton Library and placed in her office.

I guess we get what we deserve, when we put up with the local political crap. IMO, Clinton should ask to join the Madison County Library Association. Hinds County turns into a losing proposition in everything they do.

Anonymous said...

Assuming proper notice of the meeting was provided, it could be a Catch-22 for the Board members who attend for work that needs to get done. That's particularly true with repetitive absenteeism or vacancies. Those willing to work end up in a crossfire. Other times, a minority of members act as tyrants.

Should you? Apart from how best you want to spend your time/effort, seems like there is a story either way, just don't know what it is yet.

Anonymous said...

Why doesn't anyone else in the metro have the same problems as Jackson? CMRLS functions near flawlessly.

Why is it that some leaders seem to have the reverse Midas touch?

Anonymous said...

Yes, KF, I think you should. Considering the high illiteracy rates in Jackson Public Schools, and the fact that Jackson public libraries are literally being destroyed through negligence in maintaining the facilities, I think it's important that this board be held accountable.

I can't fund the effort, but I did make a small donation.

Anonymous said...

If you think that this board still has any relevance at all, just visit any library in the city of Jackson. They are full of drunks and street people. There is no way to turn this around.

Gambler53 said...

The Library board has a long history of improper conduct which includes going into executive session to discuss normal business items.

Anonymous said...

Yes, 11:44. Ms. Furr thought she had the Midas Touch, but the opposite has proven true. Just look at Central Mississippi and Madison County Library Systems. In the past, out of county residents were paying small fee to get a Hinds County library card. The collection of materials was excellent and not found in other places in the area. Now, Hinds county residents are getting Rankin and Madison County cards. People have come to the main library to get information. When they don't get the help they need, they often do not return. So sad and did not have to happen.

Anonymous said...

An audit of the artwork at the Clinton Library was completed last year.
Only one painting was missing, which had actually belonged to the Army National Guard. It was found that they removed it. The library system at its own cost purchased a print of the painting, which hangs in the Genealogy room. The agreement between the City of Clinton and the library system precludes the removal of any artwork from the building.

Anonymous said...

Clinton has a great library. Byram and Raymond libraries are heavily used despite poor facilities. Jackson seems to be intent on letting the libraries go, except just like the zoo and the golf courses, they can't pull the plug.

The Jackson-Hinds library arrangement has run its course. Clinton or Byram will have to take the lead and withdraw.

Anonymous said...

Supervisors and City Council should appoint board members who know their subject. Appointees should know something about libraries, how they're managed, and the legal complexities of libraries. Maybe have a library card and use it. Race doesn't matter, intelligence does. This should apply to all civic board appointments -know and understand what you're being appointed to do.

Anonymous said...

I wonder how the boards are going to handle restricting the pubic due to the coronavirus threat. Should be interesting.

Kingfish said...

Clinton should have a great library considering Rosemary spent millions on it.

Anonymous said...

Actually, Mr. Kingfish, the majority of the citizens in Clinton happily voted some years ago to pass a bond issue to build the Quisenberry Library.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


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Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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