PLACEMENT: Board and Committee Appointments
TITLE:
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LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPOINTMENTS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
After solicitation of applicants due to two members’ terms expiring later this month and a resignation, the Board is asked to make three appointments to the Library Board of Trustees.
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DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: Donna Gordon
Title: Administrative Services Program Coordinator
REQUESTED BY: Jennifer Salas, Library Director & Staff Liaison
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
The Library Board of Trustees shall have the following duties, functions, and responsibilities and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners and the County Administrator through the Library Director as follows:
• Should the Library Director position become vacant, the County Administrator will provide the Trustees with the top three candidates being considered, the County Administrator will solicit comments from the Trustees and discuss possible rankings of the candidates prior to making a final determination. The final decision will be the responsibility of the County Administrator with confirmation by the Board of County Commissioners;
• Develop library policy with the advice and counsel of the Library Director, especially concerning library hours, book selection, use of meeting rooms, etc.;
• Make continuing studies of all existing and future needs of the County in respect to public facilities and services;
• Review the financial position of the library system and make reports and submit recommendations regarding sound and feasible budgeting financing;
• Keep constantly aware of public library standards, trends, regulations, and legislation; and
• Formulate or recommend actions to raise the quality of service and utilization of financial assistance from State, national, and other sources.
The Library Board of Trustees shall consist of nine members who are residents of the County, appointed at large by the Board of County Commissioners for three years each (after initial appointment). They shall not be public office holders, nor shall they be employed in the County library, nor be related to a library employee. Members may be reappointed upon completion of a full three-year term, in addition to serving the balance of an unexpired term appointment. Members shall be required to attend two-thirds of the regularly scheduled meetings in any 12-month period, or they shall be dropped from membership.
The Library Board of Trustees meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM at the Blake Library or various libraries throughout the County. Their agendas are published to the County’s web site in a timely manner.
The Administration Staff advised Janelle Koren and Teena White that their terms will expire on September 30, 2026. The incumbents were provided with a link to the new, online Application for Appointment to complete and submit if so desired. Mrs. Koren has not responded to either of Administration Staff’s emails.
The Administration Staff received a letter of resignation from Nelson Pole who has served on the Library Board of Trustees since April 2020. Per previous Board direction, Administration Staff sent Mr. Pole a Certificate of Appreciation and a letter thanking him for serving which were signed by the Chair.
An Information Release soliciting applicants was emailed via Constant Contact to the Outreach Martin and Local Media email lists which includes local Chambers of Commerce, local businesses, and citizens.
The Administration Staff will advise all applicants of the Commission’s decision which will include Sunshine Law, conflicts of interest law, and public records law to the appointed individuals. Chair letters and Certificates of Appreciation will be mailed to any members not re-appointed. The Chair will sign the letters and certificates.
ISSUES:
The Board is advised that appointment of Samantha Suffich would create a conflict because her employer, Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, currently has an Option to Lease Agreement with Martin County related to County-owned property for the future development of the Treasure Coast Maternity Center and currently receives opioid-abatement funding from Martin County. Section 112.313(7)(a) Florida Statutes, provides that "no public officer...shall have or hold employment or contractual relationship with any business entity...which is...doing business with an agency of which he or she is an officer or employee." In accordance with Section 112.313(12), Florida Statutes, the Board can waive this conflict for advisory board members prior to a vote on the appointment. An effective waiver requires a two-thirds vote of the Board after full disclosure of the conflicting relationship. Form 4A, Disclosure of Business Transaction, Relationship, or Interest, is attached and constitutes full disclosure of any existing conflicts.
The Board is asked to appoint three individuals to the Library Board of Trustees. A voting sheet is attached.
Two terms will begin October 1, 2026 and end September 30, 2029.
One term will begin immediately and end April 20, 2027.
Charlene M. Bean Malinka Nyitray
Michael A. Sedgwick John Sideravage
Samantha L. Suffich Jennifer Swarts
Annie Uzar Teena White (incumbent)
Angeline A. Wilkins Amanda Zeigler
NOTE: Dr. White also serves on the Health Facilities Authority and the Treasure Coast Health Council.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
To the extent this item contains legal issues, it has been reviewed for legal sufficiency; however, it is primarily a matter of Board policy.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
A. Move that the Board waive Samantha Suffich’s conflict of interest under Section 112.313(12) Florida Statutes by a two-thirds vote based on the disclosure of the relationship in the Form 4A Disclosure of Business Transaction, Relationship, or Interest.
B. Move that the Board appoint three individuals to the Library Board of Trustees. Two terms will begin October 1, 2026 and end September 30, 2029 and one term will begin immediately and end April 20, 2027.
C. Move that the Board authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution of Appointment and certificates and letters to Mrs. Koren and Dr. White, if necessary.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Direct staff accordingly.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☒ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☒Resolution
☐Other: