RIVER FALLS LIBRARY FOUNDATION MINUTES
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Call to order: President Rita Kozak called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
Present: Rita Kozak, Callie Trautmiller, Mary Baumgartner, Linda Jacobson, Patricia La Rue, Sarah Nelson, Anna Zalusky, Linda Vivoda-Sadee, Tanya Misselt (Library Director, Ex-Officio), Library Board Trustee Ann Nelson.
Absent: Theresa DeRusha
Approval of meeting minutes: Motion to approve the meeting minutes from April 21, 2026. Linda J. moved to approve the minutes, Mary seconded. Motion passed.
Financial report: Sarah Nelson.
After approval from last month’s meeting, Sarah moved the Capital Campaign money to reimburse the Foundation, $146,367. Moved $10,000 to Edward Jones Money Market account and $136,367 went to the Edward Jones investment account. Wrote checks for the scholarships and paid for the Movie Ad video.
Membership report: Linda Jacobson.
There were no members this month. Miscellaneous donations and otherwise the Capital Campaign contributions.
Library Director report: Tanya Misselt.
We now have our name tags. Anna’s has been ordered. Congratulations to Board members whose children are 2026 graduates. T-shirts are in and the Movie Ad is up and running. TV is up to support the Library Board Foundation, should be up and running soon. The tablecloth, sandwich board, name tags, t-shirts are up and ready. Brainstorm on how to get people to come to the Foundation table for membership. Possible giveaways are promotional magnets. Tanya presented the fabric for the library furniture. Blending arts-and-craft with mid-century modern. Brings in more color. Questions about the renovation?
Various systems going out to bid, solarium, glass wall, upgrade to technology. Due date for bids is June 11. Bids come in and to Council for approval. The furniture, divided, one will come under the grant and the other will need private funds.
Review report for updates since last month.
Tiffany Alexander is a Library Board Trustee who works for 3M. Tiffany regularly donates to the Foundation through 3M, once a year 3M matches with a $2,000 donation due to Tiffany’s community service. Several years ago the Foundation discussed that if the Library went out for grants, and used the Foundation, that we could use the money as stipulated in the grant. Then had a conversation about how to use Tiffany contributions. Any donor can stipulate how their funds will be used. Tiffany wants the funds used as needed. The only time we have used these funds was for our 100th anniversary. Will not be asking Tiffany (3M?) for the use of the funds this year either.
Discussion: Discussion about tying money up with SCVF, whereby those endowments are protected. Board of Trustees make the decisions on usage. Getting money out of the SCVF can be difficult. Something future Boards need to be aware. Depends on what the funds are being used for. The Library Board would have to give the money to the SCVF. Alternative is to leave it with the Municipal and that doesn’t keep up (???- not sure I got this correctly.) The Library can appeal the SCVF decision with regard to disbursing funds. Community relationship based. Rather than a restricted endowment, make it more flexible investment, then develop policy on the explicit policy. To be further discussed and is tabled.
Old Business:
Linda VS- Board of Trustee.
The Trustee Board meeting was very short. Talked about scholarships, the movie ad, moving the piano, possibly a new piano, solar panels. Short meeting.
June 1st All Energy Solar will present its proposal to the Library and their proposal will then go to City Council. If approved, will proceed in the spring.
Callie movie ad.
The ad is up and running. Good job editing and did it for free. Running through summer. 700+ viewing and bring awareness.
Sarah on SCVF funds.
Need to decide on our annual spendable amount, SCVF. Review of financial table provided. Reimbursed for Capital Campaign funds last month. Shows 5 years of administrative fees. 1.3%. Average of 9.5% return. Edward Jones investment account, there has been a 3% increase in 7 months. SCVF was 4% in same 7 month period. Admin fee, $1,300 for 7 months, or 1% annual administration fee at Edward Jones.
We have a window during the year to pull money out of the SCVF; roll it over for next year; ($35,000); or skip it and put it into our investment account. Discussion regarding pulling money out from SCVF. Set up with Edward Jones and put it there where Library Foundation has more control. Discussion on taking $35,000 out and put into Edward Jones. Keep in Endowment and work off the interest. The decision is about access to the funds. Roll over next year and have $70,000 to take out. Keep it in there rolling it over until we need it. Benefit of EJ is the flexibility and ability to re-balance our portfolio. SCVF determines the investment. Need to decide by June 15th.
Sarah moved to roll this year’s SCVF spendable, in the amount of $35,758, into next year’s with option to spend the funds next year. Anna seconded the motion. No questions or comments. The motion passed. The funds will stay in SCVF until next year’s decision.
Rita – Library kick off events.
The Library kick off starts June 8 for the children portion. Discussion on set up and timing. Member registration. Use a QR code, we have a letter, and an application form to complete. Supply pamphlets, tri-fold materials. Anna and Mary have signed up for the children’s portion. Have some sort of handout, balloons. Decals? “I support . . “ Tanya will price out decals. Discuss magnets? Hub 70 was suggested as a vendor. What to say? Magnet should have the library hours, and “Proud supporter of the River Falls Library Foundation.” Decals just have “Proud supporter . . . .” Also popular are water bottle stickers.
Mary – Scholarship presentation.
Two-hour scholarship presentation, one of our recipients was unable to appear. The scholarships with to Lara Chaffee and Aaron Herfindahl. Aaron was unable to get off work and missed the presentation. Giving four scholarships next year.
New Business:
“I Love River Falls” event. Not well advertised. June is busy. Sponsored by local businesses. We will skip that.
River Falls Day is July 10-11. Opportunity, event to “Meet River Falls.” Discussion on participation. Decision was to not participate this year given the schedules of the Library and Foundation Board member availability.
Technology Petting Zoo was discussed and moved to action sometime this fall.
Future Business:
Map sale will also be discussed this fall.
Transitioning to continual donations rather than an annual drive was tabled.
There are seminars on philanthropy education that can provide training. Will keep on our agenda for future discussion.
Mary will be attending the June Board of Trustee meeting on Monday.
The Foundation Board will not be meeting in July.
No additional business. Linda J. moved to adjourn, Mary seconded. All approve meeting ended at 7:37 p.m.