PCPL board considers new elevator vendors

Having serious problems with its elevator crop up within the last three years, the Putnam County Public Library is now pursuing a new servicing contract.

The Library Board considered switching from the library’s current contract with the engineering firm Kone during its regular meeting Wednesday evening.

The impetus behind the move was suggested by Director Matt McClelland as PCPL having had many “well-documented” issues with Kone’s services in the 25 years since it installed the elevator. As such, he said, the problems have persisted.

In 2018, the elevator failed a state inspection in which water pooled in the pit after a sump pump failed. While the elevator was reopened soon after, groundwater was found to be a major factor. Though the pit was eventually cleaned by Kone personnel later on, former director Brian Briscoe disputed its billing, citing a lack of performance in not communicating about any further repairs.

Along with an adjusted contract from Kone, McClelland presented proposals from Mid-America Elevator Company and TK Elevator, both of which are effectively local companies. TK has serviced elevators at DePauw University.

The price for the Mid-America contract would be $95 per month for a three-year term. McClelland stated at the meeting that he was still waiting on labor rates. Mid-America would visit on a monthly basis for maintenance.

The contract from TK would for three years with an automatic renewal every term and cost $75 per month. The contract did not make clear the frequency of maintenance or the labor rates.

Meanwhile, the new Kone contract would be a three-year agreement and cost $165 per month, but surcharges for different payment frequencies are stipulated. The contract overall would be a discount from the charges of previous contracts, including a 30-percent reduction on labor.

The library will be eligible to terminate its current five-year contract with Kone next May. However, McClelland said it is an auto-renewal in which changes have to be noted 30 days prior.

With a consensus that a contract with Mid-America or TK would be better than renewing with Kone, the board approved authorizing McClelland to determine which of the two would be best. He said a final decision by the board on either was not needed at this point.

In other business:

• The board passed a resolution approving a wage adjustment for Adult Reference Manager Amber Compton from $18.10 per hour to $19. McClelland said this was to have her compensation be more consistent with PCPL’s pay grade given her role and educational background.

• The board agreed by consensus to make an amendment to its bylaws. McClelland noted that they have not been reviewed or otherwise changed since 2018, and thus such is now past a requirement to do so every three years.

A suggestion by McClelland, the amendment would be removing a reference to the board’s treasurer also serving as the library’s business operations manager. He said this would clarify the business operations manager being a paid staff member apart from the board.

The bylaws are to be posted and the board is set to vote on the amendment next month.

Secretary Shannon Green and member Tiffany Shields were absent. As such, Asst. Director Jane Hazelton joined McClelland and the rest of the board.

Due to spring break, the next regular meeting of the Library Board is scheduled a week earlier than usual on Wednesday, March 16. It is still planned for 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis Room at the library.