Harvey library trustee blasts board for six-minute meeting
Harvey Public Library District trustee Chapelle Hooks criticized the board for holding two meetings this year that totaled 10 minutes of official business.
The Harvey Public Library District’s regular board meeting on Feb. 12 lasted five minutes, prompting sharp criticism from trustee Chapelle Hooks.
The meeting officially began at 6:34 p.m. and adjourned by 6:40 p.m. Hooks said this is the second time the board held a short meeting. According to Hooks, last month’s regular meeting began at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
“What did [the board] accomplish in four minutes? They didn’t vote on anything but to adjourn the meeting,” Hooks said to the HWH after the meeting.
Meetings this year, so far, have been light in load with little to no public comment.
February’s meeting agenda included roll call, approval of the Jan. 8 meeting minutes, a brief treasurer’s report, and approval of the January bills list. Treasurer Felicia Powell-Johnson reported the library held more than $3.3 million across multiple accounts. The board unanimously approved the minutes and the bills list of $31,220.71. The meeting agenda included an executive session, but that never occurred.
During public comment, Hooks demanded an explanation for last month’s brief meeting, which had a similar agenda. President Anthony McCaskill told Hooks to look at the minutes in her packet and then motioned to adjourn the meeting.
“The minutes speak for themselves,” McCaskill said.
Hooks said the brevity of the meetings raises questions about the board’s governance and transparency. “Like [McCaskill] said, we have a quorum. As long as [the board] got a quorum, they can care less who else is here.”
Hooks also criticized the board’s actions toward trustees Charwana Morgan and Tamika Price. Morgan was, once again, denied the opportunity to join the meeting virtually despite filing a lawsuit over alleged Americans with Disabilities Act violations. Price also filed a lawsuit against the library after the board voted to vacate her seat, alleging she does not reside in Harvey.
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