Record of Proceedings
Ritter Public Library Board of Trustees
Regular Session
Meeting Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
The Board of Trustees of Ritter Public Library convened in regular session at 7:00 PM in the
Ritter Public Library Ritter Room. Warden called the meeting to order with the following
members and visitors present:
Julie Armstrong-Sexton: Present
Lois Arnold: Present
Doug Brown: Present
Chad Coolidge: Present
Mary Deucher: Present
Jacob Raffo: Present
Marie Warden: Present
Employees: C. Grizzell, C. Springer, A. Folley
Visitors: Pat Farley
Certification of Notification:
Springer certified that a notice of the meeting had been posted in the July 9, 2026, edition of the
Vermilion Photojournal, as well as the Ritter Public Library social media outlets and Library
Website.
Approval of Minutes:
Arnold moved that the June 2026 Regular Board Meeting minutes be approved as presented, and
Armstrong-Sexton seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Correspondence:
None
Director’s Report:
Grizzell reviewed the Director’s report (attached).
Thanked the Board members for attending the Foundation’s Ritter Room Soiree. It was a great
event. The staff who worked on the event did a fantastic job.
Summer Reading registrations have exceeded numbers from last year. The Foundations Features
events in the community are really helping with registration numbers.
We have received over $14,000.00 in donations for the Children’s Hunger Alliance free lunch
program.
Discussed the Fish Festival Parade float. The staff really enjoyed being involved. The staff
would like to participate in the Woollybear Parade as well.
Folley reported on the Pet Pantry. So far in 2026, the following has been donated: 872lbs of
kibble; 288 cans of food; 88 bags of treats; and 75lbs of litter.
Folley also stated that in Tech Services, Cobb & Folley now have 50 years of Ritter service
between them!
Grizzell stated that the Lorain County Libraries Trustee Meeting is on October 7, 2026, from
4:30pm – 6pm at the Amherst Public Library.
Grizzell discussed the Management Training from Amy Shannon. We attended 2 half day
sessions with the management and administration team. Focused on accountability, time
management, taking ownership, etc.
Financial Report:
Springer reviewed the Fiscal Officer’s report (attached).
Brown moved to accept the financials as presented, and Deucher seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.
Committee Reports:
Endowment Board:
Pat Farley came to discuss the Endowment Fund’s participation in
Connect to a Cause fundraiser through the Community Foundation of Lorain County
(documentation attached). They participated in it last year and it was very successful.
Funds are collected for one day only. A donation box will be available in the library, as
well as options for donating online. There is about $260,000.00. They receive about 4%-
5% per year. 75% of what is donated to this fundraiser can be spent right away. The
remaining 25% is put into the Endowment. Last year, they raised approximately
$17,000.00. This year’s project is going to include some more furniture and
beautification of the upstairs patio. Donor-advised funds and IRA Charitable Rollover are
good resources for donations. If you do not wish to submit the form and a check, you are
welcome to put a check in their donation box, and they will take care of the form. Make
checks payable to the Community Foundation of Lorain County.
Companies will also donate large amounts to Connect to a Cause and those funds are
equally distributed across 111 participating non-profits.
Public Comment:
None
Old Business:
The Facility Assessment is currently being wrapped up. They will have projected dollar amounts
soon and will be complete.
Does the Board want to meet to have GPD Group meet in August? Arnold requested the
information be forwarded to the Board once they receive it. The Board would like to meet in
August in order to get the presentation complete and projects started. Then the Building &
Grounds Committee will meet about recommendations based on the presentation.
New Business:
Resolution #6-2026
Warden moved the adoption of the following resolution:
Be it resolved by the Board of Library Trustees of the Ritter Public Library to increase
appropriation number 2005-110-590-0606, Other, by $26,500.00 to identify and track donations
received for purchasing Children’s Hunger Alliance Summer Meal Program meals.
Coolidge seconded the resolution and the roll called upon its adoption. The vote resulted as
follows:
Armstrong-Sexton – Aye; Arnold – Aye; Brown – Aye; Coolidge – Aye; Deucher – Aye; Raffo –
Aye; Warden – Aye.
Resolution #7-2026
Warden moved the adoption of the following resolution:
Be it resolved by the Board of Library Trustees of the Ritter Public Library to increase
appropriation number 1000-110-419-0000, Other – Library Materials & Information, by
$3529.33 to identify and track purchases made for Adult Memory Kits.
Raffo seconded the resolution and the roll called upon its adoption. The vote resulted as follows:
Armstrong-Sexton – Aye; Arnold – Aye; Brown – Aye; Coolidge – Aye; Deucher – Aye; Raffo –
Aye; Warden – Aye.
Brown commented that the Audit was great and he really appreciated all the work that went into
it.
Move to Adjourn
Coolidge moved to adjourn and Arnold seconded. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40pm.
The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 7:00pm at the Ritter Public
Library.