Call to order
Meeting called to order at 9:59 am
Members Roll Call
In attendance: Chair Michael Runion, Vice Chair Christopher Salute, Secretary Ann Underdahl, Trustee Terri Bell, Trustee Mathew Morris, Director Kimberly Thomas, Acting Assistant Director Jennifer, Head of Circulation Barbara.
Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Runion led the Pledge of Allegiance.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (FIRST): * (Action will NOT be taken on matters considered during this period until specifically included on an agenda as an action item.)
There was no public comment and the item was closed.
Trustee/Director/Liaison Comments: - This item is limited to announcements, brief discussions of public comments, correction of factual inaccuracies, direction to staff, or topics proposed for future board meetings. (Lengthy deliberation of topics not on the agenda is prohibited by the Nevada Open Meeting Law).
Chair Runion had no comment.
Vice Chair Salute had no comment.
Trustee Morris had no comment.
Secretary Underdahl stated that she emailed Carolyn Logue regarding the Five-Year Plan, but she was unable to attend the meeting.
Trustee Bell had no comment.
Director Thomas had no comment.
Approval of June 8, 2026 Agenda (Non-action item)
Items 12 and 13 were moved above Item 7 so that the presenter, Ania Mason from UNR, would not have to sit through the meeting.
Item 7 was struck as there were no emergency items.
Without objection, the June 8, 2026 agenda was approved.
For Possible Action: Emergency Items
Item 7 is struck as there are no emergency items.
Presentation: “A New Five-Year Strategic Plan for the Pahrump Library District and for the Pahrump Community Library, 2026 through 2030” by the University Center for Economic Development at the University of Nevada – Reno.
Presentation by Ania Mason, Strategic Planning and Economic Development Coordinator, University Center for Economic Development.
Vice Chair Salute asked if core values, strategic mission statement, and vision statement were collaborative with us or if they were given to the library by her team. Ms. Mason replied that it was a collaborative effort throughout the entire process.
For Possible Action: Discussion and deliberation to adopt or amend and adopt “A Five-Year Strategic Plan for the Pahrump Library District and for the Pahrump Community Library, 2026 through 2030” by the University Center for Economic Development at the University of Nevada – Reno (UCED Technical Report 2025/26-17).
Chair Runion opened the item for board comment.
Trustee Morris asked for a definition of the Pahrump Library District and what it entails. Ms. Mason asked Director Thomas for confirmation that the Pahrump Library and the Pahrump Library District are the same organization and it is just a different way of referencing it. Director Thomas agreed that they are one in the same.
Vice Chair Salute asked about the item that covers music festivals and storage, and the part of the plan to expand. Chair Runioin stated that it was the land behind the library. Vice Chair asked if the acreage was known, and Director Thomas stated that she did not know and would have to check.
Vice Chair Salute stated that he thought the plan looks great and it is ambitious. He asked how many positions were going to be added because he worries about burnout and the Director leaving. Secretary Underdahl stated that at the last meeting, the director talked about adding more than one new position. She said that it wasn’t specific, but there is a growth plan for the kinds of services that the library plans to offer, and Director Thomas has been looking at the various options. Vice Chair Salute stated that he needed to get together with Director Thomas at some point and look at what the job descriptions are. He believes that there are a lot of nonprofits in the community that have been filling in the gaps left by governmental agencies and he is glad to see that there is programming being done for the children.
Trustee Morris asked if there was anything in the plan regarding addition to the campus, such as study rooms or additional construction on the back lot. Ms. Mason responded that there wasn’t anything specific, but she believes that was mostly addressed by the recent renovation of the current building. Director Thomas asked Ms. Mason if there was just one item in the plan that talked about potentially developing something. Ms. Mason confirmed that it is in the facilities goal number four. She said that effort may include the possible development of outdoor music festival and performance spaces, additional outdoor storage, improved grounds maintenance, and identification of funding opportunities, but there is nothing specific in the plan.
Vice Chair Salute stated that he has worked with the Nevada Arts Council in the past and had received some grant funding for the disbanded Arts Collective and believes that the library should talk to them. He said that he has a stage and a lot of equipment and it would be good to give it to a governmental agency. He also said that there are some schools or the extension in town that do not have a library. He thinks that as the town grows, there may be opportunities to partner with those agencies to put in small study rooms or references libraries.
Chair Runion made the motion.
Vice Chair Salute seconds.
The item was opened for public comment.
Roberta Niedecker said that Clark County has a book bus that goes around during the summer. She asked about the bookmobile project that the library board voted on a couple of years ago and what happened to the funding. She stated that it would be a good thing to have for people who don’t have proper transportation or the ability to get to the library.
John Shewalter stated that he is pleased to see the project done.
Public comment is closed, and the item is opened for board comment.
Trustee Bell is pleased with the very comprehensive plan and that it is ambitious. She likes that it looks at where the community is going, not where it has been.
Secretary Underdahl stated that it is very well done. She is pleased to see that the plan involves protecting what we have now, as well as expanding.
Trustee Morris had no comment.
Vice Chair Salute had no comment.
Chair Runion addressed Ms. Niedecker’s comment. He said that it was voted on at one point to have a book bus, but unfortunately that didn’t happen due to changes on the board and difficulties in finding the physical resource of that bus. The project was closed and the money was reabsorbed. It is something that is being looked at in the long term, but it is not a current project. Ms. Niedecker asked if she could comment, and Chair Runion allowed it. She stated that there is a dealership in town, Saitta Trudeau, that gets involved in the community and she believes that they were supposed to help. Chair Runion stated that was correct but that they did not have one and there are specific requirements for it.
Chair Runion calls the question.
Chair Runion, Vice Chair Salute, Trustee Morris, Secretary Underdahl and Trustee Bell all voted yes. The measure passes 5-0.
For Possible Action: Discussion and deliberation to approve or amend and approve the meeting minutes for May 20, 2026 and May 27, 2026.
Chair Runion made the motion.
Vice Chair Salute seconds.
The motion is opened for public comment. There is none. Public comment is closed.
Item moves onto board comments. There is none.
Chair Runion calls the question.
Chairman Runion, Trustee Morris and Secretary Underdahl all vote yes.
Trustee Bell and Vice Chair Salute abstain.
The measure passes 3-0, with 2 abstentions.
Presentation: Treasurer’s Report by Kimberly Thomas for discussion of monthly expenditures and revenue for May 2026 through June 2026.
Chair Runion opened items 9 and 10 at the same time.
Director Thomas reads from her report as found in the backup.
For Possible Action: Discussion and deliberation to approve or amend and approve payment vouchers for May 2026 through June 2026.
Director Thomas reads from her report as found in the backup.
Vice Chair makes the motion.
Trustee Morris seconds.
The item is opened for public comment. There is none. Public comments are closed.
The item is opened for board comment.
Vice Chair Salute asked about the general fund balance. He asked if there is an overage, does it go into the capital project fund since it is a lower number. Chair Runion stated that funds can be transferred into the capital improvements fund, but they cannot be taken out.
Vice Chair Salute also stated that he owns Pahrump Life magazine and could create all of the library’s design work free of charge. He mentioned it because one of the items on the payment voucher was for Las Vegas Review Journal, which is the Pahrump Valley Times. Director Thomas said that it was for the required ad for the budget meeting and the other was for an ad to congratulate high school graduates.
Chair Runion called the question.
Chair Runion, Vice Chair Salute, Trustee Morris, Secretary Underdahl and Trustee Bell all voted yes. The measure passes 5-0.
Presentation: Librarian’s Report by Kimberly Thomas for discussion on library activity for May 2026 through June 2026. Report activities include staff activities and training, library project updates, patron traffic, books checked out, books returned, fees collected, STEAM, internet use, website usage and materials added.
Director Thomas reads from her report as found in the backup.
Trustee Morris asked what is meant by bus proof. Director Thomas said that it refers to what would happen if you were hit by a bus, would anybody know what was going on or are there things that they wouldn’t have access to.
Chair Runion asked about the tablets that people can use to record their stories. He is wondering how we could go about that process and make it happen here. Director Thomas stated that she sent a follow-up email to the State Library and is waiting to hear back.
Chair Runion closed the item.
For Possible Action: Discussion and deliberation to approve paying former trustee Shewalter a $40 stipend per meeting, for a maximum stipend of $80 per month for past meetings he attended, for a total amount of $2480, and determine the source of payment.
Chair Runion made the motion to pay Mr. Shewalter and to pay it out of the general fund.
Trustee Bell seconds.
The item is opened for public discussion.
Roberta Niedecker is wondering why Mr. Shewalter should be paid. Chair Runion asked if she would like him to answer during her time, and she answered yes. He stated that in the policies and procedures manual, there is a line item that says trustees may be paid up to $40 per meeting as a stipend for fuel, etc.
John Shewalter stated that pursuant to NRS 379.020, board members are entitled, with the board's approval, to $40 per meeting not to exceed $80 a month, and that is his request. He stated that he will be donating the money to a local nonprofit.
Public comments are closed.
Item was opened for board comment.
Trustee Bell stated that there is a policy but asked if it was customary to pay it out. Chair Runion stated that it hasn’t been customary, but it is in the NRS and is in our policy and is done by request.
Secretary Underdahl stated that the statute has been in place since 1995 and Mr. Shewalter was appointed to the board in 2021, so there was quite a long time in which he could have requested reimbursement. She understood that when she was appointed to the board it was a non-paying position. She sees how it could come into play for someone who lives more than ten miles away from the library, but she believes that the window has passed.
Trustee Morris read out the definition of volunteer. He stated that trustees are volunteers, and this is setting a bad precedent. He wonders if other former trustees will try to be reimbursed.
Vice Chair Salute stated that he doesn’t see that there is a choice since it is in the by-laws. He said that he joined the board with the assumption that he would be donating his time, energy, and resources.
Chair Runion agreed with Vice Chair Salute’s comments. It is in the NRS and in the by-laws and a request has been made.
Chair Runion called the question.
Trustee Bell, Vice Chair Salute and Chair Runion vote yes.
Trustee Morris and Secretary Underdahl vote no.
The item passed 3-2.
For Possible Action: Discussion and deliberation to approve paying current library trustees a $40 stipend per meeting for a maximum stipend amount of $80 per month and determine the source of funding.
Chair Runion made a motion to amend the item by removing the stipend for trustees.
Vice Chair Salute seconds.
Secretary Underdahl stated that the item, under open meeting laws, could not be amended and has to be voted on exactly as it is written.
Chair Runion made the motion to accept the item as written.
Vice Chair Salute seconds.
Item was opened for public comment.
John Shewalter stated that the policy doesn’t exist in the library policy and it only exists in NRS. He doesn’t believe that the library has the authority to amend state legislature.
Robyn Neidecker asked where Mr. Shewalter was donating his money. She was informed that she was off item and that item had been closed.
Dave Ochenreider suggested that the item be tabled and more research be done. Public comment is closed.
Item was opened for board comment.
Trustee Bell stated that she thought more research needed to be done.
Secretary Underdahl stated that this is about paying the current board a $40 per month stipend.
Trustee Morris said paying the current members a stipend is a good thing, if they request it.
Vice Chair Salute suggested that perhaps the board members could sign a waiver each year if they do not take the stipend.
Chair Runion re-read the item and noted that the word ‘may’ is not in there.
Vice Chair Salute asked that the item be stricken until the board can deliberate on what the waiver might look like.
Mr. Shewalter made a point of order that if the second were withdrawn and the motion were withdrawn, the item would die without a motion but it wouldn’t be tabled.
Chair Runion asked Vice Chair if he would withdraw his second and he did.
Chair Runion withdrew his motion.
Item 15 dies for a lack of a motion.
For Possible Action: Discussion and deliberation on whether the library will replace the entire roof.
Director Thomas read the item that is found in the backup.
Item opened for public comment.
John Shelwalter believes that replacing the roof is the last major project and will be paid at least 50% by POOL PACT. He believes that POOL PACT should pay for the whole replacement.
Dave Ochenreider gave a thumbs up.
Public comment was closed.
Item was opened for board comment.
Director Thomas stated that the roof is 25 years old and will probably develop issues.
Trustee Bell said it is a matter of time and replacing the entire roof seems feasible.
Secretary Underdahl said that it makes sense to consider the whole roof, but if a partial repair was done, it might be interesting to have a mix of tiles. But it is a 25-year-old roof and the cost to replace it might go up.
Trustee Morris stated that it needs to be put out for bid and be replaced.
Vice Chair Salute stated that it has to be put out for bid, but because you have fair wage laws, it makes it more expensive. He said that it needs to be replaced.
Chair Runion stated that he agrees with the rest of the board. He requested that Director Thomas put together a bid package and he would work with her on that. He asked a second board member to assist, and Trustee Morris volunteered.
Vice Chair Salute asked if the board will look at all three bids and Chair Runion affirmed that they would.
Item 16 was closed.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (SECOND): * (Action will NOT be taken on matters considered during this period until specifically included on an agenda as an action item.)
John Shewalter stated that he is pleased to see the roof approved and that the director has the funds to move ahead with programming.
Robyn Niedecker said that she agrees with Trustee Morris that the roof needs to be fixed.
There were no further comments and the item was closed.
Trustee/Director/Liaison Comments: - This item is limited to announcements, brief discussions of public comments, correction of factual inaccuracies, direction to staff, or topics proposed for future board meetings. (Lengthy deliberation of topics not on the agenda is prohibited by the Nevada Open Meeting Law).
Director Thomas stated that she is not sure how to pay an individual out of the general fund, so she will have to figure that out.
Chair Runion said that he believes that they did a good job following the law and that moving forward on the roof is critical. He would like to investigate the possibility of having an American Sign Language class, perhaps lead by a volunteer.
Vice Chair agrees with Chair Runion and that the law was followed. He also stated that there are a lot of libraries that do offer continuing education classes.
Trustee Morris stated that what is allowed by law isn’t always appropriate, and he doesn’t agree with what was done.
Secretary Underdahl thinks that a lot was accomplished and that moving on with the roof is really important, as is having a five-year plan.
Trustee Bell is pleased with the five-year plan and said it is a big step moving forward. She is also in favor of the roof being replaced and believes that a lot was accomplished.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 11:35am.