Lucien Kress

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda, followed by an Executive Session regarding a complaint against a public official. The Chair addressed prior meeting conduct referencing the trustee ethics policy. A significant portion of the meeting involved Public Comments, largely concerning the Strategic Plan language regarding equity, intellectual freedom, and DEI. The Board also received and filed the November 2025 Financial Statements, noting insurance proceeds from a server room fire. The organizational report highlighted outreach efforts and partnerships. A Branch Report was given for the Vancouver Mall Library. Under Business, an update was provided on the server room fire repairs at the Vancouver Community Library. The main focus was the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan adoption. After extensive discussion and multiple votes on differing versions of the Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Priorities—including edits proposed by Trustee Kakorina—the Board ultimately passed a motion adopting a version, which later required a subsequent motion to correct the term "civil life" to "civic life" in the approved text. Committee assignments for 2026 were shared, and the board adjourned after a second Executive Session concerning personnel, during which Trustee Williams announced her immediate resignation.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda, amended to include a report from the Friends of the Yale Valley Community Library (FYVCL). The board welcomed the newest Trustee, filling all board vacancies. The consent agenda included the June 12, 2025 Minutes, which were approved with a noted correction regarding a spelling error in the Facilities Update section. The report from the Friends of the Yale Valley Community Library detailed the president's attendance at the ALA United for Libraries virtual conference, which focused on strategic planning and community interaction methods, such as patron surveys. It was requested that the FYVCL report be added as a recurring agenda item for future board meetings to ensure collaboration.

The meeting included the approval of contract service invoices for July through December 2025, totaling $75,000, and capital projects invoices totaling $50,138.88. The financial review covered the September 2025 statements. Key actions involved a public hearing and subsequent adoption of Resolution 2025-01 to approve the 2026 YVLD Budget, which projected total reserves of $366,801. A second public hearing led to the adoption of Resolution 2025-02 to certify the 2026 Levy components. The Board also approved the 2026 meeting schedule. The Branch Manager reported on patron visits and upcoming events, noting a shift in role for one manager.

The agenda for the public meeting includes approval of the agenda, committee announcements, public comments, and review of the consent agenda items, which cover the approval of January 26, 2026 minutes and January 2026 claims. Reports cover financial statements for December 2025, the FVRL organizational report for January 2026, the FVRL Foundation report, and branch reports. Business items focus on the Facilities and Finance Committee addressing non-resident borrower fees and the surplus of a 2008 Scion xB and 2008 Toyota Sienna, and the Policy and Nominating Committee addressing the election of a secretary and the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan revisions (grammatical changes to Vision/Mission/Values/Priorities). Updated committee assignments and setting for the next meeting are also on the agenda.

This Strategic Plan outlines Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries' direction from 2026 to 2030, guiding investment, collaboration, and innovation to champion equitable access to literacy and lifelong learning. It focuses on four key priorities: operational excellence, community connection and inclusion, library programs and services, and spaces and technology. The plan aims to foster inclusive, engaging, and responsive experiences that spark curiosity, support lifelong learning, nurture creativity, strengthen social connection, and serve all community members with excellence, thereby providing a foundation for literacy, learning, and civic life.