BLUE EARTH– A report on the management of funds at the Blue Earth Community Library and Fossil Discovery Center led to a serious discussion at a Blue Earth City Council meeting held on Monday.

In a report, city administrator Mary Kennedy outlined the recent decrease in library revenues which are being deposited at City Hall. She identified a particular decrease in copier revenue deposits.

In 2018, the library deposited $1,400 in copier revenue at City Hall. Meanwhile, 2019 brought $2,065 in copier revenue.

In contrast, the library deposited $445 in copier revenue in 2020. And 2021 brought $277 in revenue deposits.

“There is concern in the level of copier revenue being deposited in years 2020 and 2021, as well as the frequency of deposits,” Kennedy concluded.

She also cited the library’s unauthorized decision to waive late fees in response to the pandemic, as well as unreported income from an annual used book sale.

Randy Anderson, director of the Faribault County Historical Society, explained that the decrease in copier revenue was impacted by a project he has undertaken on behalf of the historical society.

Anderson said he has been using the library’s copier to create digital files of thousands of original documents. Anderson and former library director Eva Gaydon had been hoping to create a partnership between the library and historical society to facilitate public access to the digitalized documents, he added.

“Eva and I discussed a reduced rate on the photocopying machine,”  Anderson explained, adding that he felt documentation of his copier usage accounts for part of the decrease in copier revenue.

“This is a matter that should have gone to the library board,”  Anderson admitted. He promised to compensate the city for the copies once the library board and historical society settle on the exact amount owed.

Due to several management concerns, the library board had recently voted to either terminate Gaydon’s employment or accept her resignation. Gaydon has since submitted her letter of resignation and it was accepted by the library board.

In other business, the Blue Earth City Council:

— Adopted Resolution 22-16 electing the standard allowance available under the Revenue Loss Provision of the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. The elected standard allows the city to spend its $339,649 in allocated ARPA funds with fewer restrictions and less documentation.

— Directed city attorney David Frundt to revise the city s current ordinance on the keeping of chickens within city limits. The revisions are intended to give the council more control over the permit application process.