Community Library Network seeks new legal counsel

RATHDRUM — The Community Library Network is seeking a new attorney.

A sparse agenda prompted the former chair of the network board, Katie Blank, to question why a special meeting was held Tuesday at the Rathdrum Library.

"I thought it was supposed to be a budget discussion, but I don’t really quite know why it did get called," Blank said. "I can’t tell from the agenda much what it is about and I don’t know if all other board members know exactly why it was called."

After much back-and-forth, Chair Rachelle Ottosen disclosed the missing detail.

"We would like to engage a new attorney," Ottosen said.

The agenda simply read that the board would go into a 120-minute executive session, per Idaho Code 74-206 "to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need: Individual Agent (Legal)."

Blank said if board members don't even know what is on the agenda, how is the public supposed to know?

"That's of real concern to me," Blank said, referring to the emphasis on transparency in Idaho's Open Meeting Law.

"This agenda feels very non-transparent," Blank said. "If it isn't actually violating open meeting law, then it certainly seems to be violating its intent."

Ottosen, Vice Chair Tom Hanley and Trustee Tim Plass seemed under the impression the "individual agent" agenda item detail did not have to be discussed outside of executive session, which is held privately from the public.

Community Library Network Director Alexa Eccles said the agenda should be as specific as possible.

The board then went into executive session for nearly two hours and came out to announce that the discussion regarding a new attorney would be held at a later time. The board's current counsel, Katharine Brereton, has served the board since at least 2020 and through three Community Library Network directors.

This was the first official meeting of the board following officer elections at the June 15 meeting, during which Ottosen unseated Blank as chair and newcomer Hanley was elected vice chair.

The officers were elected during a June 15 meeting, after the board majority shot down recommendations from the nominating committee, which comprised former longtime board member Judy Meyer and current Trustee Vanessa Robinson.

As part of the committee, Robinson said at the June 15 meeting she was pleased everyone seemed to be on board with the committee's recommendation to keep Blank as chair and elect Ottosen to vice chair, as Ottosen had said she did not want to be chair.

"Each person agreed that with so much change happening at the CLN, it would be a prudent move to keep as much leadership in place as possible,” Robinson said. "I was very pleasantly surprised with that, from everybody."

The conversation changed as Hanley said he was led to believe Ottosen didn't want to be chair, but that he would support her if she did want to take on that role. He said Ottosen is more inclined to think the way he and Plass do.

“I don’t want to be chair, but the voters have asked for a change in direction, so I would entertain that,” Ottosen said.

Robinson said she was shocked.

"I met with every person, and this is not what I was told from each of you,” she said.

“The chair position is a lot more than you think,” Robinson said to Ottosen. "I honestly don’t think you’re up for that position, period.”

The majority voted in favor of Ottosen taking over as chair, as well as Hanley moving into vice chair.

"I can't imagine coming on a board brand new and accepting a position as responsible as vice chair as a brand new person,” Blank said.

Ottosen said it would be good training for Hanley, who might take over as chair in a year. Hanley commented that even though Blank would not be chair, she would still be on the board and could coach Ottosen on chair responsibilities.

“That’s pretty rich,” Robinson said. "You're literally saying you don’t trust Katie to be chair for one year while you guys learn but also, as you kick her out, you want her to help, which she’s the type of person that would help, but that’s rich.”

Hanley said no one would be slighted if they don't get the position they want.

“It’s not about being slighted," Robinson said. "It’s about the whole board falling apart. That’s what I’m worried about."

The board is expected to have a budget discussion when it meets again from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Post Falls Library, 821 N. Spokane St.