The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees August 13, 2026.
CALL TO ORDER
President Magnelli called the meeting to order at 7:38 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Magnelli, Magnuson, Parent, Krebs, Ringelstein, Ross,
Present electronically: Zaporowicz-Short.
Absent:
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, V. Bitters, Clark, McPhillips, Sciaccotta, Stam, Lewis (8:06 P.M.).
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
There were no visitors.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments from the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING HELD JULY 16, 2026 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried. Trustee Parent voted present.
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD JULY 16, 2026 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried. Trustee Parent voted present.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Wittmann advised that we are looking good. She advised that the PPRT is going to be higher this year. There may be a big jump in payments.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS
Trustee Magnuson asked about the check to Earth Elements. Director Wittmann advised that the payment was for work completed on the west parking lot.
Trustee Zaporowicz-Short asked about the hotspot bill. Dan advised that there are 16 hotspots at a cost of $120.00 each.
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 32665 THROUGH 32727 TOTALING $160,115.91 FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $23,737.37 FOR THE MONTH OF JULY; PETTY CASH CHECK 5046 IN THE AMOUNT OF $533.71 FOR THE MONTH OF JULY; JULY NET WAGES TOTALING $161,836.57; JULY PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,694.83 AND JULY IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,461.91. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Island Within a City Committee—
The Committee met tonight and discussed the progress of the book and the title.
Budget Committee—
Director Wittmann reported that the Library received the extension from Cook County and is projected to receive approximately $80,000 more in the Corporate Fund than originally anticipated. Projections for the sub-funds were generally closer to the original estimates, with some revenues expected to be higher and others lower than projected. She noted that cash balances across all sub-funds remain strong enough to fund the Library’s projected expenditures.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bylaws Review—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to select a date for a special meeting to discuss the bylaws, preferably in October. After discussion, the Board agreed to hold a Special Meeting on October 8 at 7:00 p.m. to vote on the construction project bids and another Special Meeting on November 12 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the bylaws.
Island Within a City Book Title—
The Board unanimously agreed on the title Island Within a City, Part II: Voices of Our Community. Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE AS THE ISLAND WITHIN A CITY BOOK TITLE: ISLAND WITHIN A CITY, PART II: VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs, Parent, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None. motion carried.
FY2026 Per Capita Grant—
We received the Per Capita grant funds in the amount of $41,412.00.
FY2026 Security Grant—
We received the Security Grant funds in the amount of $46,454.00.
NEW BUSINESS
Review and Approval of Tentative Budget and Appropriations—
The Tentative Budget and Appropriations was presented to the Board. The Tentative Budget will be posted in the Library from August 14, 2026 to September 17, 2026. A Public Hearing on the Tentative Budget will be held and is scheduled for September 17, 2026 at 7:30 P.M. and the Board meeting will begin at 7:45 P.M. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs TO APPROVE THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None The motion carried.
FY25 26 Illinois Public Library Annual Report—
This Annual Report is for the 2025– 2026 fiscal year and will be filed in electronic form by the required filing deadline of September 1. Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein TO ACCEPT THE ILLINOIS PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT FOR EISENHOWER PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026; CERTIFY ITS ESSENTIAL ACCURACY AND TRANSMIT THE IPLAR TO THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 75 ILCS 16/30-65. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None The motion carried.
Retrofit Proposals—Verde Sustainable Solutions, Dominion Lighting, Stingray Electrical, Eco Lighting Services and Technology—
Director Wittmann reported that we received four bids for the Retrofit project. Our Project Manager Justin Pathmann, evaluated the bids, called references, and asked for clarifications from the companies. He recommended that the Board vote to approve the bid from Verde Sustainable Solutions as the lowest qualified bid. Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO APPROVE THE RETROFIT PROPOSAL FROM VERDE SUSTAAINABLE SOLUTIONS. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None The motion carried.
Quiet Room Policy Revision—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to approve the changes to the policy. Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE THE REVISED QUIET ROOM POLICY. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None The motion carried
Elimination of the Local History Room Policy—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to remove the policy since the room no longer exists. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE TO ELIMINATE THE LOCAL HISTORY ROOM POLICY. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None The motion carried
Elimination of the Triton Room Policy—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to remove the policy since the room no longer exists. The Triton room is now the security office. We had a repository of vhs tapes from Triton. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO APPROVE TO ELIMINATE TRITON ROOM POLICY. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None The motion carried
Disposal of Library Surplus Property—
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE THE DISPOSAL OF LIBRARY SURPLUS PROPERTY. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Personnel Changes—
Social Services Assistant Natalie Krichbaum was promoted to full time effective July 27, 2026.
Tech. Services Clerk Zerdali Jones was promoted to Tech. Service Librarian effective Monday, August 24, 2026.
Michael Cianfrani was promoted to Full Time Workshop Clerk effective Monday, August 24, 2026.
Workshop Clerk Lauren Picciuca’s hours increase to 25 hours a week effective Monday, August 31, 2026. She will be enrolled in IMRF.
Any Other Business—
Trustee Ringelstein asked about what the Library pays for licensing for staff and whether there is a policy requiring employees to remain with the Library for a specified period after the Library pays for continuing education. Director Wittmann advised that the Library’s policy requires employees to remain employed for one year following payment for tuition reimbursement. Trustee Zaporowicz-Short commented on the Summer Reading end of year program and that it looked like a good time and a big turnout.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Wittmann’s Librarian Report was addressed throughout the meeting as relevant agenda items arose. She discussed the service dog procedures at the Library and reported that the Book Cart team will be called the “Cartwheels,” a name recommended by Victoria Bitters.
The architects prepared a binder containing the materials and finishes selected for the construction project, which was circulated among the Board for review.
COMMUNICATIONS
A FOIA request was received on July 22, 2026 from Samuel Crombie requesting the current employee salary roster, covering all active employees and their current pay, including full name, job title, and base annual salary or hourly rate.
A FOIA request was received on July 31, 2026 from SmartProcure requesting copies of any current or most recently active contracts between Eisenhower Public Library District and the following vendors: Chase Manhattan Bank and Limricc Phip. In addition, they requested electronic copies of all executed contracts, service agreements, amendments, and other contractual documents between the agency and private vendors with a cumulative value greater than $50,000, executed between January 1, 2025, and the present.
Thank you letter from Sergeant Nick Ramirez Harwood Heights Fraternal Order of Police extending their deepest gratitude for the Library’s generous raffle donation for their 3rd Annual Golf Outing.
Email from LIMRiCC regarding the merger with WIN.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trustee Ringelstein reported that her neighbor had expressed concerns about the property taxes paid to the Library. Her neighbor also inquired about the Library’s garden, whether the Library has Polish-language books in its collection, and whether any staff members speak Polish.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 P.M.
