The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees August 14, 2025.

CALL TO ORDER

President Braun called the meeting to order at 7:37 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present: Magnelli, Magnuson, Parent, Krebs, Ringelstein, Braun.
Absent: Ross.
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, Furfori, V. Bitters, Lewis, McPhillips, Stam, Williams.
Also Present Electronically: Clark.

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

There were no visitors.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no comments from the public.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING HELD JULY 17, 2025 BE APPROVED.  A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Trustee Ringelstein moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD JULY 17, 2025 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Director Wittmann advised that we are looking good. 

APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS  
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 31973 THROUGH 32026 TOTALING $101,660.59 FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $29,571.49 FOR THE MONTH OF JULY; JULY NET WAGES TOTALING $152,773.11; JULY PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,981.80 AND JULY IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,126.29. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross The motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

There was no report. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

There was no report.

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 15, 2025 to September 18, 2025. A Public Hearing on the Tentative Budget will be held and is scheduled for September 18, 2025 at 7:30 P.M. and the Board meeting will begin at 7:45 P.M. The agenda will be posted 48 hours before the meetings.  Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, 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, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried

FY24 25 Illinois Public Library Annual Report—This Annual Report is for the 2024– 2025 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, 2024 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2025; 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, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None.  ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.

Transfer Funds from Corporate Fund to Special Reserve Fund—
Director Wittmann reported that up to $500,000 had been budgeted for transfer from the Corporate Fund to the Special Reserve Fund during this fiscal year. However, financial advisor Jamie Rachlin recommended holding off on the transfer for now. He advised that the library should first work toward building the Corporate Fund to 100% of planned expenditures. Based on this guidance, Director Wittmann recommended postponing any transfer to the Special Reserve Fund until later in the fiscal year. She also noted that they will continue monitoring the interest earned in the meantime.

Resolution 2025-1 “Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees and Staff Proclamation for Former Trustee Ruth Igoe”—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to vote to approve the Resolution recognizing Ruth Igoe’s years of service on the Board of Trustees and as a founding member of the Friends of the Library. Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-1, “RESOLUTION ADOPTING PROCLAMATION FOR FORMER TRUSTEE RUTH IGOE.”  A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.

Jennifer Storelli Proposal—
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, TO APPROVE AN ADDENDUM TO THE PROPOSAL FROM JENNIFER STORELLI FOR TRANSCRIBING THE INTERVIEWS INTO ESSAYS. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None.  ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.

Disposal of Library Surplus Property—
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE THE DISPOSAL OF LIBRARY SURPLUS PROPERTY. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Employee Annual Raise-Annika Wilcox, Dixie Williams—
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnelli, TO APPROVE AN INCREASE TO ANNIKA WILCOX’S ANNUAL RATE FROM $53,550.00 TO $54,621.00 AND TO DIXIE WILLIAMS’ ANNUAL RATE FROM $59,740.00 TO $61,532.20 EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025.  A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Six Month Raise-Donna Contreras—
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE DONNA CONTRERAS’ HOURLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $18.00 TO $18.54 EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Personnel Changes— 
Children’s Librarian Victoria Lazarski has submitted her resignation. Her last day with the library will be August 29, 2025.

Any Other Business— 
There was no Report.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT  

Director Wittmann’s Librarian Report was addressed throughout the meeting as relevant agenda items arose. Additional highlights include:

• A Dedication Ceremony for the Ruth Igoe Memorial Garden Instrument is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The event was planned by Ellen and Julie with Director Wittmann’s input. Due to anticipated heat, the ceremony will be held outside under a tent in the courtyard near the quiet room. Chairs will be provided. Refreshments will be served indoors on the second-floor loft, and the Conference Room will be available for additional seating. Please note that the Large Meeting Room will be in use for another program that morning.
• The door security system may be implemented starting Monday, September 18.
• Dixie and Natalie had their poster proposal accepted by ILA (Illinois Library Association).
• The interns are scheduled to begin at the end of the month.

Tiffany reported that this year’s Summer Reading Program was a great success, with participation and completion rates both increasing. Notably, more adults participated this year than in previous years. Overall, the program ran very smoothly and was well-received by the community.

Molly contributed by creating high-quality prizes, which were a big hit and added to the program’s success.

COMMUNICATIONS

Letter from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias regarding legislation that was signed into law. This law will enhance protections for Illinois Library and Librarians.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 P.M.