The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees December 10, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
President Braun called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present Electronically: Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams, Braun, Ross (8:28 P.M.).
Absent:
Also Present Electronically: Wittmann, Bacarella, Stam, Lewis, Tomzik, Blubaugh, McPhillips, Tomzik (7:35 P.M.).
DECLARATION
Declaration by the Board President that a fully in-person meeting is not Practical or Prudent because of COVID.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments from the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Magnelli, moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD NOVEMBER 19, 2020 BE APPROVED. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried. Trustee Parent, moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 19, 2020 BE APPROVED. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Wittmann advised that the budget looks good and is on point.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Magnelli, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 28063 THROUGH 28119 TOTALING $50,857.41 FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $4,339.59 FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER; MANUAL CHECKS 28057 THROUGH 28062 TOTALING $995.80 FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER; VOID CHECKS 27927, 27980, 27996, 27999, 28016; NOVEMBER NET WAGES TOTALING $105,659.01 NOVEMBER PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,099.14; AND NOVEMBER IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,540.95. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Director Wittmann reported that she went through the boxes that contained the Island Within a City book research materials and a few items were missing.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Audit FY2019-2020—
McClure, Inserra & Company, Chartered, filed our Taxing Districts’ Financial Statements and Disclosures with the Cook County Treasurer in compliance with the County’s Debt Disclosure Ordinance. The audit was filed with the State of Illinois Comptroller. Chapman and Cutler filed the 2019 CDU Annual Financial Information and Audit with EMMA.
NEW BUSINESS
Director’s Annual Evaluation—Closed Session
Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body—Closed Session A motion was made by Trustee Parent seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO CONVENE CLOSED (EXECUTIVE) SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) AT 7:40 P.M. TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE, OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC BODY. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Braun, Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried. A motion was made by Trustee Magnelli and, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO RECONVENE THE REGULAR MEETING AT 7:53 P.M. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.
Director’s Annual Merit Raise—
Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT DIRECTOR WITTMANN’S YEARLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $115.060.00 TO $118,512.00. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.
Annual Merit Raise Recommendations—
Director Wittmann presented the annual merit raise recommendations based on employee evaluations from their supervisors. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL MERIT RAISES AS PRESENTED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2021. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.
Temporary Employee—
Director Wittmann recommended hiring a temporary employee in Library Services. She reported that they are short staffed and they are struggling with the two-team structure. It also takes longer to hire someone and it is a difficult process to train someone properly right now. She recommended hiring Peggy Tomzik’s son. He is a current employee at another Swan library and familiar with our system. This would only be for a short period. He would come in as a temporary employee for about 2-3 months. Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF LUKE TOMZIK AS A TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.
Personnel Changes—
There were no personnel changes.
Review Minutes of Closed Sessions—
The Board reviewed the minutes of the closed sessions held November 16 (2), and December 21, 2000; January 18 (1), and March 22, 2001; February 21, 2002 (2); February 19 (2) and (3), March 18 (2), (3) and (4), April 8, and June 17, 2004 (1); January 20 (2), May 19 (2), and October 20, 2005; October 21, 2010; February 17, and December 15, 2011; April 19, May 17, July 19, and December 20, 2012; September 19, 2013, October 17, 2013, November 6, 2013, November 21, 2013, December 5, 2013, December 19, 2013, February 20, 2014 (1), May 15, 2014 (1), June 19, 2014 (1), July 17, 2014 (1), Nov. 20, 2014, Dec. 18, 2014 (1), January 15, 2015 (1), May 21, 2015, November 17, 2015, January 21, 2016, May 19, 2016, July 21, 2016, October 20, 2016, December 15, 2016 (1), December 15, 2016 (2)March 16, 2017, November 12, 2020. It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal and pending litigation of a specific employee. 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (1). The Board also reviewed the minutes of the closed session held April 21, 2016, November 15, 2018, and June 20, 2019. It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the selection of a person to fill public office. 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (3) The Board also reviewed the minutes of the closed sessions held April 20, July 20, August 17 and November 16, 2006; May 10, 2007; February 19, March 19, 2009 and January 20, and August 25, 2011; and January 19, and December 20, 2012; January 17, 2013; August 8, 2013, March 29, 2015, April 16, 2015, May 21, 2015. It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the Library. 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (6) The Board also reviewed the minutes of closed sessions held February 20, 2014, April 17, 2014, May 15, 2014, June 19, 2014, July 17, 2014, August 14, 2014, September 18, 2014, October 16, 2014, November 20, 2014, Dec. 18, 2014, January 15, 2015, and February 19, 2015, November 12, 2020. It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the probable or imminent litigation on behalf of the Library District. 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (11). The Board also reviewed the minutes of closed session held May 17, 2018, August 16, 2018, and October 18, 2018, July 18, 2019, October 17, 2019. It was determined that the need for confidentiality still exists for these closed sessions pertaining to the security procedures and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employee, students, staff, the public or public property 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (8). Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT THE NEED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY STILL EXISTS FOR THE CLOSED SESSIONS THAT WERE PRESENTED AND THEY WILL STAY CLOSED. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Adams, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.
Any Other Business—
There was discussion about a complaint from a patron regarding a homeless person who sometimes sits outside the Library. Director Wittmann advised that the homeless person could stay as long as they were not violating any rules. The person is part of the protected group in terms of civil rights and as long as they are not doing anything illegal, they could be outside the library. The patron advised that they were uncomfortable returning books in the book drop when this person was sitting on the bench. The Chief of Police advised that he would talk to the patron who made the complaint. Director Wittmann advised that they could find alternative book drop options to make people more comfortable.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY UPDATES
Julie Stam reported that they are meeting next Wednesday via zoom. She also advised that they occasionally get donations and the book room is not overrun.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda Trustee Parent asked for an update on the staff wellness. Director Wittmann reported that the cases do not seem to be serious and staff are recovering.
COMMUNICATION
Email from Arlene Jezierny, Mayor of Harwood Heights, saying that they received a note from the election judge stating that Eisenhower Library employees Tony, Dan, Mike and Ross did a good job with the election.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Happy Holidays.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Ross, Adams, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 P.M.
