The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees January 20, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
President Braun called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present Electronically: Braun, Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Parent, Krebs.
Absent: Ross.
Also Present Electronically: Wittmann, Bacarella, McPhillips, Stam, Blubaugh, Tomzik, Sciaccotta, V. Bitters, Clark, Lewis (7:34 P.M.).
COVID 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 Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2021 BE APPROVED. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Wittmann advised that we are looking good. We have received all the tax money. Everything is at or under, except materials.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS
Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 28999 THROUGH 29052 TOTALING $126,426.89 FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $8,595.58 FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER; MANUAL CHECKS 28993 THROUGH 28998 TOTALING $6,175.73 FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER; CHECK 28974 VOID; NET WAGES TOTALING $161,693.35; DECEMBER PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,485.72; AND DECEMBER IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,976.27. ADJOURNED. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no committee reports.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Roof Removal and Replacement Contract—
All American Exterior Solutions. Director Wittmann advised that the roof contract has to be tabled until next month because we are still waiting for the LIRA Board to approve it.
NEW BUSINESS
Norridge Kindness Day—
Trustee Ringelstein advised that she along with Frank Avino, Lou Mezzano, and Jennifer Adams were talking about how people could be nicer and kinder. They discussed that someone should do something about it. This is when they came up with the idea of Norridge Kindness Day. It will take place on April 23. Currently they are going to Board meetings around Norridge to ask people to participate. Everyone has been interested in doing something from a village clean up, to setting up a little free library. Trustee Ringelstein wants people to pay it forward on that day and she would like Eisenhower to participate. They are going to sell t-shirts and donate the proceeds to Helping Hands, Ridgewood, the Senior Assistance Center, and the Norridge Schools Foundation. Penny advised that the Library is doing a take with you craft on that day. Julie Stam advised that the Friends talked about giving away kids’ books on that day. Director Wittmann thought maybe they could give away seed packets with a terracotta pot. Dan mentioned that they discussed having a version of food for fines and checking out trash pick-up sticks. The Management team will discuss other thing they could do to participate on that day. Trustee Ringelstein reported that the Village of Norridge is doing a proclamation.
2021 Exempt Affidavit—
Library Property must be certified annually with the Cook County Assessor to maintain exempt status. We are still waiting for the letter from Cook County. Once the letter comes in Trustee Braun will sign the affidavit.
IRS Mileage Rate—
The IRS has changed the approved mileage reimbursement rate to 58.5 cents per mile effective January 1, 2022. The Library continues to pay the IRS approved mileage reimbursement rate.
Intergovernmental Agreement for Joint Purchasing of Library Programming, Events and Services between Northbrook Public Library and Eisenhower Public Library District—
Director Wittmann reported that we are guaranteed six events. Trustee Ringelstein moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR JOINT PURCHASING OF LIBRARY PROGRAMMING, EVENTS AND SERVICES BETWEEN NORTHBROOK PUBLIC LIBRARY AND EISENHOWER PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried.
Personnel Changes—
Andrew Riis was hired as Interlibrary Loan Clerk; his first day was January 19, 2022. Circulation Clerk Colleen Malo resigned, her last day will be January 29, 2022.
Any other Business—
The fish tank proposal will be on the February Agenda.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY UPDATES
Julie Stam reported that their last meeting was in December. They want to do a free kids book giveaway on Norridge Kindness day.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda. Due to the pandemic, this past month had been touch and go and a roller coaster and she was proud that the library only had to close one day. She reported that it has been a challenge to keep the Library staffed. She advised that they have done it with many staff helping in different departments. Things seem to be trending down and she advised that staff would keep being super careful.
COMMUNICATIONS
FOIA request form SmartProcure requesting any and all purchasing records from 8/16/2021 to current. Letter from Robbins Schwartz in regards to the PTAB’s decision for 2019 Dearborn Station Management Co. Klein Thorpe and Jenkins District Calendars. Email from Lima Foxtrot in regards to the Mask policy.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trustee Parent wanted to acknowledge Director Wittmann and Ellen in getting the Board packets out early. Director Wittmann advised that Library Journal named all library staff as the Librarian of the year.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, 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, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ross. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 P.M.
