The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees July 16, 2026.

CALL TO ORDER

President Magnelli called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present: Magnelli, Ross, Ringelstein, Krebs, Magnuson, Zaporowicz-Short.
Absent: Parent.
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, Clark, Furfori, Lewis, McPhillips, Stam, V. Bitters, Sciaccotta, Tomzik, M. Wachholder.

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

Monica Wachholder was present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Monica Wachholder commented that she loved the Kohl Children’s Museum Pass program and requested that it be renewed.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Ross THAT THE MINUTES OF THE ISLAND WITHIN A CITY MEETING HELD JUNE 18, 2026 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Trustee Krebs Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD JUNE 18, 2026 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Director Wittmann reported that we concluded the year in strong financial standing. She advised that we only slightly exceeded our budget on a few items, and she anticipates having over half of the Fiscal Year 2026 expenses covered in our cash balances. 

APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS

Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Zaporowicz-Short, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 32603 THROUGH 32664 TOTALING $162,336.18 FOR THE MONTH OF JULY; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $80,636.05 FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE; JUNE NET WAGES TOTALING $162,611.03; JUNE PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,910.17 AND JUNE IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,415.47. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT Parent. The motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Budget Committee—
The Budget Committee, acting as a committee of the whole, has completed its review of the 2026-27 fiscal year’s projected revenues and working budget. A vote on the tentative Budget and Appropriation is scheduled for August.

Island Withing A City—
Director Wittmann reported that she and Julie started capturing photos. The committee will meet next in August.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Bylaws Review—
Director Wittmann suggested that the Board hold a Special Meeting in October to go through the remainder of the bylaws, rather than taking time during the regular Board meetings, as the discussions tend to be involved and we feel we are losing some momentum by spreading them out. She reported that October was the unofficial end of our “busy” season, as the Working Budget, the Budget and Appropriation, and the audit will be finished. Subsequent discussion revealed that the Trustees thought this was a good idea, and a straw poll indicated they wanted to wait to schedule the meeting until Trustee Parent was present.

Island Within a City Book Title—
The Board will revisit this in August.

NEW BUSINESS

Working Budget—
The committee discussed the proposed working budget and reviewed all the line items.  Director Wittmann asked the Board to approve the proposed FY27 Working Budget. Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Zaporowicz-Short, THAT THE WORKING BUDGET FOR THE FY 2026-2027 BE APPROVED. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT Parent. The motion carried.

Ordinance 2026-2, Ordinance Authorizing an Additional Tax for the Maintenance, Repairs and Alteration of the Library Building and Equipment—
Trustee Zaporowicz-Short moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2026-2, “ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL TAX FOR THE MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS AND ALTERATION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT.” A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT Parent. The motion carried.

Island Within a City Book Design—
The Board likes the Sans Serif body font, the spacing between the paragraphs, and the running footer. They would like to combine all of these elements into the final version. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Zaporowicz-Short, TO APPROVE THE BOOK LAYOUT DESIGN THAT INCLUDES SAN SARIF FOR THE BODY FONT, SPACE IN BETWEEN THE PARAGRAPHS, AND THE RUNNING FOOTER. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT Parent. The motion carried.

Midwest Office Interiors, Inc. Table Quote—
Director Wittmann reported that the meeting room tables are now 18 years old and while they have held up quite well, several of them are showing their age, and are broken or damaged. She asked the Board to vote to approve the proposal from Midwest Office Interiors for the purchase of 24 tables. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE THE TABLE QUOTE FROM MIDWEST OFFICE INTERIORS, INC. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT Parent. The motion carried.

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

Personnel Changes—
Circulation Clerk, Barbara Zachar has resigned. Her last day will be July 27, 2026.

Any Other Business—
Director Wittmann reported that a woman contacted the library to request permission to film a scene in the library’s parking lot. After consulting with the library’s insurance carrier, it was confirmed that the library would not assume liability provided the production company supplies a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming the library as an additional insured. The filming is scheduled to take place before the library opens on Sunday, August 23. The Trustees expressed their approval of the request. Director Wittmann advised that a monarch butterfly garden will be installed by Anne Roberts at a cost of $3,000. The garden will feature 10 different plantings and will be located near the existing planters. A monarch butterfly plaque will also be installed to accompany the garden. Dan reported on the planned design and plant selection.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT  

Director Wittmann’s Librarian’s Report was discussed throughout the meeting as related agenda items arose.

She reported that Earth Elements removed the bushes and installed new mulch. The library held a farewell celebration with cake for John and Paul on their last day. The staff in-service day was well received, and attendees provided positive feedback about the speaker.

Director Wittmann also reported that the Goblin Market was a successful event and well attended, with participants enjoying the experience. Julie represented the library with a table at the Island Within a City Festival, where the flower pens were especially popular with attendees.

Julie Stam reported that the Park District’s maintenance supervisor complimented the library’s garden. The library is partnering with the Park District on programming, including bringing the Book Bike to the park and creating a special book collection that patrons will be able to check out there. The library is also considering hosting a pop-up library at the former library building, which is now occupied by the Park District.

Director Wittmann reported that Nate from the Park District will discuss an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between them and the library at its upcoming meeting.

Finally, Director Wittmann reported that Julie received a pull quote acknowledgment in The First Ladies’ Guide to Murder.

COMMUNICATIONS

Letter from State Representative Bradley Stephens thanking the library for our participation in their Children’s Health and Safety Expo 2026 Kids Fair.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements. 

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Zaporowicz-Short, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED.  A voice vote was taken and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M.