The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees June 26, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER
President Braun called the meeting to order at 7:31 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Magnuson, Braun, Magnelli, Parent, Krebs, Ross.
Absent: Ringelstein.
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, Furfori, Lewis, McPhillips, Bitters V., Sciaccotta, Stam, Tomzik.
Also Present Electronically: Wachholder.
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
Monica Wachholder was recognized.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments from the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Parent advised that he was not present at the May board meeting and therefore did not second the motion for sine die adjournment. The minutes will be amended to reflect the correct Trustee who seconded the motion.
Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD May 15, 2025 BE APPROVED AS AMENDED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Wittmann reported that the finances are looking very positive, with expenditures either on target or slightly below expectations. In May, we collected over $24,000 in tax revenue, along with an additional $24,000 in interest from the Illinois Funds.
There are a few line items where spending has slightly exceeded the budget. The Ephemera category is currently at 102.22% of its allocated budget. This line item covers purchases related to the Library of Things, Workshop equipment, and Workshop programming. For the upcoming fiscal year, she advised that she plans to create separate line items for the Workshop and the Social Services Team under the Programming category. The existing Ephemera line will be renamed to “Library of Things.”
Additionally, the Equipment Rental line is at 102.75% of its budget, primarily due to an unexpected increase in the cost of our water cooler rental this year.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 31862 THROUGH 31920 TOTALING $99,557.58 FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $29,279.91 FOR THE MONTH OF MAY; PETTY CASH CHECKS 5037 THROUGH 5038 TOTALING $510.11 FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE; MANUAL CHECKS 31859 THROUGH 31861 TOTALING $9,061.64 FOR THE MONTH OF MAY; MAY NET WAGES TOTALING $232,565.37; MAY PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $96,806.54 AND MAY IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,024.17. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no committee reports.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Trustee Oath of Office Update—
Trustee Parent was officially sworn in by Notary Public, Ellen Bacarella on Friday, June 6th. We were assured by our attorney that this was legal and fell within state requirements. Dawn Parent was present, and acted as a witness.
Per Capita Grant FY2025—
Director Wittmann reported that we have not received notice from the State of Illinois regarding our Per Capita Grant award. The Grant could be impacted by the suspension of grants through IMLS at the federal level, but that is unclear. Ellen is in the process of contacting the State Library for an update.
Social Services Assistant Job Description—
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried.
Editor Proposal—Jennifer Storelli—
Director Wittmann advised that she would add the ‘opt-out clause’ to the contract and asked the Board to vote to approve the proposal for editorial services for the Island Within a City book project from Jennifer Storelli. Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE THE EDITOR PROPOSAL WITH THE OPT-OUT CLAUSE AND AUTHORIZE DIRECTOR WITTMANN TO SIGN THE CONTRACT FROM JENNIFER STORELLI. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried.
By Laws Review—
Director Wittmann proposed that they pick this item up again at the August meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 2025—1, “Annual Ordinance Authorizing Public Library Non-Resident Cards”—The Board agreed to continue to participate in non-resident card service and set the rate for non-resident cards at 0.5391 per hundred dollars of assessed valuation as calculated by the tax bill method. 75 ILCS 16/30-55.60—
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2025-1 “ANNUAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PUBLIC LIBRARY NON-RESIDENT CARDS”. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried.
Appoint Trustees to Audit Secretary’s Records—
Per Illinois statute, Trustee Braun President, will need to appoint two Trustees to audit the Secretary’s records. The audit consists of certifying the accuracy and completeness of the Secretary’s records (75 ILCS 16/30-65, subsection C). We are required to do this at the end of each fiscal year. Trustee Braun will audit the Secretary’s records and has appointed Trustee Parent to also conduct the audit. This must be completed for the Illinois Public Library Annual Report.
Appoint Budget Committee—
Director Wittmann suggested that the budget committee meeting be held on the same evening as the regular meeting with the opportunity for the whole Board to be present, as it was last year, noting that otherwise the budget committee’s report is repeated over again at the regular meeting. The Board agreed to appoint a Committee of the Whole for the Budget Committee and to hold the Budget Committee Meeting at 6:30 P.M. on July 17 followed by the regular Board meeting at 7:30 P.M.
Collection Development Policy Revision—
Director Wittmann presented the proposed revisions to the Collection Development Policy and requested the Board’s approval. The primary updates address guidelines for challenging library materials and considerations related to the emergence of AI-generated content. Dan and Tiffany reviewed several of the proposed changes with the Board, with particular focus on the reconsideration of materials process. They also highlighted the newly added section regarding AI-generated works. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO APPROVE THE REVISED COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Chiller Proposal—The Hill Group, Hayes Mechanical—z
Tony mentioned that he doesn’t think it’s a bad idea to consider going with a different company. Their pricing is slightly lower than the Hill Group’s. While Hayes is headquartered on the South Side, they also have operations on the North Side. Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Magnelli, TO APPROVE THE CHILLER CONTRACT FROM THE HAYES MECHANICAL. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried.
Boiler Proposal—The Hill Group, Hayes Mechanical—
Tony said it would be a good thing to give Hayes a chance. Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson TO APPROVE THE BOILER CONTRACT FROM THE HAYES MECHANICAL. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried.
Disposal of Library Surplus Property—
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE THE DISPOSAL OF LIBRARY SURPLUS PROPERTY. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Unpaid Leave of Absence—
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Parent TO APPROVE A SIX-MONTH UNPAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR IVY RAMOS. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
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 7:57 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 are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried. A motion was made by Trustee Ross and, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO RECONVENE THE REGULAR MEETING AT 8:30 P.M. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Personnel Changes—
Jakub Krzemien resigned as a Kids World Page. His last day was May 16, 2025.
Kevin Christensen no longer works at the library, his last day was Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Lauren Picciuca was hired as a Workshop Clerk, her first day was Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Sabrina Wilks was hired as a Kids World Page. His first day is Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
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 20, 2020, July 18, 2024 (1) July 18, 2024 (2), September, 19, 2024, November 21, 2024, December 19, 2024 (1). 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, June 20, 2019, July 15, 2021, August 19, 2021, August 26, 2021, September 9, 2021, September 16, 2021. 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. 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, February 20, 2025. 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 Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO KEEP THE CLOSED SESSIONS CLOSED AND TO OPEN THE CLOSED SESSION 5ILCS 120.2 (C) (1) DECEMBER 19, 2024, DIRECTOR WITTMANN’S ANNUAL REVIEW. A Roll Call vote on the motion was taken and the results are as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried.
Any Other Business—
There was no other business.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Wittmann reported that Julie Stam had the opportunity to read a book to be published and provide a pull quote. Her quote was selected and will be featured on the published work. The Staff in service day was successful. She purchased new trash bins for outside. She reported that she developed the one, two, and three-year plan and tentative budget for Norwood Community Connections. She estimated that the budget would be about $5,000 with each organization contributing $500.
COMMUNICATIONS
A FOIA request was made by genesisONE on June 10, 2025 requesting the library’s Current contracts, leases, agreements, commitments, and arrangements associated with printing.
A FOIA request was made by SmartProcure on June 12, 2025 requesting any and all purchasing records from 1/31/2025 to current.
Thank you letter from State Representative Brad Stephens for the library ‘s participation in the Children’s Safety Expo.
Trustee Magnuson said she attended the library’s poetry in the garden event today, which was a major hit. She said they saw the memorial instruments for Ruth Igoe. The Board discussed holding a small dedication ceremony and inviting Ruth’s family. Director Wittmann said she would ask Trustee Ringelstein to talk to Patti Mann.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 P.M.
