The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees March 16, 2023, 2023.
CALL TO ORDER
President Braun called the meeting to order at 7:33 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Magnuson, Parent, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs, Braun.
Absent:
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, McPhillips, Stam, Tomzik, V. Bitters.
COVID DECLARATION
Declaration by the Board President that a fully in-person meeting is not Practical or Prudent because of COVID.
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
There were no visitors present.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments from the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Magnelli, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 16, 2023 BE APPROVED. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Wittmann advised that we are looking good. She reported that Jamie Rachlin is looking into options of investing due to the high interest rates.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 29927 THROUGH 29993 TOTALING $76,384.96 FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $11,512.89 FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY; MANUAL CHECK 29926 IN THE AMOUNT OF $175.00 FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY; VOIDED CHECKS 29386 29742 AND 29881; FEBRUARY NET WAGES TOTALING $118,803.85; FEBRUARY PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $49,364.90; AND FEBRUARY IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,787.24. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no reports.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Community Kindness Day—
Trustee Ringelstein said she is waiting to find out what people are doing. Director Wittmann advised that we would be doing some passive and/or active programs about how to interact in a positive way on social media. Peggy advised that she wants to have a program with hearts that people put a note on and then leave somewhere for others to find. Trustee Ringelstein advised that people could then post on social media where they found the heart and tag the library. Peggy’s new employee will assist with this program. Director Wittmann reported that thank you notes from the staff would be given out to patrons
2023 Exempt Affidavit—
Director Wittmann advised that we still have not received the affidavit.
NIMEC Bid-Ratification of Contract for Electricity Provider—
The bid took place Thursday, March 2, 2023. Dynegy won this year’s bid. They offered one year, two year, and three year rates. The two year was the lowest and many of the members chose it. The two year rate is 6.622 cents per kWh. Director Wittmann made the decision to go with the two year rate. Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Magnelli, TO RATIFY THE MOTION MADE AT THE JANUARY 19, 2023 BOARD MEETING AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN NIMEC BID FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE AND TO ACCEPT DYNEGY AS OUR ELECTRIC PROVIDER. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
NEW BUSINESS
Close the Library on Friday, May 26, 2023 for a Staff In-Service Day—
Director Wittmann advised that the servers would be replaced on May 26 and it was best to close the library for an in-service day. The carpet installation will take place earlier in the week and it would give staff the opportunity to get their offices back together. Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE TO CLOSE THE LIBRARY ON FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023 FOR A STAFF IN-SERVICE DAY. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Close the Library on Sunday, October 1, 2023 for the 50th Anniversary Celebration—
Director Wittmann advised that they would put up a large tent in the parking lot and have a celebration. The library will not be opened for library business that day. We are going to have a donut truck, cowboy choir, mini craft fair, board racing for kids, professional pumpkin carver, and a bouncy house. Director Wittmann advised that she is looking for permission to use the parking lot by the theatre and potentially have have handicap parking on Oketo. She advised that she would check with Carsten’s to see if staff could park in their lot that day. Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE TO CLOSE THE LIBRARY ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023 FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Carpeting Proposal for the 2nd Floor Director and Administrative Offices—
Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM PINNACLE FLOORING COMPANY TO REPLACE THE CARPETING IN THE 2ND FLOOR DIRECTOR AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Carpeting Proposal for Tech Services Office—
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnelli TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM PINNACLE FLOORING COMPANY TO REPLACE THE CARPETING IN THE TECH SERVICES OFFICE. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Moving Proposal for Carpet Installation- Hallett Movers—
Director Wittmann advised that we worked with Hallett movers when we installed the carpeting in the Reference Department. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM HALLETT MOVERS FOR THE CARPET INSTALLATION. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Family Bereavement Leave Act Policy—
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE THE FAMILY BEREAVEMENT LEAVE ACT POLICY. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Approval of Emeritus Status for Retiring MLIS Staff—
Director Wittmann advised that this is found more in academic libraries. It is a way to acknowledge people’s dedication and contribution to library science. They would get to keep their staff library card. This would be on a nomination basis. The manager and/or the Director would have to nominate the person and the Board would have to vote on it. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE EMERITUS STATUS FOR RETIRING MLIS STAFF. Trustee Parent, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE EMERITUS STATUS FOR RETIRING MLIS STAFF AS AMENDED WITH “OR EQUIVALENT” ADDED AFTER ALA-ACCREDITED MASTERS DEGREE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Anne Roberts Landscape Maintenance Proposal—
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE ANNE ROBERTS LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE PROPOSAL. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Vending Machine Proposal—
Director Wittmann advised that it is a new business and the owner is a Police Officer with Norridge. They will be installed in the staff lounge and eventually be put in the adult seating area outside the meeting room. There is no cost to us. Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE THE VENDING MACHINE PROPOSAL AT NO COST TO THE LIBRARY. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Six Month Raise-Ceylan Yildiz—
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT CEYLAN YILDIZ HOURLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $13.00 TO $13.39 EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2023. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None.
Personnel Changes—
Kids World Page, Kevin Christensen, was hired as a Technical Services Assistant. He started on March 13, 2023. Yessenia Carrillo and James Mann, Adult Technology Clerks, have been promoted to full time effective March 12, 2023. Emily Miller was hired as a full time Circulation Services Clerk. She will start April 10, 2023.
Any Other Business—
No report.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY UPDATES
Julie Stam reported that the Friends had their meeting via Zoom on March 15. She advised that attendance has been dwindling and that they currently have only 8 voting members. The President stepped down. There are seven officer positions and 6 are required by law. One of the director positions has not been filled. The members discussed that the organization cannot function and they will vote to dissolve it. There is no way to put it on pause and dissolving it is the only way to go. Their next meeting will be Wed, June 21st. Director Wittmann advised that the library could hold book sales.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda. She advised that there was a person who drove up on the sidewalk and grazed the flagpole. No one was hurt. There will be a staff party on Friday, March 31st. She discussed the green space on the North East side of the parking lot. A few of the librarians and Garden club want to make a garden and a sitting space in that area. They would install a little fence. Tony is checking to see if permits are required to do the work. Director Wittmann advised that the current audit firm could no longer do our audits. Ellen already sent out the RFP to a few different audit firms.
COMMUNICATIONS
A FOIA request was received on February 21, 2023 from Smart Procure requesting any and all purchasing records from 11/18/22 to current.
Thank you note from Trustee Krebs.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Birthday to Trustee Magnuson.
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 Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 P.M.
