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Fri – Sat: 9AM to 5PM
Sun: 1PM to 5PM
4613 N Oketo Ave
Harwood Heights, IL 60706
708-867-7828

4613 N Oketo Ave, Harwood Heights, IL 60706 708-867-7828

Mon – Thur: 9AM to 9PM | Fri – Sat: 9AM to 5PM | Sun: 1PM to 5PM

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March 19, 2026 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

by | March 21, 2026

The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees March 19, 2026.

CALL TO ORDER

President Magnelli called the meeting to order at 7:39 P.M.

ROLL CALL

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

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

There were no visitors.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 19, 2026 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Director Wittmann advised that we are looking good. A little bit of tax money came in.

APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS  

Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 32376 THROUGH 32422 TOTALING $121,424.72 FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $22,334.38 FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY; FEBRUARY NET WAGES TOTALING $161,479.36; FEBRUARY PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,221.82; AND FEBRUARY IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,254.03. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Island Withing A City—
The Island Within a City Committee met tonight to discuss the progress of the book.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Community Kindness Day—
Trustee Ringelstein reported that Pennoyer has its plan in place and that she has received the plans from the library. She also noted that the Giles PTA is partnering with Gratitude Generation and there will be a diaper drive at Village Hall.

Bylaws Review—
The Board reviewed Section 2.2 (addition) and Sections 2.6–2.61. Trustee Zaporowicz-Short recommended removing “-20” under Section 2.2. Under Section 2.5, the last sentence was moved to item #4 under Section 2.6. Trustee Parent suggested that the Oath be indented and formatted as a quotation. Item B under Section 2.5 was also revised. Under Section 2.6, the Board expressed support for the Consent Agenda. Trustee Parent recommended moving item H to follow item #7. Item E was rewritten, and additional changes were made to item I and subsection E. Section 2.61 was renumbered as Section 2.7. There was discussion regarding Section 2.7, and the first paragraph was deleted. The Board concluded its review at Section 2.7.

Remodeling Project-Moving Library Entrance—
Peggy Tomzik visited eight area libraries and presented on how local libraries are managing their front entrances. Her visits included the Arlington Heights, Carol Stream, Ela Area, Lincolnwood, Niles-Maine, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, and Skokie Public Libraries. Director Wittmann presented a potential entrance solution proposed by the architects, along with an alternative option. She also reviewed plans for the Library Services desk and lobby layout, as well as designs for the ceiling, desk, and lighting. In addition, she presented the plans for the Workshop. Director Wittmann further reviewed lighting options for Kids World and Adult Reference, along with the proposed public restroom layouts.

Jennifer Furfori left the meeting at 8:45 P.M.

NEW BUSINESS

Anne Roberts Landscape Maintenance Proposal—
Trustee Magnelli asked about the bushes on the west side of the parking lot. Director Wittmann will obtain a proposal regarding their removal and will consult with the landscapers about pulling out the bushes. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, 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, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.

Lauterbach & Amen Accounting Proposal—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to approve the contract. She advised that we are well-established with Lauterbach and we have a positive and beneficial working relationship with them. Trustee Ringelstein moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE LAUTERBACH & AMEN’S ACCOUNTING PROPOSAL. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.

Co-Managed IT RFP—
Director Wittmann reported that John Keehn notified us that he and Paul Haertel will not be renewing their contract with us after the current one is up on June 20, 2026. They advised that they are moving towards retirement. She reported that Ellen, Brian Valesh, Dan McPhillips, and she wrote a Request for Proposal for co-managed IT. It will be issued on March 30, 2026 and a deadline of responses for May 4, 2026.

2026 Exempt Affidavit—
Director Wittmann reported that the Exempt Property Tax Affidavit was submitted. This filing exempts us from having to pay property tax and it has to be completed every year.

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

Six Month Raise—Michael Cianfrani, Barbara Zachar—
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Zaporowicz-Short. TO APPROVE AN INCREASE TO MICHAEL CIANFRANI’S HOURLY WAGE FROM $20.00 TO $20.60 AND BARBARA ZACHAR’S HOURLY WAGE FROM $18.00 TO 18.36. EFFECTIVE April 1, 2026. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Personnel Changes—
Dawn Healy has been hired as a Kids World Page, with a start date of April 7, 2026. Evelynn Fetzer has been hired as a Social Work Intern and is expected to begin in August.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT  

Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda.      

COMMUNICATIONS

A FOIA request from SmartProcure requesting any and all purchasing records from 11/21/2025 to current.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trustee Parent requested that the PDFs be made searchable. Director Wittmann responded that she would see if the necessary software is available to do this.

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 9:35 P.M.

Categories: Board Documents.

March 19, 2026 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

by | March 21, 2026

The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees March 19, 2026.

CALL TO ORDER

President Magnelli called the meeting to order at 7:39 P.M.

ROLL CALL

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

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

There were no visitors.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 19, 2026 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Director Wittmann advised that we are looking good. A little bit of tax money came in.

APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS  

Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 32376 THROUGH 32422 TOTALING $121,424.72 FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $22,334.38 FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY; FEBRUARY NET WAGES TOTALING $161,479.36; FEBRUARY PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,221.82; AND FEBRUARY IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,254.03. A Roll Call vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Island Withing A City—
The Island Within a City Committee met tonight to discuss the progress of the book.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Community Kindness Day—
Trustee Ringelstein reported that Pennoyer has its plan in place and that she has received the plans from the library. She also noted that the Giles PTA is partnering with Gratitude Generation and there will be a diaper drive at Village Hall.

Bylaws Review—
The Board reviewed Section 2.2 (addition) and Sections 2.6–2.61. Trustee Zaporowicz-Short recommended removing “-20” under Section 2.2. Under Section 2.5, the last sentence was moved to item #4 under Section 2.6. Trustee Parent suggested that the Oath be indented and formatted as a quotation. Item B under Section 2.5 was also revised. Under Section 2.6, the Board expressed support for the Consent Agenda. Trustee Parent recommended moving item H to follow item #7. Item E was rewritten, and additional changes were made to item I and subsection E. Section 2.61 was renumbered as Section 2.7. There was discussion regarding Section 2.7, and the first paragraph was deleted. The Board concluded its review at Section 2.7.

Remodeling Project-Moving Library Entrance—
Peggy Tomzik visited eight area libraries and presented on how local libraries are managing their front entrances. Her visits included the Arlington Heights, Carol Stream, Ela Area, Lincolnwood, Niles-Maine, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, and Skokie Public Libraries. Director Wittmann presented a potential entrance solution proposed by the architects, along with an alternative option. She also reviewed plans for the Library Services desk and lobby layout, as well as designs for the ceiling, desk, and lighting. In addition, she presented the plans for the Workshop. Director Wittmann further reviewed lighting options for Kids World and Adult Reference, along with the proposed public restroom layouts.

Jennifer Furfori left the meeting at 8:45 P.M.

NEW BUSINESS

Anne Roberts Landscape Maintenance Proposal—
Trustee Magnelli asked about the bushes on the west side of the parking lot. Director Wittmann will obtain a proposal regarding their removal and will consult with the landscapers about pulling out the bushes. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, 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, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.

Lauterbach & Amen Accounting Proposal—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to approve the contract. She advised that we are well-established with Lauterbach and we have a positive and beneficial working relationship with them. Trustee Ringelstein moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE LAUTERBACH & AMEN’S ACCOUNTING PROPOSAL. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Magnuson, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Zaporowicz-Short. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.

Co-Managed IT RFP—
Director Wittmann reported that John Keehn notified us that he and Paul Haertel will not be renewing their contract with us after the current one is up on June 20, 2026. They advised that they are moving towards retirement. She reported that Ellen, Brian Valesh, Dan McPhillips, and she wrote a Request for Proposal for co-managed IT. It will be issued on March 30, 2026 and a deadline of responses for May 4, 2026.

2026 Exempt Affidavit—
Director Wittmann reported that the Exempt Property Tax Affidavit was submitted. This filing exempts us from having to pay property tax and it has to be completed every year.

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

Six Month Raise—Michael Cianfrani, Barbara Zachar—
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Zaporowicz-Short. TO APPROVE AN INCREASE TO MICHAEL CIANFRANI’S HOURLY WAGE FROM $20.00 TO $20.60 AND BARBARA ZACHAR’S HOURLY WAGE FROM $18.00 TO 18.36. EFFECTIVE April 1, 2026. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Personnel Changes—
Dawn Healy has been hired as a Kids World Page, with a start date of April 7, 2026. Evelynn Fetzer has been hired as a Social Work Intern and is expected to begin in August.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT  

Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda.      

COMMUNICATIONS

A FOIA request from SmartProcure requesting any and all purchasing records from 11/21/2025 to current.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trustee Parent requested that the PDFs be made searchable. Director Wittmann responded that she would see if the necessary software is available to do this.

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 9:35 P.M.

Categories: Board Documents.