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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 20, 2025 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

by | March 22, 2025

The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees March 20, 2025.

CALL TO ORDER

President Braun called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present: Magnuson, Parent, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs, Braun.
Absent:
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, V. Bitters, Furfori, McPhillips, Stam, Tomzik.
Also Present Electronically: Clark, Monica Wacholder (7:57 P.M.).

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

Monica Wacholder was present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE ISLAND WITHIN A CITY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 20, 2025 BE APPROVED AS AMENDED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Magnelli, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 20, 2025 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Director Wittmann advised that we are looking good. We started to receive the tax money. We received over $1.6 million in tax money.

APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS

Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 31684 THROUGH 31740 TOTALING $86,849.87 FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $15,777.68 FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY; FEBRUARY NET WAGES TOTALING $153,040.70; FEBRUARY PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,421.90; AND FEBRUARY IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,932.38. 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

 The Island Within a City Committee met tonight and discussed hiring an editor.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Community Kindness Day—
Trustee Ringelstein reported that planning is coming along slowly but steadily. She reported that they are having a food, diaper, and formula drive. They are waiting to hear from District 80. Pennoyer has some things going on. Norridge is doing something. Trustee Ringelstein advised that the day is bigger than she ever thought it would be but she would love it to be neighbor to neighbor also.

NEW BUSINESS

Anne Roberts Landscape Maintenance Proposal—
Trustee Magnelli advised that a few of the planters are broken. Director Wittmann will alert Anne Roberts of the broken planters. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, 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.

Ratification and Approval of the Three-Year Contract from NRG Business Marketing LLC and Direct Energy Business, LLC for the Purchase of Electricity—
The cost went up a lot. They advised that AI has caused the use of electricity to go up. The Trustees discussed maybe down the line getting solar panels. A motion was made by Trustee Parent, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO RATIFY AND APPROVE THE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT FROM NRG BUSINESS MARKETING LLC AND DIRECT ENERGY BUSINESS, LLC FOR THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY. 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.

Change Personnel Job Description- Marketing Assistant to Marketing/Design Assistant—
Most of the job descriptions were written years ago and it has become apparent that they don’t match up with what employees do. Trustee Ross, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE CHANGING THE PERSONNEL JOB DESCRIPTION MARKETING ASSISTANT TO MARKETING/DESIGN ASSISTANT. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

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

Six Month Raise—
Trustee Ringelstein moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT JAKUB KRZEMIEN’S HOURLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $15.00 TO $15.23 AND RICHARD MASSARO’S HOURLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $18.00 TO $18.54 EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2025. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Personnel Changes—
Workshop Clerk, Yousef Shehade no longer works at the library effective February 28, 2025. Savannah Derrig and Lazerric Hartzog were hired as Social Work Interns, they will start in August.

Any Other Business—
No report.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda. She reported that they were able to have Goldylocks look at the door systems. They reported that they could wire the door security system. It was a positive meeting and Director Wittmann and Dan learned a lot about the system. She advised that they would probably have to go out for bid for that project. She reported that she hired the two social work interns. Both interns are in a dual MLIS and MSW master’s program at Dominican. There were four intern candidates. She showed the Board the Norwood Community Connections website. She wants the trustees to test out the survey. The survey is in a few different languages. Trustee Magnuson asked if the banned patron reached out and Director Wittmann advised that she did not hear anything. On March 14 Trump signed an executive order dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Director Wittmann advised that the dismantling of IMLS probably won’t affect our receipts but it could have an effect on our expenditures. They are funded until Sept of this year and Congress would have to vote to continue it. It pays for recorded books, they contribute to the van delivery that takes to libraries all over the state, they provide funds to contribute to ILLINET, and they fund different grants through LSTA. Director Wittmann advised that she will budget accordingly to prepare for this. She is hoping to get more guidance from Rails.

COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

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 7:59 P.M.

Categories: Board Documents.

March 20, 2025 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

by | March 22, 2025

The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees March 20, 2025.

CALL TO ORDER

President Braun called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present: Magnuson, Parent, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Ross, Krebs, Braun.
Absent:
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, V. Bitters, Furfori, McPhillips, Stam, Tomzik.
Also Present Electronically: Clark, Monica Wacholder (7:57 P.M.).

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

Monica Wacholder was present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE ISLAND WITHIN A CITY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 20, 2025 BE APPROVED AS AMENDED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Magnelli, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 20, 2025 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Director Wittmann advised that we are looking good. We started to receive the tax money. We received over $1.6 million in tax money.

APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS

Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 31684 THROUGH 31740 TOTALING $86,849.87 FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $15,777.68 FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY; FEBRUARY NET WAGES TOTALING $153,040.70; FEBRUARY PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,421.90; AND FEBRUARY IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,932.38. 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

 The Island Within a City Committee met tonight and discussed hiring an editor.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Community Kindness Day—
Trustee Ringelstein reported that planning is coming along slowly but steadily. She reported that they are having a food, diaper, and formula drive. They are waiting to hear from District 80. Pennoyer has some things going on. Norridge is doing something. Trustee Ringelstein advised that the day is bigger than she ever thought it would be but she would love it to be neighbor to neighbor also.

NEW BUSINESS

Anne Roberts Landscape Maintenance Proposal—
Trustee Magnelli advised that a few of the planters are broken. Director Wittmann will alert Anne Roberts of the broken planters. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, 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.

Ratification and Approval of the Three-Year Contract from NRG Business Marketing LLC and Direct Energy Business, LLC for the Purchase of Electricity—
The cost went up a lot. They advised that AI has caused the use of electricity to go up. The Trustees discussed maybe down the line getting solar panels. A motion was made by Trustee Parent, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO RATIFY AND APPROVE THE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT FROM NRG BUSINESS MARKETING LLC AND DIRECT ENERGY BUSINESS, LLC FOR THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY. 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.

Change Personnel Job Description- Marketing Assistant to Marketing/Design Assistant—
Most of the job descriptions were written years ago and it has become apparent that they don’t match up with what employees do. Trustee Ross, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE CHANGING THE PERSONNEL JOB DESCRIPTION MARKETING ASSISTANT TO MARKETING/DESIGN ASSISTANT. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

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

Six Month Raise—
Trustee Ringelstein moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT JAKUB KRZEMIEN’S HOURLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $15.00 TO $15.23 AND RICHARD MASSARO’S HOURLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $18.00 TO $18.54 EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2025. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Personnel Changes—
Workshop Clerk, Yousef Shehade no longer works at the library effective February 28, 2025. Savannah Derrig and Lazerric Hartzog were hired as Social Work Interns, they will start in August.

Any Other Business—
No report.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda. She reported that they were able to have Goldylocks look at the door systems. They reported that they could wire the door security system. It was a positive meeting and Director Wittmann and Dan learned a lot about the system. She advised that they would probably have to go out for bid for that project. She reported that she hired the two social work interns. Both interns are in a dual MLIS and MSW master’s program at Dominican. There were four intern candidates. She showed the Board the Norwood Community Connections website. She wants the trustees to test out the survey. The survey is in a few different languages. Trustee Magnuson asked if the banned patron reached out and Director Wittmann advised that she did not hear anything. On March 14 Trump signed an executive order dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Director Wittmann advised that the dismantling of IMLS probably won’t affect our receipts but it could have an effect on our expenditures. They are funded until Sept of this year and Congress would have to vote to continue it. It pays for recorded books, they contribute to the van delivery that takes to libraries all over the state, they provide funds to contribute to ILLINET, and they fund different grants through LSTA. Director Wittmann advised that she will budget accordingly to prepare for this. She is hoping to get more guidance from Rails.

COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

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 7:59 P.M.

Categories: Board Documents.