The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees October 16, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice President Magnelli called the meeting to order at 7:31 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Magnuson, Magnelli, Ringelstein, Ross, Parent.
Absent: Krebs.
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, V. Bitters, Clark, Furfori, Lewis, Sciaccotta, Stam, Attorney Tom Melody, Chrabasz, Fath, P. Mann, Wachholder.
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
Vice President Magnelli recognized all the visitors.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Patti Mann thanked the Board for the heartfelt dedication and memorial the library made in honor of her mother, Ruth Igoe.
Monica Wachholder apologized that was not able to make the September Board meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Trustee Ringelstein moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Wittmann reported that things are progressing well at this point. The team is working with the accountants to prepare a spreadsheet of reclassifications and voids, which will be included in the upcoming Board packets.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO APPROVE REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 32099 THROUGH 32147 TOTALING $116,612.41 FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $26,360.47 FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER; SEPTEMBER NET WAGES TOTALING $151,900.71, SEPTEMBER PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,463.28, AND SEPTEMBER IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,711.66. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein. NAYS None. ABSENT Krebs. The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Island Within a City committee—
The committee met this evening and they discussed the progress of the book. The committee will meet again January 15, 2026 at 7:15 P.M.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
FY 2024-2025 Annual Audit—
The Audit Fieldwork took place on Monday, September 29th. Director Wittmann reported that we should have the draft report by the end of October beginning of November. The GASB 34 reporting is getting figured out.
NEW BUSINESS
Declaration of Board Vacancy—
We have received and accepted the resignation of Trustee Braun who served as our Board President.
Trustee Braun has resigned from the board effective September 19, 2025. The vacancy will be reported within 60 days to the county clerk per the Public Library District Act of 1991, 75 ILCS 16/30-40(d). The vacancy needs to be filled within 90 days after this declaration. The vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the remaining trustees until the next regular library election, at which time a trustee shall be elected for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO DECLARE THE BOARD VACANCY. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein. NAYS None. ABSENT Krebs. The motion carried.
Reorganization of the Board—
President—Trustee Magnelli will serve as the President until the next Consolidated election in 2027.
Vice President—Trustee Ringelstein NOMINATED TRUSTEE MAGNUSON TO SERVE AS VICE PRESIDENT. Trustee Parent seconded the motion. As there were no other nominations, the nominations were declared closed. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein. NAYS None. ABSENT Krebs. The motion carried.
Secretary—Trustee Parent NOMINATED TRUSTEE KREBS TO SERVE AS SECRETARY. Trustee Ringelstein seconded the motion. As there were no other nominations, the nominations were declared closed. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein. NAYS None. ABSENT Krebs. The motion carried.
Truth in Taxation Compliance Memo—
Director Wittmann reported that since our requested levy represented less than a 5% increase over what we estimated we will receive this year, we will not need to publish a Truth In Taxation notice.
Library User Costs Policy Revision—
Director Wittmann advised that the library is staying aligned with current trends among other libraries. Currently, their fine collection accounts for less than 1% of revenue, and many libraries are moving in the same direction. Trustee Parent asked about the effort to collect and manage fines. Director Wittmann noted that replacement fees tend to be higher than fines. Tiffany Lewis provided an explanation of the library’s fine policies. Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO APPROVE THE LIBRARY USER COSTS POLICY. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Per Capita Grant FY26—
The State of Illinois has released a newly revised edition of the Illinois Public Library Standards, which replaces the previous version titled Serving Our Public 4.0: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries.
This updated edition is now available exclusively online through the Illinois Library Association (ILA) website and introduces a tiered framework consisting of core, intermediate, and advanced benchmarks. These standards are designed to assist public libraries in evaluating their performance, enhancing service delivery, and aligning their operations more closely with their mission and community needs. This new version will also be used in the completion of the FY26 Per Capita Grant application.
Snowplowing Proposals—Anchor Landscapes, Earth Elements, Everest—
Tony recommended Everest to the Board, noting that he had spoken with a representative who was very knowledgeable. Everest subcontracts their work and has over 15 drivers. They currently provide services for all Fifth Third Bank locations. Tony acknowledged that there were some hiccups with service last year but mentioned that, in his request for quotes, he specified that plowing should be attempted by 8 a.m.
Trustee Parent asked whether Everest could commit to making a best effort to plow by that time, expressing concern that the library may not receive priority over the banks they service. Tony will discuss this with the representative from Everst. Trustee Magnelli inquired if Everest has clients in the area, and Tony confirmed that they do.
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE SNOWPLOWING PROPOSAL FROM EVEREST WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT EVEREST WILL MAKE THEIR BEST EFFORT TO PLOW BY 8:00 A.M. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein. NAYS None. ABSENT Krebs. The motion carried.
Disposal of Surplus Library Personal Property—
Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE THE DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS LIBRARY PERSONAL PROPERTY. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Annual Raise—Carrie Dean, Zerdali Jones—
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, TO APPROVE AN INCREASE TO CARRIE DEANS’ ANNUAL RATE FROM $53,040.00 TO $54,631.20 AND ZERDALI JONES’ HOURLY RATE BE INCREASED FROM $18.54 TO $19.10 EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2025. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Personnel Changes—
Elisabeth Fisher has been hired as the new Children’s Librarian. Her first day is scheduled for Monday, November 3, 2025.
The selection of a person to fill a public office, as defined in this Act, including a vacancy in a public office —Closed Session—
A motion was made by Trustee Ross, Seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, TO CONVENE CLOSED (EXECUTIVE) SESSION 5ILCS 120/2 (C) (3) AT 7:59 P.M. TO DISCUSS THE SELECTION OF A PERSON TO FILL A PUBLIC OFFICE, AS DEFINED IN THIS ACT, INCLUDING A VACANCY IN A PUBLIC OFFICE. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein. NAYS None. ABSENT Krebs. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Parent, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, TO RECONVENE THE REGULAR MEETING AT 8:24 P.M. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein. NAYS None. ABSENT Krebs. The motion carried.
Any Other Business—
Director Wittmann reported that Trustee Magnuson forwarded the Norridge Civility Code of Conduct for meetings. Attorney Melody will review the proposal when the library drafts the policy. He explained that public meetings are protected under the First Amendment, and while vulgar language cannot be prohibited outright, the Board can regulate behavior that disrupts the meeting.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda.
She highlighted the situation with Baker and Taylor closing and explained that the library is currently seeking a new distributor for book purchases. She also pointed out that the web zoom link was not included on the agenda, and she will be exploring different options to stream the meeting.
Additionally, she attended the ILA conference today, where she saw the poster program created by Natalie and Dixie. She said their poster program was very well received.
COMMUNICATIONS
September 18, 2025 resignation letter from Mark Braun.
A FOIA request was received on September 18, 2025 from Harwood Heights resident Steven Wegrecki requesting the year end budgets or appropriation budget for the years ending 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 and receipts for all events held at the library in which the library; charged for admission or participation for years ending 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
A FOIA request was received on September 24, 2025 from Woo Park requesting a spreadsheet or equivalent file containing all purchase orders issued between January 1, 2021, and the present day. They requested records that reflect purchasing activity by any and all departments, divisions, offices or programs under our entity. If purchase orders are not kept they narrowed down the request to AP check register for the most recent 12-24 months.
A FOIA request was received on September 30, 2025 from Mary Ann Callado-Wharton requesting video footage of an accident that happened on Wilson and Oketo.
A FOIA request was received on October 4, 2025 from Laura Enright requesting paper copies of any records having to do with the resignation of Mark Braun including notes from the meetings with the “citizens” who approached the library regarding it, and those who met at the library to insist he be taken from the board. I would guess this would include the names of those who took part in it. She would also like copies of any social media posts the library put up concerning this including the comments on those posts.
A FOIA request was received on October 14, 2025 from Ben Lopez, Private Detective requesting video surveillance camera footage from the cameras on Wilson and Oketo on October 2, 2025 from 5:50 p.m.- 6:10 p.m.
A FOIA request was received on October 16, 2025 from Attorney Adam S. Harris, requesting all videos beginning 1 hour prior to an incident on Oct 2, 2025 and ending 1 hour after the incident occurred.
Thank you note from the family of Hella Malatia.
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 8:47 P.M.
