The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees October 20, 2022.
CALL TO ORDER
President Braun called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Magnuson, Magnelli, Ross, Parent, Krebs, Braun.
Present Electronically: Ringelstein.
Absent:
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, Lewis, Stam, McPhillips, Blubaugh, V. Bitters, Furfori, Sciaccotta.
Also Present Electronically: Clark, J. Ringelstein (7:45 P.M.).
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 Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 BE APPROVED. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Braun, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried. Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 BE APPROVED. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Braun, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Wittmann reported that the preliminary agency tax rate extension report would be available between Nov 1 and Nov 11.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 29573 THROUGH 29650 TOTALING $115,072.81 FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $7,230.82 FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER; MANUAL CHECKS 29570 THROUGH 29572 TOTALING $939.41 FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER; CHECK 29353 VOID; SEPTEMBER NET WAGES TOTALING $109,556.10, SEPTEMBER PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,677.06, AND SEPTEMBER IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,541.91. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Braun, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Island Within a City Committee met this evening.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
FY 2021-2022 Annual Audit—
ATA Group in association with McClure Inserra has completed their fieldwork and they are finishing their reports. The draft audit should be available by the November Board meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Truth in Taxation—
Director Wittmann reported that since our requested levy represents a more than 5% increase over what we estimate we will receive this year, we will publish a Truth In Taxation notice. We will have a Truth In Taxation hearing on November 17th at 7:30 pm. The Truth in Taxation notice will be published November 3 in the Pioneer Newspaper.
Snowplowing Proposals: Earth Elements, Rosario Gambino & Son—
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE SNOWPLOWING PROPOSAL FROM EARTH ELEMENTS. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Braun, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
Memorandum of Understanding between West 40 ISC and Eisenhower Public Library District—
Director Wittmann recommended that the Board to vote to approve the Memorandum of Understanding. We are involved in supporting District 80 for this grant. Tiffany Lewis reported that the intention of the grant is to create a single system of delivery to identify and assist students who require mental health support, as well as to destigmatize mental health needs. The library will develop a sensory cool down area within the story time room that will be available to community members who would benefit from it. Staff will receive training on mental health first aid. We will offer programing for children and adults geared towards destigmatizing mental health. We will also offer training to staff on how to identify and address issues arising due to mental health needs. Tiffany Lewis is an active member of the grant team and will continue to serve in this capacity for the duration of the grant. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Magnelli, TO APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN WEST 40 ISC AND EISENHOWER PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Braun, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
Face Covering Policy for Staff—
Director Wittmann recommended that the board vote to suspend mandatory masking for staff members. She reported that no other libraries are requiring staff to wear masks. She said the majority of staff might still wear a mask. She advised that she had some personal reservations about this step, but she felt it was time to lead the staff into accepting another stage in our “new normal”. We will continue to purchase masks for staff. Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO APPROVE TO SUSPEND THE MANDATORY FACE COVERING POLICY FOR STAFF MEMBERS. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Braun, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
Per Capita Grant FY2023—
Just a reminder that the Per Capita Grant for FY2023 is coming up. The Library Director and the Board of Trustees should review the entirety of Serving Our Public 4.0: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries. The application is due January 30, 2023.
Six Month Raise—
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT BRENDA VAZQUEZ HERNANDEZ’S HOURLY SALARY BE INCREASED FROM $13.20 TO $13.53 EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2022. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Braun, Magnuson, Parent, Ringelstein, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
Personnel Changes—
Circulation Services Clerk, Zofia Czarnik resigned. Her last day was Monday, October 17, 2022. Connor Dilan was hired as a Kids World Page. His start date is October 28, 2022. Kevin Christensen was hired as a Kids World Page. His start date is November 1, 2022.
Any Other Business—
There was no other business.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY UPDATES
Julie Stam reported that the Friends had their quarterly meeting. At the meeting, they went over their book sale in the summer. They made more money on memberships than books. They have 74 members and 13 said they were willing to volunteer. They formed an audit committee. They voted for their officers. The new President is Kay Leane, Secretary is Jeff Steele, and the Director is Lisa Kentala. Trustee Parent prepared the Friends budget; he provided copies to the board. Trustee Parent discussed the ventilation in the book room. Tony reported on the airflow in the book sale room. His assessment is that we are exceeding the HVAC association’s recommended ventilation standards, based on measurements he was able to take.
Trustee Ringelstein left the meeting at 8:09 P.M.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda . She reported the issue with the air handler system. Tony said they are ¾ of the way ok with the air handler’s electronic program. They have finally been able to work with Canada. The chess tables have been installed. The chess pieces are available for check out. The benches were delivered today.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Statement of Cash Receipts will be submitted to Cook County with the Treasurer’s Certificate. It no longer needs to be published as long as we publish that we have the Audit on hand and available for inspection after it is done.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Ross, moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. A roll call vote was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Braun, Magnuson, Parent, Krebs. NAYS None. ABSENT Ringelstein. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 P.M.
