The Regular Meeting of the Eisenhower Public Library District Board of Trustees September 18, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER
President Braun called the meeting to order at 7:46 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Magnuson, Ross, Ringelstein, Braun, Magnelli, Krebs, Parent.
Absent:
Also Present: Wittmann, Bacarella, V. Bitters, Derrig, Furfori, Lewis, McPhillips,
Stam, Fiedler, Bulat, Kalaras, Rapatas, Richards, E. Velasquez, L. Velasquez.
Also Present Electronically: Clark, Katherine, Noreen.
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
The visitors were recognized.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Athena Kalaras made a public comment, stating that she has been a resident of Norridge for 40+ years and is an educator. She advised that her tax dollars helped fund the new library and that she still pays for the library. She tells her students that when they want to write a persuasive speech to start out with a quote. She then proceeded to quote the comment made about Charlie Kirk by Trustee Braun on Facebook. She expressed her disapproval. Ms. Kalaras stated that it was disgusting and unacceptable for a Public Library President to make such a comment and joke regarding a death of a martyr for freedom of speech. She said as Trustees they need to think about who is representing the library and who is around the children.
Constadinos Rapatas made a public comment, stating that he had received a significant message concerning Trustee Braun’s remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He advised that he really did not care where anyone stands and what their political beliefs were. He expressed that such comments should not be made for public viewing, especially from a person who is in charge of a library where children come to study, learn, and grow. Mr. Rapatas proceeded to read Trustee Braun’s social media posts aloud. He also asked Trustee Braun if it was his post and Trustee Braun replied that it was his post and that it was a private post. Mr. Rapatas said that anyone who approves of the statements and not disgusted by the statements made by Trustee Braun were inhuman and should not be serving the public in any fashion. After reading the second post made by Trustee Braun Mr. Rapatas rhetorically asked if anyone agreed with Trustee Braun’s statement. He addressed Trustee Braun directly, characterizing his remarks as inhuman and that he should be ashamed of himself and that he is a disgusting and vile human being for making the posts of a person who was assassinated and using disgusting language. Mr. Rapatas called for Trustee Braun’s resignation and described his behavior as disgraceful. He told Trustee Braun that Satan was proud of him.
Efrain Velasquez, a retired Norridge Police Officer, made a public comment expressing his disgust regarding the social media posts made by Trustee Braun. He advised that it was unacceptable that a member of this Board would indulge in this type of inflammatory rhetoric. Mr. Velasquez described the posts as disgusting and proceeded to read both of posts made by Trustee Braun aloud. He concluded his remarks by calling for Trustee Braun to vacate his position and/or be replaced immediately. He advised that Mark Braun does not represent the Norridge or Harwood Heights communities with this disgusting rhetoric. He concluded his comment by stating he was quoting Charlie Kirk: “When you deliberately distort and selectively present the truth, you lie.”
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE ISLAND WITHIN A CITY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AUGUST 14, 2025 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD AUGUST 14, 2025 BE APPROVED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Wittmann reported that the we are staying on-target for the expenditures. She reported that she received the County Extension Report and that we are receiving less than what was predicted since there was almost no new property to assess. According to Jamie Rachlin, there was less new property in the last year than in the past 10 years.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT BILLS
Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT REGULAR PARKWAY CHECKS 31290 THROUGH 31355 TOTALING $140,281.63 FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER; MANUAL PAYMENTS TOTALING $5,143.35 FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST; MANUAL CHECKS 31281 THROUGH 31289 TOTALING $15,593.28 FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST; PETTY CASH CHECK 5035 IN THE AMOUNT OF $250.00 FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST; VOIDED CHECKS 30877 31239 31249 31257 31280; AUGUST NET WAGES TOTALING $121,543.86, AUGUST PAYROLL TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,482.90, AND AUGUST IMRF GOV ONE DEBIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,318.35. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Krebs, Braun, Parent. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Director Wittmann reported that Jennifer will be finished with the essays in October.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Illinois Public Library Annual Report—We filed the Annual Report for the 2024-2025 fiscal year electronically on LibPass on August 15, 2025. Public Libraries are required to file an annual report (75 ILCS 16/30-65) and having an annual report on file is a qualification for receiving a Per Capita Grant.
NEW BUSINESS
Revised FY25 26 Working Budget—
Director Wittmann asked the Board to approve a revision to the Working Budget, in light of the Cook County Extension Report we have received. She also removed the transfer to the Special Reserve Fund. Aside from removing the transfer, there were no other changes to expenditures. All of the changes are related to income. The projected revenues changed a bit. Trustee Magnuson moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO APPROVE THE REVISED FY25 26 WORKING BUDGET. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Krebs, Braun, Parent. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
Ordinance 2025-3, “Ordinance Providing for Budget and Appropriations of Eisenhower Public Library District, Cook County, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025 and Ending June 30, 2026.”—
Trustee Krebs moved, seconded by Trustee Ross, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2025-3, “ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS OF EISENHOWER PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026.” A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Krebs, Braun, Parent. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
Certified Estimate of Revenues—The estimated revenues are incorporated into the Budget and Appropriation Ordinance.—
Trustee Magnelli moved, seconded by Trustee Parent, TO APPROVE THE EISENHOWER PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, ESTIMATE OF REVENUES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026. A Roll Call Vote on the Motion was taken and the results were as follows: AYES Magnelli, Ross, Ringelstein, Magnuson, Krebs, Braun, Parent. NAYS None. ABSENT None. The motion carried.
The Charlie Cart Project Proposal—
Director Wittmann advised that Tiffany Lewis-Arima asked that she budget for the purchase of a Charlie Cart. She advised that the Charlie Cart is a fully operational mobile kitchen designed for food education programming directed at children, but the cart can be used for food programming for all ages. Director Wittmann asked the Board to vote to approve the purchase. She included the cost in this year’s budget. They will be doing food programming. They have online training. It is designed for food presentation. Tiffany Lewis spoke about the Charlie Cart and advised that it is fully stocked mobile kitchen and will be used for food education programs. It comes with over 200 programs already completed for staff to be able to teach children. She reported that they will use it to do food programing. She showed the board a picture of the Charlie Cart. Director Wittmann advised that a long-time patron’s wife just passed and he had told the Social Services team that he did not know how to cook. She thought that they could offer programs specifically for Seniors. Trustee Krebs thinks it would be valuable for middle school children to learn basic skills. Trustee Magnuson agreed that kids could benefit from learning how to cook. Trustee Krebs asked about the continuing training. Tiffany advised that the continuing training is part of the price and they can pull out lessons and there will be access to online training and you can do additional lessons as well. We are not bound by their curriculum. They have a network and monthly programming. Trustee Magnuson asked about the service and what if the cart malfunctions. Tiffany advised that she would look into that. Trustee Parent moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM CHARLIE CART. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Disposal of Surplus Library Personal Property—
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Krebs, TO APPROVE THE DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS LIBRARY PERSONAL PROPERTY. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
FY 2024-2025 Annual Audit—
Director Wittmann reported that the auditors will complete their fieldwork on Monday, September 29.
Annual Raise—
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Magnuson, THAT RICHARD MASSARO’S HOURLY SALARY BE INCREASED FROM $18.54 TO $19.10 EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025 A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
Personnel Changes—
Michael Cianfrani was hired as a Workshop Clerk. His first day was September 6, 2025.
Barbara Zachar was hired as a Circulation Services Clerk. Her first day will be September 24, 2025.
Eileen Clarke was hired as a Circulation Services Clerk. Her first day will be September 29, 2025.
Any Other Business—
There was no report.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Wittmann’s Librarian report was discussed as items occurred on the agenda
COMMUNICATIONS
A FOIA request was received from JP Kaderbek on September 2, 2025 requesting a digital copy of any active or recently expired collective bargaining agreements and an electronic spreadsheet of all library employees, including job title, full or part-time status, compensation, and whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
A FOIA request was received from SmartProcure requesting any and all purchasing records from 5/31/25 to current.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Director Wittmann introduced Savannah Derrig who is one of the Library’s new Social Services Intern to the Board. She will be with the Library until the end of April or May. The other intern Lazerric Hartzog could not attend the meeting.
Trustee Braun apologized to the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Ross moved, seconded by Trustee Ringelstein, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. A voice vote was taken and the motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 P.M.
