May 18, 2023 in board-minutes

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING

Monday, April 17, 2023

Hoffman Estates Branch (or view online via Zoom)

7:00 P.M.

 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

 

Trustee/Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

 

Julie Wroblewski Bosshart, Vice President/Secretary; Theresa Seyring, Treasurer; Emily Gilbert, Amy Mueller, Carole Pye

 

Jillian Bernas, President and Trustee Anita Forte participated in the meeting via Zoom due to employment commitment and family emergency.

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

 

None.

 

APPROVAL FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION OF TRUSTEE BERNAS AND TRUSTEE FORTE

 

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded the approval for remote participation of Trustee Bernas and Trustee Forte.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart    Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                            Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES PRESENT

 

None

 

OTHERS PRESENT

 

John Caporale, Julie Doren, Dave Hardt, Dale Heath, Paul Lisack, Annie Miskewitch, Tiffany Nash, Paul Piraino, Dan Pohrte, Tom Pritchett, Jason Santos, Bobbi Sloan, Beth Valenziano. Tom Featherstone and Annica Simpson attended remotely.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Public comments were heard.

 

BOARD COMMENTS 

 

Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart reported she attended Feed My Starving Children that had a huge turnout and is looking forward to the Village of Schaumburg’s Volunteer of the Year lunch tomorrow, as she is participating as a judge. She expressed congratulations to the newly elected and re-elected Trustees. Appreciation was expressed for Trustee Forte’s work and longevity with the Library, which has been so integral.

 

Trustee Seyring attended Feed My Starving Children and stopped by Comic Con that seemed hugely popular.

 

Trustee Pye thanked Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart for her three terms of service on the Library Board, and congratulated re-elected Trustees Bernas and Seyring on their reelections. She attended Feed My Starving Children. She congratulated the Culture Committee for putting together meaningful events. She went to the fun Comic Con event and was at Tony’s Fresh Market’s ribbon cutting ceremony.

 

Trustee Mueller congratulated re-elected Trustees Bernas and Seyring and is looking forward to working with newly elected Trustee John Caporale.

 

Trustee Gilbert congratulated the newly elected and re-elected Trustees. She previewed the impressive SAT presentation and is grateful for their support. She highlighted the censorship statistics from the American Library Association featured in the Executive Director’s report.

 

Trustee Forte attended seven events since the last board meeting, including Tony’s Fresh Market’s opening ceremony. She thanked the SATs for updating their presentation each month and the work they did. She expressed gratitude to Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart for her kind words and she will be missed after 12 years of service. Trustee Forte is disheartened over the number of attempts at banning books across the nation.

 

 

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert

 

None.

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded that:

 

The March 20, 2023, Library Art Committee Minutes be approved.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart    Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                            Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS

 

Trustee Mueller moved and Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that:

 

The Library Board approve the March 2023 Bill List.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart    Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                            Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Discussion included the future removal of Farmer’s Fridge from the Library due to the lack of revenue it is generating.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

Trustee Seyring reviewed the financial reports, making note of balances in the various funds. On the balance sheet, the General Fund increased by approximately $2.7M due to revenues exceeding expenses. She also highlighted a few line items and discussed why they are above or below budget at this time, and gave an update on the status of various Library investments.

 

Discussion included the appropriate General Fund balance after transfers to the Special Reserve Fund.

 

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

 

There will be no Student Advisory Trustee report; there will be an executive session.

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

Trustee Bernas reviewed the transition process of re-elected and newly elected Trustees planned for the May Board meeting.

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

Executive Director Miskewitch highlighted items in her report, including the new Deputy Director Molly Scheibler’s start date of May 15. The time capsule opening will take place on September 23 of this year. Trustee Forte inquired about the FOIA request of March 1 requesting the donor wall bid results. The response was that no responses were received, therefore there were no responsive documents. Director Miskewitch will be attending the Urban Libraries Council Inaugural CEO/Director Forum event in May in New York.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORT

 

Hoffman Estates Branch Manager Dale Heath presented highlights and challenges of the Branch location. Executive Director Annie Miskewitch expressed appreciation for all that Dale has contributed to Branch services and staff. Trustee Gilbert thanked the Branch locations on behalf of the community. Trustee Mueller appreciated Dale’s proactive attitude and transparency and her willingness to dive into making improvements. Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart asked about branch infrastructure with an understanding that people don’t use libraries the same as they did twenty years ago. Trustee Bernas asked Dale what infrastructure needs exist at the Hoffman Estates branch. Discussion included ideas of adding more study rooms with a focus on creating a branch library that could better address present needs.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Trustee Seyring reported that the Art Committee plans to meet Friday, with Trustee Forte attending remotely.

 

The Nominating Committee report was handed out for consideration for a vote at the May Board Meeting.

 

Thanks were expressed to Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart for her work on the Personnel Committee throughout her tenure.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Approval of Contracts 1-20 as presented by Featherstone, Inc. in its memo dated April 11, 2023; and to approve the respective Change Orders thereto; all for a total of $7,080,239.11.

 

Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that the Board approve the Contracts 1-20 as presented by Featherstone, Inc. in its memo dated April 11, 2023; and to approve the respective Change Orders thereto; all for a total of $7,080,239.11.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart    Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                            Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

A presentation by Featherstone, Inc. resulted in discussion about materials and furniture selected for the 2nd floor renovation.

 

Approval of Payment to Acanthus in the amount of $38,703.19.

 

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Pye seconded that the Board approve Payment to Acanthus in the amount of $38,703.19.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart    Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                            Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Approval of use of Combined Rasmussen Room for Will and Trust Education on April 29, 2023.

 

Trustee Mueller moved and Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that the Board approve the use of Combined Rasmussen Room for Will and Trust Education on April 29, 2023.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart    Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                            Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Review of Proposed Tax Levy and Appropriation Calendar FY23-24

 

The Board of Library Trustees reviewed and discussed the proposed Tax Levy and Appropriation Calendar FY23-24.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Trustee Mueller moved and Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart seconded the Library Board move into Executive Session under section 2(c)01 at 9:33 P.M.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart    Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                            Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Trustee Forte moved and Trustee Pye seconded the Library Board exit Executive Session at 10:24 P.M.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart     Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                           Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

 

Approval to increase Executive Director Annie Miskewitch’s salary effective July 1, 2023.

 

Trustee Gilbert moved and Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that the Board approve Executive Director Annie Miskewitch’s salary to $170,000.00 effective July 1, 2023 and a merit increase of $12,000 for performance over the last year.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart     Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                           Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Trustee Pye moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded the meeting adjourn at 10:31 P.M.

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart    Yes

Mrs. Seyring                           Yes

Ms. Forte                                Yes

Ms. Gilbert                              Yes

Mrs. Mueller                            Yes

Mrs. Pye                                 Yes

Ms. Bernas                              Yes

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