Board Meeting Minute 4-18-22

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING 
Monday, April 18, 2022 
Hoffman Estates Branch (or view online via Zoom) 
7:00 P.M. 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 

President Jillian Bernas called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.  

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT 

Jillian Bernas, President, Julie Wroblewski Bosshart, Vice-President/Secretary; Theresa Seyring, Treasurer; Anita Forte-Scott, Emily Gilbert, Amy Mueller, Carole Pye 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT 

None 

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES PRESENT 

Araha Uday, Ameenah Zawahir 

STUDENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES ABSENT 

None 

OTHERS PRESENT 

John Ericson, Cassandra Henwood, Jennifer Hunt, Annie Miskewitch, Jason Santos, Hollis Sienkiewicz, Bobbi Sloan, Gail Tobin, Lori Teipel, Beth Valenziano, Emily Vinci 

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

None 

BOARD COMMENTS 

Vice President Wroblewski Bosshart attended two online Library programs and appreciates that the Library continues to offer both in-person and online programs for patrons. 

Treasurer Seyring attended two online ILA Trustee workshops and felt both were valuable. 

Trustee Pye attended a reception at Elk Grove Village Library and spoke to some individuals there about their Friends program. She also attended an ILA Trustee workshop and appreciated the viewpoints from the various panelists. Trustee Pye has also been exploring the recent renovations of area libraries. She also appreciates the one-page summary of the Library’s strategic plan and the timely Library program about the history of Ukraine and Russia. 

Trustee Gilbert also attended an ILA Trustee workshop and was especially interested in the concept of a Board self-evaluation. She also watched recordings of some Library programs on the Library’s YouTube channel. 

Trustee Mueller noted that the Schaumburg Library Comic Con looks to be off to a good start. 

Trustee Forte-Scott is excited to be back in the Library buildings for various programs. She’s also looking forward to celebrating the Library’s 60th anniversary. 

Trustees Forte-Scott and Wroblewski Bosshart discussed how the Library has honored former Executive Director Mike Madden. 

RAILS - Ms. Gilbert 

None 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Trustee Gilbert moved and Treasurer Pye seconded that: 

The March 21, 2022 Regular Board Minutes be approved. 

There was no discussion. 

The motion passed unanimously. 

APPROVAL OF BILLS 

Vice-President Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Treasurer Seyring seconded that: 

The Library Board approve the March 2022 Bill List. 

There was no discussion. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes 

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes 

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT 

Treasurer Seyring reviewed the balances of the various funds, noting changes due to market changes and revenues exceeding expenses for the period. She noted the majority of revenue for the period was due to property tax and replacement tax receipts. Wages and benefits, materials, cleaning services and administrative costs are all tracking below budget for the fiscal year. Treasurer Seyring reviewed the investment portfolio and cash flow projections.  

Trustees discussed the delays in the property tax bills and how this may impact the Library’s day-to-day spending and operations. 

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA 

There will be an executive session under section 2(c)01. 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 

President Bernas attended an event from the Bartlett-Hanover Park Chamber of Commerce and was impressed to learn about new developments happening in that portion of the Library’s service area. She also thanked all Trustees for their participation in the executive director evaluation process. She looks forward to attending an upcoming Schaumburg Library Comic Con event with her family. 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT 

Executive Director Miskewitch highlighted some points from her written report including an increase in foot traffic at all Library locations, successes with self-checks and Pick-Up Lockers and personnel updates. She asked Trustees to review the additional information included in the packet to support the Board’s ongoing learning about libraries from a local and national perspective. Ms. Miskewitch is excited to offer a Pop-Up Book Shop on April 30, 2022, to meet an ongoing community request. She directed Trustees’ attention to upcoming events they are invited to attend. 

Executive Director Miskewitch answered questions about bus trips, the Pop-Up Book Shop, the renovation grant the Library has applied for, responsibilities of the building operations manager position, the Hoffman Estates TIF district, cyber security and statements of economic interest. 

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT 

Deputy Director Hunt reviewed her written report, highlighting the application for the Project Next Generation grant that funds the teen Tech Bytes program. She also mentioned the first album from the Teen Record Label Project was released on streaming services last week. She mentioned the Library will be launching hybrid programs in June and the Library looks forward to hosting a program with sculptor Richard Hunt in the fall. 

Deputy Director Hunt answered questions about restoration needs and public information for the Hunt sculpture, well-attended programs, the Public Library Association Conference and a webinar about creating a library foundation. 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS 

Hoffman Estates Branch – John Ericson 

Hoffman Estates Branch Manager John Ericson reviewed his written report, noting the Branch is working hard to return to pre-pandemic operations. He shared that the Pick-Up Lockers are a big hit with patrons and Curbside Pick-Up service continues as well. John continues to be involved in community outreach, mainly through the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce. 

Trustees discussed home delivery service options and the condition of the branch facility. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

Student Advisory Trustee Report 

SATs noted many students are studying for AP tests now and the Library is a great resource for this. They also continue to update the PowerPoint presentation that’s shared at the area high schools and recommend Brainfuse online tutoring to classmates. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

None 

NEW BUSINESS 

Review of Proposed Tax Levy and Appropriation Calendar (FY22-23). 

President Bernas asked Trustees to review the calendar as this notes important dates in the Tax Levy and Appropriation timeline. She noted that if the Board decides to levy more than a 5% increase a public hearing would be necessary. 

Trustees discussed the historical tax levy increases, cost of living increases and the expiration of the Hoffman Estates TIF district, and how these all impact the FY 22-23 tax levy. Trustees came to an agreement to levy no more than 5%. This will result in the standard public hearing of the budget. 

Approval of Professional Development Travel to the American Library Association (ALA) Conference in June 2022 in the following amounts: $1,542.50; $1,700.00; $1,835.92; $2,085.50; $2,232.00; $2,466.09. 

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Mueller seconded that the Board approve the professional development travel to the American Library Association (ALA) Conference in June 2022 in the following amounts: $1,542.50; $1,700.00; $1,853.92; $2,085.50; $2,232.00; $2,466.09. 

Discussion included clarification of why the costs vary from person to person and the possibility of revising the policy so Trustees review travel expenses at a higher threshold as the cost of travel has increased in recent years. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes 

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes 

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

 

Approval of Professional Development Travel to the Government Finance Officer Association (GFOA) Conference in June 2022 in the amount of $1,471.00. 

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Pye seconded that the Board approve the professional development travel to the Government Finance Officer Association (GFOA) Conference in June 2022 in the amount of $1,471.00. 

There was no discussion. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes 

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

 

Discussion of 2nd Floor Renovation and Review of Contract from Featherstone 

President Bernas called Trustees’ attention to the Featherstone, Inc. contract included in the packet and noted the Product + Architecture contract is still being reviewed and revised. Executive Director Miskewitch wanted to provide all of this information with Trustees as part of the ongoing discussion of this project, and ensure Trustees are comfortable moving ahead with the project. 

Trustees discussed questions about timeline, honoring pricing in quotes, fixed costs and specifics of plan options. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart moved and Trustee Pye seconded the Library Board move into Executive Session under sections 2(c)01 at 9:18 P.M. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes  

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes 

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

 

Trustee Mueller moved and Trustee Gilbert seconded the Library Board exit executive session at 9:54 P.M. 

 

Roll Call Vote: 

Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes  

Mrs. Seyring Yes 

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes 

Ms. Gilbert Yes 

Mrs. Mueller Yes 

Mrs. Pye Yes 

Ms. Bernas Yes 

 

The motion passed unanimously. 

 

ADJOURNMENT 

Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Trustee Wroblewski Bosshart seconded the meeting adjourn at 9:56 P.M. 

The motion passed unanimously.