Board Meeting Minutes 1-18-16

BOARD MEETING
Monday, January 18, 2016
Central Library Conference Room
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Ruth Jonen, President; Robert Frankel, Vice-President/Secretary; Julie Wroblewski Bosshart, Treasurer; Jillian Bernas; Gerald Bromley; Anita Forte-Scott; Theresa Seyring

STUDENT TRUSTEES PRESENT
Jessica D’Souza, Sruthi Gurudev

OTHERS PRESENT
Carrie Cichon, Amber Creger, Monica Harris, Peter Hegel, Brian Lorber, Kate Niehoff, Stephanie Sarnoff, Jordan Scher, Lori Teipel, Elizabeth Valenziano, Debi Wolfe

PUBLIC COMMENTS
None

BOARD COMMENTS
Trustees Bromley and Bernas commented that they had attended the Village of Hoffman Estates Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast, and both considered it to be a wonderful experience.
Trustee Bernas commented that the Schaumburg Township Mental Health Committee will host a mental health awareness fair called Minds Matter 2016 on May 3. She also mentioned that ESL courses are available at Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg.
Trustee Forte-Scott commented that in her role on the board of the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates Rotary Club, she will recommend that a portion of the annual $25,000 donation be allocated to Literacy programs throughout the community.

RAILS – Ms. Forte-Scott
None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Forte-Scott moved and Treasurer Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that:

The December 14, 2015 Regular Board Minutes be approved, with typographical corrections.

The motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF BILLS
Treasurer Wroblewski Bosshart moved that:

The Library Board approve the December 2015 Bill List.

Roll call vote:

Ms. Forte-Scott Yes
Mr. Frankel Yes
Ms. Bernas Yes
Mrs. Seyring Yes
Mr. Bromley Yes
Mrs. Wroblewski Bosshart Yes
Mrs. Jonen Yes
The motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO AGENDA
President Jonen requested that the presentation by representatives of Mesirow Financial be moved up on the agenda.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Jonen reminded the Board that the Illinois Library Association (ILA) 2016 Trustee Forum Workshop will be held on Saturday, February 13 from 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM at the Chicago Marriott in Oak Brook, and the 2016 ILA Legislative ‘Meet-up’ Breakfast will be held on Monday, February 15 from7:45 AM – 10:30 AM at the Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove. Trustees interested in attending either event should contact Director Sarnoff.
President Jonen represented the Library Board at the retirement celebration for Literacy Coordinator Pat Barch.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Sarnoff reported that renovations to the Adult Classroom were completed ahead of schedule. Work on the Rasmussen Rooms will begin on February 1.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Harris confirmed that due to budget restraints, Township High School District 211 will not offer ESL classes this winter/spring. Township High School District 214, however, will continue to offer Read to Learn and Citizenship classes at the Library.
In response to patron requests, check-out restrictions on AV material have been revised, allowing increased item checkout limits, renewals and the number of items that can be placed on hold. These changes and the new online Enterprise catalog, will be launched on February 1.
The Library received another Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from the Illinois Policy Institute, for information on the Library’s 401a Plan for current and retired employees. An additional five-day extension was requested to allow time for compliance.

STAFF REPORTS
Community Engagement – Kate Niehoff
Program & Outreach Coordinator Kate Niehoff reviewed the department’s goals for 2016, which are consistent with the Library’s Plan of Service. Goals for 2016 include: increasing user engagement, expanding community partnerships, attracting new users, and creating programs that appeal to a wide cross-section of the community.
Adult Programmer Debi Wolfe reported that statistics were up in 2015 for the number of programs/trips offered and the number of attendees. Library users have given feedback about the types of programs they enjoy most, and 2016 program planning will take that feedback into consideration.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Café – Mr. Bromley
Trustee Bromley reported that he met with Facilities Coordinator Joanne Schultz on January 15. Elbert Julian, owner of Café Express, was notified that, according to the provisions of the lease, the rent increase for 2016 will be 1.5%. The café’s operations have passed government inspection, with minor recommendations relative to cleanliness. Mr. Julian will respond to these suggestions at follow-up meeting next month.

STUDENT ADVISOR TRUSTEE REPORTS
Student Advisor Trustee (SAT) Sruthi Gurudev reported that the Teen Place and Meeting Rooms have been at full capacity with High School students studying for finals. Various ‘de-stressing’ activities have been provided for them. Preparations are underway for the Teen Job Fair in February.
SAT Jessica D’Souza reported on various programs that Teen Place hosted during Winter Break.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Wroblewski-Bosshart noted that capital purchases that were budgeted in the 1st quarter are projected to occur in 3rd and 4th quarters.
Finance Director Elizabeth Valenziano recommended that the Library Board sell three long-term bonds to better align with the Investment Policy, as market conditions are currently favorable to do so.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Review the Executive Director Evaluation Form
President Jonen announced that the Director Evaluation Form will be distributed at the February Board Meeting. It is to be completed and returned at the March Board Meeting. Discussion of the compiled responses will take place at the April Board Meeting.

NEW BUSINESS
Presentation by Mesirow Financial
Jordan Scher, Brian Lorber, and Peter Hegel presented a description of investment services offered by Mesirow Financial. They assured the Board that their firm would abide by the Library’s Investment Policy Statement, deliver excellent customer service, and provide monthly and quarterly detailed portfolios and reports. Mesirow Financial is cognizant of the need to abide by the Illinois Public Funds Act, establishing rules and guidelines governing investments by public entities.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
None

ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Frankel moved and Treasurer Wroblewski Bosshart seconded that:

The Library Board adjourn at 8:34 PM.

The motion passed unanimously.