Warren-Newport Public Library District Board of Trustees—Minutes of Regular Meeting July 15, 2008 -- Page 1 Warren-Newport Public Library District Lake County, Illinois Board of Trustees Susan K. Niemi, President Nancy Jackson Nancy Sheldon, Vice-President J. Socrates Rivers Steven J. Weinberg, Treasurer Laurie Styrcula Thomas J. Colwell, Secretary Regular Meeting July 15, 2008 Call to Order President Niemi called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Trustees present: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg. Trustees absent: None. Also present: Director Stephen Bero, Assistant Director Noreen Reese, Head of Circulation Paula Pena, Children’s & Programming Librarian/School Liaison Jane Friess, Trustee-appointee Socrates Rivers, and Recording Secretary Christine Gable. Pledge of Allegiance Approval of Consent Agenda for: a. Secretary’s report: Approval of minutes as received i. Regular meeting of June 17, 2008 ii. Executive Session I of June 17, 2008, to remain closed to the public iii. Executive Session II of June 17, 2008, to remain closed to the public iv. Special Meeting of June 23, 2008, Executive Session to remain closed to the public b. Acceptance of Financial Statements for June 2008 c. Acceptance of the Director’s Report for July 2008 d. Acceptance of the Patron Suggestions for July 2008 Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Weinberg seconded a motion to accept the Consent Agenda for July 15, 2008. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows. Ayes: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, Weinberg Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: None Swearing in of trustee-appointee Socrates Rivers President Niemi introduced Socrates Rivers to the board. Mr. Rivers took the oath of office before Secretary Colwell and was seated on the board. President’s Report None Reports of Other Trustees None Correspondence, Communications, and public comments. a. Written i. Memoranda from attorney Roger Ritzman Real Estate Tax Assessment Appeals ii. Other President Niemi distributed a letter from a patron who stated that she didn’t want the library to move its current location. b. Recognition of visitors and public comments Assistant Director Noreen Reese updated the board on how well the Relay for Life went. Nineteen library staffers and 8 volunteers participated in the event. The total amount raised was $9,439.00, tied for second place among total fundraisers. The raffle, bake sale, casual for a cure, and auction (for Director Bero to do your job for 2 hours) went very well in raising this money. Assistant Director Noreen Reese also demonstrated the new Kindle e-book reader to the board and passed it around. Treasurer's Report Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion to resolve that the bills payable for July 2008 and payroll for June 2008 be approved for payment. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows. Ayes: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Rivers, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg. Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: None Reports of Standing Committees Finance-Meeting of July 10, 2008 Trustee Weinberg gave an oral update to the written report. Personnel-No Meeting Policy-Meeting of July 7, 2008 Trustee Sheldon gave an oral update to the written report. Building & Grounds-Meeting of July 10, 2008 Trustee Styrcula gave an oral update to the written report. Appointments of committees President Niemi appointed Trustee Rivers to serve on the personnel committee. Trustee Jackson will continue to be on the personnel and policy committees. President Niemi appointed district resident Lavonna Gardner to serve on the policy committee. Progress report on the long-range plan Director Bero gave an oral update. He spoke of the goal to improve the facility. He also spoke about employee development enhancement and gaining recognition, conference report at ALA, RFID, and assigned reading of “The Innovation Paradox” for all managers. New Business a. Semi-annual review of closed minutes of executive sessions Trustee Sheldon and Trustee Colwell reviewed the closed minutes and stated that all the minutes should stay closed. The approval of destruction of tapes that are old enough to legally destroy will be on next month’s agenda. Trustee Colwell asked if there was a way to reduce the size of the tapes. Director Bero and Head of Information Technology and Facilites Kevin Getty will look into this and advise the board of available options. b. Ordinance 2008/2009-1: Determining to levy a tax of 0.02% of Taxable Property for Certain Purposes (Building, Sites, & Maintenance levy). Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Rivers seconded that the board adopt Ordinance 2008/2009-1: Determining to levy a tax of 0.02% of Taxable Property for Certain Purposes (Building, Sites, & Maintenance levy). The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows. Ayes: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Rivers, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg. Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: None c. Policy Work – Revision to the Display and Literature Distribution Policy, first reading. Trustee Styrcula brought up the works of art from Woodland School for Gurnee Days. Director Bero will discuss the proposed changes with Head of Children’s & Programming Gail Dever. The policy was referred back to the committee. d. Recommendations for conducting a community survey. Director Bero developed a RFP and plans to get it out to the consulting firm on July 16, 2008. He would like the responses to be back by the end of the month. Public Forum No comments were made at this time. Executive Session Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion for the board to move into executive session to consider probable litigation and that Director Bero attend the session. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows. Ayes: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Rivers, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg. Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: None The board adjourned to executive session at 8:09 p.m. Reconvene in Open Session The board reconvened in open session at 8:43 p.m. Announcements 1. By the chair a. Communications to the public b. Upcoming calendar i. Special board meeting: July 21, 2008, 7:00 p.m. ii. Next regular board meeting: August 19, 2008, 7:00 p.m. iii. Trustee attendance at other local governing board meetings iv. Other dates 2. By other trustees or the director Adjournment Trustee Rivers moved and Trustee Sheldon seconded the adjournment of the regular meeting. The motion carried on a voice vote. President Niemi adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tom Colwell Secretary Christine Gable Recording Secretary