Warren-Newport Public Library District
Board of Trustees—Minutes of Regular Meeting
August 19, 2008
Warren-Newport Public Library District
Lake County, Illinois
Board of Trustees
Susan K. Niemi, President Nancy Jackson
Nancy E. Sheldon, Vice-President Laurie Styrcula
Steven J. Weinberg, Treasurer J. Socrates Rivers
Thomas J. Colwell, Secretary
Regular Meeting
August 19, 2008
Call to Order
President Niemi called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Trustees present: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Rivers, Sheldon, and Weinberg.
Trustees absent: Styrcula.
Also present: Director Stephen Bero, Assistant Director Noreen Reese, Head of
Technical Services Kevin Medows, Adult Programming Specialist Gail Schrader,
and Recording Secretary Christine Gable.
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Consent Agenda for:
a. Secretary’s report: Approval of minutes as received or
corrected.
1. Regular meeting of July 15, 2008.
2. Executive session of July 15, 2008, and that they remain
closed to the public.
3. Special meeting of July 21, 2008.
b. Acceptance of Financial Statements for July 2008.
c. Acceptance of the Director’s Report for August 2008.
d. Acceptance of the Patron Suggestions for July 2008.
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Rivers seconded a motion to approve the
Consent Agenda. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Items removed from the consent agenda, if any:
None
President’s Report
President Niemi and Trustee Sheldon attended Stories in the Park on Friday,
August 8, 2008, to witness Director Bero’s performance at the event. They
mentioned what a great turnout it was.
Reports of Other Trustees
Trustee Rivers met with Director Bero for his orientation as a new trustee.
Trustee Styrcula entered the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
Correspondence, Communications, and public comments.
a. Communication from Krystal Franklin, proprietor of K-Sweets Café.
K-Sweets Café owner Krystal Franklin reflected on the 1st year as our
café tenant. She stated that this past year has been about awareness of
her café here at the library. She has been promoting K-Sweets Café with
an appearance on WXLC 102.3 radio station and through advertising
with Head of Communications Jan Marsh. Her Café is also the sponsor
for Lake County Warriors team. Her menu has expanded, and K-Sweets
Café offers delivery. She looks forward to another successful year.
b. Report from Unique Management Services
Director Bero reviewed with the board their standard quarterly report.
The UMS report shows that there are more bankruptcy cases which wipe
out the patrons monetary amounts and make collection more difficult.
c. Recognition of visitors and public comments
President Niemi commended the Relay Team for the wonderful job they
did.
Treasurer's Report
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Jackson seconded that the bills payable
for August 2008 and payroll for July 2008 be approved for payment. The
motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Weinberg, Jackson, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Reports of Standing Committees
Finance – Meeting of August 14, 2008
Trustee Colwell gave an oral update of the written report.
Personnel – No Meeting
Policy – Meeting of August 4, 2008
Trustee Sheldon gave an oral update of the written report.
Building & Grounds – Meeting of August 14, 2008
Trustee Styrcula gave an oral update of the written report.
Progress report on the long-range plan
Director Bero will give a report at next’s month board meeting.
New Business
Subject: Engagement of consulting firm for community survey
The board members will go through the proposal and relay any suggestions to
Director Bero. President Niemi and Trustees Sheldon and Rivers will attend the
Survey Committee meeting to review proposed questions on Tuesday,
September 2, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. Larry Hammond and Ruth Campbell from
Donna Fletcher Consulting, Inc. were in attendance to answer any questions
the trustees might have.
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Rivers seconded that the board engage
Donna Fletcher Consulting, Inc. to assist in conducting a community survey.
The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Jackson, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi, Weinberg.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Subject: Ordinance 2008/2009-2: Tentative Budget and Appropriations for fiscal
year 2008-2009
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Colwell seconded that the board adopt
Ordinance 2008/2009-2, Tentative Budget and Appropriations for Fiscal Year
2008-2009. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Weinberg, Jackson, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Subject: Setting public hearing for annual budget and appropriations
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Weinberg seconded that the public hearing
for the annual budget and appropriations be set for Monday, September 22,
2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Subject: Filing of IPLAR
The board commends those who compiled the report.
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Rivers seconded that the Illinois Public
Library Annual Report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, be accepted for
filing. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Weinberg, Jackson, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Subject: Illinois Per Capita Grant FY2009 requirements
Review of Freedom of Information Act
Because of time constraints, Director Bero recommended putting this on
next’s month agenda.
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Colwell seconded a motion to put the
Review of Freedom of Information Act on next month’s agenda. The motion
carried on a voice vote.
Review of Open Meetings Act
Review of Ethics Statement
An informational video presentation from NSLS was shown explaining
The Open Meetings Act and the Model Ethics Ordinance.
Subject: Destruction of verbatim recordings of closed sessions
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Sheldon seconded that the verbatim
recordings of closed session prior to January 2007 be destroyed. The motion
carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Weinberg, Jackson, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Subject: Policy Work – Revision to the Display and Literature Distribution Policy,
second reading.
Trustee Sheldon would like to change the wording in Section IV #9 to read: “In
the case of an exhibition by a group, e.g., a school class or a scout troop, a
representative of the group may sign the Form & Waiver to cover all of the
items in the group display.”
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Styrcula seconded that the revision to the
Display and Literature Distribution Policy be adopted as amended. The motion
carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Weinberg, Jackson, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Public Forum
No comments.
Executive Session
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Rivers seconded that the board move into
executive session to consider probable litigation and that Director Bero be
invited to the session. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows.
Ayes: Weinberg, Jackson, Rivers, Styrcula, Colwell, Sheldon, Niemi.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
The board adjourned to executive session at 8:53 p.m.
Reconvene in Open Session
The board reconvened in open session at 9:20 p.m.
Announcements
1. By the chair
a. Communications to the public
b. Upcoming calendar
i. Next regular board meeting: September 16, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
ii. Public hearing for the annual budget and appropriations:
September 22, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
iii. Special board meeting to adopt annual budget and
appropriations: September 22, 2008, 7:15 p.m.
iv. Next committee meetings
Survey Committee: September 2, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Policy Committee: September 8, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Building and Grounds Committee: September 11,
2008, 7:00 p.m.
Finance Committee: September 11, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
v. Other dates
? Intergovernmental Picnic: August 21, 2008
2. By other trustees or the director
Trustee Styrcula reported on her ongoing trustee training. She took courses on
LibraryU online and received CPDU credit for them.
Adjournment
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Sheldon seconded that the meeting be
adjourned. The motion carried on a voice vote.
President Niemi adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Colwell
Secretary
Christine Gable
Recording Secretary