Warren-Newport Public Library District
Board of Trustees—Minutes of Regular Meeting
November 24, 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
November 24, 2008
Call to Order
President Niemi called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
Trustees present: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Rivers, Sheldon, Styrcula, and
Weinberg.
Trustees absent: None.
Also present: Director Stephen Bero, Recording Secretary Mary Thacker,
Assistant Director Noreen Reese, WNPL staff members Janice Marsh, Patty
Sawin, and Paula Pena, Pioneer Press reporter Korrina Grom, and Donna
Fletcher and Larry Hammond of Research Marketing Inc.
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Consent Agenda for:
a. Secretary’s report: Approval of minutes as received.
1. Regular meeting of October 21, 2008.
b. Acceptance of Financial Statements for October 2008.
c. Acceptance of the Director’s Report for November 2008.
d. Acceptance of the Patron Suggestions for October 2008.
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion to approve the
Consent Agenda as listed above. 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.
President’s Report
President Niemi commended Trustee Styrcula on her participation in the
Recycle-O-Rama. President Niemi asked for comments from those Trustees
who attended the Diversity Council’s in-service, “A Framework for
Understanding Poverty.” A thank you note from Gail Dever to the Board was
passed among the Trustees.
Reports of Other Trustees
Trustees Jackson, Rivers, Sheldon and Styrcula attended the Diversity
Council’s in-service on November 5, 2008, at the Warren Township Center.
Comments reflected that it was a dynamic presentation, well attended and very
insightful. Director Bero will follow-up on obtaining a copy of the book used,
“A Framework for Understanding Poverty.”
New Business
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Weinberg seconded that the agenda be
amended to go directly to Item XII.c., the presentation of the community survey
results by Donna Fletcher. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Subject: Presentation of the results of the community survey.
Donna Fletcher and Larry Hammond of Library Survey Consultants (Donna E.
Fletcher Consulting, Inc.) presented the results of the community survey
conducted in October 2008 and the Board accepted the firm’s final report.
Correspondence, Communications, and public comments.
There was no written correspondence or other communications, and no
comments were made by the public.
Treasurer’s Report
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Rivers seconded that the bills payable for
November 2008 and payroll for October 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
Building & Grounds – Meeting of November 20, 2008
Trustee Colwell gave an oral update of the written committee report.
Progress report on the long-range plan
Director Bero reported that progress continued to be made in providing the
necessary data (community survey, facilities needs assessment) to the Board to
enable them to make an informed decision. Work on the proposed Foundation
is currently on hold.
Unfinished Business
Trustee Rivers moved and Trustee Weinberg seconded that the revision to the
wage scale policy be adopted as presented. The motion carried on a roll-call
vote as follows.
Ayes: Jackson, Niemi, Rivers, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg.
Nays: None.
Abstain: Colwell.
Absent: None.
New Business
Subject: Ordinance 2008/2009-4 Annual Levy for fiscal year 2008-2009
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Weinberg seconded that Ordinance
2008/2009-4, Annual Levy, be adopted as presented. 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.
Subject: Annual treasurer’s report of receipts and disbursements for fiscal year
2007/2008.
Director Bero provided copies to the Board of the Annual Treasurer’s Report of
Cash Receipts and Disbursements for the fiscal year 2007-2008.
Announcements
1. By the chair
a. Communications to the public
There were no communications to the public.
b. Upcoming calendar
i. Next regular board meeting: December 16, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
ii. Next committee meetings
Finance, December 11, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Personnel, December 8, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Policy, December 1, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Building and Grounds, December 11, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
2. By other trustees or the director
a. Bookmobile Dedication, December 7, 2008
b. Board “Soup and Salad” Luncheon, January 29, 2009. Trustee
Rivers will head the ad hoc committee organizing this event.
c. ILA Library Trustee Forum 2009 Workshop, February 28, 2009.
Trustee Weinberg indicated an interest in attending.
Adjournment
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Jackson seconded that the meeting be
adjourned. The motion carried on a voice vote.
President Niemi adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Colwell
Secretary
Mary Ann Thacker
Recording Secretary