Warren-Newport Public Library District
Lake County, Illinois
Board of Trustees
Susan K. Niemi, President
Ronald J. Friedman
Thomas J. Colwell, Vice-President
Nancy Jackson
Steven J. Weinberg, Treasurer
Laurie Styrcula
Nancy E. Sheldon, Secretary
Regular Meeting
March 16, 2010
Call to Order
President Niemi called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Trustees present: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, and Styrcula.
Trustees absent: Weinberg.
Also present: Director Stephen Bero, Recording Secretary Mary Thacker, WNPL
Staff members Kristin Arnold, Carol Brandon, Jan Marsh, Paula Pena, and
Noreen Reese; Steve Bruszer and Jim Dyer of Berglund Construction; Don
McKay of Nagle Hartray Architects; and township residents Bob Diehl, Tom
Styles, and Socrates Rivers.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Niemi led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Consent Agenda for:
a) Secretary’s Report: Approval of minutes as received or corrected:
i. Regular meeting of February 16, 2010.
b) Acceptance of Financial Statements for February 2010.
c) Acceptance of the Director’s Report for March 2010.
d) Acceptance of the Patron Suggestions for February 2010.
e) Approval of developer donation agreements (if any).
As there were no developer donation agreements, Trustee Colwell moved and
Trustee Jackson seconded a motion to approve Items (a) through (d) of the
Consent Agenda. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, and Styrcula
Nays: None
Absent: Weinberg
President’s Report
President Niemi reported that during the past month she attended the Policy,
Personnel, Building and Grounds, and Finance Committee meetings, as well as
the ILA Trustee Forum, her written report on which is included as page 65 in
the meeting packet. President Niemi stated this forum was very informative,
and advised more people on the Board to attend next year’s event. Thursday,
September 30th will be Illinois Trustee Day at the Annual ILA Conference to be
held at Navy Pier in Chicago.
Reports of Other Trustees
Trustee Styrcula attended the NSLS Board Meeting on February 22, 2010,
commenting on the continued concerns of lack of funding. Trustee Styrcula
also attended the screening/discussion of “The Invention of Lying” and highly
complimented the program.
Trustee Friedman attended WNPLD Teen Tech Day on the 14th with his son,
and complimented the staff on a very informative program. Trustee Friedman
also attended the ILA Trustee Forum in February.
Trustee Jackson attended the Friends of the Library “First Saturday Sale”, and
reported a large turnout.
Correspondence, Communications, and public comments.
a. Written:
i. Letter from Krystal Franklin acknowledging renewal of lease
for K-Sweets Cafe.
ii. Memoranda from attorney Roger Ritzman – None.
b. Recognition of visitors and public comments
President Niemi recognized WNPL Assistant Director Reese who provided
an update on the successful introduction of the video game collection.
Resident Bob Diehl was also recognized, who spoke about the parking lot
reconfiguration and the importance of safety in design.
Treasurer's Report
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Friedman seconded a motion that the bills
payable for March 2010 and payroll for February 2010 be approved for
payment. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, and Styrcula
Nays: None
Absent: Weinberg
Reports of Standing Committees
Policy Meeting of March 1, 2010
Trustee Sheldon provided an oral update of the written report.
Building & Grounds Meeting of March 11, 2010
Trustee Styrcula provided an oral update of the written report.
Finance Meeting of March 11, 2010
Trustee Friedman provided an oral update of the written report.
Personnel Meeting of March 2, 2010
President Niemi reported that the Personnel Committee has started to review
WNPLD staff personnel policies that need to be updated.
Trustee Development Meeting of March 15, 2010
Trustee Friedman provided an oral update of the written report. Trustee
Friedman moved and Trustee Styrcula seconded a motion that, whereas a
prime role and responsibility of trustees is to educate ourselves and to be
competent ambassadors to our patrons, the board approve Director Bero to
schedule two presentation to trustees: one in-house workshop on technological
innovations for libraries, a second consisting of a tour to two (2) or more area
libraries. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Progress Report on the long-range plan
Director Bero reported that everything is moving forward. The building project
will be discussed later in the meeting.
Unfinished Business
. Annexations by the City of Waukegan.
Director Bero reviewed the map of our district with the Board, which
highlighted the properties being annexed by Waukegan. Regarding
the notification of annexation by Beach Park, this property will remain
in our district.
New Business
a. Refunding 2002 bonds and issuing 2010 bonds
Following a presentation by Jamie Rachlin of BMO Capital Markets, Trustee
Friedman moved and Trustee Sheldon seconded a motion that the Library
Director proceed with the refunding of the 2002 bonds and with the issuance of
the 2010 bonds to be priced at the regular board meeting of April 20, 2010.
The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, and Styrcula
Nays: None
Absent: Weinberg
b. Update on the building project
Jim Dyer of Berglund Construction presented the board with an updated
construction cost estimate; comparing the current schematic cost estimate to
the conceptual cost estimate prepared in November of 2009. Don McKay of
Nagle Hartray Architects presented the board with updated drawings and a
summary of necessary decisions by the board for the schematic design
approval. Following discussion, a date will be set for a special board meeting to
prioritize options for the building project.
c. Trustee development: Presentation by Carol Brandon on the new
bookmobile schedule
Carol Brandon distributed the new bookmobile schedule, and gave the board
an overview of the process undertaken each year to develop the bookmobile
schedule, including the evaluation of current bookmobile stops and the
addition or deletion of bookmobile destinations.
d. Closing for staff in-service
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Colwell seconded a motion that the library
be closed on Friday, May 7, 2010, for Staff Development Day. The motion
carried on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, and Styrcula
Nays: None
Absent: Weinberg
e. Policy work
i. Revisions to Policy 3020, Circulation, first reading
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion that
Policy 3020, Circulation, be adopted as revised. The motion carried on a
roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, and Styrcula
Nays: None
Absent: Weinberg
ii. New Policy 4025 Public and Community Relations, second reading.
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion that
Policy 4025, Public and Community Relations, be adopted as presented.
The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, and Styrcula
Nays: None
Absent: Weinberg
Public Forum
Resident Bob Diehl recognized and thanked Carol Brandon and her staff for the
services they provide.
Announcements
a. By the chair:
i. Communications to the public – None.
ii. Upcoming calendar
1. Next regular Board meeting: April 20, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
2. Next Committee meetings:
a. Finance – April 15, 2010, 8:00 p.m.
b. Personnel – April 5, 2010, 6:00 p.m.
c. Policy – April 5, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
d. Building and Grounds – April 8, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
e. Trustee Development – April 15, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
3. Other dates:
a. Special Board Meeting – Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 6:30
p.m. President Niemi reminded the Board to arrive at
this special meeting with priorities in mind for the
building project. Jim Dyer and Don McKay will be
invited to attend. Pizza and salad will be served.
b. Public informational meeting on the building project is
tentatively set for Sunday, May 16, 2010, at 2:00 p.m.
b. By other trustees or the director
i. Trustee Library Visit Day – Saturday, April 10, 2010; tour two
libraries in the morning followed by lunch.
ii. LACONI Annual Trustee Dinner – Friday, May 7, 2010, to be held
at Cantigny in Wheaton, Illinois
Adjournment
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Sheldon seconded the motion to adjourn
the regular meeting. The motion carried on a voice vote.
President Niemi adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.