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
May 18, 2010
Call to Order
President Niemi called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Trustees present: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Trustees absent: Friedman
Also present: Director Stephen Bero, Recording Secretary Mary Thacker, WNPL
Staff Kristin Arnold, Sandra Beda, Kathie Fifer, Jan Marsh, Paula Pena, Noreen
Reese, and Patty Sawin; Monica Gruse-Hartman and Don McKay of Nagle
Hartray Architects; Jim Dyer and Steve Bruszer of Berglund Construction; and
resident Tom Stiles.
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 April 20, 2010, as received.
b) Acceptance of Financial Statements for April 2010.
c) Acceptance of the Director’s Report for May 2010.
d) Acceptance of the Patron Suggestions for April 2010.
e) Approval of developer donation agreement with Barron Development LLC.
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion to approve
Items (a) through (e) of the Consent Agenda. The motion carried on a roll-call
vote as follows:
Ayes: Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Abstain: Colwell
Absent: Friedman
President’s Report
President Niemi attended the Personnel, Policy, Building and Grounds, and
Finance Committee meetings this month, as well as the Sunday (5/16) public
meeting to review the building project. President Niemi thanked Don McKay of
Nagle Hartray Architects for presenting the project so well.
Reports of Other Trustees
a. LACONI TRUSTEE/Librarian Dinner, May 7, 2010
Trustee Styrcula attended the LACONI Annual Dinner along with Trustee
Friedman and Director Bero. She reported that there were many
opportunities for networking, and our building project was a popular
item of discussion. The library and Board were lauded for their
conservative use of funds to allow this project and also for the great (AA+)
Bond rating from S&P.
b. Other
i. India Fun Fair – Saturday, April 24, 2010
Trustee Friedman provided a written report on his attendance at this
event.
ii. Everyday Life and Culture in India – Thursday, April 29, 2010
Trustee Styrcula attended this adult program presented by Seema
Gandhi. She reported the event was well received and everyone
involved did a good job.
iii. Volunteer Recognition Luncheon – Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Trustee Styrcula attended the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon and
reported it was well done and the Volunteers seemed pleased with
the pins given for hours of service to the library. Trustees Friedman
and Sheldon also attended the luncheon.
Correspondence, communications, and public comments.
a. Written:
Memoranda from attorney Roger Ritzman.
There were no memoranda from Attorney Ritzman; however, it was noted
that he did attend Sunday’s public meeting for the building project.
b. Recognition of visitors and public comments
President Niemi did not recognize any visitors.
Director Bero announced that, as shown on the monthly photo montage
provided to the Board, Diane Braun received the MECS Award on behalf
of WNPL from the Warren Township High School Environmental Group.
Treasurer's Report
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Colwell seconded a motion that the bills
payable for May 2010 and payrolls for April 2010 be approved for payment. The
motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Absent: Friedman
Reports of Standing Committees
Policy Meeting of May 11, 2010
Trustee Sheldon provided an oral report of the committee meeting, indicating
that the new policy would be discussed later in the meeting.
Building & Grounds Meeting of May 10, 2010
Trustee Styrcula provided an oral update of the committee meeting.
Finance Meeting of May 10, 2010
Trustee Weinberg provided an oral report of the committee meeting, adding
that the proposals on investment of the Bond funds would be discussed later in
the meeting. He also commented the focus on fund-raising will increase.
Personnel Meeting of May 11, 2010
President Niemi provided an oral update of the committee meeting.
Trustee Development Meeting of May 6, 2010
Trustee Styrcula provided an oral report of the committee meeting. President
requested that all Trustees check their calendars and email Director Bero with
their first and second choice for September dates for speakers for Trustee
Technology Training.
Progress Report on the long-range plan
Director Bero briefly reviewed the fact that the current building program will be
taking care of necessary capital improvements. He also noted the fund-raising
opportunities provided by the Board’s approval of the Naming Policy, which will
be discussed later in the meeting.
New Business
a. Investment of bond proceeds
Following discussion, Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Colwell seconded a
motion to authorize Director Bero to work with Fifth Third Bank to invest our
Bond proceeds in a very safe vehicle. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as
follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Abstain: Sheldon
Absent: Friedman
b. Update on building project
Don McKay and Monica Gruse-Hartman of Nagle Hartray presented two
options for flooring, ceiling, and wall treatments for the building project.
Following discussion, the consensus of the Board was Option B, and Don will
return to next month’s meeting with further information/options.
c. Approval of amendment to the professional services agreement with
Nagle Hartray
Trustee Styrcula moved and Trustee Colwell seconded a motion that the Board
approve the Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Nagle
Hartray Danker Kagan McKay Penney Architects Ltd. for additional services
and compensation as shown in the Amendment. The motion carried on a roll-
call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Nays: None
Absent: Friedman
d. Trustee Development: Presentation by Sandy Beda and Kathie Fifer
on the new Overdrive download station
The Trustees accompanied Sandy Beda and Kathie Fifer to the new Overdrive
download station for a demonstration.
e. Budget for fiscal year 2010-2011: Initial Revenue Projections
Director Bero provided the Board with the initial revenue projections for fiscal
year 2010-2011. The monies expected from the per capita grant will not be
included as revenue, as confidence in actually receiving these funds from the
State of Illinois is absent. The full budget will be presented to the Board in
June.
f. Policy Work: New Policy 4018 Naming Facilities, first reading.
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Colwell seconded a motion that Policy
4018, Naming Facilities, be approved as presented. The motion carried on a
roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Nays: None
Absent: Friedman
g. Fate of the North Suburban Library System and van delivery services
Director Bero led the discussion of the fate of the North Suburban Library
System. The Board was informed that WNPL will be contributing $2,661.00 as
our percentage share to provide van service for the months of June, July, and
August 2010.
Public Forum
There was no public forum.
Announcements
a. By the chair:
i. Communications to the public – none
ii. Upcoming calendar
1. Next regular Board meeting: Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 7:00
p.m. NOTE: Vice President Colwell will be leading the June
Board meeting as President Niemi will be absent.
2. Next Committee meetings:
a. Finance – June 10, 2010, 8:00 p.m.
b. Personnel – May 25, 2010, 6:00 p.m.
c. Policy – May 25, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
d. Building and Grounds – June 10, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
e. Trustee Development – June 8, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Adjournment
Trustee Jackson moved and Trustee Colwell seconded the motion to adjourn
the regular meeting. The motion carried on a voice vote.
President Niemi adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy E. Sheldon
Secretary
Mary Ann Thacker
Recording Secretary
/mt