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
Warren-Newport Public Library District
Lake County, Illinois
Regular Meeting
February 15, 2011
Call to Order
President Niemi called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Trustees present: Colwell, Friedman, Niemi, Styrcula, and Weinberg.
Trustees absent: Jackson and Sheldon.
Also present: Director Stephen Bero, Recording Secretary Mary Thacker, WNPL
staff members Jon Beausoleil and Noreen Reese, Steve Bruszer of Berglund
Construction, trustee candidate Bob Diehl, and district resident Patricia
Greedan.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Niemi led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Trustee Sheldon entered the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
Approval of Consent Agenda for:
a) Secretary’s Report: Approval of minutes
i. Regular meeting of January 18, 2011
ii. Executive Session of January 18, 2011
iii. Special meeting of January 27, 2011
b) Acceptance of Financial Statements for January 2011
c) Acceptance of the Director’s Report for February 2011
d) Acceptance of the Patron Suggestions for January 2011
e) Approval of developer donation agreements (if any)
As there were no developer donation agreements, Trustee Colwell moved and
Trustee Weinberg 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, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg.
Absent: Jackson.
President’s Report – None
Reports of Other Trustees – None
Correspondence, Communications, and Public Comments
a. Written:
i. Memoranda from attorney Roger Ritzman
a) Identity Protection Act
President Niemi stated that this will be discussed at the
March Policy Committee meeting and brought back to the
Board at the March meeting.
b. Recognition of visitors and public comments – None
Treasurer's Report
rustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Friedman seconded a motion that the
bills payable for February 2011 and payrolls for January 2011 be approved for
payment. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Absent: Jackson
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Styrcula seconded a motion that the
application for payment #3 by Berglund Construction Company, Invoice
#51011 in the amount of $223,287.22 (two hundred twenty-three thousand
two hundred eighty-seven and 22/100 dollars) be approved. The motion carried
on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Absent: Jackson
Reports of Standing Committees
Policy Meeting of January 31, 2011
Trustee Sheldon gave an oral update of the committee meeting.
Building & Grounds Meeting of February 8, 2011
Trustee Styrcula gave an oral update of the committee meeting.
Finance – No meeting
Personnel Meeting of January 31, 2011
President Niemi gave an oral update of the committee meeting.
Trustee Development Meeting of February 7, 2011
Trustee Friedman asked for questions or comments regarding the committee
report.
Progress Report on the long-range plan – Fundraising update
Director Bero presented an update on the Fundraising proposal.
Trustee Jackson entered the meeting at 7:16 p.m.
New Business
a. Building Project Update
Steve Bruszer of Berglund Construction provided an update of the building
project, noting that the Library will be closed on Monday, March 28, and on
Friday, April 1, for electrical work.
b. Celebrating milestones in the building project: Topping off and
rededication of the Storytime Room
Following discussion among the Board with input from Steve Bruszer of
Berglund Construction and Director Bero, a tentative date of Saturday, April 9,
2011, at 1:00 p.m. was set for the combined celebration.
Steve Bruszer of Berglund Construction exited the meeting at 7:31 p.m.
c. Amendment to Bylaws: Revisions to Article 6, including incorporation
of the Trustee Development Committee as a standing committee
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Styrcula seconded a motion that the
Board accept all changes to Article 6 of the Bylaws of the Warren-Newport
Public Library District. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Nays: Sheldon
Trustee Sheldon reminded the Board that in order to be in compliance with the
Open Meetings Act, e-mail between two trustees is OK, but otherwise
information should be sent to Director Bero to be disseminated to other
trustees.
Unfinished Business – Policy Work
a. Revision to Policy 303 Vacation Benefits
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Sheldon seconded a motion that Policy
303 Vacation Benefits be approved as presented.
Following discussion by the Board, the motion failed to carry on a roll-call vote
as follows:
Ayes: Friedman, Niemi, and Sheldon
Nays: Colwell, Jackson, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Colwell seconded a motion that Policy
303 Vacation Benefits be referred back to the Personnel Committee and
amended to include Trustee Colwell’s comments and reflect that current staff is
grandfathered in at the current benefit level. The motion carried on a voice
vote.
b. Policy 3001 Access to Materials: Modifications to ALA statements
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion that Policy
3001 Access to Materials be approved with the modifications as set forth by
Trustee Sheldon as presented. The motion carried on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, and Styrcula
Nays: Weinberg
Public Forum
Upon invitation to speak by President Niemi, Assistant Director Noreen Reese,
district resident Patricia Greedan, WNPL staff member Jon Beausoleil, trustee
candidate Bob Diehl, and WNPL staff member and district resident Mary
Thacker addressed the Board.
Executive Session
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Friedman seconded a motion that the
Board move into executive session to consider probable litigation and to
consider the performance of the Library Director, inviting Director Bero to join
them at the beginning of the Executive Session. The motion carried
unanimously on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
The board adjourned to executive session at 8:44 p.m.
Reconvene in Open Session
The board reconvened in open session at 9:22 p.m.
Action as a result of considering probable litigation
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Weinberg seconded a motion that the
Warren-Newport Public Library District settle its business association with K-
Sweets Cafe as Director Bero has negotiated. The motion carried unanimously
on a roll-call vote as follows:
Ayes: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Announcements
a. By the chair:
President Niemi reported to the Board that prior to this evening’s Board
meeting, Director Bero introduced a long-time patron and resident who
wanted the Board to know that there is no better place than WNPL.
i. Communications to the public – None
ii. Upcoming calendar
1. Next regular Board meeting: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
2. Next Committee meetings:
a. Finance – Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 8:00 p.m.
b. Personnel – Monday, February 28, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
c. Policy – Monday, February 28, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
d. Building and Grounds – Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
e. Trustee Development – Monday, March 7, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
3. Other dates:
a. ILA Legislative Breakfast, Monday, February 21, 2011,
Arboretum Club, Buffalo Grove
b. ILA Trustee Forum Workshop, Saturday, February 26, 2011,
Lisle
c. Consolidated election, Tuesday, April 5, 2011
d. LACONI Annual Trustee Banquet, Friday, April 15, 2011,
Cantigny Golf Course, Wheaton
b. By other trustees or the director
i. Trustee Friedman noted to the Board that a draft of the Board Self-
Evaluation Tool was at their place and asked for their comments and
suggestions before the Trustee Development Committee meeting on
March 7, 2011.
ii. Director Bero reminded the Board that the April Board meeting is
scheduled for Monday, April 18, rather than Tuesday, April 19, due to
the Passover holiday.
Adjournment
Trustee Colwell moved and Trustee Friedman seconded the motion to adjourn
the regular meeting. The motion carried on a voice vote.
President Niemi adjourned the meeting at 9:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy E. Sheldon
Secretary
Mary Ann Thacker
Recording Secretary