Warren-Newport Public Library District
Board of Trustees—Minutes of Regular Meeting
May 17, 2011 – Page 1
Warren-Newport Public Library District
Lake County, Illinois
Board of Trustees
Laurie Styrcula, President
Robert H. Diehl, Sr.
Mary Ann Bretzlauf, Vice-President
Ronald J. Friedman
Steven J. Weinberg, Treasurer
Nancy Jackson
Jo Beckwith, Secretary
Regular Meeting
May 17, 2011
Call to Order
President Niemi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Trustees present: Colwell, Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and
Weinberg
Trustees absent: None
Also present: Director Stephen Bero; Recording Secretary Mary Thacker;
Trustees-Elect Jo Beckwith, Mary Ann Bretzlauf, Robert Diehl Sr.; WNPL staff
members Janet Colwell, Amanda Margis, Jan Marsh, Noreen Reese, and Doug
Wideburg; District residents Andrew Beckwith, Tom Beckwith, Carolyn Diehl, Mike
Diehl, and Vincent Niemi; Anthony Rosignolo of Berglund Construction; and Donald
McKay of Nagle Hartray Architects.
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 18, 2011
b) Acceptance of Financial Statements for April 2011
c) Acceptance of the Director’s Report for May 2011
d) Acceptance of the Patron Suggestions for April 2011
e) Approval of developer donation agreements (if any)
As there were no developer donation agreements, Trustee Sheldon 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: Friedman, Jackson, Niemi, Sheldon, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Abstain: Colwell
President’s Report
President Niemi reported on attending the Volunteer Luncheon with Trustees
Colwell, Jackson, and Styrcula. President Niemi also thanked the Board for their
contributions in making WNPL being a better place than it was six years ago. She
advised the Trustees to do their homework, ask questions, and always respect
each other.
Reports of Other Trustees – None.
Correspondence, Communications, and Public Comments
a. Written:
i. From Lake County Clerk: Abstract of votes in Consolidated Election of April
5, 2011
ii. Memoranda from attorney Roger Ritzman
Chronology for annual financial ordinances, 2011-2012 Fiscal Year.
iii. Other
Poster of monthly activities at WNPL for April and May 2011.
b. Recognition of visitors and public comments
None
Swearing in of Trustees Elected April 5, 2011, by the Secretary
Secretary Sheldon administered the Oath of Office to Jo Beckwith, Mary Ann
Bretzlauf, and Robert Diehl, Sr.
Adjournment sine die
Trustee Sheldon moved and Trustee Colwell seconded that the board adjourn sine
die. The motion carried on a voice vote.
President Niemi adjourned the meeting sine die at 7:08 p.m.
Seating of the New Board: Call to Order
Election of President Pro Tempore
Trustee Friedman nominated Trustee Weinberg to act as president pro tempore. The
motion passed on a voice vote.
Election of Secretary Pro Tempore
Trustee Beckwith nominated Trustee Friedman to act as secretary pro tempore. The
motion passed on a voice vote.
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Determination of Quorum
President pro tempore Weinberg called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.
Trustees present: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, and
Weinberg
Trustees absent: None
Election of Officers
Trustee Weinberg opened the nominations for officers.
Trustee Beckwith nominated Trustee Styrcula for President. Trustee Friedman
nominated Trustee Friedman for President. There being no further nominations for
President, Trustee Weinberg conducted the election. Trustee Styrcula was elected
President on a roll call vote as follows:
Styrcula: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Friedman: Friedman
Trustee Friedman nominated Trustee Bretzlauf for Vice President. There being no
further nominations for Vice President, President Styrcula conducted the
election.
Trustee Bretzlauf was elected Vice President on a roll call vote as follows:
Bretzlauf: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Trustee Friedman nominated Trustee Weinberg for Treasurer. There being no
further nominations for Treasurer, President Styrcula conducted the election.
Trustee Weinberg was elected Treasurer on a roll call vote as follows:
Weinberg: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula
Abstain: Weinberg
Trustee Friedman nominated Trustee Beckwith for Secretary. Trustee Jackson
nominated Trustee Jackson for Secretary. There being no further nominations for
Secretary, President Styrcula conducted the election. Trustee Beckwith was
elected Secretary on a roll call vote as follows:
Beckwith: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Styrcula
Jackson: Jackson, Weinberg
Appointment of Committees
President Styrcula appointed the membership of the standing committees as
follows:
Building and Grounds Committee: Tom Colwell, Bob Diehl, Laurie Styrcula
Chair: Laurie Styrcula
Finance Committee: Tom Colwell, Ron Friedman, Steve Weinberg
Chair: Steve Weinberg
Policy and Bylaws Committee: Jo Beckwith, Nancy Jackson, Nancy Sheldon
Chair: Nancy Jackson
Personnel Committee: Mary Ann Bretzlauf, Laurie Styrcula
Chair: Laurie Styrcula
Trustee Development Committee: Mary Ann Bretzlauf, Ron Friedman
Chair: Ron Friedman
Sue Niemi offered to be available as needed.
Treasurer's Report
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion that the bills
payable for May 2011 and payrolls for April 2011 be approved for payment. The
motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Weinberg seconded a motion that the
application for payment #6 by Berglund Construction Company, Invoice #51050 in
the amount of $761,153.14 (seven hundred sixty-one thousand one hundred
fifty-three and 14/100 dollars) be approved for construction costs through April
30, 2011. In discussion, Anthony Rosignolo reported that forty percent (40%) of
the budget has been expended, and six months of the thirteenWarren-Newport
Public Library District
month project is now complete. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call
vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, and Weinberg
Reports of Standing Committees
Policy – No meeting.
Building and Grounds Meeting of May 10, 2011
President Styrcula provided an oral report of the committee meeting.
Finance Meeting of May 12, 2011
Trustee Friedman provided an oral report of the committee meeting. It was noted
that new signature cards for Fifth Third Bank accounts would be needed.
Personnel – No meeting
Trustee Development – No meeting
Reports by Trustees who Attended Lake County Bar Association’s Local Government
Seminar for Newly Elected Officials on April 29, 2011
Trustees Diehl, Bretzlauf, Beckwith, and Jackson reported on their attendance at
this event.
Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan
Director Bero reported that the library is now at the end of the current
long-range plan and asked that the Board think about scheduling a new long-range
planning meeting.
Fundraising Report
Director Bero will be meeting with Brad Smart on Thursday, May 19, 2011, to
follow up on previous conversations.
New Business
a. Resolutions in honor of trustees Susan Niemi, Nancy Sheldon, and Thomas
Colwell
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Bretzlauf seconded a motion to make part of
the official record of the Board meeting the approval and presentation
ofWarren-Newport Public Library District
well as how many years into the future the Board would like the plan to extend.
v. Other
Nancy Jackson thanked those responsible (Laura Stone) for the excellent job done
on the Volunteer Luncheon.
Public Forum
Resident and WNPL staff member Mary Thacker thanked the outgoing Board members
for the opportunity to work with them, noting how proud she was of their obvious
dedication and hard work on behalf of WNPLD.
Announcements
a. By the chair:
i. Communications to the public – None
ii. Upcoming calendar
1. Next regular Board meeting: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
2. Next Committee meetings:
a. Finance – Thursday, June 16, 2011, 8:00 p.m.
b. Personnel – Thursday, June 9, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
c. Policy – Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 5:30 p.m.
d. Building and Grounds – Thursday, June 16, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
e. Trustee Development – Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
3. Other dates:
Saturday, June 18, 2011 – New Public Library Trustee Orientation, all-day
Saturday workshop presented by Sarah Long, coordinator, Continuing Professional
Education, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Dominican
University. Trustees Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, and Friedman are interested in
attending.
b. By other trustees or the director – NoneResolutions of Appreciation to Susan
Niemi, Nancy Sheldon, and Thomas Colwell for dedicated service to the
Warren-Newport Public Library District. The motion carried unanimously on a roll
call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, and Weinberg
b. Building Project Update
Anthony Rosignolo of Berglund Construction provided an update of the building
project. Phase 1B is now complete; next week the new air handler will be
installed and work on the new roof will begin. Due to the unseasonable April
weather, the project is approximately two weeks behind schedule, but still on
target for a November 2011 completion.
President Styrcula commended the WNPL staff on their hard work and dedication in
working through the construction process.
Trustee Diehl exited the meeting at 8:10 p.m. and returned at 8:13 p.m.
c. Draft Working Budget for Fiscal Year 2011–2012: Revenue Projections
WNPL staff accountant Doug Wideburg presented the revenue projections for fiscal
year 2011–2012.
d. Upcoming Calendar
i. Upcoming regular board meetings
The Board discussed the scheduling of the regular monthly Board meetings on the
third Tuesday of each month.
ii. New trustee orientation
The new trustees have already met with Director Bero, and there will be an
in-depth orientation with the department heads and a tour of the library. In
addition, attendance at the upcoming Trustee Orientation to be held by Sarah
Long in June was discussed.
iii. Trustee recognition dinner
Director Bero explained that this dinner is a gift to the current and outgoing
board members, traditionally held at Saluto’s Restaurant in Gurnee, and
requested that calendars be checked for availability for a Friday evening in
June.
iv. Long-range planning sessionWarren-Newport Public Library District
Board of Trustees—Minutes of Regular Meeting
May 17, 2011 – Page 8
Adjournment
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Bretzlauf seconded the motion to adjourn the
regular meeting. The motion carried on a voice vote.
President Styrcula adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ronald J. Friedman
Secretary pro tempore
Jo Beckwith
Secretary
Mary Thacker
Recording Secretary