Warren-Newport Public Library District
Lake County, Illinois
Board of Trustees
Laurie Styrcula, President Ronald J. Friedman
Mary Ann Bretzlauf, Vice-President Nancy Jackson
Steven J. Weinberg, Treasurer Robert H. Diehl, Sr.
Jo Beckwith, Secretary
Regular Meeting
July 19, 2011
Call to Order
President Styrcula called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Trustees present: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, and
Weinberg
Trustees absent: None
Also present: Director Stephen Bero; Recording Secretary Mary Thacker; WNPL
staff members Carol Brandon, Jan Marsh, Paula Pena, Noreen Reese, and
Doug Wideburg; Donald McKay of Nagle Hartray Architects; Steve Bruszer and
Anthony Rosignolo of Berglund Construction; and district residents Patricia
Greedan and Tom Styles.
President Styrcula welcomed all present and announced there would be two
opportunities during the meeting for public comment.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Styrcula led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Reading of the Mission Statement
Vice President Bretzlauf read the mission statement of the Warren-Newport
Public Library.
Approval of Consent Agenda for:
a) Secretary’s Report: Approval of minutes as received or corrected:
i. Regular meeting of June 21, 2011
ii. Executive Session of June 21, 2011, to remain closed to the public
b) Acceptance of Financial Statements for June 2011
c) Acceptance of the Director’s Report for July 2011
Warren-Newport Public Library District
Board of Trustees—Minutes of Regular Meeting
d) Acceptance of the Patron Suggestions for June 2011
e) Approval of developer donation agreements (if any)
As there were no developer donation agreements, Trustee Weinberg moved and
Trustee Friedman seconded a motion to approve Items (a) through (d) of the
Consent Agenda. The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Nays: Diehl
President’s Report
President Styrcula thanked the trustees for their efforts in attending the
committee meetings while dealing with the difficulties presented by the major
storm damage and power outages. President Styrcula also expressed
appreciation to the staff for their efforts, and Director Bero for his leadership
during this time.
President Styrcula’s activities included:
. Personnel Committee meeting on 7/5/11
. Building and Grounds Committee meeting on 7/14/11
. Policy, Trustee Development, and Finance Committee meetings on 7/18/11
. Meeting with Trustee Beckwith regarding executive session minutes on
7/13/11
. Meeting with Director Bero to inventory safe deposit box at Fifth Third Bank
on 7/18/11. Discussion/action regarding the contents of the safe deposit
box will be scheduled on next month’s regular meeting agenda.
Reports of Other Trustees
a.
Trustee Friedman attended the Trustee Development Committee and
Finance Committee meetings on 7/18/11. Trustee Friedman attended the
Trustee Training sponsored by Dominican University on 7/9/11 and
provided copies of his notes to the Board.
b.
Trustee Beckwith virtually attended (via web) the first Board meeting of
RAILS on 7/1/11. However she was unable to attend the entire meeting and
saw only the election of some of the officers.
Correspondence, Communications, and Public Comments
a. Written:
i. Memoranda from attorney Roger Ritzman – None
ii. Other
Director Bero called the Board’s attention to the handout
announcing the annual intergovernmental picnic hosted by Warren
Township. It will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2011, at
6:00 p.m.
b. Recognition of Visitors and Public Comments – None
Treasurer's Report
Trustee Weinberg moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion that the bills
payable for July 2011 and payrolls for June 2011 be approved for payment.
The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Nays: Diehl
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion that the
Board approve the payment of Application #8, Invoice #51076 for a total of
$707,564.67 (seven hundred seven thousand five hundred sixty-four and
67/100 dollars).
The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Nays: Diehl
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Bretzlauf seconded an amended motion
that the Board approve the payment of Application #8, Invoice #51076 for a
total of $707,564.67 (seven hundred seven thousand five hundred sixty-four
and 67/100 dollars) to the Berglund Construction Company for construction-
related expenses incurred through June 30, 2011. The motion carried on a roll
call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Nays: Diehl
Reports of Standing Committees
Policy Meeting of July 18, 2011
Trustee Beckwith provided an oral report of the committee meeting, noting that
the new Study Room policy would be discussed later in this meeting. Copies of
the report were provided to the Board.
Building & Grounds Meeting of July 14, 2011
President Styrcula provided an oral report of the committee meeting.
Trustee Friedman questioned whether the discussion of the police outlot
should have been held in open meeting or executive session.
Finance Meeting of July 18, 2011
Trustee Weinberg provided an oral update of the committee report, copies of
which were provided to the Board. Next month’s agenda will include discussion
of electronic bill payment.
Personnel Meeting of July 5, 2011
President Styrcula provided an oral report of the committee meeting and
requested that all trustees seek out Director Evaluation forms used by other
libraries.
Trustee Development Meeting of July 18, 2011
Trustee Friedman provided an oral update of the committee report, copies of
which were distributed to the Board. Trustee Friedman asked that trustees
confirm with Director Bero their attendance at ILA Trustee Day on
Thursday, October 20, 2011.
Appointment by the President
President Styrcula removed Trustee Friedman, at his request, from the Finance
Committee and asked that anyone interested in serving on this committee
contact her.
Fundraising Report
Director Bero reported that the Rotary Club is very interested in funding the
Rain Garden. Steve Bruszer of Berglund Construction quoted the budgeted cost
to be $10,266.
New Business
a. Building Project Update
Anthony Rosignolo of Berglund Construction provided an update of the
physical progress of the building project, and Steve Bruszer of Berglund
Construction provided a financial/budget update of the project, noting that the
percentage of predicted completion time is very close to the percentage of
budgeted dollars spent.
b. Closing the Library for Construction – September 2011
Director Bero and Messrs. Rosignolo and Bruszer of Berglund Construction
presented the Board with the history, planning, and options considered behind
the request to close the library to the public. Director Bero emphasized our
plans to continue to serve our patrons while the library is closed and will
include a report from the Closure Committee at the next Board meeting.
Following discussion, Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Beckwith seconded
a motion that the Board approve the closing of the Warren-Newport Public
Library to the public from September 12, 2011, through October 16, 2011 to
facilitate the transition from Phase II to Phase III of the Building Project. The
motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula
Nays: Weinberg
c.
Working Budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Jackson seconded a motion that the
working budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 be adopted. President Styrcula
commended Trustee Weinberg and Director Bero on their work on the budget.
Director Bero complimented WNPL staff accountant Doug Wideburg on his fine
work on the budget, which has resulted in his promotion to Business Manager.
The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Nays: Diehl
Ordinance 2011/2012-1: Determining to levy a tax of 0.02% ofTaxable Property for Certain Purposes (Building, Sites, &
Maintenance levy)
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Weinberg seconded a motion that the
Board adopt Ordinance 2011/2012-1, Determining to Levy a Tax of 0.02% of
Taxable Property for Certain Purposes (Building, Sites, & Maintenance Levy).
Director Bero explained that this ordinance is required by state statute,
although this levy amount is included in the total tax levy. The motion carried
on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Nays: None
e.
Ordinance 2011/2012-2: Tentative Annual Budget andAppropriations
Trustee Beckwith moved and Trustee Weinberg seconded a motion that the
Board adopt Ordinance 2011/2012-2, Tentative Budget and Appropriations for
Fiscal Year 2011-2012. The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Nays: Diehl
f.
Setting the Public Hearing for the Annual Budget and Appropriations
Trustee Bretzlauf moved and Trustee Beckwith seconded a motion that the
Public Hearing for the annual budget and appropriations be set for Tuesday,
September 20, 2011, at 6:45 p.m. in the Conference Room.
Following discussion, Trustee Bretzlauf moved and Trustee Beckwith seconded
an amended motion that the Public Hearing for the annual budget and
appropriations be set for Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at 6:45 p.m. in a room
to be determined at the library. The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Nays: None
g.
Progress Report on the long-range plan
i.
Review of previous two plans
Director Bero commented on the accomplishments of the two previous
long-range plans.
ii.
Planning the next long-range plan
Director Bero will send the trustees an electronic poll to arrange a date
for the upcoming long-range planning session. He encouraged the
trustees to “think big” and not censor their ideas prior to the meeting.
h.
Policy Work
i.
New Policy 3053, Study Rooms (second reading)
Trustee Bretzlauf moved and Trustee Beckwith seconded a motion that
Policy 3053, Study Rooms, be approved as presented. This policy will
be posted in all study rooms in 14 point font in accordance with ADA
requirements. The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula,
Weinberg
Nays: None
ii.
Modifications to the Order of Business (regular meeting agenda)
in the Bylaws
President Styrcula requested that this item be tabled until next month’s
regular Board meeting.
i.
Rescheduling of regular Board meeting – August 2011
Trustee Bretzlauf moved and Trustee Beckwith seconded a motion that the
date for the regular monthly meeting for August 2011 of the Board of Trustees
of the Warren-Newport Public Library District be rescheduled to Tuesday,
August 23, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.
Public Forum – None
Executive Session
Trustee Friedman moved and Trustee Bretzlauf seconded a motion that the
Board enter into executive session to consider the performance of a specific
employee [5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1)]. The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
Ayes: Beckwith, Bretzlauf, Diehl, Friedman, Jackson, Styrcula, Weinberg
Nays: None
The board adjourned to executive session at 9:09 p.m.
Reconvene in Open Session
The board reconvened in open session at 10:16 p.m.
Announcements
a.
By the chair:
i. Communications to the public – None
ii. Upcoming calendar
1. Next regular Board meeting: Tuesday, August 23, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
2. Next Committee meetings:
a.
Finance – Thursday, August 18, 2011, 8:00 p.m.
b. Personnel – Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
c.
Policy – Monday, August 1, 2011, 5:30 p.m.
d. Building and Grounds – Thursday, August 18, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
e.
Trustee Development – Monday, August 1, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
3. Other dates:
a.
Lake County Fair: WNPL has been assigned Tuesday, July 26,
2011, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., to work the library booth. We
have staff and volunteers who will be there; however, the
trustees are invited to stop by and work the booth.
b. Gurnee Days Parade, Sunday, August 14, 2011. The trustees
were asked to contact Assistant Director Noreen Reese if they
wish to walk in the parade.
c.
Intergovernmental Picnic hosted by Warren Township,
Thursday, September 15, 2011, 6:00 PM. Trustee Jackson
commented that this is a very worthwhile event to attend as it
presents an excellent opportunity to network with others in
local governmental agencies.
b. By other trustees or the director – Director Bero thanked the trustees for
their accommodations during this past week of trying events.
Warren-Newport Public Library District
Board of Trustees—Minutes of Regular Meeting
July 19, 2011 – Page 7
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 10:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Beckwith
Secretary
Mary Thacker
Recording Secretary