JOHNSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT

BOARD MINUTES

JUNE 14, 2005

Board President Elsie Munson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Board members present included Doug Liston, Mary Jo Farrell, Edna Robel, Kathleen Hughes and Elsie Munson, along with Library Director Maria Zawacki. Absent were Board members Evelyn Brefeld and Marilynn May. Also present were citizens Kathleen Kucik and Michael O’Brien.

A motion was made by Doug Liston to move the new business item concerning interviews of potential board candidates to fill the May 1, 2005 opening created by the resignation of Marilynn May, to the top of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Kathleen Hughes, and carried. An informal interview process was then conducted, during which candidates Kathleen Kucik and Michael O’Brien answered questions posed by Board members. The Board thanked both candidates for their willingness to serve, and they were excused. Discussion was postponed until later in the meeting.

A motion was made by Mary Jo Farrell and seconded by Edna Robel to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2005, meeting. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Doug Liston and seconded by Mary Jo Farrell to pay bills in the amount of $34,384.05. A roll call vote was conducted. Ayes: Doug Liston, Mary Jo Farrell, Edna Robel, Kathleen Hughes, Elsie Munson. Absent: Evelyn Brefeld, Marilynn May.

Treasurer’s Financial Report: We are coming into the home stretch, and things are looking great.

Correspondence:

• A letter from Library Counsel Roger Ritzman was reviewed, notifying the Board of a fee increase in the firm’s hourly rate, from $140.00 to $150.00. The Board noted the increase, and expressed satisfaction with Mr. Ritzman’s service.
• IMRF Board of Trustees meeting minutes noted that the IMRF employer contribution will be going up in January, 2006.
• Letters of application from two Trustee applicants were presented.

Unfinished Business:

• A note was sent to Marilynn May, thanking her for her years of service to the Johnsburg Public District Library Board.
• Mortgage Refinancing: As Doug Liston has not heard from the other banks from which he solicited loan terms, we will be refinancing the building loan with Wonder Lake State Bank (aka Johnsburg State Bank), for the term of the loan, at 3.5% interest.

New Business:

• Sam Saboura is coming! A celebrity appearance by JHS alum Sam Saboura, Fashion Guy of ABC-TV’s Extreme Makeover, will take place at an introduction of his new book on July 9, from 1:00-2:00, at the library.
• The Board commended the excellent job that Cy Henningsen has done on the publicity for Sam’s visit, and also on the library’s summer newsletter.
• The Official Oath of Office has already been administered to Doug Liston and Evelyn Brefeld, and the documents have been notarized.
• Board Officers for FY2005-2006. Edna Robel moved to retain the present slate of Board Officers. The motion was seconded by Doug Liston. Motion carried.
• The schedule of meetings for FY05-06 was reviewed, and approved with a motion by Doug Liston, which was seconded by Mary Jo Farrell. Motion carried.
• Prevailing Wage Ordinance 2005-6-1. A motion was made by Doug Liston and seconded by Kathleen Hughes, to approve the ordinance. A roll call vote was conducted. Ayes: Mary Jo Farrell, Edna Robel, Kathleen Hughes, Elsie Munson. Nays: Doug Liston. Absent: Evelyn Brefeld, Marilynn May.
• Lawn Care Proposal: Because the current lawn care provider has failed to live up to the terms of the contract, the Board will retain Brooks Landscape & Ponds as its new provider. A motion was made by Doug Liston and seconded by Edna Robel. Motion carried.
• Mileage reimbursement policy: The updated policy will read “The library will reimburse mileage for travel to approved meetings, workshops and conferences at the current IRS standard mileage rates”. A motion to approve the policy change was made by Doug Liston and seconded by Kathleen Hughes. A roll call vote was conducted. Ayes: Doug Liston, Mary Jo Farrell, Edna Robel, Kathleen Hughes, Elsie Munson. Absent: Evelyn Brefeld, Marilynn May.
• Work on outside lighting: HarriSon Electric is investigating the cost of repairs for the parking lot light at the library, and also looking into the cost of either a timer light with battery back-up or a sensor light for outside the front door of the library. Maria will handle it.
• Outdoor Book Drop: The Board is looking into a fireproof outdoor book drop. One that Maria proposed is stainless steel, with a lifetime warranty, but against what? Discussion included concern about the box rusting from salt applied to sidewalk nearby, and also a thought that perhaps a slightly raised cement slab might eliminate that problem. The issue was tabled until Maria can get more information.
• Grant Applications: The Board approved three grant applications. The first, Mastering Old-Fashioned Skills in a High-Tech World, was approved with a motion by Doug Liston which was seconded by Edna Robel. The second, Reading With Their Ears: Library/Senior Center CD-Book Cooperative, was approved with a motion by Doug Liston which was seconded by Mary Jo Farrell. The third is an Illinois Arts Council Grant application, entitled Great Lakes Ghosts. It was approved with a motion by Doug Liston and was seconded by Kathleen Hughes. All three motions were carried.
• Illinet/OCLC Services Program Renewal Agreement: The Board approved the renewal with a motion by Doug Liston, with the stipulation that the renewal cost not exceed $300.00. The motion was seconded by Edna Robel and the motion carried with a roll call vote. Ayes: Doug Liston, Mary Jo Farrell, Edna Robel, Kathleen Hughes, Elsie Munson. Absent: Evelyn Brefeld, Marilynn May.
• Employee Contribution Costs for Health Insurance: The Board is required to review its contributions annually. For FY2005-06, the employee contribution will be increased by $37.18 per month. The Board contribution will remain the same. A motion was made by Mary Jo Farrell and seconded by Edna Robel to approve the contribution amounts. A roll call vote was conducted. Ayes: Doug Liston, Mary Jo Farrell, Edna Robel, Kathleen Hughes, Elsie Munson. Absent: Evelyn Brefeld, Marilynn May.
• Trustee Facts File Review, Chapters 8-11: Our Board appears to be in compliance.
• B & A Ordinance: The Tentative Budget and Appropriation Ordinance #05-7-1 was presented and discussed. The final draft of the Ordinance will be presented at the July meeting.
• Trustee Appointment: With a motion by Mary Jo Farrell, which was seconded by Kathleen Hughes, the Board appointed Kathleen Kucik to Marilynn May’s unexpired term. Motion carried.

Director’s Report: The Police Explorer volunteer has left the building. She no longer needs service hours.

Public Input: None

Board Input: Board Member Edna Robel reported on the Master Gardeners program she attended at the library in May.  During discussion at that program it was suggested that maybe the Johnsburg Garden Club, which now meets monthly at the library, might be interested in “adopting” the library grounds and sprucing it up with some plantings.  Maria and Edna will talk to them, and will report back to the Board.

Adjournment: A motion was made by Mary Jo Farrell and seconded by Doug Liston to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo Farrell

Acting Secretary