11/28/06 Minutes

AGENDA: The agenda was presented.
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to adopt the agenda as presented.
Second: Mr. Andersson.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0- Motion carried.

COMMENTS BY VISITORS: Chris Riesterer introduced himself. He is getting a management degree from SIU and has chosen the library as the site for his 270-hour internship. He will be working with the Circulation and Technical Services Department.

Sean Hughes announced his intent to run for Library Board Trustee.

* Mrs. Smith entered at 6:37 p.m.

Wavery Tompkins addressed his recent 1-year suspension. He stated that getting a library card was a traumatic experience for him and he did not feel that he was justifiably suspended. Mrs. Taylor explained that his name has appeared on several incident reports. Mr. Tompkins left the meeting.

Rhonda Peet announced that she was a member of the Focus Group, which resulted from the focus groups led by Sharon Jones.

There were no other visitor comments.

MINUTES: The minutes of the October 24, 2006 regular meeting were presented. Mrs. Taylor announced that she had talked with Officer Wayne Brooks about having Police Explorers at the library after school to provide a positive presence. Officer Brooks reported that the police chief denied the request, determining that the library’s situation requires enforcement, not simply a presence.
MOTION: Mr. Townsend moved to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2006 regular meeting as presented.
Second: Mrs. Taylor.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

The minutes of the October 24, 2006 Executive Session were presented.
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2006 Executive Session as presented.
Second: Mr. Townsend. Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT: The Treasurer’s Report dated October 31, 2006 was presented.
MOTION: Mr. Townsend moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented.
Second: Mr. Andersson.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: Mull, Ower.
Motion carried.

BILLS: The bills for November were presented.
MOTION: Ms. Ower moved to approve payment of checks #30605 through #30685, with check #30611 being void, in the amount of $149,023.60.
Second: Ms. Mull.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

INVESTMENTS: The following upcoming investment activities were presented.
$150,000 Repurchase Agreement due on 12/12/06.
MOTION: Mrs. Smith moved cash in a $150,000 Repurchase Agreement due on 12/12/06, place the interest into the library’s Super Checking Account and reinvest the principal in the Illinois Funds Investment Account.
Second: Mrs. Taylor.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

Amend 10/24/06 motion for $500,000 Repurchase Agreement due on 11/14/06.
MOTION: Mrs. Smith moved to amend the motion to invest the $500,000 repurchase agreement due on 11/14/06 for 210 days, instead of 150 days, as previously approved.
Second: Mr. Andersson.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

REPORTS: There was no Finance Committee or Executive Committee report.

Friends: Mrs. Smith reported that Just Desserts Mystery Play was a success. The perpetrator was identified, but no one guessed what weapon was used.

NSLS: Ms. Ower reported on upcoming events: NSLS Legislative Breakfast on 2/19; Illinois Library Legislative Day on 3/1 (need to verify); and National Library Legislative Day on 5/1 and 5/2. Ms. Ower reminded Trustees that nominations were due for the NSLS Membership Awards. Ms. Ower presented her report on “Point of Order! Parliamentary Procedure Workshop.” She cited Robert’s Rules of Order regarding voting on reports. She recommended that the Board discontinue the practice of voting on reports. President Rich directed this recommendation to be placed on the agenda for the January Board meeting under New Business.

The draft of the Referendum Talking Points was reviewed and discussed. Mrs. Taylor recommended that the library hold a class on understanding property value and assessment. Director Hilyard reported that changes to the law would require new wording on the ballot. Mr. Townsend suggested that outside influences be considered, such as no-tax increase groups. Mrs. Smith stated that all talking points must be true and substantiated. Ms. Hilyard will send changes back to the consultants (Linda Wallace and Peggy Barber).

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Director Hilyard presented the statistical and narrative reports for October 2006. Mrs. Mull asked about the Cash Dash program sponsored by the Illinois Treasurer’s Office. She also stated that it was good to see Pat Jones and other youth services staff going out to the schools. Ms. Kauth reported that the Circulation Department is now balancing the cash register drawer. She has scheduled several musicians to perform in the lobby during the holiday season. She noted how well the musicians who played during the Craft Fair were received. President Rich warned that she should be prepared for complaints about the noise. Mrs. Taylor stated that she appreciates the staff’s resiliency and openness to innovative ideas. She suggested an incentive for patrons who ride the Trolley to the library.

Mrs. Caldara presented the incidents for mid-October to mid-November and reviewed video footage. Mrs. Taylor explained that she was present for the unfortunate incident on 11/13. She also reported that on the same night her daughters were in the tent in the youth services area and were approached by a young teenaged girl who asked if they were virgins. She asked staff to be on the lookout for this type of behavior. Mrs. Taylor discussed the recent shooting at the Chicago Public Library and expressed concern that a serious incident could happen here. She directed administration to continue to ask other community organizations for help. Mrs. Taylor reported that she attended a Catalyst meeting (local churches working together to serve Lake County) and suggested that the library ask youth pastors to volunteer. President Rich stated that he is considering presenting a suggestion that all minors under that age of 16 be accompanied by an adult during peak hours. Trustees discussed equipping the monitors with camera phones and Mrs. Caldara suggested issued photo library cards. President Rich suggested placing this item on the agenda for the January meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS: The following communications were presented:
– A notice of suspension for Wavery Tompkins.
– A notice of suspension for Jacquita Body.
– A notice of suspension for Brianna Sherrod.
– A notice of suspension for Tommy Chase.
– A notice of suspension for Octavio Rosilez.
– A notice of suspension for Giovanni Diaz Jr. Teliz.
– Thank you letters to the Buchanan-Edwards Family and the Pickett Family.
– A letter sent to Capital One regarding an error with e-Pay.
– A letter sent to focus group participants with the library newsletter.

MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to accept the Library Director’s statistical, narrative, and incident reports for October 2006, as presented.
Second: Mr. Andersson.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: Mull, Ower.
Motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Incidents and suspensions relating to Gregory Stokes were presented and reviewed. A discussion ensued.
MOTION: Mr. Townsend moved to permanently bar Gregory Stokes and to file an order of no trespass with the Zion Police Department.
Second: Mr. Andersson.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

Mrs. Caldara reported that all Board member email accounts were operational. Mrs. Taylor requested that they be set up to copy the Director on all correspondence sent through the web site.

NEW BUSINESS: Ordinance 06/07-O-3, “Annual Levy Ordinance,” was presented.
MOTION: Mrs. Smith moved to adopt Ordinance 06/07-O-3, “Annual Levy Ordinance,” as presented.
Second: Mrs. Taylor.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

Focus Group Reports: The following items were presented:

Report of African-American Focus Groups by Sharon Jones.
Letter regarding “Focus Groups for the Black Community” anonymously submitted.
Focus Groups 2006 Management Team Observations and Responses.
Trustees were asked for their reactions. Mr. Andersson felt that focus group participants had a different take (than library staff or trustees) on many issues. Mrs. Taylor applauded the library for doing the study and was struck by the comments that participants did not feel welcome and that staff were rude. Mrs. Taylor felt there may have been some preconceived notions and that word of mouth has kept African-Americans away from the library. Mrs. Smith was disturbed that so many participants did not receive their newsletter. President Rich asked Director Hilyard to contact the Zion Postmaster. Mrs. Mull reported that she is meeting with 3 of the participants to continue the discussion. She is very proud of the energetic group.
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to accept the Focus Group Report.
Second: Mrs. Taylor.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

Due to the cancellation of the December Board meeting, the Treasurer will need to approve the final list of bills for December 2006.
MOTION: Mrs. Mull moved to authorize the Treasurer to approve the final list of bills for December 2006.
Second: Mr. Andersson.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

President Rich reminded everyone that the next meeting will be held on January 16, 2007. He thanked all of the visitors for coming. He asked Kathy Paxton if she would like to comment. Mrs. Paxton stated that she loves the library, especially the youth services staff. She was surprised to learn that there are behavior problems.

ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to adjourn the meeting.
Second: Mrs. Mull.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Approved: November 28, 2006
Signed: Thomas Rich, President
Attest: George Andersson, Secretary

Recording Secretary: T. Caldara