09/26/06 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF THE ZION-BENTON PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
September 26, 2006
President Thomas Rich called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Andersson, Mrs. Mull, Ms. Ower, *Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Taylor, Mr. Townsend, and Mr. Rich.
Absent: None
Also present were the following: Nann Blaine Hilyard, Director; Tara Caldara, Administrative Services Coordinator; Susan Clark, Adult Services Coordinator; Carol Cramer, Youth Services Coordinator; Rosemary Kauth, Circulation and Technical Services Coordinator; Nicole Shulski, Monitor; Richard Taylor, Monitor; Peggy Barber, Consultant; Michelyn Woods, patron; and George Woods III, patron.
AGENDA: The agenda was presented.
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to adopt the agenda as presented.
Second: Mr. Townsend.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
* Mrs. Smith entered at 6:34 p.m.
COMMENTS BY VISITORS: A hearing on the Combined Budget and Appropriation Ordinance was conducted. Ms. Caldara reported that the notice of the public hearing was posted in the Library and published in the News-Sun on 8/26/06. No written comments were received nor did anyone present wish to address the Board regarding Ordinance 06/07-O-2, “Combined Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for the Zion-Benton Public Library District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2007.” Mr. Rich declared the hearing closed.
MOTION: Ms. Ower moved to adopt Ordinance 06/07-O-2, “Combined Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for the Zion-Benton Public Library District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2007.
Second: Mrs. Mull.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Motion carried.
Mrs. Woods and her son appealed George’s 1 year suspension for disorderly conduct, which included threatening a staff member. George’s letter dated 9/18/06 (received 9/21/06) was discussed, as was his prior record. Monitors gave their testimony and the Board asked the staff member involved to come into the meeting to present her testimony. Mrs. Jones entered, presented the Board with her account of the incident leading to suspension, and exited the meeting. Trustees thanked George and Mrs. Woods for their comments and expressed appreciation for their attendance and Mrs. Woods’ involvement as a parent.
President Rich recommended that item X.f New Business-George Woods Suspension Appeal, be added to the agenda.
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to add item X.f New Business-George Woods Suspension Appeal to the agenda.
Second: Mrs. Smith.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: Rich.
Motion carried.
Mrs. Woods and George left the meeting and waited outside.
MINUTES: The minutes of the August 22, 2006 regular meeting were presented. Mrs. Taylor noted that the minutes incorrectly state that President Pro Tem Shantal Taylor called the meeting to order, when it was President Thomas Rich who called the meeting to order.
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to approve the minutes of the August 22, 2006 regular meeting as corrected.
Second: Mr. Townsend.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: Rich.
Motion carried.
Treasurer’s report: The Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2006 was presented.
MOTION: Mr. Townsend moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented.
Second: Mrs. Mull.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0-Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
BILLS: The bills for September were presented.
MOTION: Mrs. Smith moved to approve payment of checks #30450 through #30528, with check #30457 being void, in the amount of $141,169.27.
Second: Mr. Andersson.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0-Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
Investments: The following upcoming investment activities were presented.
– Roll over a $150,000 Repurchase Agreement due on 10/3/06 for 150 days and place the interest into the library’s Super Checking Account.
– Roll over a $200,000 Repurchase Agreement due on 10/24/06 for 150 days and place the interest into the library’s Super Checking Account.
MOTION: Mr. Townsend moved to roll over a $150,000 Repurchase Agreement due on 10/3/06 for 150 days and to roll over a $200,000 Repurchase Agreement due on 10/24/06 for 150 days, and place the interest from both into the library’s Super Checking Account.
Second: Mrs. Smith.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich.Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
REPORTS: There was no Finance Committee Report, but Director Hilyard reported that there was a Taxing Body meeting scheduled at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall on 10/5/06 to discuss the Power Station Agreement. Mrs. Smith indicated that she would be available to attend that day.
There was no Executive Committee Report.
Friends: Mrs. Smith reported that the Friends will have a Crème de la Crème book sale as part of LibraryPalooza on 10/14. She and Friends treasurer Pat Tarter are casting the Mystery Play which will be 11/4.
Ms. Ower, NSLS Representative, reported that there is a Parliamentary Procedures Workshop at NSLS on 10/23/06.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Director Hilyard presented the statistical and narrative reports for August 2006. She added that Ron Lewis was hired as Maintenance Assistant and that LibraryPalooza was only a few weeks away. She outlined plans for LibraryPalooza and encouraged Trustees to attend.
MOTION: Mrs. Smith moved to accept the Library Director’s statistical, narrative, and incident reports for August 2006, as presented.
Second: Mr. Andersson.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: The following communications were presented:
– A notice of suspension for George Woods III.
– A notice of suspension for Edward Turner.
– An editorial Director Hilyard wrote and submitted to the News-Sun.
– The current Winthrop Harbor newsletter.
– A response to a comment from a patron who appreciates the library.
– A copy of the photo of the library’s entry in the Jubilee Day’s Parade as published in the Zion-Benton News.
– A letter from Attorney Roger Ritzman to the auditor stating he is not aware of any pending or contemplated litigation.
– An anonymous letter from a patron thanking the library for not having any special events for “non-English speaking illegal aliens” and one staff member’s reaction to it.
– A thank you for supporting the Coalition for Healthy Communities Caddie Classis golf outing.
– An e-mail from Diana Gornik, Executive Director Zion Chamber of Commerce, complimenting the library on the great events coming up.
– A response to a suggestion that tinted film be put on the west windows in the lobby to reduce glare.
– A thank you from a patron for supplying the library with more Spanish books.
– An e-mail from the City of Zion regarding a citizen complaint about children viewing Playboy on the library’s computers, and the library director’s response to that patron.
– A thank you for supporting the Jubilee Days Festival as a Supporting Sponsor.
Unfinished business: Mrs. Taylor asked why the Closed signs had not been replaced. She said they are unprofessional-looking and she had asked some time ago that they be replaced. Director Hilyard and Tara Caldara will have the signs replaced immediately.
NEW BUSINESS:
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to cancel the regularly scheduled Board Meeting on December 26, 2006.
Second: Mr. Townsend.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
MOTION: Mrs. Smith moved to reschedule the regularly scheduled Board Meeting on January 23, 2007 to January 16, 2007.
Second: Mr. Townsend.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
MOTION: Ms. Ower moved to reschedule the regularly scheduled Board Meeting on June 26, 2007 to June 19, 2007.
Second: Mrs. Mull.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
Tara Caldara presented comparisons of photocopiers available for purchase and recommended purchasing copiers from Wagner Business Solutions. Director Hilyard commended Ms. Caldara for the thorough comparison shopping.
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to authorize the purchase of two black and white photocopiers and coin operators for public use at a total cost not to exceed $10,000; the purchase of one color copier for use in the administrative office at a total cost not to exceed $15,000; the purchase of one color copier for use in the Graphics workroom at a total cost not to exceed $12,000; and to authorize the Administrative Services Coordinator to sign maintenance agreements for all four new copiers at a rate of 0.009 for black and white patron copies, .01 for black and white staff copies, and 0.08 for color staff copies.
Second: Ms. Ower.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
The Trustees had a lengthy discussion regarding the appeal of suspension submitted by George Woods III and his mother Michelyn Woods. Trustees were concerned with the conflicting stories and the fact that the threatened employee did not hear the actual threat, even though a Monitor heard it. Trustees were also concerned that video evidence was not presented. Director Hilyard and Tara Caldara explained that the the security camera record shows the time he was in the computer lab but not in the Youth Services room where the incident occurred. Trustees concluded that from now (September 27, 2006) until March 31, 2007, George Woods III may come to the library ONLY when accompanied by his mother. When they are here they must be together (exception: using the restroom). If he comes to the library without his mother he will automatically be suspended for one year. If after March 31, 2007, he violates the library behavior policy, he will automatically be suspended for one year. Trustees instructed Director Hilyard to write to Mrs. Woods stating this decision.
MOTION: Mrs. Taylor moved to amend George Woods’ suspension and instructed the Director to notify Mrs. Woods via written letter of the amended suspension and its terms.
Second: Mr. Townsend.
Roll Call: Aye: Andersson, Mull, Ower, Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Rich. Nay: -0- Abstain: -0-
Motion carried.
Mrs. Taylor stated that she is concerned with staff attitudes and public perceptions. She recommended that the Board rather than the staff have the power to suspend library use. A lengthy discussion ensued. President Rich asked each Trustee for their initial thoughts on this recommendation. It was the consensus that this issue be tabled until next month and that the suspension policy be reviewed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
Thomas Rich, President
George Andersson, Secretary
Recording Secretary: T. Caldara