SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP DISTRICT LIBRARY

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD

JANUARY 17, 2005

LOCATION: Conference Room

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Frankel, Mr. Lucas, Mrs. Miller, Ms. Mutter and Mr. Radley (arrived 8:00 p.m.)

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Mrs. Jonen and Mr. Lyons

OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Hetzer, Mr. Madden, Mr. Kelley, Mr. Scott, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Sathia, Mr. Juergensmeyer, Mr. Oliver, Mrs. Adrianopoli, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Musni and Mr. Leibrock.

TIME MEETING BEGAN: 7:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Public Comments:

Mr. Lucas referred to a letter from the Elk Grove Village Public Library thanking us for the continued contribution for shared services. Mr. Lucas also spoke about his previous experience as Director of Research for Harper College on the nature of focus groups. He feels that focus groups are most meaningful when they are used for new services or new directions. When you have an existing service like the Hanover Park Branch Library and have interactions with customers on their service requests, the role of a focus group is not meaningful.


Mr. Lucas also stated that the public may not interrupt the regular Board meeting and that the public comments section is the public opportunity to comment on library matters.
Mr. Hetzer then spoke and covered the following topics: 1) he too has experience with focus groups and still feels that they are needed for the Hanover Park Branch project, 2) that there were two topics in the minutes of December 20th which were not represented in the minutes distributed (letter on this matter distributed), and 3) a policy allowing teleconferencing by trustees of the Library Board presents a number of problems that the Board needs to consider (letter on this matter distributed).


Mr. Kelley, an attorney and a member of the Board of Harper College, spoke about the library minutes and noted that it is not common for a public meeting to have verbatim minutes. He also mentioned that he is representing Bob Lyons on the ethics complaint and that Bob Lyons is in California at this time.

 

Ethics Ordinance

Mr. Juergensmeyer, the Library’s attorney, then gave background information on the Ethics Ordinance including how it started, provisions created by the State Attorney General’s Office and why the actual proceedings for an Ethics Commission were not included in the original document. He mentioned that the Ethics Commission that will be appointed needs to follow a “two-step” process: 1) determine if the complaint is valid and 2) how to proceed if there is a possibility of validity. He also explained the process for appointing members of the Ethics Commission.


It was moved by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr. Frankel that:
An Ordinance Creating the Schaumburg Township District Library Ethics Commission be approved.

Roll call vote:
Mr. Frankel -- Yes
Mrs. Miller -- Yes
Ms. Mutter -- Yes
Mr. Lucas -- Yes

It was moved by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr. Frankel that:
A Resolution Appointing Members of the Ethics Commission be approved.

Roll call vote:
Mr. Frankel -- Yes
Mrs. Miller -- Yes
Ms. Mutter -- Yes
Mr. Lucas -- Yes

Members of the Ethics Commission are: Mr. Jerry Handlon, Rev. Steve Howland, and Ms. Joan Jarzemsky. Mr. Juergensmeyer then outlined that the meetings of the Ethics Commission would be open but that they can go into executive session. Until the commission meets, the commission is not formally “established.” Mr. Madden was asked to contact the members of the commission to find out when they will be available.

 

Board Teleconferencing Policy

Mr. Juergensmeyer then gave background on the legality of Board members participating in Board meetings through teleconferencing. He stressed that this would be legal and that it is up to the Board to determine if they would like to develop a teleconferencing policy. Mr. Frankel noted that he feels uncomfortable with establishing a Board quorum with members not physically present. Mrs. Miller said that she could accept teleconferencing but would prefer that it would be both visual and audio. Mr. Lucas felt that having members attend through teleconferencing but only on an advisory level would be best. Generally, the members felt that the matter should be dropped for now and not explored further.

 

Debit Card System Replacement Proposal

Mr. Musni then gave background on the Library’s debit card system and why it needed to be upgraded. The system should have been upgraded two years ago and has been limping along without support by the manufacturer. He estimates that it will take eighteen weeks to complete the upgrade process. Mr. Frankel asked about the cost of the original system. In 1997, the present system was purchased at a cost between $250,000 and $270,000. Mrs. Miller noted that the picture library created for the system in 1997 is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Mr. Lucas asked about changing from one manufacturer to another and how this would effect the moneys that patrons presently have on debit cards. Mr. Musni said that all moneys can be transferred. Then an income report on the debit system was briefly discussed.


It was moved by Mr. Frankel and seconded by Ms. Mutter that:
A contract be awarded to Comprise Technologies/Pharos Systems for:

Card system -- $37,225.00
Hardware -- $50,000.00
Software -- $144,855.00
Total ------- $232,080.00

Roll call vote:
Mr. Frankel -- Yes
Mrs. Miller -- Yes
Mr. Radley -- Yes
Ms. Mutter -- Yes
Mr. Lucas -- Yes

 

Hanover Park Branch Library

Architect Marty Leibrock then presented: 1) a revised floor plan based upon the meeting held with the committee on January 12th and 2) three rough schemes showing possible exteriors. Debby Miller explained some of the changes made to the design such as the relocation of Youth Services closer to staff.


It was moved by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Ms. Mutter that:
The interior layout of the Hanover Park Branch Library be accepted.

Roll call vote:
Mr. Frankel -- Yes
Mrs. Miller -- Yes
Mr. Radley -- No
Ms. Mutter -- Yes
Mr. Lucas -- Yes


Mr. Radley felt that members of the neighborhood should have had input into the interior layout. Then the three exterior designs were discussed. Ms. Mutter asked which one provided the most space. All of the designs basically were the same size. Mr. Radley asked about utility costs for operating and which design would cost more to maintain. Mr. Leibrock said that the utility cost studies have not be done yet. He also asked how the parking would compare to the Hoffman Estates Branch Library. This library would have 35 parking spots, about ten more than the Hoffman Estates Branch. Mr. Oliver said that his main concern is the cost of the various designs and that it is important to remain within the budget. Mr. Madden expressed concerned about any clearstory and how that would affect noise levels in the library. There was some brief discussion about the designs themselves but most of the Board members wanted to see more extensive designs rather than sketches. Extensive designs will be presented on January 27th. Mr. Frankel noted that the designs then will be on public view at the present branch library for public comments. Also, there will be a public meeting scheduled where patrons can express their concerns about the various designs.

Staff Reports

Statistics, reciprocal borrowing and the Popular Services Department report were discussed. Mrs. Miller expressed concern about the tight space issues in the Popular Services Department.

 

Minutes

It was moved by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr. Frankel that:
The December minutes (December 7, 13 and 20) be approved.
Motion passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer's Report

It is now the end of six months for this fiscal year. Mr. Frankel reviewed the financial reports and noted that income has been good. Mr. Lucas said that his projections show a small deficit for the fiscal year.


Legal Fees for Ethics Commission

To date, the legal fees for the Ethics Commission have been $2,710.00. There will be additional fees charged. Mr. Frankel expressed concern about these fees and the fact that they are unexpected legal fees that need to be paid out of another account.

It was moved by Mr. Frankel and seconded by Mrs. Miller that:
The $2,710.00 in legal fees for the Ethics Commission be taken from reserve funds.

Roll call vote:
Mr. Frankel -- Yes
Mrs. Miller -- Yes
Mr. Radley -- Yes
Ms. Mutter -- Yes
Mr. Lucas -- Yes

 

Library Trustee Election

Today was the first day of filing. Six candidates filed for the four available positions. Candidates are:

Anita L. Forte-Scott
933 S. Webster Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60193
847-302-2214

*Robert J. Frankel
906 Prince Charles Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60195
847-885-8942

Richard M. Hetzer
412 Forest Court
Schaumburg, IL 60193
847-895-3026

*Robert Lyons
1025 Hermitage Lane
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195
847-885-3042

*Deborah Miller
840 Rosedale Lane
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195
847-882-3698

Aruna Sathia
1014 Warwick Circle
Hoffman Estates, IL 60194
847-882-2805

*Indicates an incumbent

The last day for filing is Tuesday, January 25th at 5:00 p.m. Russell Radley will run a lottery at 5:30 that day to determine ballot positions.

 

Visit of Melissa Bean

Debby Miller said that Congresswoman Melissa Bean will be visiting the library on January 24th for a tour. That tour will be directed by Robert Frankel, Debby Miller and Mike Madden. It is not a public tour and will be limited to those tour guides.

Chihuly Art Installation

The Chihuly glass display ordered through the art fund will be installed on February 3rd in the Reader’s Advisory Room on the fireplace. A reception will be held at 7:00 p.m. on February 10th.

Continuation

It was moved by Mr. Radley that:
The meeting continue on January 27th at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing designs for the Hanover Park Branch Library.
Motion passed unanimously.

Time meeting Ended: 8:55 p.m.