SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP DISTRICT LIBRARY
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD
FEBRUARY 21, 2005
LOCATION: Conference Room
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Frankel, Mrs. Jonen, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Lyons and Mrs. Miller
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Mutter and Mr. Radley
OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Madden, Mrs. Wrightson, Mr. Hetzer, Mrs. Scott, Mr. Scott, Mr. Miller, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. O’Connell, Mr. Leibrock, Mrs. Adrianopoli, Mr. Oliver, and Mrs. Sathia
TIME MEETING BEGAN: 7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Mintues
It was moved that the minutes of January 17, 2005 (continued on January 27) be approved with these corrections:
a. Add the list of “Others Present”
b. Under minutes approved, list the date of the December minutes (December 7, 13 and 20, 2004)
Motion approved with two abstentions (Mr. Lyons and Mrs. Jonen).
Hanover Park Branch Library.
The results of the Hanover Park survey (See Appendix A) were discussed. Of the three exterior sketches, the vote was as follows:
Exterior #1 26.5%
Exterior #2 48.5%
Exterior #3 22.8%
Other 2.2%
Mr. Lyons and Mrs. Jonen said that they preferred Exterior #1 while Mrs. Miller, Mr. Frankel and Mr. Lucas preferred Exterior #2. The architects were asked which exterior was the most expensive and Mr. Leibrock said that Exterior #3 was the most expensive. Then there was a discussion about security, especially security as far as the outside garden is concerned. Mrs. Jonen asked about the acoustics and if there were any acoustical concerns as far as Exterior #1 and #2 are concerned. The architect said that steps would be taken to ensure that there are no acoustical problems. Mr. Hetzer asked about how difficult it would be to clean the windows and Mrs. Scott said that a design that allows natural light into the building would be preferred. Mrs. Wrightson addressed these concerns as well as reviewed some of the comments received from the public. The public wants the creative pieces in the old library to be taken to the new library.
It was moved by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr. Jonen that:
Exterior design #2 be approved for the new library.
Motion passed unanimously.
As far as the interior color schemes are concerned, four different color schemes were presented to the public. The voting divided as follows:
a. 21.9%
b. 21.9%
c. 24.6%
d. 29.0%
Other 2.6%
The Board discussed the color schemes. It was felt that the public vote did not really show a clear-cut favorite.
It was moved by Mrs. Jonen and seconded by Mrs. Miller that:
Color scheme “c” be selected.
Motion passed unanimously.
The architects believe that the ground breaking will take place in the middle of June. There was then some question about when the project would be completed. The architects will develop a revised schedule. Since the present Hanover Park Branch is in a rented facility, there is a need to know the schedule in order to determine the length of the lease.
There will be a planning meeting on March 21st at 10:00 a.m. By that date, there should be a revised estimated of costs. Exterior samples (bricks etc.) will also be presented that day at both the planning meeting and at the evening Board meeting.
Staff Reports.
1) Susan Gibberman had coordinated a staff project to send supplies to troops
abroad. A thank you note from Captain Latonya Allen was read. Also, a flag
flown in Afghanistan in honor of the library was shown.
2) A proposed brochure entitled “Art in the Library” was shown.
3) The Youth Services report on the preschool library was discussed. Mrs.
Miller asked about how the high school students work with preschoolers in the
high school. Mrs. O’Connell gave an overview of the program.
4) Suggestions were reviewed. Mr. Lyons noted that there were two suggestions
about filters and he did not recall having received any filtering suggestions
in the past. This is true and very few have ever been received.
NSLS Representative.
Mr. Lyons reported on the Management Affairs meeting. The system director has been looking for ways to obtain additional funding. Now companies will be sponsoring the annual banquet. There will be no additional funding from the State of Illinois. He also mentioned the Legislative Breakfast that was held this morning. Representatives Parke and Froehlich attended the meeting. HB 263 has been introduced to provide some relief from the effects of the tax caps. That bill would exclude retirement costs from the tax cap.
The NSLS Awards Banquet will be held on March 18th. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons will be attending as guests of the System. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, and Mr. Madden also plan to attend the banquet.
Treasurer’s Report.
Mr. Frankel reported that income looks very good for the seven months of this fiscal year. Expenses also have been coming in under budget. Mr. Lucas mentioned that he did some analysis and the Library may even end the year with a small surplus rather than a deficit.
Trustee Election.
Mr. Lyons asked that Mr. Madden be sure to distribute the complete Candidates Guide prepared by the State Board of Elections to candidates in the future. The election will take place on April 5th. Mrs. Miller has been removed from the ballot by the Cook County Electoral Board because her Statement of Economic Interests was filed two weeks too early. The objection filed against Mr. Lyons was not supported by the Electoral Board and he will remain on the ballot. The winning candidates will officially take office on Monday, May 16th.
Ethics Commission.
The Ethics Commission met on February 17th to review a complaint filed by Mr. Hetzer against Mr. Lyons. Mr. Lucas and Mrs. Miller noted that the ethics policy passed by the Library Board still is confusing and needs some “fine tuning.” One issue is that “compensated time” for a trustee is not as clear as it could be. Since trustees are not paid and since the Library etc. is a public forum, a better definition of when a trustee is acting as a trustee and when a trustee is acting as a private citizen needs to be clarified. Also, the Library Board several years ago passed a Trustee job description which includes an ethics section. It would be good to see how that document could be tied into the regular Ethics Ordinance.
Mr. Lyons noted that for him the entire process was too long and stressful. Hopefully, any future objections could proceed in a timelier manner. Another matter was the fact on how difficult it is to appoint members of the Ethics Commission. If members would have been appointed earlier, someone like Virginia Hayter could have been appointed. This would have been a problem since Bob Lyons knows her very well.
When the Ethics Commission met, the following terms and offices were determined:
Mrs. Jarzemsky one-year term. Commission Secretary
Mr. Handlon two-year term. Commission Chair
Mr. Howland two-year term. Commission Vice-Chair
The decision of the Ethics Commission was:
The complaint herein is dismissed as insufficient to show a violation of the Ordinance or Statute. The determinative reasoning is that it is not shown that the acts complained of were intentional, nor on “compensated time,” nor were the petitions “circulated.”
Mr. Hetzer then said that he felt that the penalties outlined for Section II in the Ordinance were too severe and should not include jail time. A more reasonable penalty would be a reprimand and a small monetary fine. Mr. Frankel felt that this entire matter was a pursuit of a very trivial matter to the nth degree. Mrs. Jonen expressed her concern about the cost of this entire proceeding and the fact that it made all parties look unprofessional. She also complimented Mr. Madden on his appointments to the Ethics Commission.
Mr. Lyons noted that the Ethics Ordinance also applies to employees and asked if the employees were aware of this. Mr. Madden said that the Management Team was aware of the provisions but that the staff as a whole was not aware of the details in this Ordinance. Steps will be taken to inform them. There was also some discussion about the need for staff to sign an ethics awareness statement. Mr. Madden noted that there is such a statement that staff now signs but that statement does not deal with all of the provisions found in the new Ethics Ordinance.
Trustee Fact Book.
A revised CD-ROM version of the Trustee Factbook prepared by the State was distributed. Mrs. Miller noted that she was the editor of the original series and is happy to see it continued.
Destiny Church Request.
It was moved by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mrs. Jonen that:
The request of the Destiny Church to use both Rasmussen Rooms on February
27th for a series of forums be approved.
Motion passed unanimously.
Executive Session.
It was moved by Mr. Frankel and seconded by Mrs. Jonen that:
The Board go into Executive Session at 8:34 for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter.
Roll call vote:
Mr. Frankel Yes
Mrs. Miller Yes
Mrs. Jonen Yes
Mr. Lyons Yes
Mr. Lucas Yes
It was moved by Mrs. Jonen and seconded by Mr. Frankel that:
The Board leave executive session at 8:45 p.m.
Roll call vote:
Mr. Frankel Yes
Mrs. Miller Yes
Mrs. Jonen Yes
Mr. Lyons Yes
Mr. Lucas Yes
Library Director.
It was moved by Mr. Frankel and seconded by Mr. Lyons that:
The Library Director receives a 3% raise.
Adjournment.
It was moved by Mr. Lyons and seconded by Mrs. Miller that:
The meeting adjourn.
Motion passed unanimously.
Time of Adjournment. 8:55 p.m.