Library Minutes 2014 03-10-14Page 1 of 4
APPROVED 4/14/14
Yorkville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Monday, March 10, 2014, 7pm
902 Game Farm Road – Library Historic Wing
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by President Beth Gambro
Roll Call:
Barb Johnson-yes, Jo Ann Gryder-yes, Beth Gambro-yes, Russ Walter-yes, Carol LaChance-yes, Susan
Chacon-yes (arr. 7:05pm), Judy Somerlot-yes
Absent: Sandy Lindblom
Others Present:
Library Director Michelle Pfister
City Finance Director Rob Fredrickson
Alderman Diane Teeling
Administrative Intern Jeff Weckbach
Recognition of Visitors:
President Gambro recognized Alderman Teeling, Rob Fredrickson and Jeff Weckbach.
Amendments to the Agenda: None
Minutes: February 10, 2014
As an FYI, Ms. Johnson noted that under 'Correspondence' she had said the Lions Club and Jr.
Women's Club had already been secured as sponsors for next year's mini-golf. These 2 will be included
to the original minutes. A motion to approve the minutes with this addition was made by Ms. Johnson
and seconded by Ms. Gryder. Minutes approved on a voice vote.
Correspondence: None
Public Comment:
Alderman Teeling said she was aware the Board had discussed the possibility of a coffee shop in the
Library and said she had spoken with the coffee shop manager at the Sugar Grove Library who is
willing to give a presentation to Yorkville. She said the Sugar Grove location brought income into the
Library and increased foot traffic by 50%. The manager pays rent and a percentage of the sales, though
the exact revenue is not known. The shop is open before and after regular library hours. Ms. Teeling
said food to sell was brought in from other businesses in town. Ms. Somerlot commented that the
Denver Public Library, where she previously worked, had a very successful food area.
Staff Comment: None
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Report of the Treasurer:
Library Director Michelle Pfister presented the Treasurer's report:
Check Register
Page 1: Electric supplies totaled $1,003.78 for light bulbs and ballasts. City personnel changes bulbs
as time permits.
Page 2: Automotic Building Controls: this company was called in when Trico could not repair a
VAV controller, cost of $1,158.75
Page 3: Nicor invoice was over $3,000
Page 3: R. J. Kuhn installed insulating pipe lining for $345
Page 4: Sound Inc.: $490 for maintenance agreements
Page 4: Sun Times Media: $104 for Beacon News subscription
Page 5: Trico: repairs for malfunctioning heat, blowers blew out, invoice total $6,729.13
Page 5: Walden's Lock Service: repaired a malfunctioning lock
Page 5: Visa: for Comcast internet service
Page 8: Ms. Pfister questioned the payment to Guardian—it is for liability insurance
Ms. Pfister also discussed the following:
2 months remain in the current FY budget, expenses are within budget
Subscription cards are down
Automation was budgeted for $35,000, part of which was 3M. Instead, the money will
be used to pay IT person
Received $656 in development fees
$2,472 in Gifts/Memorials: $518 is for adopt a magazine, $955 is from mini-golf
Mr. Walter noted the building development fee fund down about $6,000. Approximately
$3,000 was spent on e-books and other miscellaneous.
Payment of Bills
Russ Walter moved to pay the bills as follows and Carol LaChance seconded the motion:
Payroll: $36,294.74
Accounts Payable: $16,854.93
City Bill List: $ 8,804.14
TOTAL: $61,953.81
Roll call vote: Johnson-yes, Gryder-yes, Gambro-yes, Walter-yes, LaChance-yes, Chacon-yes,
Somerlot-yes. Passed 7-0.
Report of the Library Director:
Library Director Pfister reported the following:
1. Presented the library stats which included 129 e-book users
2. Two staff members attended e-book training meeting
3. Men's book club celebrated 1 year
4. Friends brought Valentines treat for staff
5. 100-year celebration next year. As part of committee, Michelle showed old-fashioned library
card for occasion, committee members also donated money
6. Friends have given $2,000 toward celebration, Judy said Friends will give additional $500 from
Fall used book sale
7. Michelle asked for Board members help with kickoff breakfast
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Friends of the Library Report by Judy Somerlot:
1. Requested book donations for used book sale
2. Thanked all for assistance at mini-golf
Michelle's report continued:
8. Library sponsored resume' and Affordable Care Act assistance, will have in March also
9. Teens handed out Valentine cards to Hillside senior center
10. 5,806 patrons in library for month
Ms. Pfister also told the Library Board that Matt, the IT person, has found other employment. Trustee
Walter recommended another candidate, Lloyd, who was hired and Mr. Walter has also offered his own
assistance at no charge.
City Council Liaison: No report
Standing Committees:
Personnel
The Personnel Committee will be meeting on March 19th. No other committee reports.
Unfinished Business:
Library Survey
Administrative Intern Jeff Weckbach discussed the revisions for the Library survey and said all were
accepted by the City. The password code will be used to insure valid survey results. He also
recommended 3 additional questions:
1. Long term planning, especially if grant funds become available. Surveys can help justify the
receipt of grants
2. People's perceptions of services
3. Race, ethnicity questions helpful for validity of survey
Ms. Somerlot said the committee felt some of these questions ask people to rate services which is very
subjective with no standard on which to base the answer. Mr. Weckbach said the City feels these
questions will average out and said that year-over-year results should be considered. Ms. Johnson also
suggested a survey question relating to having a coffee shop in the library.
Mr. Weckbach said a FAQ will be sent in the City utility bill with information on the survey, where it
can be taken, etc. If the survey is approved at this meeting or in April, it will be sent out in April and
an analysis presented to the Board in August. A few changes to questions were discussed by Board
members and it was suggested the Board would like to have a final editing of the questions.
Ms. Gryder made a motion to submit the survey as previously authorized and it was seconded by Ms.
Johnson. The demographics/ethnicity question was discussed and it was noted that most surveys
include this type of question. Ms. Gryder amended her motion to add the demographic question. Ms.
Somerlot seconded this amended motion. All approved via voice vote. The survey will be submitted to
the City to make the revisions and it will be brought back in April for a final review.
Building Siding
Ms. Pfister said she had not received a response from former Board member Mr. Pranga regarding any
further information he may have gathered.
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Library 5K/10K Race
Mr. Walter reported the race is scheduled for Saturday, August 30th. A timekeeper has been scheduled
and Trinity Church has committed to provide breakfast following the race. The race will begin about
8am and will be finished before the used book sale. A slogan is needed such as “Run to Read”.
Runners will receive t-shirts and sponsors/donations are needed. Mr. Walter will coordinate with Tim
Evans of the Parks Department who will arrange for volunteers, water stations, etc. No streets will be
closed for the race.
New Business:
Health Insurance
Mr. Walter said all had copies of the slides of the health insurance presentation on March 3 by Mr. Tim
Schaeffer. Mr. Fredrickson said he had contacted the City Attorney regarding the library employees
having their own insurance. The Attorney's opinion was that, because the Library is part of the City,
the employees only have the option of choosing the plans offered by the City and could not “drop out”
unless they are covered by another City plan.
Ms. Gryder said she had written a letter to an Illinois library attorney with no response as of yet, but
she encouraged the Board to consider contacting the Yorkville library attorney. Mr. Walter added the
Library could realize a significant savings of about $40,000 by purchasing alternate insurance.
Ms. Chacon noted that in her experience working with W-2's, the per-person cost the Library pays is in
proportion to other companies. She said the average co-pay for single coverage is $14,000.
Other possible solutions noted were cutting all full time library employees to part time, eliminate 1 full
time person or have employees pay a higher portion for family coverage. Ultimately, $48,000 is
necessary annually for Library-paid insurance premiums. Mr. Fredrickson said City employees who
elect family coverage pay 9-10% of the premium with the City paying for the rest. It was noted that
employees also have $6,000 on a HRA card to help pay medical bills. Those bills are paid as they are
incurred and appear on the monthly financial report for the library.
Ms. Pfister was asked if there was staff feedback regarding the proposed insurance plan. She said the
staff did not have a positive feeling about this possible change.
In summary, Ms. Pfister was authorized to contact the Library Attorney with pre-determined questions.
Additional Business: None
Adjournment:
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 8:02pm on a motion by Barb Johnson
and second by Carol LaChance.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young