Library Board Minutes 2020 01-13-20Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 2/10/20
Yorkville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Monday, January 13, 2020 7:00pm
902 Game Farm Road – Michelle Pfister Meeting Room
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by President Darren Crawford, roll was called and a quorum
was established.
Roll Call: Ryan Forristall-yes, Theron Garcia-yes, Jason Hedman-yes, Russ Walter-yes, Julie
Brendich-yes, Susan Chacon-yes, Darren Crawford-yes, Wamecca Rodriguez (7:06pm)
Absent: Krista Danis
Others Present:
Library Director Elisa Topper, Circulation Manager Sharyl Iwanski-Goist, City Council Liaison Dan
Transier, Dr. Victor Ortiz, NE Illinois University Professor
Recognition of Visitors: President Crawford recognized the library staff and guests.
Amendments to the Agenda:
President Crawford added an item under New Business to discuss official closure of Library on January
26th for mini-golf event.
Minutes: December 9, 2019 Policy Committee, December 9, 2019 Regular Board Meeting,
December 30, 2019 Special Board meeting
Trustee Walter asked for a revision of the December 20th Special Board minutes to reflect a 2'x2'x8”
patch for the driveway. President Crawford moved and Ms. Garcia seconded the motion to approve the
minutes as presented including the revision.
Roll call: Garcia-yes, Hedman-yes, Walter-yes, Brendich-yes, Chacon-yes, Crawford-yes, Forristall-
yes. Carried 7-0.
Ms. Topper also noted changes from the Policy Committee for the Policy Manual.
Correspondence:
Director Topper said there was a Cub Scout photo in the packet.
Public Comment: None
Staff Comment: None
Report of the Treasurer:
Treasurer Chacon said the spending was as expected except for the maintenance category.
Payment of Bills
Trustee Walter moved and President Crawford seconded to pay the bills as follows:
$38,471.64 Accounts Payable
$37,748.31 Payroll
$76,219.95 TOTAL
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Roll call: Hedman-yes, Walter-yes, Brendich-yes, Chacon-yes, Crawford-yes, Forristall-yes, Garcia-
yes. Carried 7-0.
Report of the Library Director:
Director Topper reported the following:
1. HVAC system igniter and boiler repairs made.
2. Electrical work completed on sign which is now operational.
3. Snow bars were installed.
4. Ugly holiday sweater contest held for staff.
5. Staff member had a leg injury requiring surgery and will be gone 6 weeks.
6. Two other employees have left, one resigned and another retired, 2 new employees hired.
7. Staff evaluations have been completed.
8. Staff meetings to be held to distribute alcohol/drug testing policy forms to employees for their
files.
9. Per capita grant submitted last week
10. Completed paperwork for literacy grant.
11. Attended Friends meeting to explain roadblocks to getting sign installed.
12. PADS clients have come to Library, had one situation with a client.
13. The Library survey will be available at the mini-golf event.
City Council Liaison No report
Standing Committees:
Policy
The Policy Committee recently met.
Unfinished Business:
Digital Sign Update
Not discussed since the sign is now functioning
E-Rate Proposal Update
Mr. Walter said there was an updated Comcast bill reflecting the upgrades as previously discussed.
This update will be reflected beginning with the July 1st invoice. Mr. Walter will sign the paperwork
and forward to the e-rate consultant for the 50% rebate. He made a motion to approve the Comcast
service agreement for an increase in internet speed and increase to $443.35 on the bill. Ms. Garcia
seconded.
Roll call: Rodriguez-yes, Walter-yes, Brendich-yes, Chacon-yes, Crawford-yes, Forristall-yes, Garcia-
yes, Hedman-yes. Carried 8-0.
New Business:
Library Closure
President Crawford made a motion to approve official closure of the Library for the mini-golf event
and Ms. Garcia seconded. It was also decided to make this date an automatic closure on the schedule.
Roll call: Walter-yes, Brendich-yes, Chacon-yes, Crawford-yes, Forristall-yes, Garcia-yes, Hedman-
yes, Rodriguez-yes. Carried 8-0.
Yorkville Community Survey NSF Grant, Guest Dr. Ortiz, Northeastern University
Dr. Victor Ortiz, anthropologist, gave a presentation regarding a social interaction research project he is
doing. His request to the library was for access to the meeting room for a couple events to obtain data
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for his findings from residents and leaders of the community. Ms. Topper said she would provide the
room at no charge and it is hoped the information he gathers will benefit the Library in the future.
These sessions will also be posted in the newsletter.
Library Mural Discussion with Artist
This item was tabled since the artist was ill.
Approve PLA Conference
Director Topper asked the Board for approval to attend a 3-day PLA conference in Nashville which is
already budgeted. She said many Directors or department heads attend this conference. Ms. Topper
said the many vendors, products, grant information and contacts provide value to the Library. Board
members would also like to see staff members attend similar events for career development. They
discussed other events staff could attend. The Board asked for a plan showing how the acquired
information would be disseminated and how it is tied to strategic goals. They also discussed costs of
staff attending events and Ms. Topper said she could get free passes for an upcoming event in Chicago
which would only leave transportation costs.
After discussion, Ms. Rodriguez moved to approve Director attendance at the PLA conference at a cost
of about $1,705. Ms. Brendich seconded. Roll call: Brendich-yes, Chacon-yes, Crawford-yes,
Forristall-yes, Garcia-yes, Hedman-yes, Rodriguez-yes, Walter-yes. Carried 8-0.
Schedule Date for Executive Session Review
The Board will meet prior to the next Board meeting on February 10th at 6pm for review of Executive
Session minutes.
Minimum Wage and Staffing
Ms. Topper said the minimum wage will rise to $10.00 on July 1st. It was discussed how many
employees make less than $10.00/hour at this time and that the experienced part-time employees will
not earn as much as new employees just starting. Ms. Topper will gather information to present to the
Personnel Committee so that the increased costs can be budgeted. It was requested to have a chart of
all wages so the committee could review. Other aspects discussed were full time vs. part time
positions, where open positions are posted and keeping staff under the IMRF limitations. Board
members said there is a need to evaluate the current number of personnel and hours worked before any
additional staff is hired. The Board decided they would like to see a report of 1) hours by department
and how they are allocated, 2) how managers would like to see departments run.
Executive Session: None
Additional Business: None
Adjournment:
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 8:13pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker