Library Minutes 2010 03-08-10
APPROVED W/ CORRECTIONS
4/12/10
Agenda
Yorkville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Monday, March 8, 2010
902 Game Farm Road
7:00pm
The meeting was called to order at 7pm by President Jo Ann Gryder
Roll Call
Members present: Gambro-yes, Gaebler-yes, Vorderer-yes, LaChance-yes, Gryder-yes,
Frisch-yes, Lindblom-yes, Johnson-yes, Wilkinson-yes.
Also present: Tony Scott-Kendall County Record, Tom Lindblom, Judy Somerlot, Russ
Walter, Rose Walter, Carol Hirsch, Don Hirsch, Carol Sheeley, Eugene Sheeley, Tom
Gilmour, Judy Gilmour, George Gilson, Jr, Matthew Prochaska, Dixie Debord, Rita
Feltes, Shelley Augustine
Recognition of Visitors
President Gryder recognized the visitors and asked them to introduce themselves.
Amendments to the Agenda -
None
Minutes
February 8, 2010
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Barb Johnson noted a deletion on the 3 page where it stated the City wanted the Library
to be a Library District. Ms. Lindblom then moved to approve the minutes as corrected
and the motion was seconded by Ms. Johnson. Approved as corrected on a voice vote.
Correspondence -
None
Public Comment –
President Gryder asked the attendees to pause in honor of Library Director Michelle
Pfister’s Mother who passed away.
Beth Gambro was recognized for her recent “Reading Teacher of the Year” award and
story in the Record.
Ms. Gryder said the remainder of the public comment would be heard after the Library
District Fact Finding presentation.
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Report of the Treasurer
Financial Statement
:
Detailed Expense & Revenue Report:
Treasurer Lindblom said that a small amount of property tax was received and the
Library is above budget on that item. Development fees were also received and library
cards fees and fines were sizeable. Memorial amounts were double the amount
anticipated. Total revenue from February was just under $7,000.
Expenses totaled $80,805.06 and she said the fiscal year to date figures shows a deficit of
just over $3,814, however, there is $785,000 in other accounts.
Detailed Board Report/Invoices--Highlights:
Page 4: 2 new PC’s were purchased at $6,155.01
Page 5: Annual alarm inspection at $995 and repair at $1,082. Time zone wall clock
purchased for $545 for youth area
Page 6: Bill for $2,851.04 for lights & ballast replacement
Page 8: Electric bill for $2,397.15
Page 10: $1,190.00 for attorney fees pertaining to Fact Finding committee
Page 11: New HD TV purchased at $829
It was noted that a bill previously erroneously charged to the Library was switched to the
City for payment.
Payment of Bills:
Barb Johnson made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $33,884.68 and payroll in
the amount of $42,306.39. Zach Frisch seconded the motion.
Roll call vote: Gaebler-yes, Vorderer-yes, LaChance-yes, Gryder-yes, Frisch-yes,
Lindblom-yes, Johnson-yes, Wilkinson-yes, Gambro-yes.
Motion carried 9-0.
Report of the Library Director
Statistics
Rita Feltes presented the Director’s report. Highlights include: 144 new registrants, 696
items added for the month, 18,525 total circulation. The teen group is active and just
finished “Cocoa for a Cause”. A total of $225 was raised and a variety of items was
purchased and sent to “Soldier’s Angels”.
City Council Liaison
– none present
Standing Committees
Ms. Wilkinson said the Policy Committee had met and will have updated
recommendations for the Board at the next meeting. This will require an Executive
Session.
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Unfinished Business –
Building Update –
none
District Fact Finding
Barb Johnson presented information about the District Library and a handout was
distributed. Ms. Johnson said that in 2008 she was asked to chair a committee exploring
a possible District Library. The committee was comprised of Judy Somerlot, Jo Ann
Gryder, Michelle Pfister and Ms. Johnson.
In an overview, Ms. Johnson said, that as an educator, many of her students were not
eligible to use the Yorkville Library. The committee interviewed employees of many
district libraries throughout the area to understand how a district library was structured.
She also thanked the guests for their interest and input.
She detailed the goals of the committee and presented information in a Powerpoint
presentation. It explored the following topics:
1.What is a Library District
—the committee found that every library surrounding
Yorkville is a district library.
2.What does a Library District mean for the Library
—it is a separate entity
from the City, levies its own taxes and is responsible for all administration and
utilities. Library trustees would be elected, not appointed and would be
comprised of 7 members, not 9. Library boundaries have potential to expand
through annexation. Current board members would stay seated until November
election after implementation of district. A map showed 63% of people in the
school district are not in City limits. Noted that some students off Rt. 71 have
Oswego Library service. Received budgets from surrounding towns to explore
needs and found that a business manager would be needed at cost of $50,000,
audit at $10,000, electricity at $5-6,000 monthly. Com Ed will not extend
agreement with City.
What does it mean for the City of Yorkville
3.—tax levy would not be part of
City’s overall levy, savings of services cost, no longer responsible for payroll etc.
4.What does it mean for the taxpayers
—would have same tax rate—current levy
is .1111. No immediate tax impact for someone currently outside the City. As
subdivisions become part of City, Library can annex into Library taxing district.
5.How does the Library convert to a District
—Option 1): Library Board can
adopt resolution stating they desire a district and City would adopt a resolution for
district. Option 2): residents can initiate petition to become part of district, signed
by 10% of voters and placed on a referendum for a vote.
6.Advantages
—complete autonomy, elected officials represent people, fewer
unserved students.
7.Disadvantages—
lapse of time for funding, increased responsibility for Board
members.
Ms. Johnson said that all of the Library Districts spoken to were happy with their
decision to become districts. Therefore, the committee recommended conversion to a
District by joint resolution. They also suggested that this proposal be considered for a
month and brought back to the April meeting for further discussion.
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Ms. Johnson then opened the floor for questions. Following are the responses to the
questions along with some of the comments:
1.It is projected that taxes will decrease due to more people paying into it, if a
District is formed.
2.Unserved areas will not be automatically in library boundaries, people must vote
to become part of District. Library Board can prepare ordinance asking to include
certain areas in the District—the voters have 30 days to file petition and then goes
onto a ballot for a vote.
3.Initially, city residents would bear the costs of the District until other areas are
brought into the District.
4.Trustee Gaebler said she would like to see a map of all the unserved areas for
Yorkville Schools as well as other surrounding schools.
5.The Library owns the building, however, a title search is being conducted.
6.If an individual property owner wishes to become part of the District, their
property must be contiguous to the Library District.
7.Bonds from building Library remain with the City.
8.Trustee Frisch voiced concern about having enough money to purchase books,
noting that Sugar Grove did not have the resources to do so.
9.Would development fees apply to District?
10.Many years ago, students in the school district received library cards. However,
the State later made this practice illegal.
11.Is there a cap on a tax levy increase? The State sets limits
12.Elected officials are not paid.
13.Regarding the 5,508 taxing units not being served, how many overlap?
14.What is advantage of being in a District when you can pay $150 per family to use
the Library?
15.What percentage of Yorkville residents have library cards?
16.How many non-residents have the $150 Library cards?
Ms. Gryder summarized the questions to be researched prior to the next meeting. She
also thanked everyone for attending and for their input.
New Business:
Social Media Sites
This will be placed on the April agenda for discussion.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 8:18pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young
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