PALOS HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF MEETING
September 9, 2004


Call To Order:
President Beverly Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Library, 12501 S. 71st Avenue, Palos Heights.  Present were Trustees Beth Barista, Cal Bouma, John Eckman, Pat Eden, Birgit LaMantia, Beverly Meyer, and Bill Poore.  Trustee Diana Roscich arrived at 7:18 p.m. and Trustee Pat Muller arrived at 8:56 p.m.   Also present was Administrative Librarian Elaine Savage. 

Welcome of Guests:
New library staff members Mary Kay Burns, Mary Lou Costin, Rachel Hoover and Miranda Foster were introduced to and welcomed by the Board.

Special Event:
The Board presented a gift to Trustee Cal Bouma, who has resigned from the Board, in honor of his distinguished service.  Refreshments were served.

Minutes:
Trustee LaMantia moved and Trustee Eckman seconded to approve the minutes of July 8, 2004.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.  Trustee LaMantia moved and Trustee Barista seconded to approve the Special Board meeting minutes of August 19, 2004.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.Treasurer’s Report:Trustee LaMantia moved and Trustee Poore seconded a motion to approve September bills in the amount of 40,924.57.  On a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.

President’s Report:
President Meyer advised that she was continuing to send out thank you notes for our successful Building Minds donation program as well as staff congratulatory cards.

Librarian’s Report:
Administrative Librarian Savage discussed her written Librarian’s Report.  The downspout to drainage pipe problem was discussed.  New area library openings were discussed.  The Board decided to wait until March of 2005 before following up with Mr. Ritz re availability of his property.

Correspondence:
None.

Budget and Finance:
None.

Policy:
None.

Publicity:
Trustee Poore updated the Board on plans for the upcoming Library Dedication to be held on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 11:00 a.m.

Building and Grounds:
Trustee Bouma advised that the fence installation on our south property line would begin on Friday, September 10.  The Board also accepted a September 2 letter from St. Alexander’s recognizing the fence program and requesting that they be allowed to install a gate and a walkway at their expense at some later date as long as it meets the library’s existing sidewalk.  Trustee Eden moved and Trustee LaMantia seconded to respond to the St. Alexander letter.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.  Trustee Bouma also advised that he met with Mrs. Podewell and advised her that the Board would be extending the wood fence along the west property line to the south property line in the near future.

Parking Lot & Building Expansion:
Trustee Eden discussed remaining punch list items including parking lot lights timing, caulking of front windows, front door not closing properly, incorrect window shade in meeting room, door locks not working properly and the downspout issue.  Additional review of the downspout issue is necessary before a final decision on corrective action.  Trustee Eden also advised that, after many vendor reviews, the primary donation plaque would probably be made by Bob Kramarski.
Personnel:

Trustee Roscich advised that the Personnel Committee met on September 7th for a personnel issue that will be discussed in executive session.

Friends of the Library Liaison:
Trustee Poore advised that the Friends had two successful Farmers Market setups and were currently selling 2005 South/Southwest Entertainment Books.

City Council Liaison:
Trustee Eden and Trustee Poore advised that a $16.64 million  bond issue for a new pool and recreation center would be on the November ballot, that a 9-11 program would be held at 7:30 a.m., that an area bikeway meeting would be held September 22 at 7:00p.m. at Lake Katherine, that the City was reviewing maintenance aspects at the new train station for possible takeover, that the City was leasing an additional 5 acres from MWRD to the west of Lake Katherine extending to the west City boundary for extension of the walking path, that the next Lake Katherine TIF meeting would be at 7:00p.m.November 16, and that the Lake Katherine Oversight Committee had been replaced by a new Executive Board with authority to hire an Executive Director.

Donation Committee:
The Palos Heights Womans Club provided a picture of a possible sculpture donation for review.  Administrative Librarian Savage will respond to them indicating that all of our current benches are in use.

Old Business:
Donor Recognition - Trustee Eckman recommended that the major foyer plaque contain a complete list of names, that the plaque be approximately 6’3” wide by 3’9” high and be structured by ranges of giving, and that there be some special plaques as well.  John Eckman, Diana Roscich and Beth Barista volunteered as a committee to review all plaque issues and make appropriate recommendations.  Trustee Eden moved and Trustee Poore seconded to spend up to $125 for the Womans Club plaque to be presented at our Dedication.  On a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.

New Business:
Approval of Change Orders - Trustee LaMantia moved and Trustee Eckman seconded to accept a revised Change Order #7 with a $470 February Com Ed bill added.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Election of Officers - Trustee Muller moved and Trustee Barista seconded a motion to elect the slate of Birgit LaMantia as President, Beth Barista as Vice-President, Pat Eden as Treasurer and William Poore as Secretary.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Committee Assignments - A committee assignments list was passed out and Trustee LaMantia requested that they be returned to her by September 16 with requested assignments.  It was agreed that the Building Expansion Committee will phase out and the St. Alexander’s and Donation Committees were cancelled.

Per Capita Grant Application - Trustee Eden Moved and Trustee LaMantia seconded that the new President and Secretary sign the Per Capita Grant Application.  On a voice vote, the motion carries unanimously.

Calendar of Dates - Trustee LaMantia moved and Trustee Bouma seconded to approve the 2005 Calendar of Board Meeting Dates.  On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

ILLINET/OCLC Services Agreement - Trustee Bouma moved and Trustee Muller seconded a motion to approve the ILLINET/OCLC Services Agreement.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Library Closings - Trustee LaMantia moved and Trustee Eden seconded a motion to approve the 2005 Library Closings.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

George Palmer Award - Trustee Roscich moved and Trustee Muller seconded a motion to give Cal Bouma the George Palmer Award for 2004.  On a voice vote, the motion passed with one abstention.

Gift to Outgoing President - Trustee LaMantia presented outgoing President Meyer with a gift from the Board for her two-year service as President.

Executive Session:
Trustee Muller moved and Trustee Roscich seconded a motion to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter at 9:35p.m.  On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.  Administrative Librarian Savage left the meeting.

Return to Regular Session:
At 10:40p.m. the Board returned to its regular session with Administrative Librarian Savage present.

Adjournment:
Trustee Eden moved and Trustee Bouma seconded to adjourn the meeting.  On a voice vote the motion passed unanimously and President Beverly Meyer adjourned the meeting at 10:41p.m.

William Poore
Secretary