Notice: This meeting of the Lake Bluff Library Board of Trustees was held with a quorum of Trustees physically present. The meeting was simulcast for any members of the public who did not wish to attend the meeting in-person at the Lake Bluff Public Library building. Guidelines and access codes were published before the meeting so members of the public could log in. The meeting was recorded, with the recording made available through the Library’s website. As required by law, at least one representative from the Library was present at the Library while participating in the meeting.

  1. Call to Order: Board Vice President Janie Jerch called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
  2. Roll Call: Trustees Graziano, Friedeman, Jardine, Hayes, and Jerch were present. Trustee Zaute was absent. Trustee Shaul attended remotely as a participant from the public. Interim Library Director David Seleb and staff members Anthony Garriga, Eliza Jarvi and Molly Coyle were also present. Jillian Chapman attended virtually. Natalie Starosta, proposed Library Director, was also in attendance.
  3. Additions & Corrections to the Agenda: a. Trustee Friedeman noted that there are special meeting minutes from January 8th, January 10th & February 1st to be included in the March agenda for review & approval.
  4. Opportunity for Public to Address the Board: There was none.
  5. Approval of Library Board Meeting Minutes: Trustee Friedeman noted that Trustee Zaute was not recorded as absent for the January 14th meeting. The minutes will be corrected to reflect accurate attendance.
    1. Trustee Jardine moved to approve the amended January 14th, 2025 Board Meeting minutes to reflect corrected attendance, Trustee Graziano seconded; all voted aye.
  6. Library Director Updates: Interim Library Director David Seleb provided an overview of January 2025 happenings at the library and monthly usage statistics, including the onboarding of Molly Coyle (Manager of Reference & Circulation). The Village of Lake Bluff just approved the permit to complete the exterior lighting project, which allows Highland Park Electric to begin work. Midwest Environmental Consulting will provide a project plan for the asbestos abatement project by the end of the week. He also provided copies of invoices paid to CVI for equipment required for the access and security project. That project has now been postponed until completion of the asbestos abatement project.
  7. Financial Reports
    1. Trustee Hayes moved to approve the January 2025 Detailed Revenue & Expenditure Reports, Trustee Friedeman seconded; all voted aye.
    2. Trustee Hayes moved to approve the January 2025 Monthly Check Disbursement Report with checks numbered 16383 – 16429, Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye.
  8. Committee Reports (Met)
    1. Human Resources Committee (CHAIR: Graziano MEMBERS: Jerch): Trustee Graziano provided an overview of the HR Committee’s most recent committee meeting, which included a meeting on February 10th to determine the new Library Director’s onboarding timeline (start date of March 10th). The HR Source project for Personnel Policy review will take 6 weeks and it is recommended that the policy is reviewed every 3 years moving forward.
    2. Finance and Technology Committee (CHAIR: Hayes MEMBERS: Shaul, Zaute): Trustee Hayes provided an overview of the Finance & Technology Committee on January 16th. The committee created an amended budget for FY25-26 that was presented for formal review later in the meeting. (Did Not Meet)
    3. Building and Grounds Committee (CHAIR: Jerch MEMBERS: Jardine, Shaul)
    4. Bylaws & Policy Committee (CHAIR: Friedeman Members: Zaute)
    5. Engagement Committee (CHAIR: Jardine MEMBERS: Graziano)
    6. Intergovernmental Committee (MEMBERS: Jerch, Grassi)
    7. Long Range Planning Committee (CHAIR: Shaul MEMBERS: Friedeman)
  9. Additional Reports: There were none.
  10. New Business
    1. Approve Revised Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026: Trustee Hayes facilitated a discussion on the budget assumptions used for the proposed FY25-26 budget, which are detailed as follows:
      1. There is a 6% levy applied to the portion the Village gives to the library
      2. All salary & benefits are accurately applied to current staff with a 5% discount that reflects the financial effects of turnover, absenteeism, terminations & resignations based on historical data
      3. There is no revenue from passports
      4. The interest revenue has been cut to around 75% to reflect anticipated interest rate cuts
      5. The IL grant of $100,000 is shown for a special project (Asbestos removal) and has its own account number.
      6. The funds and matching funds for the accessibility grant are shown under restricted grants.
      7. The PPRT money is shown at a reduced rate in line with what the Village has indicated
      8. The miscellaneous grants is shown as $50,000 with the intent that $25,000 comes from the Friends/Foundation and the other $25,000 to come from an anticipated grant
      9. There are a number of increases in computer, website technology software and building repair expense lines that require the use of $40,000 from the reserve
      10. Trustee Hayes moved to approve the revised budget for FY25-26 with revenues of $1,526,500 and expenditures in the same amount. Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye.
    2. Approve Annual Nonresident Library Card Resolution: Trustee Friedeman moved to approve the nonresident library card resolution. Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye.
    3. Approve to Hire Selected Candidate for Library Director: Trustee Graziano moved to approve the approval of Natalie Starosta as the candidate for Library Director at a starting salary of $107,000. Trustee Friedeman seconded; all voted aye.
  11. Library Correspondence: Interim Library Director David Seleb provided an overview of Library correspondence, including comment cards.
  12. Executive Session(s) if needed: There was none.
  13. Any and all other business which may properly come before the Board: There was none.
  14. Adjournment: Trustee Friedeman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 pm, Trustee Hayes seconded; all voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Alexandra Friedeman

Secretary