Board of Trustees
River Forest Public Library
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2008


Call to Order & Roll Call
President Mark Coe called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Acting Secretary Beck called the roll. Present were Trustees Coe, Horstman, Cusack, Halloran, O’Connor, and Beck. Also present were Director Sophia Anastos and staff members Sam Cresswell, Ellen Cutter & Blaire Ranucci. Trustee Fischer arrived at 8:10 PM. 

Audience to Visitors, Trustee and Staff Comments
Director Anastos introduced representatives of Frye Gillan Molinaro Architects, who had walked through the library building in order to provide a professional assessment of the library’s physical operations. Their presentation led to a discussion among trustees and staff about next steps for the Library’s Master Plan.

Consent Agenda
Trustee Coe requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda which included the April Treasurer’s Report and the Warrant and Benefit List for the period of April 12 to May 12 including checks numbered from 7804-7881 excluding check 7880. Total expenditures for the period were $68,423.26. Also included were the minutes from the Board Meetings on March 25th, 2008 and April 15th, 2008. Trustee Coe commented that the budget totals for fiscal year 2007-08 were about $200,000 under in personnel but about $50,000 over in consulting. Trustee Fischer moved to accept the May Consent Agenda. Trustee Cusack seconded. A roll call was taken and passed unanimously. 

Communications
A. Announcements
B. Patron Suggestions
Ms. Anastos noted that her reason for not granting a patron’s request to borrow the library’s projection equipment was due to the high replacement costs of bulbs and other fragile parts.

Director’s Report
Director Anastos presented a new format for the Director’s Report, which is how she expects to inform trustees until a strategic plan is in place. 

Ms. Anastos led a discussion on repair and replacement costs of the structure, including the HVAC system and the roof, including the skylight. She also covered minor repair plans including ceiling tile and grounds-keeping.

Health insurance options for Library employees continues to be evaluated. Several Oak Park and River Forest organizations are investigating a consortium that could optimize premiums over a larger group. Exploratory discussions have been underway and coverage could be available to us as early as next year. Meanwhile, the Director reported that the library currently covers three retirees who have continued to pay monthly premiums independently in order to remain under the Village’s insurance plan. This fact may impact the Library’s options and it was agreed that the policy about former employees should be considered as part of the overall benefits and compensation package the Library offers to its employees.

Chris Soriano indicated that the Village competitively bids its insurance contract each year. 
Within the Library staff, Sue Quinn has accepted the position of Interim Head of Children’s Services with the understanding that the position will be reevaluated in August. Blaise Dierks remains Interim Head of Adult Services. She will remain Interim until Director Anastos has been here for 6 months. 

A new position has been posted for Head of Young Adult Services, reporting to the Director. Trustee Fischer expressed concern about long-range budget implications of such a change to the organization chart, and requested that such changes be considered as part of the overall strategic plan that has been on hold since spring of 2007. Director Anastos indicated that a vacancy and an anticipated vacancy allow her to create this position now without jeopardizing budget shortfall. Trustee Fischer felt it was premature to hire a major staff position in the Library before the Library’s strategic overview was complete.

A meeting has been scheduled to create a financial planning report to assess old library data, current data and project forward for budgeting. Director Anastos and Denise Hudec talked about the audit process with Chris Soriano and Nancy Caine from the Village. 

Old Business (none)

New Business
A. Presentation by Lonn Frye of Frye Gillan Molinaro Architects (see visitors)
	
B. Election of Officers for 2008-09 Fiscal Year
Trustee Coe nominated Margaret Horstman for the position of President. 
Trustee Cusack seconded the motion. Trustee Fischer nominated Joan O’Connor for the position of Vice President. Trustee Cusack seconded the motion. Trustee Fischer nominated Harley Beck for the position of Secretary. Trustee Halloran seconded the motion. Trustee Horstman nominated Joan Cusack for the position of Treasurer. Trustee Coe seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken and passed unanimously. New officers took their positions after congratulations and well wishes from the other trustees.

Adjournment
At 9:55 PM, President Horstman requested a motion for the meeting to be adjourned. Trustee Coe moved so, and Trustee Fischer seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Harley Beck
Secretary