City of Wheaton Public Library Board Met March 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
I. Call to Order
The Board of Trustees of the Wheaton Public Library held their regular Board meeting. Board President Laurie Metanchuk called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Members present in person at roll call: None. Attending via Zoom were: Christine Fenne, Al Herbach, Bob Lyon, Bob McDonough, Laurie Metanchuk, Simone Morton and Vallari Talapatra. Absent: Kathryn Staron. Mr. McHaley enter via Zoom at 6:05 p.m. Betsy Adamowski, Library Director, Ed Sirovatka, IT/Facilities Manager, and Lisa Christell-Sandri, Library Finance/Business Office Manager and recording secretary for this meeting, were also in attendance.
II. Citizens to be Heard
There were no citizens to be heard.
CONSENT AGENDA
III. Minutes for the February 15, 2021 Board Meeting
IV. Minutes for the January 25, 2021 Planning Meeting
V. Minutes for the February 22, 2021 Planning Meeting
VI. Financial Reports for February 2021 and Bill Listing for and February 2021 Payment Mr. McDonough moved and Mrs. Fenne seconded to approve the Consent Agenda items.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Mrs. Fenne
Mr. Herbach
Ms. Talapatra
Mr. Lyon
Mr. McDonough
Ms. Morton
Mrs. Metanchuk
Nays: None
Absent: Mr. McHaley
Ms. Staron
Motion Carried
VII. Library Director’s Board Report for February 2021
Mrs. Adamowski spoke about the passing of Mr. Ted Utchen, a long-time library user and proponent. Concerning the full reopening of the Library, Mrs. Adamowski stated that June 1st will probably be a good date to consider. As of now, departments are hiring and training new staff and work flows are being established. Mrs. Adamowski also noted that the Library is no longer quarantining materials. This decision is based on scientific studies. The Library is looking at the possibility of having outdoor programming at Adams Park. Mrs. Adamowski will meet with Kami Farahmandpour, an engineer from Building Technology Consultants, Inc. that she has worked with in the past, to look at the grid work on the west plaza that keeps coming up. It is a safety hazard. She mentioned that she is working on getting signage completed in the Library. Mrs. Fenne asked about the switch from RBDigital to OverDrive and if it would be disruptive for patrons. Ed Sirovatka, IT/Facilities Manager, answered that patrons who use RBDigital regularly have been getting warnings that it will be switching. Mr. Lyon inquired about outdoor concerts. Mrs. Adamowski stated that it is still too early to plan for that as crowd control would be difficult. She continues to keep track of the CDC guidelines. She said it is very likely concerts will continue to be streamed in the future. Mrs. Fenne said she appreciated the Department Head reports this month – they were very robust.
VIII. Unfinished Business:
A. Motion to Approve Eliminating Daily Overdue Fines
Mr. Lyon moved and Mr. McHaley seconded to approve the motion.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Mr. McDonough
Ms. Talapatra
Mr. Herbach
Mr. Lyon
Ms. Morton
Mr. McHaley
Mrs. Fenne
Mrs. Metanchuk
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Staron
Motion Carried
B. Strategic Plan Draft 3 – Discussion
Mrs. Adamowski commented that there had been good discussions among the staff and Board members concerning the Strategic Plan. She thanked Al Herbach for meeting with her and the management staff to go over it. Mr. Herbach said it was a great meeting and he felt they were energized by all the ideas. There was lengthy discussion about measurability and timing of the plan. Mrs. Adamowski stated that this was the very beginning and other actions will come later as the management staff continues to work towards an action plan. It will be an ongoing process.
C. Motion to Approve Studio GC Proposal to Develop a Visioning and Master Plan for $17,600 Mr. Herbach moved and Mrs. Fenne seconded to approve the motion. When asked, Mrs. Adamowski responded that the money had been in last year’s budget, but since a plan was never done because of COVID-19, she will prepare a budget modification to move the funding from last year to this year.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Mr. McDonough
Ms. Talapatra
Mr. Herbach
Mr. Lyon
Ms. Morton
Mr. McHaley
Mrs. Fenne
Mrs. Metanchuk
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Staron
Motion Carried
D. Motion to Approve Adding Father’s Day to Holiday Closings
Mr. Herbach moved and Ms. Talapatra seconded to approve the motion.
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Mr. Lyon
Mr. McHaley
Mr. McDonough
Mr. Herbach
Ms. Talapatra
Mrs. Fenne
Ms. Morton
Mrs. Metanchuk
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Staron
Motion Carried
IX. New Business: None
X. Board Member Comments (Round the Table)
Mr. Herbach noted that the library interior looks great. Mrs. Metanchuk thanked Mrs. Adamowski and her staff for the effort put into the strategic planning.
IX. Adjournment:
There being no further business of the Wheaton Public Library Board of Trustees, Mr. Lyon moved and Mrs. Fenne seconded that the meeting be adjourned. A voice vote was taken and the motion for adjournment carried at 6:57 p.m.
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