Kankakee Times

Bradley Public Library District Board of Trustees met June 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Bayer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Trustees Present: Nick Allen (left at 6:12 p.m.), Karen Bayer, Madonna Benoit, Lucson Edme, Brandon Hawkins, Ellie Rorabaugh

Trustees Absent: Liz LaMore

Also Present: Jodie DePatis, Director, Marie Cowden, Recording Secretary, Sarah Hartman, Children’s Coordinator

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Trustee Hawkins made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 15, 2024 Regular Board meeting. Trustee Edme seconded and the motion carried by unanimous vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

FINANCIAL REPORT AND APPROVAL OF VENDOR PAYMENTS:

Trustee Bayer made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted and to accept Vendor Payments in the amount of $34,273.14 for the month of May 2024. Trustee Benoit seconded the motion. Motion carried by roll call of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

(Statistical Reports Attached)

Director DePatis stated the following:

• Programs: Summer lunches through the Northern Illinois Food Bank have begun and are hit or miss as to attendance. The June 12th summer food pantry served 93 families. Registration for the summer reading program is currently at 269 for adults and 377 for children. The Parking Lot Party on Friday, June 14 was a success with at least as many people as last year. A big thanks to all who volunteered. The Youth Department had a table at the Bradley Schools Heritage Night and hosted a library visit with the Bradley East Pre-K class. Director DePatis participated in the Kankakee County Community Round Table on June 14th that was held at the University of Illinois Extension Office.

• Technology: The new 5G hotspots have arrived and are being processed for circulation. Website ADA compliance is moving forward. Access widget was installed to ensure compliance on both desktop computers and mobile devices. Yearly cost is $490. We are working on adding a more robust accessibility statement to the footer and devising a testing schedule. EM3 Networks completed new line installation for the public Internet that is to go live July 1.

• Grants: Two Bambu X1 Carbon 3D printers with AMS and a large format Cricut Venture have been ordered to complete FY2024 Project Next Generation Grant purchases. The 3D printing program added for 9-13 year olds this summer has been popular. We were awarded an FY24 Per Capita Grant in the amount of $18,342.72.

• Building: The annual fire sprinkler inspection report revealed no deficiencies. Liberty Fire completed the annual fire extinguisher inspection. Precision Piping came out on June 18 to investigate the AC tripping a breaker and found 2 bad compressors. Repair estimate for both units is estimated at $8,000- $9,000 and parts have been ordered. Art’s Landscaping gave us an estimate of approximately $2,300 to fix the East side retaining wall, update some old/dying landscaping on North Street and Fulton Ave, and replace some dead flower area at the front entrance. We will move forward with the improvements this summer. Facilities Assistant Dennis is replacing mulch in the bush areas along Fulton Avenue.

• Personnel: We hired one PT Circulation Clerk that unfortunately had to resign a short time later due to unexpected medical issues. Bee Clark was also hired as a Library Assistant to work in circulation and be in charge of our makerspace equipment beginning this fall. Clark’s position will fall under the Information Services Department.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

• Village of Bradley Proposed 315 TIF Study: Trustee Allen attended the meeting representing the library. He informed Trustees that the Village of Bradley is moving forward in conducting a feasibility study regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Northfield Square Mall property. Redevelopment of the property would be funded by TIF (Tax Increment Financing).

NEW BUSINESS:

• Ordinance 24-01: Building and Maintenance Levy FY2025-26: Director DePatis distributed and discussed. Trustee Rorabaugh made a motion to approve Building & Maintenance Ordinance 24-01 and Trustee Hawkins seconded. Motion carried by roll call of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent.

• Set Public Hearing Date for FY2025-26 Budget & Appropriations Ordinance: Meeting will be held August 16, 2023 at 6 p.m. before the Regular Board meeting.

• Secretary’s review of closed meeting minutes: Trustee Benoit made a motion to keep closed meeting minutes closed. Trustee Hawkins seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

• Non-Resident Card Fee for FY2024-25: Trustee Rorabaugh made a motion to keep the non-resident card fee at $193.00 for FY2024-25. Trustee Benoit seconded and motion carried by roll call of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

• The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees: At 6:25 p.m. Trustee Edme made a motion to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees. Trustee Hawkins seconded the motion and motion carried by unanimous vote. At 7:05 p.m. President Bayer declared Executive session concluded and meeting returned to open session. COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE: None

ADJOURNMENT:

At 7:09 p.m. Trustee Edme made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Rorabaugh seconded the motion and motion carried by unanimous vote.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

https://www.bradleylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Board-Meeting-Minutes-June-19-2024.pdf