Board of Trustees
of the
Huntley Area Public Library District
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
April 16, 2025
Call to Order: A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Huntley Area Public Library District was held in Program Room 3 at the Huntley Area Public Library District, 11000 Ruth Road, Huntley, IL 60142 on April 16, 2025. Vice-President Threadgill-Smith called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Attendance:
Trustees Present: Sandy Domagalski, Stephanie Duncan, Katie Kunde, Shannon McKibben, Leslie Threadgill-Smith, and Stephanie Weil
Trustees Absent: Chris Budzynski
Library Staff Present: Frank Novak, Library Director and Loralei Getty, Business Manager; Lisa Rossi-Moser, Head of Programming
Visitors Present: Linda Benigno, Vito Benigno, Pamela Kampwerth
Pledge of Allegiance: Vice-President Threadgill-Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comments: There were no public comments.
Secretary’s Report: McKibben motioned, Duncan seconded that the Board approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on March 19, 2025 as presented. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Financial Reports and Checks: McKibben motioned, Weil seconded that the Board approve the checks and financial report for March 2025 as presented. Roll call votes were: Domagalski-Aye; Duncan-Aye; Kunde-Aye; McKibben-Aye; Threadgill-Smith-Aye; Weil-Aye. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried. Check #31561 payable to Cintas Fire Protection for $1,308.92 is for the extinguisher annual inspection. Check #31599 payable to Cintas Fire Protection for $804 is for the sprinkler system annual inspection.
Monthly Income/Expense Report (Discussion): Trustees reviewed the Income/Expense Report-March 2025 and there were no questions.
Library Director’s Report: Presented by Novak. Novak presented A Tale of Two Libraries – Episode II which discussed the library’s current funding situation. Some take-away points include:
· HAPLD is the second largest in terms of population in McHenry County.
· HAPLD is sixth in terms of operational tax extensions in McHenry County.
· HAPLD is ninth in terms of per capita spending in McHenry County.
· HAPLD functional tax rate is going down. The reasons our tax rate can decline are:
o PTELL
o Not levying at the highest rate possible
o Increases in EAV that outpaces the tax rate.
· Other libraries in McHenry County have more staff and resources.
The drive-up window has been repaired and is fully operational. Novak is scheduled for an interview with Ron Giordano of Huntley Community Radio on April 17th. Two newly elected library trustees, who need to be seated, will not be able to attend the May Regular Board Meeting. The law requires that elected board members take the oath of office within sixty days after their election. As a result, the May Regular Board Meeting will be changed from May 21 to May 28.
Committee Reports:
Policy: There was no report.
Finance: There was no report.
Facilities: There was no report.
Friends’ Liaison: Presented by Rossi-Moser. Culver’s Fundraiser Night brought in over $1,300. The organization is continuing to prepare for the May Annual Luncheon Fundraiser. There are 17 tickets available.
New Business: There was no New Business.
Old Business: There was no Old Business.
Upcoming Dates: The next Regular Monthly Board Meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
Board Discussion:
Process of Swearing in Elected Library Board Candidates: There was no update.
Interview Process for Appointed Trustee Candidates: The board will need to interview candidates to fill two board vacancies by appointment. Novak will develop a packet for interested candidates requesting a statement of qualifications and background information. Novak will have the marketing department advertise the two board vacancies on the library’s website. Further discussion will be scheduled for the May Regular Monthly Meeting to determine an interview schedule with trustees.
Library Annual Report: The library will compile an annual report. There will be a limited number of paper copies. Information about a QR code and availability online will be included in a newsletter.
Executive Session: Kunde motioned, Duncan seconded for the Library Board to convene in an Executive Session at 6:17 p.m. under the exception of the Open Meetings Act ILCS Chapter 5, Act 120, Section 120/2 for the purpose of discussing the annual review of the Library Director. Roll call votes were: Domagalski-Aye; Duncan-Aye; Kunde-Aye; McKibben-Aye; Threadgill-Smith-Aye; Weil-Aye. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried
Benigno, Benigno, Kampwerth, Getty and Novak left the meeting at 6:17 p.m.
The Board left the Executive Session at 7:16 p.m.
Novak entered the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
Items from Executive Session for Action: McKibben motioned, Weil seconded to increase the Library Director’s salary 2.75% to $138,064.78 effective April 21, 2025 in connection with his annual performance review. Roll call votes were: Domagalski-Aye; Duncan-Aye; Kunde-Aye; McKibben-Aye; Threadgill-Smith-Aye; Weil-Aye. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Adjourn: Kunde motioned, Domagalski seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________________________
Loralei Getty, Recorder
