Board of Trustees
of the
Huntley Area Public Library District
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
February 18, 2026
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 February 18, 2026. President Threadgill-Smith called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Attendance:
Trustees Present: Linda Benigno, John Schmelzer, Leslie Threadgill-Smith, Jerry Reedy and Stephanie Weil
Trustees Absent: Sandy Domagalski, Katie Kunde
Library Staff Present: Frank Novak, Library Director; Lindsey Jarr, Business Manager
Visitors Present: Vito Benigno, Anay Menta, and Natalia Tokakska
Pledge of Allegiance: President Threadgill-Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comments: Threadgill-Smith complemented the significant job sharing and troubleshooting between departments. Appreciated employees extending themselves above and beyond their job descriptions within many different departments. Asked Frank to encourage department heads to continue to acknowledge when people go above and beyond.
Benigno motioned, Weil seconded to approve the January 21 2026. policy committee meeting .
All Ayes no Nays Motion Carried.
Benigno motioned; Reedy seconded that the Board approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on January 21, 2026 as presented. Questions were raised at the end of the minutes submitting a short bio. Novak advised purpose for updating the website. Amendment requested to add V. Benigno to distinguish which Benigno left. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Weil motioned Beningo seconded approval the Executive Session minutes as presented. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Financial Reports and Checks: Checks will not be signed today so no addendum. Only checks that we are referring to for vote are ones included in the packed. Reid motion to approve Benigno Second.
Questions on check 32164 Matthew Whisenhunt. Novak informed that it is an employee taking care of staff development tuition reimbursement. Check 32177 and 32185 for Sven Hasten question regarding two checks for different amounts close together. Novak agreed to investigate reason for two checks. No other questions. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Semi Annual Treasurer Report: Treasure was absent from the February 18, 2026 meeting. Weil agreed to act as treasurer pro term and provide signature for form to get paperwork to county.
Monthly Income/Expense Report (Discussion): Trustees reviewed the Income/Expense Report-January 2026. Question was raised on longevity of Library Van. Novak suggested that it will be an item for the board budget in the next few years. No other questions.
Library Director’s Report: Presented by Novak.
Novak notified board of the statement of economic interest deadline on May 1st 2026 before penalties will be attached. Each Member of the board is required to complete. Novak Announced he will serve as CCS president for the next 2 years, require attendance at monthly executive board meetings, quarterly governing board meetings and additional committee meetings. Novak proposed creating an assistant director position to help manage operations while he takes on additional CCS responsibilities to be filled by Steffensen.
Board is open to discussion and asked that she attend the next meeting if possible and Novak presents a job description at that time. Novak also requested additional Business administrative training be approved to educate on levy and working budget.
Committee Reports:
Policy: No report.
Finance: There was no report.
Facilities: Novak notified Board of the need for a water softening system project which will require formal bidding since it will exceed $25,000. Necessity for water softening system based on wear on water heater from not having one. Budget for water softening system would come out of Bond.
Friends’ Liaison. The Baubles & Bling Fundraiser raised 1600 dollars. On March 13th 2026 Friends will be having a private sale. On March 14th and 15th 2026 Friends will host a sale open to the public. Tuesday April 7th 2026 Culver’s fundraiser is from 4 to 8 pm.
New Friends’ Liaison Michelle Mattis will start March 2nd 2026
New Business: No new business.
Old Business: People overstaying welcome in the program rooms. Should the policy committee review potentially. Potential ideas if a program overstays their time, would not receive their deposit back. Or a consequence of not being allowed to reserve room for 30 to 60 days. The policy meeting will be to give the staff some more direction. Current rules do not have penalties. Board more interested in blocking future bookings over financial penalties.
At the Christmas Party everyone agreed it was a success and that Aimee did an excellent job on the raffle. Request if budget allows for more hot appetizers and less cold.
Novak requested updated bios for the trustees.
Charging for Programs. Do we give residents preference of attending events and programs. Suggestions of perhaps charging for attendance for non-residents Perhaps opening the event to residents for the first week before opening to the public. Board asked if employees who would be impacted by the change are allowed to weigh in on decision before a change is made. Requested to wait for a full board before a decision is made.
Upcoming Dates: The next Regular Monthly Board Meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
The 2026 State of Huntley will be on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Huntley Fire Protection District.
Novak, Jarr, V. Benigno Menta, and Tokakska left the meeting at 6:37 p.m.
Executive Session: Benigno motioned; Reedy seconded for the Library Board to convene in an Executive Session at 6:37 p.m. In attendance Leslie Threadgill-Smith, Linda Benigno, John Schmelzer, Stephanie Weil, and Jerry Reedy
Under the exception of the Open Meetings Act ILCS Chapter 5, Act 120, Section 120/2 for the purpose of discussing 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting,
Motion made by Weil seconded Bengino to exit Executive Session. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
The Board left the Executive Session at 7:50 p.m.
Reentered Regular Board Meeting at 7:51 p.m.
Motion to adjourn Bengino Seconded by Weil. All Ayes. No Nays Motion Carried
Regular Board Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________________________
Lindsey D. Jarr, Recorder
