Board of Trustees
of the
Huntley Area Public Library District
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
July 15, 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 July 15, 2026. President Threadgill-Smith called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Attendance:
Trustees Present: Linda Benigno, Sandy Domagalski, Katie Kunde, Leslie Threadgill-Smith, Jerry Reedy, John Schmelzer and Stephanie Weil
Trustees Absent: None
Library Staff Present: Elizabeth Steffensen, Acting Library Director; Lindsey Jarr, Business Manager; Karin Thogersen, Reference; Michelle Mattes, Friends Foundation Liaison.
Visitors Present: Vito Benigno, Pamela Kampwerth, Marjorie Smith, Pat Darow, Shirley Vioweb, Carol David and Genevieve Hochwater
Pledge of Allegiance: President Threadgill-Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comments: Genevieve Hochwater Friend Foundation read statement that the Friends Foundation looks forward to continuing long relationships with Huntley Area Public Library and working with new Director, Natalie Starosta.
Threadgill-Smith congratulated the Friends Foundation on their 16 year anniversary of being a part of the Huntley Chamber of Commerce and the Huntley Area Public Library celebrating 34 years.
Secretary’s Report: Benigno motioned; Schmelzer seconded that the Board approve the following minutes with amendments
- Regular Board Meeting – June 17, 2026
- Policy and Personnel Committee Meeting- June 17, 2026
- Executive Session -June 17, 2026
- Special Board Meeting – June 30, 2026
- Executive Session- June 30, 2026
- Special Board Meeting July 7, 2026
All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Financial Reports and Checks: Benigno motioned; Schmelzer seconded to approve the Financial Report and checks with amended bill payment list. Roll call votes were Benigno-Aye; Domagalski-Aye; Kunde-Aye; Reedy-Aye; Schmelzer-Aye; Threadgill-Smith-Aye; Weil-Aye. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Monthly Income/Expense Report (Discussion): Trustees reviewed the Income/Expense Report-June 2026 and there were no questions.
Library Director’s Report: Presented by Steffensen. The interviews for the library’s Head of Marketing have concluded and she is looking to extend an offer by the end of this week or next week. Steffensen noted that there are two options for the Budget and Appropriations Ordinance in the Board packet to be reviewed and discussed later in the meeting. She is also requesting the Board to approve two half days-in-services days for the staff of the Huntley Area Public Library. Steffensen requested that two of the Board members participate in the audit of the yearly minutes as required. Reedy and Benigno volunteered to conduct the audit. Ramos, the Head of Maintenance, will be gathering quotes to recommend the Board approve a new company for the library’s cleaning services.
Committee Reports:
Policy: Nothing to report
Finance: Nothing to report
Facilities: Nothing to report
Director Search Committee: Nothing to report. Will meet to discuss if the committee will continue until the review process for the Director is updated.
Friends’ Liaison: Presented by Mattes. Mini links at the library will be on Friday, July 17th from 6-7:30 p.m.
New Business:
Adopt Tentative Budget and Appropriation Ordinance. Board reviewed option A and B for the Budget and Appropriation Ordinance. Option B offered greater transparency on where the money is planning on being allocated. After discussion, the Board preferred the transparency that Budget B provides. Benigno Motioned; Weil seconded to adopt a Tentative Budget and Appropriation Ordinance 2026-1 option B. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Set Date for Budget and Appropriation Ordinance Public Hearing: The date for the Budget and Appropriations Ordinance public hearing will be August 19, 2026, at 5:25 p.m.
Staff Training Closure Dates: Weil motioned; Reedy seconded that the Board approve the closure of the library for staff training from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and Thursday, November 5, 2026. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Old Business: There was no Old Business.
Upcoming Dates:
- Budget and Appropriation Ordinance Meeting August 19, 2026, at 5:25 p.m.
- Regular Board Meeting August 19,2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Board Discussion: There was no Board Discussion
Adjourn: Reedy motioned; Benigno seconded to adjourn the Regular Board Meeting. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
The Regular Board Meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________________________
Stephanie Weil, Secretary
