Board of Trustees
of the
Huntley Area Public Library District
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
March 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 March 18, 2026. President Threadgill-Smith called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Attendance:
Trustees Present:
Linda Benigno, Sandy Domagalski, Katie Kunde, John Schmelzer, Jerry Reedy
Leslie Threadgill-Smith, and Stephanie Weil
Library Staff Present: Elizabeth Steffensen, Interim Library Director, Lindsey Jarr, Business Manager, Lisa Rossi-Moser Head of Programing, Jo Smolzer Head of Collection Management, Sergio Ramos Head of Maintenance, Kevin Stringer Head of IT, Michele Whisenhunt Head of Youth Programing, Aime DeLattre Head of Marketing, and Michelle Mattes Friends Foundation Liaison
Visitors Present: Vito Benigno, Megan Carlson – Attorney
Pledge of Allegiance: President Threadgill-Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comments: There were no public comments.
Executive Session: Weil motioned; Kunde seconded for the Library Board to convene in an Executive Session. Executive session convened at 5:32 p.m. In attendance, Linda Benigno, Sandy Domagalski, Katie Kunde, John Schmelzer, Jerry Reedy, Leslie Threadgill-Smith, Stephanie Weil and Megan Carlson Legal Counsel.
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, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)—Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body or semi-annual review of the minutes.
Kunde motioned; Benigno seconded to exit Executive Session. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
The Board exited Executive Session at 6:21 p.m.
The Board reentered Regular Board Meeting at 6:25 p.m.
Discussion of Items from Executive Session:
Consideration of the Termination of the Employment of Frank Novak as the Library Director.
Kunde motioned; Benigno seconded. Roll call votes were Benigno-Aye; Domagalski-Aye; Kunde-Aye; Reedy-Aye; Schmelzer-Aye; Threadgill-Smith-Aye and Weil-Aye. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Consideration of the Appointment of Elizabeth Steffensen as Acting Library Director.
Kunde motioned; Benigno seconded. Roll call votes were Benigno-Aye; Domagalski-Aye; Kunde-Aye; Reedy-Aye; Schmelzer-Aye; Threadgill-Smith-Aye and Weil-Aye. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Secretary’s Report: Benigno motioned; Kunde seconded to approve the following minutes:
- Regular Board Meeting – February 18, 2026
- Special Board Meeting – March 2, 2026
- Executive Session – March 2, 2026
- Special Board Meeting – March 9, 2026
- Executive Session – March 9, 2026
Vote: All Ayes. No Nays. Motion Carried
Financial Reports and Checks: Reedy motioned; Schmelzer seconded that the Board approve the checks and financial report for February 2026 as presented. Roll call votes were Benigno-Aye; Domagalski-Aye; Kunde-Aye; Reedy-Aye; Schmelzer-Aye; Threadgill-Smith-Aye and Weil-Aye. All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Megan Carlson legal counsel exited meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Formation of Committee for Director Search:
Threadgill-Smith volunteered as Committee Chair along with Committee Members Weil, Benigno, and Domagalski to form the committee.
Friends Foundation Report: Mattes reported that the book sale earned $1490.00
Culver’s fundraising event will take place Tuesday, April 7th.
Library Director’s Report: Presented by Steffensen Acting Director, Steffensen provided a brief history of her work history with the library. She informed the Board of Scott Lindsey’s upcoming retirement and the plan to fill his position. Steffensen explained how she will allocate her current responsibilities and those as Acting Director.
The Board was informed of the positive reviews’ library employees received at the Huntley Expo. On April 20th Google is coming to take images of the library to update Google search.
Biblicore catalog project is in the validation phase.
Regular Business – Resolutions
Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-1
A Resolution Designating Acting Library Director Elizabeth Steffensen as the Principal Authority for The Illinois Funds Investment Account for the Huntley Area Public Library District, Kane and McHenry Counties, State of Illinois which Resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of said Board of Library
The resolution provides that the Board of Library Trustees of the Huntley Area Public Library District, Kane and McHenry Counties, Illinois designates Acting Library Director Elizabeth Steffensen as the Principal Authority for the Illinois Funds Investment Account, and that as Principal Authority, Acting Library Director Elizabeth Steffensen has the authority to execute contractual agreements with the Illinois Funds.
Benigno motioned; Weil seconded to adopt the amended resolution 2026-1 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Benigno-Aye, Domagalski-Aye, Kunde-Aye, Reedy-Aye, Schmelzer-Aye, Threadgill‑Smith-Aye, Weil-Aye. All Ayes. No Nays. Resolution Carried.
The amended resolution 2026-1 was adopted on March 18, 2026.
Resolution No. 2026‑2
A Resolution Designating Business Manager Lindsey Jarr as the Authorized Agent for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund for the Huntley Area Public Library District, Kane and McHenry Counties, State of Illinois
The resolution provides that the Board of Library Trustees of the Huntley Area Public Library District, Kane and McHenry Counties, Illinois designates Business Manager Lindsey Jarr as the Authorized Agent for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, and that as the Authorized Agent, Business Manager Lindsey Jarr has the authority to manage administrative tasks and attend training with the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
Motion:
Reedy motioned; Schmelzer seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2026‑2 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Benigno-Aye, Domagalski-Aye, Kunde-Aye, Reedy-Aye, Schmelzer-Aye, Threadgill‑Smith-Aye, Weil- Aye. All Ayes. No Nays. Resolution carried.
Resolution No. 2026‑2 was adopted on March 18, 2026.
At 6:53 p.m. Reedy left the meeting
Committee Reports:
Policy: There was no report
Finance: There was no report.
Facilities: There was no report.
New Business:
Pre-approved April 15th Paint Party by Alicia Landos. 25 people at first now 36 people are on the list. This would fall into the consumables category, and a fee will be charged in the future for the event.
Board recommended Library investigate additional management training for May In-Service training.
Old Business: Program room overstaying in reserved rooms; Board suggested a 30-day ban on reserving the rooms.
The Board asked Programming and Marketing Heads to update job descriptions. The water softener project brought up in January was determined to wait for the new Director.
- Upcoming Dates:
- The first Director Search Committee meeting will be on March 23rd at 6 pm.
- The next Regular Monthly Board Meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
- The Policy and Personnel meeting will be on April 15th at 5:00 p.m.
- The Budget and Finance Committee with be on April 15th at 6:30 pm.
Adjourn: Weil motioned; Schmelzer seconded to adjourn the meeting.
.
All Ayes. No Nays. Motion carried.
Board Meeting adjourned 7:39p.m
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________________________
Lindsey Jarr – Recorder
