Jackie Mantel

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of the September 2025 Financial Report and payment of bills. Director and Department Reports highlighted successful Storytime activities, 7,000 circulations for the month, and the cancellation of back orders due to the book vendor, Baker and Taylor, going out of business; staff are now using Amazon for ordering. Renovation updates confirmed that vinyl base will be used at no extra cost, and efforts are underway to move back into the main library by mid-November following wall stabilization in the Children's Department. New business involved the introduction of a new board member, Emily Millsaps, and the successful adoption of both the 2026 budget and a Petition to Appeal for an Increase Above Maximum Levy.

The meeting included a review of the agenda, with the 2026 Budget added as an Old Business item. The Board approved the July 2025 Financial Report and the payment of July bills. Director and Department reports noted successful Summer Reading, ongoing renovations causing offsite meetings for groups, and maintenance issues including a boiler malfunction. Old Business discussions involved selecting paint colors for the kitchen and children's area redecoration, planning for landscaping weed barrier installation, and reviewing the revised 2026 Budget due to legislative changes affecting the property tax cap, which might result in a shortfall. New Business saw the approval of the renewal for Library Market Software, approval for free library card replacements for National Library Card Month, and acceptance of change orders for the Onit project.

Key discussions during the meeting included a review of the December 2025 financial report and the payment of December bills. The Director's report noted lower visitor numbers, planning for the Spring and Summer Reading programs (with a dinosaur theme for Summer Reading), additions of sewing machines to the Makerspace, and required repairs to the garbage enclosure gates due to wind damage. Under Old Business, an update was provided on discussions regarding the sale of the pavilion and its land to the Cicero Parks Department, noting that boundary lines and electricity separation still require further details to be worked out. New Business involved the proposal and election of new officers for the 2026 Board of Trustees, the approval of the 2026 proposed closing dates schedule and the 2026 proposed Board meeting dates schedule, the approval of a copier lease proposal from Ricoh, the approval of a proposal from Koorsen for sprinkler system repairs, the approval of the Evergreen Indiana 2026 membership invoice, and the approval of resolutions for the 2026 employee mileage reimbursement rate and the revision of the 2026 employee pay ranges. Finally, a resolution for the transfer of appropriations for the 2025 budget between categories was approved.

The meeting commenced with a review and combination of several new business agenda items. The Board approved the November 2025 Financial Report and the payment of associated bills. Key discussions involved the Director's report on increased attendance following relocation back to the main library area, plans for expanding Makerspace hours and introducing new programs like Dungeons & Dragons and Mahjong, and acquisition of a Switch game system. In Old Business, a plan was established to meet with the Parks Department regarding landscaping assistance in exchange for the use of the park pavilion. New Business resolutions included the approval of employee bonuses, approval of pay raise amounts based on cost of living adjustments, approval to pay for replacement sprinklers (Koorseen Quotes), payment for additional parking light bulbs (A5 Quote), approval for transferring appropriations, approval to repay a temporary loan from the rainy day fund, and authorization to pay the Board Treasurer and the Library Attorney, Aaron Culp.

Key discussions during the meeting included the library being fully open following reorganization and preparation for a grand opening event. Programming continues to show good numbers, and the library has transitioned to using Amazon for book orders. Department reports noted the completion of renovation work, although some compressors still require repair. Old business involved discussion regarding weed control near the gazebo, leading to a proposal to exchange yard work for use of the space with the Cicero Parks Department. New business included the approval of Emily Millsaps as a new board member, the payment of invoices for diagnostics related to Koorseen quotes (with further discussion on parts deferred), and the approval of the Employment Agreement for Gregg Williamson as Cataloging Supervisor. The Board is awaiting feedback regarding the final adoption of the Budget, and scheduled the Director Evaluation for a future executive session.