Rock Island Today

City of Moline Library Board of Trustees met Aug. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

PRESENT: Dee Runnels

Regina Nelson

Franki Cunningham

Gary Koeller

Elaine Kaple

Bob Poor

Kate Schaefer

Wayne Smith

ABSENT: Diane Sommers

STAFF: Bryon Lear, Library Director

Callahan Herrig, Library Development Manager

Jennifer Christiansen, Circulation Services Coordinator

Kristy Vermeulen, Administrative Assistant

Priscilla Perez-Taylor, Library Assistant- Circulation

GUESTS: Alderperson Abdur Razzaque

Call to Order

Library Board Vice President, Dee Runnels, called the meeting to order at 12:00p.m. in the Library Silver/Bronze Room.

Roll Call

Roll call was taken with Cunningham, Kaple, Koeller, Nelson, Poor, Runnels, Schaefer, and Smith present. Absent: Sommers.

Items on Consent

Approval of the Library Board Meeting Minutes July 13, 2023.

Approval of the Moline Library Gardens Steering Committee Meeting Minutes July 13, 2023.

Approval of the Art Committee Meeting Minutes July 13, 2023.

Approval of the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes July 26, 2023.

Approval of the Art Committee Meeting Minutes July 26, 2023.

Approval of the July 2023 Bills.

Approval of the July 2023 Trust Fund Report.

Omnibus Vote

Nelson, seconded by Smith, moved to approve items on consent agenda by omnibus vote. Motion carried with unanimous approval.

Correspondence

Lear passed around thank you cards given to AYA staff for programs this month, the rest of the correspondence was included in the packet.

Director’s Report

• Lear shared stats on a very successful summer reading program and noted stats are almost at pre pandemic level.

• Lear gave an update on the Moline Library Gardens project sharing that he gave a brief presentation to the City Department Directors and will give a similar presentation to City Council on August 15th at the roundtable meeting. Board President Diane Sommers, Herrig, and Lear are finalizing a letter to the Moline Foundation Board to request allocations for the project and expect to send the letter by August 16th, in time for their board meeting on the 23rd.

• Lear noted the foam boards from Shive-Hattery and shared a capital campaign for fundraising will begin soon.

• A Fundraising Committee will be established, including Library Board members, staff, and community members. Lear noted Nelson’s desire to serve on the committee.

• A website with information on the gardens can be found at: molinelibrary.com/gardens

• Lear plans to meet with the City Communications Coordinator, Tory Brecht, for a press lease to the media.

• Lear noted the upcoming Touch-a-Truck event in conjunction with the Mo-Live festival. The library will be promoting services and have library card sign ups available at the event.

• Library card signup month is next month and the library will be pairing with businesses in the community to promote signing up for a library card. There will be scavenger hunt and chances to win gift cards.

• The Library will be closed August 21st for an annual In-Service Day. This year Moline will be hosting the Rock Island Library for a joint In-Service.

Committee Reports

A. Executive Committee (Sommers, Runnels, Nelson)

The Executive Committee met on July 26th to discuss the possibility of having a student Library Board of Trustee member. City of Moline Intern Sam Gerstel provided insight and suggestions on how to proceed. Lear received a rough draft of a job description from Gerstel. The Board will continue discussion on this topic.

B. Building and Grounds Committee (Koeller, Cunningham, Smith)

No meeting.

C. Policy Committee (Kaple, Schaefer, Poor)

No Meeting.

D. Art Committee (Nelson, Runnels, Sommers)

The Art Committee met July 26th to discuss the Moline Library Gardens art feature. Lear was asked to report back if the feature would meet the requirements to go out for bid and the estimated dimensions from Shive Hattery. During the committee reports Lear shared that he was informed the art feature should not have to go out to bid. He also shared the dimensions of the featured space. After presenting the art feature concept to Administrator Vitas and Finance Director Barnes, the hope to amend the 2023 budget to provide funds for the art feature. Budget amendments are scheduled to go to City Council on August 22nd. The Board discussed reaching out to artist David Zahn to do some mock ups. Runnels asked about the balance of the Reher art fund, Vermeulen will begin providing monthly reports in the board packet.

E. Moline Library Gardens Steering Committee (Sommers, Koeller, Smith) No meeting. Koeller reported the next steps are to present renderings to the City Council and the public, with fundraising following in the coming weeks.

Unfinished Business

Continued discussion about a Student Board of Trustees member, noting the need for a job description, an interview process, a review process, and a policy or additions to Library Bylaws. Nelson motion, seconded by Poor, to further investigate the possibility of having two Student Library Board of Trustee members. Motion carried with unanimous approval.

New Business

Nominating committee Appointments (Runnels). Koeller and Poor will serve as the nominating committee.

Lear met with City Arborist, Terry Bates, to discuss several trees on the property. Bates recommended the removal of the two hornbeam trees that have started growing into the building along 41st street. Alderperson Razzaque voiced concern about lasting effects on the building’s foundation from the trees. Discussion had on the trees on the south corner along 41st street and the three large evergreens previously discussed with the development of the land. The Board came to a consensus that the two hornbeam trees and the three evergreen trees should be removed, in addition trimming of overhanging braches on 41st should be done. It was also noted that 25-30 trees are expected to be planted as part of the development of the Moline Library Gardens.

Other Library Business

None.

Public Comment

None.

Executive Session

None.

Adjournment

There being no further business brought before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 12:47p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9339