Rock Island Today

Rock Island City Council met May 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Type of Meeting: Special Meeting

Meeting Facilitator: Jenni Swanson

Invitees: Deborah Freiburg, Nick Hammond, Jacki Nelson, Jo Noon, Aleatha Quarles, Dr. Yolanda Grandberry Pugh, Elizabeth Russell, Shelly Johnson, Eudell Watts, III; Angela Campbell, Library Director; Kathy Lelonek, Foundation Director; Lisa Lockheart, Marketing Manager; and the Rock Island Public Library Foundation Board.

President Swanson called the meeting to order at 4:03pm.

Library Board Attendance

• Present: Swanson, Freiburg, Nelson, Quarles, Grandberry Pugh, Russell, Johnson, and Watts.

• Absent: Hammond, Noon

Public Comment - None

New Business

1. The Library Board listened to a presentation by the Foundation’s auditor, Kim Hoffman, to review the prior year’s financials.

2. The Library Board listened to the Foundation’s Treasurer, Nate Gibbs, review the final numbers for the Watts-Midtown Capital Campaign

3. Regular meeting of the RIPL Foundation Board (listening session for Board of Trustees)

4. Julie Villa, of the firm Cordogan Clark, presented survey data from the recent master planning staff and public surveys, revealing that most respondents would like to keep the historical charm of the Downtown Library. Ms. Villa asked both boards their wishes for the master plan, focusing on café, meeting, and study spaces. The group also discussed their desires for the children and teen areas. Finally, there was a review of the current survey, and those that hadn’t already filled it out were given a paper copy to return by the end of the meeting. Board comments about the Downtown Library were similar to the public comments – keep the historical charm, eliminate security issues, keep the children’s room in its current location, and expand the teen area.

5. Throughout the meeting, board members were concerned about paying for any proposed renovations. Director Campbell explained that the master plan was necessary, so that the library and foundation could apply for library capital grants from the state. She also said that the plan would be submitted during the capital improvement budget sessions.

Information Sharing – Welcome to new library board member, Shelly Johnson, who will be officially sworn in at the May 20th meeting.

Announcements

• Next Library Board Meeting – May 20, 2025 at 5pm, Downtown Library

• Food for Thought – June 12, 2025 at 6pm, Hauberg Carriage Haus

Elizabeth Russell made a motion to adjourn. Eudell Watts III seconded. Without any discussion, the motion passed on a voice vote with all ayes. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15pm.

https://www.rigov.org/301/Agenda-Minutes