Rock Island Today

City of Rock Island Public Library Board met July 31.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Meeting Facilitator: Jacki Nelson 

Invitees: RIPL Board Members – Board President Jenni Swanson, Deborah Freiburg, Nick Hammond, Jacki Nelson, Jo Noon, Aleatha Quarles, Dr. Yolanda Grandberry Pugh, Elizabeth Russell, Shelley Johnson; Eudell Watts III (Emeritus Board Member); Angela Campbell, Library Director; Daniel Cuneo, Business & Facilities Director; Lisa Lockheart, Marketing Manager; Kathy Lelonek, Library Foundation Director. 

Call to Order: Jacki Nelson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 

In Attendance: Board President Jenni Swanson; Trustees Jacki Nelson, Elizabeth Russell, and Shelley Johnson. Also in attendance were Library Director Angela Campbell, Business & Facilities Director Daniel Cuneo, and Library Foundation Director Kathy Lelonek. 

Absent: Trustees Deborah Freibrug, Nick Hammon, Jo Noon, Aleatha Quarles, Dr. Yolanda Grandberry-Pugh; Eudell Watts III (Emeritus Board Member); Lisa Lockheart, Marketing Manager 

Public Comment: None 

Old Business: 

Directors Campbell and Cuneo proposed changing this year’s Library CIP request to focus exclusively on window replacement for the Downtown Library. They detailed how the Library’s CIP requests have been the same for many years and they believe a change in tactic might elicit City support: given that the windows are both the largest of the CIP requests and the most-needed, committing the request solely to them better conveys the Library’s pressing need. Also, the upcoming Downtown Library Facilities Master Plan would then be able to move forward for staging without the significant time and financial costs of the windows. 

The Committee agreed and approved the change via verbal consensus. There was no additional discussion. 

New Business: 

● Review RFP Submittals – 

The bidding process for the Library’s Lawn Care, Snow Removal, and Southwest Branch Cleaning Services concluded today. Director Cuneo detailed the results of the bids and presented the committee with preliminary tallies for each.

Lawn care will be sent to the Library Board of Trustees for approval, pending verification of bid compliance. Director Campbell noted that Fire Chief Graff wanted to add their side of the Southwest property to our service contract, as the firemen will no longer be doing their own lawn care. The committee liked the idea of supporting Fire and was open to the idea. Director Cuneo will reach out to Chief Graff. Current lowest bidder: Landmark Lawn Care. 

FBG was once again the lowest bidder for cleaning services. Director Cuneo noted that he has a good relationship with their Operation Manager, Brian, and that the Library has been very satisfied with FBG’s service of Southwest. Current lowest bidder: FBG. 

Snow removal only had a single bidder in Landmark Lawn Care. Director Campbell noted that while it would be a positive for the lawn care and snow removal to be furnished by the same contractor, it was also possible to send snow removal out for a re-bid. There was discussion of the significant costs of snow removal in general, and Director Cuneo walked the committee through a written explainer about cost differences between the snow removal contract of 2022 and the 2025 bid from Landmark. Director Campbell also mentioned that light snow over the past two years allowed the Library to roll over funds from previous years, but she cautioned that they will go quickly if there’s a heavy winter. Current lowest bidder: Landmark Lawn Care. 

● Watts-Midtown Mayeski Garden Landscaping Grant – 

Foundation Director Lelonek talked to the committee about a generous donation earmarked to improve the outdoor space at the Watts-Midtown Branch. She detailed her plans for flowers and edging, and how the team from the Hauberg, as an extension of their Friends, was excited to assist the Library with the flower selection and landscaping. There’s also an opportunity for a community gardening event. 

Director Cuneo then outlined three options for installing shade sails on the patio to increase and encourage community use of the space. Currently, the summer months are prohibitive because of the intense sun exposure. The committee asked Director Cuneo and his staff to furnish a solution themselves because of the extreme cost savings. The cost of the project is projected well under $1000 and would not need wider Board approval. 

Lastly, Director Cuneo introduced the idea of getting climate-controlled indoor storage to preserve the outdoor furniture at Watts-Midtown during the winter months. The Foundation had previously raised concern that the furniture they provided was showing some adverse weathering after only a couple of years, and that they would like to ensure the furniture’s longevity. Director Cuneo found indoor storage from Storage of America (in both Moline and Rock Island) that would not require the Library or Foundation to sign a long-term contract. At an estimated cost of roughly $110/mo, the Library could rent a 10x10x10 space sufficient to store the Watts-Furniture for 5 months of the year. The committee agreed that off-site indoor storage was the best option moving forward. 

● Designating Southwest Branch Gifts from the MBPALD – 

Director Campbell walked the committee through the 4 options for branch gifts from the Milan-Blackhawk Public Area Library District, incl: a digital roadside sign for the Southwest Library, full interior painting of the Southwest space, pickup lockers like those at Watts-Midtown, and the installation of a 360* security camera. She noted that of the proposed ideas, the MBPALD Board was in favor of all projects save the lockers, which they didn’t appear excited for. Director Cuneo concurred. The committee asked for some clarification on packet materials and costs, which Director Cuneo provided. Director Campbell then explained that it was possible to complete the painting and the camera with existing funds within the MBPALD’s CY25 budget, and that the sign could be done in FY26 pending approval of the MBPALD Board’s budget for that year. 

● Restroom Project Overages & Cost Projection – 

There was no information to report. The directors will be reaching out to Jeff Laxton, City Construction Office, for an update in the coming days. 

● Asbestos Inspection – 

Director Cuneo asked for the committee’s approval to move forward with an asbestos inspection of the Downtown Library spaces to be eventually impacted by the Master Plan. Graves Environmental was selected on referral from Jeff Laxton and quoted the Library $3850. Committee wanted assurances that a positive test wouldn’t necessitate immediate Library closure and abatement. President Swanson said that the test areas are very small and are sealed after testing, so immediate abatement wouldn’t be required. She cited the example of recent renovations within City Hall. The committee then approved the proposal for inspection. 

Closed Session: Not needed. 

Information Sharing: None. 

Announcements: None. 

With no further business, Trustee Nelson adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

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