Board Minutes November 2025
Kewanee Public Library District
Regular Meeting, November 10, 2025
Community Room 4:00 p.m.
Call to Order:
Members Present: Vanessa Fite, Vice-President; Lea Eastman, Treasurer; Jessica Fornander, Secretary; Andrew Dwyer, Felisha Rogers and Jodee Werkheiser. Also present: David Eckert, Director; Sara Billiet, Youth Services Manager; Gen Aldrich, and Denise Dimmitt, Information Services Manager.
Vice-President Fite opened the meeting at 4:04 p.m.
Public Comments:
None
Approval of Minutes
October minutes for October 1 and October 6, 2025 were reviewed. Eastman moved and Dwyer seconded to accept. Motion was passed by voice vote.
RESOLVED, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 1, 2025 KEWANEE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED.
RESOLVED, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 6, 2025 KEWANEE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED.
Budget Report
Eastman presented the report. There are 40 accounts at People's National Bank, which include saving, checking and CD accounts. Reviewed accounts, interest rates and public funds policy. All banking accounts match pending the operations checking account. Transaction by detailed accounts: Page 1 - three paychecks were processed. Special Levy Transaction - received Stark County special levy tax income. The last mortgage payment is official in November 2025. Year-to-date target for budget is 33%, currently at 34%. For the Poole Trust account $3,900 was received.
Stark County Replacement taxes. Kentville Road Tax Increment Financing District: termination. This TIF district will expire. A letter from the City was sent.
Approval of Bills
Motion was made by Eastman and seconded by Rogers to approve the payment of payroll and bills as presented. Motion was passed by voice vote.
RESOLVED, THAT THE PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $65,239.09 AND BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,263.51 BE APPROVED FOR PAYMENT.
Department Reports
Director - Eckert presented his report.. He is asking questions to all the staff. He had a department managers meeting last Friday and plans to have a staff meeting this coming up Friday.
Information Services - report was presented by Denise.
Youth Services - report was presented by Sara B. YS has been partnering with Kewanee schools and it has been going well.
Circulation & Statistics - report was presented by Sara B. 12 months of magazines were discarded.
Technical Services - provided in board packet.
Technology Report - provided in board packet.
Business Requiring Action
Investment of Public Funds Policy
Fornander motioned to review the Investment of Public Funds Policy next month and seconded by Werkheiser. Motion was passed by voice vote.
RESOLVED, THAT THE INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS POLICY WILL BE REVIEWED NEXT MONTH. Motion was passed by voice vote.
Grounds maintenance:
Corey Billiet
Fornander moved and Werkheiser seconded to continue using Corey Billiet for lawn services. The services include: mowing, trimming (as needed), blowing off debris, landscape disposal (if needed). Motion was passed by voice vote.
RESOLVED, THAT THE ESTIMATE INVOICE FROM COREY'S LAWN CARE BE PAID IN THE AMOUNT OF $280.00 FOR LAWN SERVICES.
Freedom of Information Officer:
David Eckert
Fornander moved and Dwyer seconded to appoint the library director, David Ecken, as the FOIA officer. Motion was passed by voice vote.
RESOLVED, THAT DAVID ECKERT WILL BE THE FOIA OFFICER FOR THE KEWANEE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Business for Discussion
Illinois Public Library Standards were reviewed: sections 1-6 (Assess, Advocacy and Community Engagement, Buildings and Grounds, Collection Management, Finance and Budget, Governance and Administration.
Announcements
Carnegie Libraries: 250
Carnegie Corporation is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by awarding a $10,000 gift to Carnegie Libraries nationwide including Kewanee Public Library.
Happy Birthday:
Judith Kolata
Thank you note:
From Prairie Chicken Arts Festival
Discussed the update about Baker & Taylor as they are closing by the end of the year.
Fornander shared that she attended a webinar through ILA. This was for board Trustees. She plans to share more information via email to the board.
Fornander asked about the new morale committee and staff provided an update. Members include: Gen, Heather, Lisa, Sara B. and Chris R.
Next Board Meeting:
December 8, 2025 @ 4 p.m.
Werkheiser will be absent.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn at 5:08 p.m was made by Dwyer and seconded by Werkheiser.
Jessica Fornander, Secretary
