Rochester Public Library District Board of Trustees Meeting
FINAL Approved MINUTES
5/14/26
6:00 p.m.
Meeting called to order: 6:00 p.m. by President Sarah Deen
Visitors present: Jake Kindred, Village Trustee; Christopher Schaller, Mary F. Schaller (Capital City Roofing and Solar), Jonathan Cowle Healy, Charles Riippi
Trustees present:
President Sarah Deen, Vice President Bob Tepatti, Secretary Elaine Honomichl Lewis, Trustee Melissa Roselle, Trustee Jessica Ingold, Trustee Erich Schroeder
Trustees absent:Trustee Karen Johnson
Library Staff: Director Janet McAllister
Public Comment: Jake Kindred, Village board trustee, presented findings of current condition of the roof on the Village/Library building. Christopher Schaller of Capital City Roofing and Solar inspected with Jake Kindred and took pictures of issues. There are several leaks, shingles that have blown loose, flashing/gutter issues, and issues with the ventilation and decking. Sutton, the roofing contractor, re-did the roof 3 years ago.
GAF, the shingle warranty, was contacted and a letter received 4/3/26 stating the issues are outside the stated limited warranty. It is the 3rd roof in 31 years.
Also, the bay windows are leaking and is a separate repair outside of the roof. Flat windows should be considered vs. the current bay windows.
Next steps, Kindred said the Village meets next week as a committee as a whole and will further discuss with the committee. He feels these issues need to be addressed soon because of the problems with the leaks and ongoing damage discovered in the attic and walls of Village Hall and should be sent out for bid.
Approval of Library Board Meeting Minutes:
A. The regular 4/9/26 minutes were reviewed.
B. A motion to approve the 4/9/26 regular meeting minutes by Tepatti with a second by Ingold; approved by Roselle, Tepatti, Honomichl Lewis, Ingold; Deen and Schroeder. Treasurer’s Report/Approval of Bills:
A. Bills and treasurer’s report reviewed for month ending 4/30/26
B. Budget is on track for FY 2026-2027
C. Motion to approve treasurer’s report and bills for months ending 4/30/26 by Schroeder with a second by Tepatti; approved by Roselle, Tepatti, Deen, Schroeder, Honomichl Lewis, Ingold.
Unfinished Business: None
Committee Reports:
A. Personnel–did not meet
B. Finance-met 5/5/26 to review working budget for next fiscal year; next meeting 5/11/26 @ 5:00 for continued review of working budget.
C. Joint Use–met 5/5/26; issues with roof, windows, vinyl siding discussed; continued discussion of parking lot fixes, gate and fencing. Trimming of trees has been approved and the Village can proceed. The Village and Library to share the cost of new AED. D. FOL Liaison Friends–Booksale brought in close to $5,000
E. Ad-Hoc Building Committee–did not meet
New Business:
A. Personnel Policy update; table vote until next board meeting
B. Health Insurance Renewal–BC/BS 90/10–cost has increased; employees will contribute 10% this next fiscal year ; a motion to approve full time employee contribution of 10% for Blue Cross Blues Shield health insurance next fiscal year 2026-2027 by Ingold with a second by Roselle and approved by Roselle, Tepatti, Deen, Schroeder, Honomichl Lewis, Ingold.
C. Lazerware Web Page Hosting WCAG Compliant–Dream Host to Lazerware web page hosting will make library WCAG Compliant; a motion for Lazerware to host library web page by Roselle with a second by Schroeder and approved by acclamation. D. Investment of Public Funds Policy Review–reviewed and discussed
E. Bank Funds move to IL Funds–the current funds at Bank and Trust are earning a low interest rate ; a motion to move current funds of $41,840.16 to be moved from Bank and Trust to IL Funds to earn a higher interest rate of return by Roselle with a second by Schroeder and approved by Roselle, Tepatti, Deen, Schroeder, Honomichl Lewis, Ingold.
F. Reallocating Funds from Personnel to Insurance Fund (75 ILCS 16/)--in current budget the personnel line item of $33, 454.70 needs to be moved to insurance line item of current budget; a motion to move $33,454.30 from personnel line item to insurance line item by Tepatti with a second by Schroeder and approved by Roselle, Tepatti, Deen, Schroeder, Honomichl Lewis, Ingold.
Other Business: None
Communications: Summer reading donation by Extra Yarn; will meet with audit company 5/16 Director’s Report:
A. QuickBooks no longer supported as of 5/31; working with accounting firm on solution
B. Email hosting/set up through Lazerware- $260
C. Youth Services led 19 programs with 1,171 children in attendance
D. Central Stem Fair–successful with over 1000 attendees
E. Farmer’s market update; 10 vendors signed up
F. Adult Services conducted 11 Library on Wheels deliveries and also visited Carriage Crossings and Rochester Estates for residents to check out books. G. Adult programs; Day and Evening Book Club (24); ImpactLife Blood Drive (12) Mobile DMV (24);
H. Library van in parade route for Rochester Estates for 100 year old birthday party I. Stats: Checkouts (4509); Door Count (2877); New patrons (8); Computer Use (295); Card holders (5683); Book a Librarian (8); Notary (12); Live chat (3); Sublimation (5); Cricut (1); Book Box (20) ;Test Proctoring (2); Narcan (8) J. Social Media/Internet Views: FB (2490); Farmers Mrt FB (2265) Instagram (271) Friends FB (605) TikTok (1732) Web Site Views (2939)
K. Attendance of programs –Adult 6 programs (54 attending ); Youth 11 (101); Teen 8 (57); Family 5 (66)
No Closed Session
Next Meeting Date: June 11 2026
Adjournment: With no additional items to discuss, a motion for adjournment at 7:21 p.m. by Tepatti with a second by Schroeder and passed by acclamation.
Elaine Honomichl Lewis, Secretary