Manitowoc Library Board Meeting – April 30, 2026
Manitowoc Library Board Meeting – April 30, 2026
The Manitowoc Public Library Board of Trustees met on April 30, 2026 (meeting date per minutes: Monday, April 27, 2026) at 5:01 PM in the Library Board Room and via Zoom. Vice-President Pam Brick presided with eight members present and two absent. The meeting was adjourned at 5:33 PM. All action items passed unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (March 23, 2026): Approved 8–0.
- Financial Reports: Budget status for March 2026 (Fund 2810), January–March 2026 (Fund 2813), and the check register (March 21–April 24, 2026) were approved 8–0.
Public Comment
No public comment was offered.
Discussion Items
- Correspondence: Vice-President Brick read an anonymous Facebook post expressing appreciation for the library.
- Administrative Reports:
- Director’s Report: Highlights included the March blizzard (Elsa) that required early morning snow removal; a half‑day staff training on March 20 in collaboration with MCLS (viewing of the documentary “The Librarians”) with breakout discussions.
- Manager Highlights: Thanks to Lakeshore Master Gardeners for their work; welcome to intern Rory; farewell to departing staff member Max.
- Statistics and News: Monthly statistics and March 2026 news articles were reviewed.
- Lakeshore Balloon Glow – Parking Lot Closure (Action): A motion to close the library parking lot for the event on Friday, August 14, 2026 was amended to specify closure from 2:00 PM Friday through Saturday morning (reopening before the farmers market). Approved 8–0.
- 2nd Floor Bathroom Renovation (Action): A full renovation of the men’s and women’s bathrooms was presented, estimated at $150,000, with up to $50,000 from the library reserve fund. The foundation supports the project. Discussion covered security (open concept, cameras, police walkthroughs, occupancy locks) and the number of toilets (four required by code). No adult changing table will be installed. Motion to approve passed 8–0.
- Informational Updates:
- May Meeting Cancellation: Since the fourth Monday is Memorial Day, Vice-President Brick will cancel the May meeting; members concurred.
- Email/Office 365 Change: City policy now allows library board members to access email only via web browser (outlook.com) with two‑factor authentication; use of the Outlook app on personal devices is prohibited due to open records concerns.
- IT Staff Resignation: System administrator Max is leaving; the library is working with the city to assess technology needs before posting the vacancy.
- Miscellaneous: Application for a new Canada goose depredation permit (non‑lethal methods) due end of May; new soft chairs installed; HVAC e‑track pipe protection and leak testing completed; a gate will be installed at the dumpster area for security.
- Building and Facilities Updates: Stacey Bialek reported on the above items and ongoing security walkthroughs.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: All action items (minutes, financial reports, parking lot closure, bathroom renovation) passed unanimously (8–0).
- May Meeting Cancelled: No formal vote; President will cancel.
- Next Steps: Bathroom renovation to proceed with public bidding; IT transition plan to be developed; goose depredation permit application submitted.
- Date Note: The official minutes list the meeting date as Monday, April 27, 2026. The instructed date for this summary is April 30, 2026; this discrepancy is noted.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, we're calling the meeting to order at 5 01 p.m. Are there any requests to amend tonight's agenda? No requests. Okay, we'll go to public comment. Members of the public are invited to speak at the National Public Library Board of Trustees meeting each month on any matter related to the oversight of the Matha Public Library. The comments from each speaker shall be limited to five minutes in length unless extended by action of the Nashville Public Library Board of Trustees. Is there any public comment? I'll ask one more time. Two more times. Is there any public comment? And last time, any public comment? So we'll move on. I need approval of the minutes. Sorry. Okay. All right. So I think Chris Abel will move to approve it. Brett seconded. All right. Are there any questions? On the minutes. Okay. All those in favor? I opposed. All right. We're going to move on to the financial reports. Um, Mr. Ava, let you take over. Thank you. You have before you the budget status report for March 2026 on 2810, January 2026 on 2013, February 2026 on 2813, and March 2026 on 2813, along with the check register. And to ensure that people get a chance to ask any questions they might have. I will move that we accept them as presented. Oh, maybe we do have a second. Perfect. All right, Stephanie second. Any questions? Yeah. Any discussion about the financial reports? We're good? Okay. All those in favor? Opposed. Wonderful. Let's go into correspondence. Um did everybody get a chance to read the blurb? That was very nice. Yes, and I realize this isn't official correspondence me or the board, but I really wanted to share it. Yeah, I won't do that regularly. I'm not using I understand. I have a camera.
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