Monday, February 9, 2026
Location: Elyria Public Library Central Branch
Attendees:
Trustees Present:
Scott Serazin, Jeffrey Breese, Maggie Leglise, Koneake Lawrence, Dwayne Redding, Debbie Kroupa
Trustees Absent:
Stori Zinkhann, Ray Armstrong, Particia Schrull, Sam Battle
Staff:
Jennifer Starkey, Debby Perkins, Hannah Schuetz, Jennifer Harmon, Tammy Collins, Frank Szuch
Visitors:
Wendi Zwaduk, Kevin Collins
Call to Meeting:
The Board met at the Central branch library. Debbie Kroupa called the meeting to order at 6:03pm and welcomed all attendees.
Consent Agenda:
Approval of January 2026 monthly meeting minutes
Personnel Actions:
Memorials & Contributions:
Koneake Lawrence motioned to approve the Consent Agenda Items. Scott Serazin seconded the motion. The Board approved the Consent Agenda Items. (Resolution 17.26)
Fiscal Report:
Legislative Updates:
No recent updates regarding the proposed legislation on property tax reforms. Both the House and the Senate are currently out and are expected back in the middle of February. They will also recess again in April for the elections in May. We will continue to follow the updates as they come.
Year-End Activities:
1099s were issued to the library's vendors who received over $600, which will be increased to $2000 for 2026 through the One Big Beautiful Bill passage. W-2s were distributed to employees in early January. The Hinkle report was filed with the state which will be used to conduct the library’s financial audit. The audit will take place in 2026 for the years 2024 and 2025.
E-Rate:
In January, the application process to apply for the federal e-rate discount opened and was submitted. The library gets a discounted rate for internet access at all of the branches. Although final approval has not yet been given, it was noted that the library’s discount rate increased from 80% to 90% since it is based on the national school lunch program which had a participation increase for Elyria.
Financial Update:
Reviewed the financial statement for the first month of the year. In comparison to 2025, the PLF (Public Library Fund) is expected to be about $50,000 less in 2026. Interest rates have been decreasing over the past few years, causing the library investment earning projections to be around $100,000 less in 2026. Included in other income is the $300,000 OTSCIF fund that was voted on by the Board last month (Resolution 11.26) to be moved from the Building Fund to the General Fund. A payment of around $75,000 was made to Wilkes Plumbing in January as part of the West River HVAC replacement project.
Motion:
Maggie Leglise motioned to approve the Fiscal Officer’s Report. Dwayne Redding seconded the motion. The Board approved the Fiscal Officer’s Report. (Resolution 18.26)
Director's Report:
Facilities and Projects Updates:
Still keeping the temperatures at West River in a comfortable range by making manual adjustments. Insulation work has started on the second floor and work is being done in the boiler room for the new system. Preliminary work for the control system has started in determining how the building is going to be wired.
Operations Update:
Management team training event taking place in March.
Delivery services have been moved from the Taylor Street building over to West River. Deliveries started out of the West River branch this week, and it has been a fairly smooth transition with a few adjustments to be made. This change will allow for an extra stop to be eliminated and for patrons to receive their materials more quickly.
Board Information and Opportunities:
The Board will be meeting at LCCC in June in the Bass library for their scheduled meeting. The resolution to amend the meeting location will come later in the meeting under Old Business.
A call for participation from the Board as the library will be starting the next strategic planning committee.
The EPL Code of Conduct and Patron First Promise trainings are available on the Board SharePoint, to familiarize trustees with staff training and language
Jennifer Starkey delivered an annual report presentation on key statistics from 2025, highlights and accomplishments, and a look forward to what is to come for 2026.
Debbie Kroupa requested for the Board members to view the Code of Conduct and Patron First Promise trainings before the March board meeting.
Motion:
Dwayne Redding motioned to approve the Director’s Report. Jeffrey Breese seconded the motion. The Board approved the Director’s Report. (Resolution 19.26)
President's Report:
n/a
Committee Reports:
EPL Friends:
The meeting schedule for 2026 has been finalized. They created a plan to get the sorting room in order and will start accepting public donations again in March. The new Friends President is Kathy Schreiber and the Vice President is Scott Serazin.
Keystone Friends:
New Friends president is Kevin Collins and Wendi Zwaduk is the vice president. Looking for someone to fill the secretary position. 10 authors are currently signed up for the Author Event on July 24th and 25th. They will start accepting book donations on March 1st and are starting work in the sorting room this Friday.
Foundation:
Kathy Smith is staying on as the Foundation president. There were lots of conversations at the last meeting around fundraising events for 2026. Jen Starkey presented some information and a request to help fund new outdoor signs at West River.
Ad Hoc Committees:
n/a
Finance & Audit Committee:
The next meeting is rescheduled for March 3rd.
Motion:
Maggie Leglise motioned to approve the Committee Reports. Koneake Lawrence seconded the motion. The Board approved the Committee Reports. (Resolution 20.26)
Old Business:
Motion to amend the January Consent Agenda (Resolution 04.26) to change the June 8th Board meeting location to LCCC.
At the last meeting, the Board approved the schedule for the 2026 meeting dates and locations. Jen Starkey was able to confirm the new Board meeting location at LCCC for the June 8th meeting.
Motion:
Jeffrey Breese motioned to amend the January Consent Agenda (Resolution 04.26). Scott Serazin seconded the motion. The Board approved the amendment of the January Consent Agenda (Resolution 04.26) to make the June 8th Board meeting location LCCC. (Resolution 21.26)
New Business:
n/a
Adjournment Motion:
Maggie Leglise motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:44pm. Koneake Lawrence seconded the motion. The Board voted to adjourn the meeting. (Resolution 22.26)