The Medina County District Library Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Medina Library. With a quorum present, President William Koran called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll call:The following members were present: William Koran, Mark Krosse, Sarah Vachon, Brian Harr, Ann Marie Flannery, Caleb Parker, and Christopher Jakab.
Library staff members in attendance included: Julianne Bedel, Executive Director; Allison Gaebelein, Fiscal Officer; Suzie Muniak, Deputy Director; Katie Graefnitz, Seville Branch Manager; Emily Henry, Human Resources Director; Chris Weaver-Pieh, Collection Resources Director; Tina Sabol, Community Engagement Director; Sara Tran, Purchasing Coordinator; Lisa Rienerth, Library Associate; and Jennifer O’Neill, Deputy Fiscal Officer acting as recording secretary.
Approval of the Agenda: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Parker seconded the motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Recognition of Guests and Comments from the Public: President Koran welcomed all in attendance. Lisa Rienerth was recognized for public comment. She shared her frustration with the Board’s recent selection of the SummaCare Preferred Choice health insurance plan for 2026, over the SummaCare Premier health insurance recommended by administration and the Wellness Committee.
Disposition of Meeting Minutes: Mr. Jakab motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to approve the October 20, 2025, regular meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Ms. Vachon motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to approve the November 10, 2025, special meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Approval of Financial Report: Mr. Parker motioned, and Mr. Krosse seconded the motion to approve the October 2025 financial report. Motion carried.
Fiscal Officer Allison Gaebelein highlighted that October 2025 receipts totaled $465,795.31 while expenses totaled $1,054,509.79. There was an unexpended cash balance of $18,970,760.07 minus outstanding encumbrances of $2,646,266.15 leaving an ending unencumbered balance of $16,324,493.92.
General Fund revenues are up 4.4% over the prior year-to-date, and General Fund expenses are up 4.7% compared to the same year-to-date period.
October 2025 investments earned $62,575.25. Year-to-date interest totals are $619,721.96 at an average weighted interest rate of 4.03%.
October 2025 PLF came in at $364,448.17, which is $27,089.55 higher than October 2024 but 2.2% lower than budgeted. The year-to-date PLF is still up 4.91% over last year and up 4.03% over the current budget.
The Medina County Auditor’s office has given us an application to apply for a real estate tax exemption for the two parcels in front of the Brunswick Library. The Auditor and Treasurer’s office will then complete the application before sending it to the Ohio Department of Taxation, which will make the final determination. The State may retroact three years of exemptions which could result in a refund of real estate taxes paid.
Executive Director’s Report: Executive Director Julianne Bedel highlighted that overall circulation was up 3.5% over October 2024. Circulation of physical items was down 4% and digital circulation was up 17%. Overall computer usage was up 9%, and Wi-Fi use was up 5%. Meeting room bookings were down 4%, and community attendance in the meeting rooms was down 3%. The number of new library cards issued was down 29%, but new e-cards were up 21%. The number of passport applications processed was up 6%. The number of library programs offered was up 12%, and the number of patrons attending those programs was up 5%. The door count was down 2% from last October.
At the most recent OLC Board of Directors meeting, an update was issued that OLC is involved in a statewide coalition which will concentrate on the potential constitutional amendment abolishing Ohio property taxes. Currently, the group is meeting regularly, has an initial MOU, and is organized as the Coalition to Protect Essential Services (501c4 status is pending). There is a broad variety of other entities currently involved including the Ohio Township Association, Commissioners Association, Parks District Associations, Municipal League, Mayors Alliance, FOP, Firefighters, County Engineers Associations, and School Board Association. Information will be shared as it develops.
Last Tuesday, November 11, 2025, we held our annual Staff Development Day. Training included:
- Library finances & levy information
- Threat assessment
- Recognizing cardiac arrest and taking action
- ASL overview
- Community provider panel
- Staff recognition
The day ended with a message from the Board President. Thank you to Mr. Koran for making time to address the staff! Thank you to our community partners who participated as well as everyone on staff who worked diligently to make it a productive day of learning and team building. Special thanks to Emily Henry, Connie Surek, Laura Kettering, Pat Bernaurer, and Jill McGarr who led the efforts.
Because of the federal government shutdown and community concern around food insecurity for some Medina County residents, an emergency pantry staples food drive was started on October 29. So far, 1,743 lbs. of food have been delivered to Feeding Medina County (FMC). The Library will continue to collect through the end of November. Mr. Jakab asked where the collection boxes were located. Ms. Muniak responded that there are bins at each branch, along with a list of pantry staples. Ms. Bedel noted that the delivery staff were taking donations to FMC twice weekly.
Communication: None
Personnel Report: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Krosse seconded the motion to approve the October Personnel Report. Motion carried.
Human Resources highlights from October 2025 include one new hire, one promotion, and one lateral transfer. Four left employment and one staff member retired. There were three leaves of absence in October.
Performance reviews are in progress and staff performance goals for 2026 are due by year-end.
We celebrated one milestone anniversary. Joy Hovanetz, HR Assistant, has been with MCDL for 20 years. Congratulations and thank you to Joy!
Board Committee Reports:
Personnel Committee: Ms. Vachon reported that the committee met on November 10, 2025.
Resolution 25-25: Administrative Staff Merit Wage Increase: Upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees adopts the 2026 Administrative Staff merit wage increase as presented, effective January 11, 2026. Motion carried.
Administrative staff with overall performance ratings of 4 and above will receive a 3.5% increase. Those with overall performance ratings 2.5 to 3.99 receive a 3% increase. Those with an overall performance rating of 2.49 and below will receive a 0% increase until the minimum standard is achieved. Employees in their initial probationary period or transfer qualifying period and not subject to year-end annual performance review will receive 3%.
Resolution 25-26: Administrative Staff Compression Adjustments: Upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees adopts the 2026 Administrative Staff Compression Adjustment as presented, effective January 11, 2026. Motion carried.
Administrative staff in their current classification for at least five years will receive the merit wage increase or an increase to the fortieth percentile of the pay range, whichever is greater. Administrative staff in their current classification for at least ten years will receive the merit wage increase or increase to the sixtieth percentile of the pay range, whichever is greater.
Resolution 25-27: Minimum Wage Increase: Upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees revises Policy HR-C-05 (Administrative Staff Salary) to reflect Grade 1 Page compensation as $11.00 minimum, $12.89 midpoint, and $14.78 maximum, effective December 28, 2025. Motion carried.
President Koran thanked the Personnel Committee for their work on these recommendations.
Buildings Committee: No Meeting.
Policy and By-laws Committee: Mr. Krosse reported the committee met on November 17, 2025, and drafted changes to the by-laws for consideration at the December regular meeting.
Resolution 25-28: Upon recommendation of the Policy and By-Laws Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees adopts the policy changes as presented, effective immediately.
New policies:
HR-B-31 Medicare Eligible Employee Reimbursement
FIN-21 Electronic Signature
Revised policies:
HR-B-28 Flexible Spending
MAN-08 Records Retention and Retention Schedule
Repeal policy: HR-B-12 Retirement Gift.
Motion carried.
Finance Committee: No Meeting.
Unfinished Business:
Framery Four study pod fire suppression: Ms. Gaebelein gave an updated quote which now includes an internal, self-contained fire suppression system for the study pod, rather than reconfiguring the building's sprinkler system. Ms. Bedel noted those inside the pod will be able to see the strobe lights and hear the fire alarms going off outside the pod.
Resolution 25 – 29: Mr. Parker motioned, and Mr. Krosse seconded that the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby revises the approved purchase of a Framery Four study pod unit from $26,000 to an amount not to exceed $27,000 to allow for the required fire suppression option.
Motion carried.
Medina 2026 Roof Project: Ms. Gaebelein reported that the scope of the project has expanded and the cost has increased from $2.5 million to $3.05 million. There was a significant increase in the cost for temporary air handling and other HVAC components. Mr. Jacob asked if we are still on schedule for bidding in February. Ms. Gaebelein responded that we are on schedule.
Resolution 25-30: Ms. Vachon motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded that the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby ratifies the execution of an amended agreement with Construction Resources, Inc., for the 2026 Roof Renovation Project at Medina Library.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Parker – Aye; Mr. Krosse – Aye; Ms. Flannery – Aye; Ms. Vachon – Aye; Mr. Harr – Aye; Mr. Jakab – Aye; Mr. Koran – Aye. Motion carried.
Resolution 25-31: Mr. Jakab motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded that the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby authorizes Amendment One (1) to the agreement with Scheeser Buckley Mayfield, LLC, for design professional services for the Medina Library HVAC Improvement Project.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Parker – Aye; Mr. Krosse – Aye; Ms. Flannery – Aye; Ms. Vachon – Aye; Mr. Harr – Aye; Mr. Jakab – Aye; Mr. Koran – Aye. Motion carried.
New Business:
Seville Library Presentation: Seville Branch Manager Katie Graefnitz gave a presentation highlighting Seville's first Summer Reading Game kickoff event. The Library collaborated with many community partners. Despite the rain, approximately 350 people attended.
Donations: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Parker seconded the motion to approve the following donations for October. Motion carried.
- Chris Woodruff: HTYRONT Manual Heat Press for Makerspace
- Laura Critchfield: $100
- Carole Kowell: $50
- Kiwanis Club of Medina: $132 for books for 2026 Summer Reading Game
- Joseph Kisvardi: $10,000 for the donor wall at Highland Library
- Marge Gibson-Costello: $150 to cover the cost of a new mug press in Makerspace
- Erin Hatchell: $50
- Shannon Just: $100
The donations were accepted with gratitude.
Trustees Comments:
Ms. Flannery thanked Ms. Graefnitz for her presentation. She congratulated Ms. Hovanetz on her milestone anniversary. She congratulated Kelly Halleen on her NEO-RLS Shooting Star nomination.
Mr. Krosse thanked Ms. Graefnitz for her presentation and commented that Seville is his home library. He remarked that the Makerspace is a real gem for the community. He thanked Madison Thomas for collaborating with other library systems to share information and best practices around Makerspaces.
Mr. Harr thanked Ms. Graefnitz for her presentation. He echoed the sentiments of the other trustee comments.
Ms. Vachon thanked Ms. Gaebelein for following up on the Brunswick real estate tax exemption. She was impressed with the incredible donation for the Highland study pod. She was happy to see we had started an emergency food pantry drive.
Mr. Parker congratulated Ms. Hovanetz on her milestone anniversary. He appreciated the community partners that were coming together to grow Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio. He was encouraged by the successes of Ohio’s library levies that were recently on the ballot.
Mr. Jakab thanked Ms. Graefnitz for her presentation. He thanked Ms. Rienerth for sharing her concerns regarding health insurance premiums.
Mr. Koran thanked Ms. Graefnitz for her presentation. He thanked the employees that organized the annual Staff Day event. He thanked Ms. Rienerth for sharing her concerns.
Adjournment: There being no further business, Mr. Parker motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 p.m. Motion carried.
William Koran, President
Sarah Vachon, Secretary
NEXT BOARD MEETING
Monday, December 15, 2025
6:00 p.m.
Medina Library