Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - September 21, 2026

The Medina County District Library Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Medina Library. With a quorum present, President Caleb Parker called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Oath of Office: Medina County Commissioner Aaron Harrison administered the oath of office to new trustee Julie Clark.

Roll call: The following members were present: Caleb Parker, Brian Harr, Ann Marie Flannery, William Koran, Christopher Jakab, Kimberly Krzemienieswki, and Julie Clark.

Library staff members in attendance: Julianne Bedel, Executive Director; Allison Gaebelein, Fiscal Officer; Suzie Muniak, Deputy Director; Tina Sabol, Community Engagement Director; Emily Henry, Human Resources Director; Lauren Kuntzman, FHLC Manager; and Jennifer O’Neill, Deputy Fiscal Officer acting as recording secretary. Also attending was Medina County Commissioner Aaron Harrison.

Approval of the Agenda: Mr. Harr motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Recognition of Guests and Comments from the Public: President Parker welcomed all in attendance.

Disposition of Meeting Minutes: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Koran seconded the motion to approve the July 20, 2026, regular meeting minutes. Motion carried.

Approval of Financial Report: Mr. Koran motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to approve the July 2026 financial report. Motion carried.

Ms. Flannery motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to approve the August 2026 financial report. Motion carried.

Fiscal Officer Allison Gaebelein highlighted that August 2026 receipts totaled $1,311,308.50, while expenses totaled $941,045.87. There was an unexpended cash balance of $18,135,662.76 minus outstanding encumbrances of $5,806,872.23 leaving an ending unencumbered balance of $12,328,790.53.

General Fund revenues are down 20.6% over the prior year-to-date period, primarily due to the delayed collection of property taxes by the Medina County Treasurer. Property tax due dates were delayed by six weeks, with a due date of Aug 28. At the end of August, the Library received two smaller disbursements of property taxes, with the largest portion scheduled for distribution in September. General Fund expenses are up 2.6% compared to the same year-to-date period, excluding the $1.8M transfer made in April to the Building / Repair Fund. 

August 2026 investments earned $52,199.04. The year-to-date interest totals are $441,888.58 at an average weighted interest rate of 3.723%.

August 2026 PLF came in at $379,311.74. This is $9,274.06 higher than last August and $22,711.74 higher than budgeted. The year-to-date PLF has decreased 3.82% over last year.

The district wide concrete work approved by the Board at the regular June meeting is underway. The scope of work at the Buckeye Library is larger than originally anticipated. For 2026, the concrete projects for MCDL will be limited to the Buckeye and Lodi locations. The concrete maintenance projects for the remaining locations will be included in the 2027 budget.

The Library received an Institution Notice for Liquor Permit from the Department of Commerce regarding the new liquor permit being issued to The Legacy Hotel. The Division of Liquor Control is required to notify any church, school, library, public playground, or township park located within 500 feet of the liquor premises. The Library is located 475 feet from The Legacy Hotel. Because the new liquor permit is not expected to have an impact on Library operations, the Library’s response could be considered “No Objection.”

Executive Director’s Report: Executive Director Julianne Bedel highlighted that circulation for August 2026 was 5% higher than August 2025, with physical items being down 2% and digital circulation up 13%. Overall year-to-date circulation is up 2% from this time last year. The door count was even with last year, while computer usage was down 3%. The number of library programs offered increased by 7%, and attendance was up 5%. Community meeting room bookings were up 7% from last August, and the number of people attending community meetings decreased 8%. The number of passport applications being processed increased 7%.

The statistics from the Summer Reading Game activities are still being compiled, but hats off to the staff and volunteers who pulled off another great season of programs. The Library recorded slightly more than 7,000 children participating in the youth program, and teens logged more than a million minutes of reading time! For the first time, the Library introduced Read It! (summer reading for adults) and more than 1,000 grown-ups logged reading five books or more. Read It! pizza parties were quite popular and the feedback was positive. As always, many thanks go to the Friends of the Library for their ongoing financial support of the program, as well as to Meijer, Stuart and Patricia Neal, Armstrong Cable, Discount Drug Mart, and the Medina City Teachers Association for their generous donations.

Kitty Murphy, Buckeye Supervising Librarian, was one of 32 library workers in the state selected for Library Leadership Ohio 2026. She attended a weekend focused on personal development and transferable leadership skills while fostering connections and collaboration within Ohio’s library community. Congratulations Ms. Murphy and thank you for your interest in the continuous leadership development. Jill McGarr, Administrative Assistant, has started her Leadership Medina County Signature Class experience.

Communication: None

Personnel Report: Mr. Harr motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to approve the July Personnel Report. Motion carried.

Human Resources highlights from July 2026 include welcoming two new staff members while one left employment. There were no promotions or transfers during the month. There were fourteen employees in active leave status.

Several milestones were celebrated in July. Congratulations to Chris Bennett-Bailey, Liz Barr, and Tanya Toth on celebrating five-year milestone anniversaries. There were two silver anniversaries - Cheryl Phillips and Jenna Garrity. Many thanks to both for 25 years with MCDL!

Mr. Koran motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to approve the August Personnel Report. Motion carried.

Human Resources highlights from August 2026 include welcoming four new staff members while five left employment. There was one lateral transfer. There were thirteen employees in active leave status.

The Library became an employer partner with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, for the purpose of more closely connecting with a diverse, qualified talent pool of residents. This month staff were offered the option to contribute to the Ohio Deferred Compensation Roth 457(b) as an additional retirement savings option. The topic of this quarter’s supervisor workshop focused on “Performance Reviews, Employee Engagement and Workplace Actualization.”

Becca Hobbs achieved a five-year anniversary milestone. Congratulations!

Board Committee Reports

Buildings Committee: Mr. Koran reported the committee met on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Medina Library. The committee discussed the Facilities Plan, Medina Roofing project, and the concrete work being done at Buckeye.

Resolution 26-12: Upon recommendation of the Buildings Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees acknowledges receipt of the Facilities Plan 2026 and will consider the information for planning purposes. Motion carried.

Finance Committee: Mr. Jakab reported the committee met on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Medina Library. The committee reviewed the ten-year budget projections, and discussed levy millage, election costs, and levy timelines.

Resolution 26-13: Upon recommendation of the Finance Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Fiscal Officer to proceed with the process necessary to place a property tax levy on the May 2027 ballot, in accordance with the timeline and applicable requirements established by Ohio law. Motion carried.

Resolution 26-14: Upon recommendation of the Finance Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees approves proceeding with the renewal of the Library’s current 1.50-mill property tax levy, with an increase of 0.25 mills, for a 10-year term. Motion carried.

Personnel Committee: Mr. Harr reported the committee met on Monday, August 24, 2026, at Medina Library. The committee received a review of the Employee health survey and SERB report from Ms. Henry.

Policy and By-laws Committee: No Meeting.

Public Records Commission: The commission met on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Highland Library and approved the disposal of obsolete records.

Unfinished Business

Collective Bargaining

Executive Session: Mr. Jakab motioned and Mr. Koran seconded the motion to move into executive session for reviewing bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation and other terms and conditions of their employment at 6:30 p.m.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Koran – Aye; Ms. Clark – Aye; Mr. Harr – Aye; Ms. Flannery – Aye; Mr. Jakab – Aye; Ms. Krzemienieswki – Aye: Mr. Parker – Aye. Motion carried.

Ms. Bedel, Ms. Gaebelein, Ms. Muniak, and Ms. Henry were asked to attend the session. Regular session resumed at 6:52 p.m.

New Business

Family History and Learning Center Presentation: Manager Lauren Kuntzman provided an overview of the department, introducing new staff members and highlighting recent activities and initiatives. She discussed the Open Doors program, which was held in conjunction with other programs in the City of Medina. They received a new IMLS grant, which allowed them to purchase a new book scanner. Over the past year, the department has also upgraded its equipment by purchasing a new laser engraver, mug press, and 3D scanner.

Revision to Borrowing Privileges, Policy PUB-02d

Resolution 26-15: Mr. Koran motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion that the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby adopts the proposed revision to Policy PUB-02d Borrowing Privileges as presented effective immediately. Motion carried.

Library Closings calendar, Policy BRD-05

Resolution 26-16: Mr. Jakab motioned, and Ms. Krzemienieswki seconded the motion that the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby approves Policy BOARD-05 Library Closings (2027) as presented. Motion carried.

Donations: Mr. Harr motioned, and Ms. Krzemienieswki seconded the motion to approve the following donations for July and August. Motion carried.

July

1. Colleen O’Brien, Jennifer O’Brien & Bridget Costic: $100 in memory of JoAnn Kennedy
2. Friends of MCDL: A Gift from the Sea and Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in memory of Barbara Steingass
3. Michelle Weigel: $25 in memory of JoAnn Kennedy
4. Elaine Wolan: $50 in memory of JoAnn Kennedy
5. Clare Larca: $100 in memory of JoAnn Kennedy
6. Clare Larca: $100 in memory of JoAnn Kennedy
7. Dianna Gunn: $50 in memory of JoAnn Kennedy
8. Michelle Hurrelbrink: a copy of her book Olivia Sparkle and the Missing Colors
9. Annie Hlad: $40 in memory of JoAnn Kennedy
10. Scott Sabol: a copy of his book From Brook Park to Bien Hoad, Vietnam: My Dad’s Vietnam Story
11. New Horizons Lutheran Church Women: $50 in memory of Barb Steingass
12. Mr. & Mrs. Keith Phillips: $25 in memory of JoAnn Kennedy
13. John Motley & the Medina Chorus: $100 in memory of Barb Steingass
14. Joyce, Lois, Marily, Kay & Barbara Geisler: $100 in memory of Barb Steingass
15. Medina County Arts Council: $30

August

1. Barbara Miceli Pennington: a copy of her book The Extraordinary Ones: Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome
2. Tonya Stoller/Candice Schlatter: a copy of the book When the United States Wasn’t United
3. Eliza Northrop PTO: $400 in thanks for supporting the story walk at Northrop Elementary
4. Directions Credit Union: $1,000 Candlelight Walk sponsorship
5. Healing Hearts Planning Committee of the Children’s Center of Medina County: Two books by Tori Hope Petersen: Fostered and Breaking the Patterns That Break You
6. Beeology, Inc: $50
7. Stanley & Linda Pelka: $100 in memory of Barbara Steingass
8. Laura Grace Weldon: a copy of her book Universe Marveled into a Jar
9. Brittany Bradnick: $25 in memory of Dolly Parton
10. Janice Jokkel: Six copies of her book The Missing Manuel

The donations were accepted with gratitude.

Trustees Comments

Mr. Harr thanked Ms. Kuntzman for her presentation. He welcomed Ms. Clark to the Board. He thanked the staff and committee members for all their hard work the last couple of months.

Ms. Flannery thanked Ms. Kuntzman for her informative presentation. She has used the new laser engraver. She thanked Ms. Gaebelein for preparing the extended financial projections. She congratulated those celebrating work anniversaries.

Mr. Koran thanked Ms. Kuntzman for her presentation. He welcomed Ms. Clark to the Board.

Ms. Krzemienieswki thanked Ms. Kuntzman for her great presentation. She congratulated Ms. Murphy on Library Leadership Ohio and those celebrating work anniversaries. She wished Ms. McGarr good luck with her Leadership Medina County Signature Class.

Ms. Clark thanked Ms. Kuntzman for her presentation. She expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome she received. She also thanked the Library staff for organizing and facilitating orientation day.

Mr. Jakab thanked Ms. Kuntzman for her interesting presentation. He thanked Ms. Sabol for providing the 2017 levy information. He also reviewed the timeline of Board action relating to the levy renewal process.

Mr. Parker thanked Ms. Kuntzman for her presentation. He welcomed Ms. Clark and expressed his appreciation for her willingness to serve on the Board. He also acknowledged the hard work of the staff, particularly as workload increases toward the end of the year.

Adjournment: There being no further business, Mr. Harr motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:13 p.m. Motion carried.

Caleb Parker, President
Ann Marie Flannery, Secretary

NEXT BOARD MEETING
Monday, October 19, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Lodi Library