Yelling and arguing ensue after Harvey library trustee accuses board of violating state transparency laws

Trustee Charwana Morgan accused the board of violating the state’s transparency laws and not notifying her of board meetings.

That came as Morgan voted against key agenda items, including the September bills list, board reorganization, and the decision to table a discussion around FLEX room rates.

She also voted against approving August 13 special meeting minutes, accusing other members of not properly notifying her. In August, the board held its 2025 fiscal year budget hearing, followed by a special meeting where it was approved.

Morgan wasn’t physically present and attempted to join both meetings via phone but was denied because that motion wasn’t made 24 hours in advance to adjust the agenda, according to the meeting minutes. Morgan was marked absent in the August 13 meeting minutes. To that end, Morgan showed emails she said were sent 27 hours in advance requesting to join virtually, but Keith Price, Tamika Price, and Anthony McCaskill rebuffed her.

The OMA permits elected officials to join members virtually, specifically in the absence of a disaster situation, so long as there’s a quorum for those physically present. In July 2023, the Illinois General Assembly amended the accepted reasons for virtual attendance to include childcare obligations, and Morgan cited that statute as her defense. 

According to the OMA section outlining non-physical attendance, “the member must notify the recording secretary or clerk of the public body before the meeting unless advance notice is impractical.” It also states “each member of the body participating in a meeting by audio or video conference for a meeting” is “considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings.”

It also states “each member of the body participating in a meeting by audio or video conference for a meeting” is “considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings.”

Generally, an agenda cannot be updated within a 48 hour period prior to the meeting if a public body “intends to take action on that item.” And a public body can’t take action at a special meeting on an item that’s not listed on the agenda. But the section Morgan cited doesn’t mention agenda changes in regard to non-physical attendance.

Despite trustees’ disagreement, the board approved the August 13 special meeting minutes.

Bills list

The board approved the September bills list in the amount of $54,099.61. That came after Morgan complained the library staff hadn’t provided her with a copy of the bills list enough time prior to the meeting.

The bills list was prepared that Monday, McCaskill said. 

Keith Price said packets were sent out to all trustees that Tuesday. He added: “The purpose of having the bills list is so that if you have any questions,” they could be brought to the president or staff beforehand,” he said, “so you don’t have to come to the public and grandstand.”

There was no treasurer’s report provided that evening.

Board reorganization

Tamika Price made a motion to reorganize the board. It was seconded by McCaskill.

Then, the board voted to name Anthony McCaskill as the new president, replacing Tamika Price, who had previously held the role, who will now serve as treasurer. Keith Price was also appointed as the board’s new vice president. “To be safe,” he said, the board also re-appointed Chapelle Hooks as secretary. Hooks was already elected secretary in 2023.

Under the Illinois Local Library Act, a library board’s ability to reorganize, including changing its president, is governed by the board’s bylaws and state statutes. The Act allows for the election and removal of trustees and officers, typically during regular or special meetings as outlined in the bylaws. 

“I enjoyed, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the board president,” Tamika Price told the HWH. “My goal during the presidency was to make sure that we were caught up during our audits, which we are now,” during the past few years, she said. 

According to Illinois State Comptroller records, the library is compliant with its annual audits through 2023, the most recent fiscal reporting year.

“I’m just grateful to the residents who have reelected me, and also for the board entrusted me to have that position over the last years,” she continued. For Tamika Price, the decision to reorganize was about giving others the opportunity to serve in that capacity. 

“The presidency is a lot and I’ve been doing it for a very long time,” she said, “and it’s a good opportunity right now to share the responsibility as the president.” First elected in 2015, she has held every role at the board, except for treasurer. She said she still wants to serve people but in a different capacity.

Discussion to update FLEX room policy

The board tabled a discussion around rental room hours and rates to reserve FLEX rooms. Those rooms, which allow for upwards of 200 people, are rated $50 for Harvey residents and $100 for non-residents.

Libraries, largely paid for via tax dollars, have become crucial centers for those in need to access social services and resources, with little barriers. A brief back-and-forth between McCaskill and Morgan underscores tensions around how libraries should be: as businesses as opposed to public goods.

But it’s also the case that Harvey is financially fledging, only collecting half of its property tax revenue. That’s causing pressures to outline more revenue tools to shore up finances.

“They’re residents. They’re [already] paying tax dollars,” Morgan said. “They shouldn’t have to pay … to get a room.”

McCaskill said he had an issue with both hours for rental and the current rates. “That rate is way low,” McCaskill said. “Everywhere in Harvey, including churches, charge a rate,” McCaskill added. “It’s a library,” Morgan retorted.

The FLEX policy currently has Sunday hours, but the library isn’t open that day.

Ongoing discussions about shipping container project

The library is continuing conversations with Entrepreneurs Academy, a company aiming to partner with the library to place an urban food farm inside of a shipping container across the street.

That night, the library leadership, the board attorney, and EA struggled to clarify the process to effectively pursue the project. Namely, the board is requesting a site plan and scope of work beyond what EA has provided.

The board attorney said he was told by EA via email the company’s attorney is on maternity leave. Ultimately, McCaskill suggested both attorney’s speak with one another to advance discussions.

Remembering a board member

The board honored the memory of longtime treasurer JoAnn Nesbitt, who passed away at the age of 76 in July, by presenting a big cardboard portrait to Sheila Williams, Nesbitt’s loved one.

“JoAnn was all into the library, and she did a good job. I know she would really appreciate this,” Williams said. “It’s such a nice picture and I want to thank you all for this.” Williams said she plans to take the portrait to Nesbitt’s daughter.