Park Board Minutes 2014 03-13-14
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Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department
City Hall
800 Game Farm Road
March 13, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
Call to Order: Deb Horaz called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
Roll Call: Deb Horaz – yes; Kelly Sedgwick – no; Seaver Tarulis – yes; Mark Dilday – yes; Amy
Cesich – yes; Dan Lane – no; Matt Konecki – yes.
Introduction of City Official and Staff:
Tim Evans – Superintendent of Recreation
Scott Sleezer – Superintendent of Parks
Shay Remus – Recreation Manager
Ken Koch ‐ Alderman
Other Guests: None.
Public Comment: None.
Presentation: None.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the February 13, 2014 minutes were approved. Motion to
approve the minutes was made by Seaver Tarulis and seconded by Matt Konecki.
Bills Review:
March 13, 2014 Bills List – The board reviewed the bills list. There were no questions or comments.
February 2013 – Budget Report – Informational purposes.
February 2014 – Budget Report – Informational purposes.
Old Business:
Land Cash Presentation – Scott said at the last meeting he passed out information to look over. Scott
said the purpose of land cash was to have developers pay for construction of parks and/or donate land
or space for parks.
Scott said Naperville Park District was the first to do this and take it to court to make it binding. The way
Yorkville does it because we are not a park district and we are part of the city, the parks are part of the
planning of the development of the neighborhoods. The city has a master plan as a guide with our trails
and what is located in each park and what the city is looking for.
Scott said the city puts a recommendation for the developer then it goes to planning commission and
back to park board to have their voice be heard whether to take all land or cash value. The numbers are
calculated on the population in the neighborhood and that tells us how much land should be donated
and then equate that to a dollar figure and make a decision on land, cash, or somewhere in between.
APPROVED 4/10/14
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Tim asked to use an example. Scott used Kylans Crossing as an example. Scott said the city wanted a 5
acre park site, but that would have taken up all the land cash we had, so the park board decided to take
a 2 ½ acre site to start on the edge of the development, so that the next piece of land that was
developed, we could request an additional 2 ½ acres of land. The city ended up with the 5 acres, but
also had the money to develop the park site.
Sunflower is another example. The city got half of the site we wanted, but we want another 2‐5 acres on
the west side to develop into an athletic field. Scott said athletic parks and larger parks come in
identified in the master plan and when larger developments like Grande Reserve that has 9 parks sites,
the city can negotiate for a regional park site large enough for community events, which is Bridge Park
now.
Ken said Grande Reserve was funded with land cash. Scott said Grande Reserve gave 100%. Deb said
Grande Reserve also donated a YMCA spot. Scott said there are trigger points where the city requests
the money. Scott said as part of negotiations the city will step in and decide what is important and
feasible for the developer and the city negotiates it.
In Autumn Creek when that subdivision was built, they would front fund $300,000 to develop parks, the
city gets more money than that, but they wanted to pay by permit for the rest of it every time a home is
built it is like $400.00 per home.
Deb asked if that money is just for that park. Scott said it comes into that fund whether it is spent there
or not it can be spent out of that development to benefit the entire city. Some developments state that
all the money has to be spent inside their development. Most of the developments do not say that.
Scott said if the city doesn’t spend the money within a certain time or decide to not build a park it is 10
years, then we have to give the money back, which has never happened before. Tim asked if we have
parks that need to be built based off of land cash. Scott said there is no trigger point other than Autumn
Creek.
Scott said the city wants to see the development finished about 50‐60 percent and then the city begins
to build the park because the city has the funds at that point. Caledonia needs to be built, but the land
cash is in limbo because of a foreclosure or bankruptcy. Scott said that was supposed to be front
funded. The city contacted the developer numerous times.
Deb asked Amy how the county is addressing land cash at the county level. Amy said she doesn’t
remember specifics, but the county looked at the schools which was big part. Deb asked how the
county can say out of city limits the property is worth more. Deb said it was $80,000 and the city is
looking at $30,000.
Deb said the issue for us at $30,000 per acre is we cannot build a park for that. Scott said the smarter
play is land and get all the land you can and hope to get grants or other funding down the road. Deb
asked if the city could plant trees and leave it open space. Scott said yes, it does not have to be a
playground.
Scott said the land that the city receives does have stipulations on the developer. For example, the city
doesn’t take land below the 100 year flood, we might take it with a wooded feature or an interesting
feature and give no credit for that. On the park sites, they have to improve the site by water and sewer
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and electric and grade the site and put grass down there. Scott said those things are above and beyond
the land cash. Scott said there have been some great developers and they put the grass down after the
city builds the park.
Scott said he thinks things are starting to head back up and he hopes this is a non‐issue as far as cash or
land. Deb said every town has to be dealing with this issue. Scott said if the land is appraised, the city
has to take what they say. Deb said we need to take land at this point because the cash is not going to
do enough.
The board discussed different sites that would be good for future parks and a regional park. Deb said
there is not reason to change the ordinance and right now the land is so cheap. The city is not getting a
bang of our buck, so the next time this comes up, it will probably be land and not both. Deb said more
green spaces than parks and grants for conservation is a big thing, which can be our new avenue, so the
city gets parks.
Scott said he wants to clear up what land cash is for our new members and answer any questions they
might have. Ken said back in 2007 the park board meetings would have several developers come to the
meetings, but things have changed. Scott said to build a park now it is at least $80,000. Tim pointed out
there is not money when things go bad or need replaced. Scott said yes, there is a replacement schedule
the city has. Deb said Riverfront was taken down and it is being replaced because of a grant.
Scott said most of the parks are safe and in good shape and the city makes minor repairs when needed.
Scott said if there are any questions, please e‐mail.
State Park and Recreational Facility Construction Grants – Tim said this is a discussion on the facility
grant that was approved at this level and went to city council. City council decided it was not a good
time to go for it because of the money that would have to be used and there are other issues that are
more important at this time.
City council was not against it and did not want to shoot is down. Matt said I am fed up with driving to
Oswego, our city does not put any priority on recreation and parks. Matt said there are not classes
available to working parents. Matt said he doesn’t understand. Ken said there were two people he
thought he had and then the 4 million number hurt. Ken said it collapsed. Amy asked if the HVAC was
brought up. Ken said yes.
Ken said in Countryside you have East and West Kendall and Countryside Parkway with water main
breaks several a year and to do those roads and the mains underneath is 5 million dollars. Deb said
have you heard of a transportation tax. Ken said that might be what it comes down to. Deb said
somewhere people are going to start biting the bullet.
Ken said Rt. 71 is going to be widened. Ken said the water and sewer next to that which has to be pulled
out from Rt. 126 all the way back is at least a million dollars and the city has to come up with those
things. Ken said that is the problem. Deb said people want things and do not want to pay for it. Matt
said last month a grant came up fast and it did not work, so is our strategy off.
Tim said there has to be a strategy and there has to be money for us to apply for grants. Matt said parks
and recreation is not a priority and the city needs a strategy for that. Deb said city council and park
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board should have gotten together and hashed it out. City council feels it is thrown on them. Deb said if
we worked as a team, it would be best for everybody and more would be accomplished.
Deb said there needs to be a debate to get the entire picture. Matt said the Rec Center made sense to
me and the HVAC made sense and I thought it would work. Ken said the alderman need to hear how
people feel, they think everyone wants roads. Tim said with push for the path people jammed the
meeting to get that done. Ken said the people were there and 3 alderman still said no.
Scott said giving options would help. Scott said it was one proposal and if we had a second or third
proposal it would have been better. The council has a lot of water/sewer and streets that need replaced
and people want to flush their toilet and that is more important than parks to anyone.
Scott said the numbers went over their comfort level. Deb said why couldn’t they say to scale it down
then. Scott said we did not have a backup plan and a better strategy would have helped. Scott said it is
tough for the alderman they have to be responsible.
Ken said if the council said go for it, the next question would have been which part can be cut out to get
it to 3.3 million and the alderman would have to make those decisions. Tim said this has been a learning
experience for us. Amy said the items the city lists have to help get the grant ‐ it has to be viable. Deb
said we lost the REC Center which would be a help. Amy said the community has to be in support and
we had a REC Center and they said no.
Scott said he has been with the city for 22 years and he said he planted a lot of flowers even though they
got smashed and I kept at it. The board needs to have a good positive attitude and keep having a vision
and despite what the council thinks, it is the boards’ duty to do this even if someone stomps on the
flowers.
Tim said the staff has focused on the things we can do after we lost he REC Center and the city has been
successful with those things. Tim said the special events are doing great. Amy said the timing of things
is important and the city needs to be in a better economic situation and roads done, and then come and
approach this. There is a time and a place to approach these things because it is a wants versus needs
and parks and recreation is a want to them and not a need.
Deb said don’t they understand that our department returns money to the city. Matt said he thinks that
if he is thinking about this then he knows that others in the community are frustrated to. Deb said the
board should have put this in the paper and do a story so people would show up to support it.
Scott said our special events are going well and our numbers are up in basketball in soccer and we see
our numbers going up and we moved a preschool and it is thriving. Scott said there is support, but the
issue is as Amy said, timing and a want versus need. Scott said we should still bring things forward. Tim
said at some point it will go through. Tim said the board members need to work together and work with
Ken. Tim said not having a director hurt us a bit this time. Tim said Yorkville is not a park district and we
do not have taxing dollars for things.
Scott said the 2014 OSLAD Grant is coming up. Scott said we tried Bristol Bay 65 before. Scott said to
bring ideas like redeveloping Beecher. Scott said at the April meeting lets discuss grants and move
forward. Deb said years ago we had a 1, 3 and 5 year plan. Tim said the board should have an extra
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meeting to discuss the master plan it is kind of out dated. The board should take a Saturday and put a
master plan together.
New Business:
Grande Reserve Park B‐ Site Update – Tim said this needs a vote. Scott said as a match to one of our
park sites, the city is obligated to build park site B. Scott said when the city applied for Prairie Meadows,
the matching piece was Grande Reserve B. The city was obligated to build Grande Reserve B with a
playground, community garden, small shade and disc golf. The city is obligated to begin the bricks and
mortor construction and the clock is ticking as of January 2015. The city has to have the park
construction underway and a structure up by then.
Scott said the city needs to move forward and the board approved the park the city wanted to build in
2007, but the city did not purchase that equipment. The board needs to revisit that and contact the
playground manufacturer that was the winning bid in 2007 and see what the price would be to get the
same equipment. Scott said the original approved amount was $36,065 and it is now $39,699.19.
Scott said this needs approved again to move forward. Amy asked what happens if we don’t approve.
Scott said the grant money the city was given has to go back. Scott said that would hurt our chances to
get more grants. Deb asked if there is a drawing for this park. Scott said yes in the packets.
Staff seeks approval to approve the reauthorization Grande Reserve Park B Site for the amount of
$39,699.19. Motion was made by Amy Cesich and seconded by Seaver Tarulis. Deb – yes; Seaver – yes;
Matt – yes; Mark – yes Amy Cesich ‐ yes.
Reports:
Recreation Report – Tim said basketball is finishing up and tournaments have begun. Tim said
basketball has gone well. Soccer starts up with 30 kids more than last year. Preschool is in spring session
and graduation soon and the registration is great for next year. Shay said 15 kids in M‐W‐F, which is 3
away from maxing out. Eight or 9 kids in the T‐Thurs. Shay said usually the city doesn’t have this many
this early.
Shay said the late pick ups has decreased with the warning letters. Since January only 4 have been late,
so it seems to be working. Shay said if it happens again, they will be charged. Tim said the staff is trying
to get ready for the next shift and with late kids there they cannot do that. Tim said it is also upsetting
to the kids.
Tim said the special events are keeping the city very busy. Scott said construction began at Clark Park.
The roof is being put on. Scott said it is a great setting and a decorative piece. Scott said there will be
benches but not under it. It can be rented out for weddings.
Tim said that he and Scott have been meeting with EEI and Bart about Riverfront and getting plans in
place. Scott said Laura did not design the playground equipment, but she did design the site. Scott said
EEI will take some of Laura’s drawings and put them into construction documents. Brad will help the
city do some of that and do the construction documents.
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Scott said that EEI will assist the city with planning. Scott said the city will help with some of the work
and the city can bill our time back to the grant. Riverfront will not cost the city a dollar because we are
using our labor to match the grant. Laura had the site plan already done.
Additional Business: Tim said there are some problems with Geneva Kayak some bills have not been up
to speed and the building was not winterized and see what damage was done over the winter. Tim said
this can be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
Tim said he reached out to Geneva Kayak, but they have been on trips. Tim said we have done research
on the tax issues and Geneva Kayak and Whitewater Ice Cream are not up to date on their taxes. Deb
said it was Creative Kernel too. Tim said they have checked with their attorney and in the next week or
so default letters will go out and the city is working with the finance department on this item. Deb said
that attorney costs are being incurred.
Tim said it could be an issue years from now, if taxes were owed and the city wanted to sell. Tim said it
is in the lease that taxes are to be paid. Amy asked if Robyn has been talked to. Tim said emails have
been sent out. Deb said the attorneys are working on it. Deb said there is a rental issue as well. Deb
said she is letting the city administrator and the attorney take care of it.
Deb said rent has not been paid either. The board reviewed the numbers. Tim said there will be more
information at the next meeting. Tim said moving forward in regard to rental payments, we will turn
that over to the finance department to keep track of payments and taxes.
Suspend Regular Session Meeting for Executive Session: Motion to go suspend regular session made
by Seaver Tarulis and seconded by Mark Dilday 8:00 p.m.
Motion to go into Executive Session: Motion to go into executive session for personnel made by Mark
Dilday and seconded by Seaver Tarulis at 8:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting Called to Order: Motion to call regular meeting by Mark Dilday and second by Amy
Cesich to order at 8:05 p.m.
Deb said the board is going to make a recommendation to the Mayor to make Tim Evans the Interim
Director of Parks and Recreation with an additional raise, if possible, to be determined by the Mayor. All
if favor. Unanimous yes by the board.
Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Motion was
made by Seaver Tarulis and seconded by Mark Dilday.
Minutes Respectfully Submitted by:
Lisa Godwin
Minute Taker