Park Board Minutes 2015 03-12-15Page 1 of 4
Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department
Park Board Meeting
ARC Building
201 W. Hydraulic Avenue
6:30 p.m.
March 12, 2015
Call to Order: Deb Horaz called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Deb Horaz ‐ yes; Kelly Sedgwick – yes; Seaver Tarulis – yes; Mark Dilday – yes; Amy
Cesich – no; Dan Lane – yes; Matt Konecki – yes.
Introduction of City Official and Staff:
Tim Evans – Director of Parks and Recreation
Scott Sleezer – Superintendent of Parks
Shay Remus – Superintendent of Recreation
Ken Koch – Alderman
Other Guests: Gene Wilberg and Jeff Brown
Public Comment: Gene Wilberg said he is visiting and he would like to contribute to the Parks and
Recreation and be part of the group and would like to bring more people to Yorkville to develop
businesses and add more bike trails.
Robyn said the Foxy’s Ice Cream opened today and it is going to be a great year because the
construction will be done by June. Foxy’s is turning 5 and will have a birthday party on June 5th
Presentation: None.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the February 12, 2015 meeting were approved. Motion to
approve the minutes made by Mark Dilday and seconded by Dan Lane.
Bills Review:
Bill List – March 12, 2015 – For review.
Budget Report –January 2014 ‐ Informational only.
Budget Report January 2015 – Informational only.
New Business: (out of order)
New Logo – Tim said that staff has been talking about updating and modernizing our logo. Tim said they
wanted to keep it similar and we worked with Deb the last couple months and a local business designed
it. Tim said he wanted the board to approve this so staff can move forward with a new logo.
APPROVED 4/9/15
Page 2 of 4
Tim said it would look just as it is presented. The board asked what things the logo will be on. Tim said
the old logo will stay, but everything new will get the new logo like the Facebook page and catalog. The
board likes the new logo. Motion to pass the new Yorkville Parks and Recreation logo as presented
made by Matt Konecki and seconded by Kelly Sedgwick.
Riverfront Park Playground Review of Proposals – Tim said things have changed, since the city put this
together. Tim said the state notified them that Bristol 65 and Riverfront Park as of this time both have
been suspended. The Mayor has reached out to elected officials and we are reaching out to elected
officials in Springfield and think there is a hope that down the road, some of these things will be
reinstated, but we don’t know when it will happen.
Tim said that anything that costs money, we are not doing right now. Tim said the city can still pass the
playground, but will not purchase it right away. Tim said that way, things can move forward and we
don’t have to wait on things to be ready to go. Tim said the playground is a vital thing that the
community wants down there.
Tim said the feeling was that we need to move forward with the playground and bring a
recommendation to city council, but until there is funding, it will not be purchased. Tim said they have
reached out to our lobbyists and have contacted the elected officials. Deb asked for a list of contacts.
Tim said that Yorkville has not done anything major at this point, which is a good thing. Tim said for
tonight, the board can look at the different prices for the different playgrounds. Tim said staff has two
recommendations that we can go over tonight. Tim showed the board which playground the staff
recommends.
Scott said this is intended for a 5‐12 year old park. Scott said it is a destination park, so it has to be ADA
accessible and the city would like to have more than just the minimal amount. Scott showed the board
different parks and features and discussed them. The board reviewed different parks, features and
prices.
Scott said that he met with Matt, Deb and the Mayor and the staff that installs and they looked at these
parks. The board asked what the base would be. Scott said the base is not included in the price. Scott
said the nature theme would be great and the park he recommends blends in well with the river, since it
is a nature theme.
Tim said this will be built by the city and our staff looked at them and what would be required. The
board asked about durability. Scott said they have never had a playground fail. Scott said things are
replaceable and after 15 years they might not make the components. Scott said they have staff certified
as playground inspectors and know the guidelines very well.
Scott said staying on top of things and checking things monthly inspecting things helps. Tim said there is
more time now that this is suspended and the other board members can come and look at them, or we
can go ahead with the staff pick tonight. The board agreed to go forward with the staff
recommendations.
Motion to approve the Riverfront Playground proposal 129‐84983‐1 made by Kelly Sedgwick seconded
by Seaver Tarulis. Motion approved.
Page 3 of 4
301 E. Hydraulic Review Proposal ‐ Jeff Brown from Yak Shack stated that he came to answer questions
that the board may have and would like to occupy the space at the Riverfront. Tim said that he has
spoken with Jeff before and it would be good to have his services to help use the Kayak chute. Tim said
there were a couple of changes that were in the license, he would like to do a flat fee of $500.00 per
month. Tim said he would like a $1000 deposit. Tim said that they would like to get Jeff into the space
ASAP and would like the board’s approval tonight to move this to city council.
Tim said if the board approves this, he will have the city attorney make the changes in the license
agreement. Deb said she did not see anything about the attorney fees and would like that added to
protect the city if the renter backs out. Jeff said he wants to really cover the whitewater side and he
would like to expand the recreation in Yorkville. Jeff will be open 7 days a week. Tim said it will be a
two year agreement.
Jeff said he will be there year round. He said he does indoor pool lessons. He will also be working with
the Boy Scouts to do classes. Seaver asked if he will be doing tubes or rafts. Jeff said the course is not
good for rafts. Jeff said the inflatables cost more than kayaks and canoes. Matt asked if Jeff is
responsible for the exterior of the building. Scott said yes and it is in the contract.
Motion to approve the license agreement with the Yack Shack at 301 E. Hydraulic Avenue. Motion
Seaver Tarulis and seconded by Kelly Sedgwick. Motion approved.
Old Business:
Riverfront Rental Update – Tim said he has been in discussions with Robyn from Foxy’s and will do a
new license agreement for the board to approve. Tim said they have been giving tours of the building
and he thinks that the board will be interested. Tim said one is a restaurant and one a bike rental. Tim
said they do not have actual proposals at this point, but it could be potential business down there.
Kelly said there are no bike paths downtown to ride on, so he is not sure that will work out. Tim said the
staff is still planning on running some programs out of the building this summer, but we are still looking
to get a business in there by this summer.
Reports:
Parks – Scott said it is nice to see the sun. Scott said they are ready to go for spring and began marking
soccer fields. Scott said one of the staff is moving on and there will be a transition. Scott said the south
building is coming along and they are working hard to create a new space at the south building, so we
can have more space.
Scott said they are working together with Tim and Shay on special events and we have a new carnival
company that will be a good family run carnival. Scott said there will be park open houses with a bit of
food and highlight a couple parks each year, which will be nice events. Scott said with the new parks on
hold, there are plenty of small projects to work on and maintenance to do.
Recreation – Shay said the preschool last month did a pajama party and had popcorn celebrating the
letter P. The preschool is still learning their letters and learning to follow directions and growing
throughout the year.
Page 4 of 4
Basketball finished up and this weekend. The kindergarten basketball went well and we plan on doing it
again next year. Soccer registration ended and there are 290 kids registered this year.
Shay said the online registration is going well with at least 1/3 of those registering online. Shay said it
might have helped raise the numbers. Basketball said they are going to offer a summer basketball
league for five or six weeks using the schools.
Deb asked about an open gym time. Shay said right now there is not a spot to fit it in, but in the fall they
would like to bring it back. Shay said the summer catalog will be going out and she is excited and would
like an all color insert and get full color adds for special summer events. Shay said she has been working
hard on sponsorships and it is going really well.
Tim said by expanding to other communities we are getting more revenue. Tim said the online
registration will be the future and will offer more on there. Tim said the Easter Hunt will be great with
Senior Services and Shay said the event is full.
Additional Business: None.
Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Motion was
made by Kelly Sedgwick and seconded by Matt Konecki.
Minutes Respectfully Submitted by:
Lisa Godwin
Minute Taker