Park Board Minutes 2018 06-07-18 Special meetingAPPROVED 7/12/18
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UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
SPECIAL PARK BOARD MEETING
Thursday, June 7, 2018 6:30pm
Parks Maintenance Building, 185 Wolf St., Yorkville, IL
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Chairman Deborah Horaz. Roll call was
taken and a quorum was established.
Roll Call:
Deborah Horaz-present, Amy Cesich-present, Mark Dilday-present, Dan Lane-present,
Gene Wilberg-present, Sash Dumanovic-present
Introduction of Guests, City Officials and Staff:
Parks & Rec Director Tim Evans, Superintendent of Parks Scott Sleezer, Superintendent
of Recreation Shay Remus, City Council Liaison Joel Frieders, Ward 3 Alderman
Public Comment: None
Presentations: None
Approval of Minutes: March 22, 2018
The minutes were approved as presented on a motion by Sash and second by Gene.
Unanimous voice vote.
Bills Review:
Bill List – April, May and June 2018
Tim said there were several end-of-year purchases and grants have been finished for
Bristol Bay. Scott transferred $70,000 to the capital budget to purchase the playground
for Purcell Park, also a new lawn mower and hydro-lift for easier car maintenance.
Money was also spent in each park in order to obtain grants. The reimbursements should
be received in a little over 60 days. Tim hopes to have the Riverfront Park information
submitted by the end of the summer.
Budget Report – March and April 2018
Tim discussed the April report since it is the end of the fiscal year, however, some
expenses will still occur. He referred to the Income Statement and said the Parks had a
fantastic year and thanked Scott for watching the budget. He said there were also staff
turnovers and retirements. The year started with a $70,000 deficit and overall, staff
expects a $50,000 surplus.
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Tim stated they have an in-house plan for equipment and recently purchased a new cargo
van for Shay that can also be used to attend conferences. He said 2 vehicles are needed
to transport equipment during events. He said they also have a playground in need of
replacement and 20 years is the replacement time. Scott said the manufacturers no
longer have parts to repair equipment and he added that Beecher Park is about 20 years
old. Tim said he was recently asked to be on the judging committee for the ComEd grant
and therefore his department was ineligible to apply. Tim said the year ended very well
and Ribfest and Hometown Days will help gauge the coming year.
Old Business:
Riverfront Park and Bristol Bay Regional Park Grant Updates
Tim reported that the grant for Bristol Bay is done with all amenities in and the $400,000
will be reimbursed to the Parks Department from the State. He said the added parking is
a huge asset. At Riverfront Park the fishing pier, playground and shelter are finished
with some landscaping work to be done. Part of the west side parking at Riverfront is
covered under a grant, however, the east parking at Riverfront and all at Bristol Bay was
put out to bid. A bid of $271,000 has been received. That will be taken to City Council
and he is looking at land cash or future land cash to fund this project. He credited Scott
and staff for much of the work that has been done. Deb asked if the Parks could bring
back hot dogs to attract people there.
New Business:
Park Board Proposal
Tim said Alderman Chris Funkhouser had put forth a proposal to dissolve the Park Board
and include it in some other committees. Joel said this proposal came from frustration
that 43% of the scheduled Park Board meetings had been canceled. He suggested bi-
monthly or 'as needed' meetings. He does not feel the Park Board should disband and
said the Park Board volunteers are valued and that some elected officials have come from
the Park Board. Joel sent a link to apply for the Park Board to those who sent negative
emails to him. He encouraged Park Board members to attend the Council meeting on
June 12th to speak in favor of keeping the Board.
Amy questioned why the matter was not brought forward for discussion with Tim instead
of taking it directly to a committee meeting. Deb said there had been previous
discussions as to how often the Park Board should meet and it was decided at that time
that meetings would be on a 'as-needed' basis. Tim said he felt the issue was brought up
in an effort to have efficiency in the city. He added that in addition to serving on the
Board, the members carry weight at community events and citizens can engage in
dialogue with them.
In conclusion, Tim recommended the Board should meet bi-monthly, call special
meetings when needed and re-evaluate this at the next meeting. Amy commented that if
they meet bi-monthly, all the bills do not need to be printed in an effort to save paper.
Tim will highlight the big bills.
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Yorkville Youth Tackle Football Agreement
This agreement has been executed the past few years and Tim is just seeking approval
from the Board. No raise in fees is needed, he said. Sash asked if there were any resident
complaints. There have not been complaints for football or for baseball. Gene asked if
alcohol is allowed in the parks. It is allowed for special events when approved by the
Mayor and in the past it has been allowed on Tuesday and Thursday for softball. Tim
noted that other leagues allow liquor. Amy made a motion to approve the Youth Tackle
Football Agreement for 2018 and Sash seconded. Roll call vote: Cesich-yes, Dilday-yes,
Lane-yes, Wilberg-yes, Dumanovic-yes, Horaz-yes. Carried 6-0.
Parks and Recreation Monthly Report:
Shay reported on the upcoming movie night in conjunction with Raging Waves. There
will be discounted admission and entertainment prior to the movie. Tim added the movie
night will be a collaboration with Oswego with another collaboration in August. Other
upcoming events are Riverfest and Summer Solstice. Tim will send a list of the events
and asked if Board members could come and engage with attendees. Shay said the
Farmer's Market is going well and vendors sold out recently. Staff is running the market
along with Amber Dawn Farms. A golf outing was also recently held and the St.
Patrick's Day Parade was successful. Shay reported that only 20 spots are left in all the
programs for next year and that numbers were up for the camps this summer. This
provides consistent revenue.
Additional Business:
Tim noted that the Kennedy Path was officially opened recently. It has been a huge
success with many people of all ages using it and it connects to other paths as well.
Gene questioned who is responsible for the Kennedy trail and staff replied that it is the
city's responsibility. He noted that the snowmobilers damage the trails in the winter and
also pose a danger to pedestrians.
Alderman Frieders commented about improvements that will occur at Galena Rd. and
Bertram. There will be a right in/right out and this will help traffic flow at the light. He
also commented on other projects. He said the bridge on Baseline Road will be repaired
by IDOT and the older mini-golf business at Prairie and Rt. 47 will be demolished for
road improvements. The viaduct at Rt. 47 will be widened in Sugar Grove and lane
improvements on I-88 have begun at Rt. 56 and Rt. 47.
Tim said Parks is collaborating with Kiwanis on Oktoberfest which will be held the
second Saturday of October. Summer Solstice will be held June 22-23.
In another matter, Sash inquired about Ron Clark Park. Scott reported that Encap will do
work in the fall and Friends of the Park will do an inventory of plants in the meantime.
The house on the property was also discussed and will eventually be sold.
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There was discussion brought forth by Sash inquiring if there is a policy on background
checks for independent contractors or affiliate groups. There is currently no liability on
them, however, Tim will discuss with the city attorney. Tim noted that all volunteer
coaches and employees undergo background checks and also must have a certificate of
insurance.
Sash also inquired if there is a list of future land acquisitions. There is a master plan for
future park sites, properties of interest and future projects. A future regional park is
possible for the south side. It was noted that land cash can't be used to replace
playground equipment, it must be new.
Staffing for Parks and Rec was discussed and it was noted that they share a receptionist at
City hall and program registration is able to be done there. A coordinator was hired to go
out for improved programs. Another employee may be added to Scott's staff.
Adjournment:
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:35pm on a motion and
second by Amy and Mark, respectively. Unanimous voice vote approval.
Respectfully transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker