ADHOC City Council & Park Board Minutes 2002 07-10-021
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
CITY COUNCIL/PARK BOARD AD-HOC COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY,JULY 10,2002
6:00 P.M.
IN ATTENDANCE:
City Council: Park Board:
Alderwoman Rose Spears Bill Wedge
Alderman Paul James Lisa Scherer
Guests:
Sue Swithin, Superintendent of Recreation(6:30)
SALARIES
Alderman Paul James reported that at the July 8, 2002 Park Board meeting Sue Swithin asked if
she would be receiving an increase in pay. Alderman James asked Finance Director Traci
Pleckham for the particulars of Ms. Swithin's pay. Ms. Pleckham informed him that Ms. Swithin
received a 5%raise on May 1, 2002,which is the limit for a raise per the City's policy.
Alderman James asked Alderwoman Spears how Ms. Swithin's salary compared to those on her
salary survey. Alderwoman Spears stated that the average salary for Superintendent of
Recreation, deleting the highest salary($55,000.00)and the lowest($12,000.00)salary,was
42,307.00. Ms. Swithin's salary is higher than the average.
Ms. Scherer noted that according to the survey Yorkville's Park&Recreation overall salaries
rank average to high. She stated that she would like to see how all the city's salaries compare to
other areas. If they are in the same range as the Park&Recreation Department then the salaries
are falling in line. If other salaries in the city are not in the same range,then this needs to be
reviewed. Alderwoman Spears stated that the Administration Committee would be reviewing the
survey at their next meeting on July 11, 2002 and comparing all salaries. Ms. Scherer felt that
she needed to know how all the city salaries compare to other municipalities before making a
decision on Ms. Swithin's salary.
The Committee discussed citywide salaries, salary freezes,Ms. Swithin's role in the Park&
Recreation Department and growth in programs. Ms. Scherer stated that funds are in the budget
for an increase and she felt that Ms. Swithin deserved it. She also stated the Park Board has
already voted on Ms. Swithin's salary and are ready to give her an increase. Alderman James felt
that she received the allowable increase per city policy and her current salary should be
maintained unless there is documentation to support an increase such as an increase in programs.
The Committee agreed to advise Ms. Swithin that her current salary was comparable to others
surveyed and the next step is to see how other city salaries compare. If they are at the high end of
the scale,hers should be adjusted. If other salaries are in line with those surveyed,her current
salary is acceptable. Ms. Swithin joined the meeting and Alderman James recapped the earlier
discussion for her. She was advised that it may take a month or two before her salary issue is
resolved and she stated that she was fine with this.
Ms. Swithin stated that she was ready to interview for the Program Supervisor and she wanted to
verify that the salary she was offering was correct. The Committee verified that the salary and
job description for this position and Administrative Assistant were approved.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
The Committee discussed the job description for the Superintendent of Recreation. Approval for
the description was table at the City Council meeting. They discussed changes in the wording
and Alderwoman Spears suggested that the description be revised as recommended at the
Committee of the Whole(COW)meeting where the City Council went over the description line
by line. The Committee discussed the recommendations and Ms. Swithin stated that she would
make the changes and give the revised description to Alderwoman Spears.
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
The Committee approved the minutes from the May 21,2002 meeting.
RULES/POLICIES/PROCEDURES
This item was tabled.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Lines on Bike Paths
Alderwoman Spears reported that a suggested was made at a Public Safety Committee meeting
for developers to paint a white line on bike paths a few yards before the path crosses a roadway.
Also recommended were stop signs for bike path traffic. She asked the Park Board members if
they could incorporate this into their policy with developers. Mr. Wedge stated that they have not
done any bike trails yet but these seem to be standard things for paths.
Aquatic Center
Alderwoman Spears advised the Park Board members that this item was tabled at the City
Council meeting and will be further discussed at the next COW meeting.
Park& Recreation Department Van
Alderwoman Spears asked the status on the Library Board use of the Park&Recreation
Department's van. Ms. Swithin reported that the Library Board asked if they could borrow the
van two or three times to view library buildings in the area. There was a question regarding
insurance and liability but Administrator Graff cleared it up and as long as a city employee drives
the van there is insurance coverage. The van is available for the dates needed.
Program Fees
Alderwoman Spears asked if the Park Board had discussed discounted program fees for city
employees. Both Mr. Wedge and Ms. Scherer stated that they were unable to attend the last Park
Board meeting so this was not discussed. They indicated that they would try to address this at the
Park Board's next meeting on July 15,2002 however they will be conducting interviews so there
may not be time for this. Alderman James suggested that this be discussed at their July 22,2002
meeting. Ms. Swithin stated that offering city employees a reduced fee was a verbal policy that
was passed down to her when she started the job. Alderman James and Alderwoman Spears
recommended a written policy for this.
Parks
Mr. Wedge suggested discussing the park side of the business at an upcoming ad hoc meeting.
He noted that there wasn't anyone representing the parks at the Park Board meeting on July 8,
2002. Public Works Director Eric Dhuse was on vacation and he didn't designate a replacement.
Several questions regarding the parks came up and there wasn't anyone to discuss them with.
Alderman James commented that when the Director of Parks&Recreation is hired these
problems should be solved. He suggested placing this item on the agenda for the next meeting
and asking Mr. Graff to attend to discuss this further
The Committee scheduled their next meeting for July 17,2002 at 6:00 P.M. The meeting was
adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jackie Milschewski,City Clerk
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