Park Board Minutes 2020 07-16-20APPROVED 11/19/20
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UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PARK BOARD MEETING
Thursday, July 16, 2020 6:00pm
Parks Maintenance Building, 185 Wolf St., Yorkville, IL
Note: This meeting was held in accordance with Public Act 101-0640 and Gubernatorial
Disaster Proclamation issued by Governor Pritzker pursuant to the powers vested in the
Governor under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. This encourages
social distancing by allowing remote attendance at the meeting, due to the current Covid-
19 pandemic.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:05pm by Board President Amy Cesich. Roll call
was taken and a quorum was established.
Roll Call:
Dan Lane-yes/in-person, Victor Perez-yes/remote (joined at 6:09pm), Amy Cesich-yes/in-
person, Sash Dumanovic-yes/in-person, Rusty Hyett-yes/remote
Absent: Gene Wilberg, Kelly Diederich
Introduction of Guests, City Officials and Staff:
Director of Parks & Recreation Tim Evans/in-person, Superintendent of Recreation Shay
Remus/in-person, Superintendent of Parks Scott Sleezer/in-person, Alderman Ken
Koch/in-person, Liaison/Alderman Joel Frieders/remote
Public Comment: None
Presentations: None
Approval of Minutes: January 16, 2020
The minutes were approved as presented on a motion by Mr. Lane and second by Mr.
Dumanovic. Approved on roll call vote: Cesich-yes, Dumanovic-yes, Lane-yes. (Call
disconnected for Mr. Hyett's vote, Mr. Perez also joined meeting at this time.)
Bills Review:
Bill List – February through July 2020
Budget Report – December 2019 and January – May 2020
Mr. Evans reported the baseball league is up and running. There were many purchases
made with the largest one for four playgrounds. Mr. Dumanovic questioned the accident
repair bill for $3,362. Mr. Sleezer said a vehicle was repaired, but it was not due to a
vehicle accident.
Old Business:
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Grants Update
Mr. Evans said they have not applied for any grants recently due to the pandemic and
there are no matching funds.
New Business:
Playground Equipment Purchases for Caledonia, Autumn Creek, Beecher
and Purcell Parks-Update
Mr. Evans said when no meetings were being held in the past few months, he had sent
emails to all with updates of the purchases. In December the Board had approved an RFP
for Caledonia and Autumn Creek playgrounds using funds from land cash and capital.
After conversations with the playground provider, it was conveyed that for a little more
money, 4 playgrounds could be purchased instead of just 2. After negotiations for
installation, it was recommended in an email to the Board to move forward and the
purchase was approved via email since meeting dates were uncertain due to the
pandemic. Mr. Evans said the salesperson greatly discounted the cost and commission.
It was noted that the playgrounds exceed the ADA requirements. President Cesich
thanked staff and Aldermen Koch and Frieders for their help with this project. She also
noted that residents were thankful since many more were using the parks due to the
pandemic.
YYBSA Youth Baseball & Softball Transition Agreement
Mr. Evans said this transition agreement was signed two years ago and is now up for
renewal. The agreement locks in fields and will extend from year to year unless one
party chooses not to. He said YYBSA has assisted the Parks and Rec in many ways.
President Cesich entertained a motion to approve the transition agreement with YYBSA.
Mr. Lane moved and Mr. Dumanovic seconded. Roll call: Cesich-yes, Dumanovic-yes,
Hyett-yes, Lane-yes, Perez-yes. Carried 5-0.
YYTF Agreement
Mr. Evans said for the last 4-5 years, space has been provided at Rotary Park for YYTF
practices. It is not known if YYTF will use the space this year, but Mr. Evans wants the
agreement in place nevertheless. A motion was made by Mr. Dumanovic and seconded
by Mr. Lane to move forward with the agreement. Roll call: Perez-yes, Lane-yes, Hyett-
yes, Cesich-yes. Carried 4-0.
FY 21 Program and Budget Discussion
Mr. Evans said Parks and Rec came in at budget. He said baseball is occurring now
instead of earlier, due to the pandemic. They started with 1,000 kids and now have 400.
If Parks and Rec has to cancel activities before the end of July, they would have to refund
the money back into FY 2020, resulting in a break-even or a $30,000-$40,000 loss, but he
believes sports will continue.
Parks and Recreation Monthly Report
Mr. Evans said Parks and Rec usually generates $400,000 of profit per year. He said
sports and pre-school program are the financial backbone and that special events do not
generate much profit. He also said cuts have been made in part-time staff and there is no
catalog with info going instead on water bills and other means. He said the schools
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cannot be used for practices this year due to the pandemic. They have also been busy
with virtual programming. Assistance has been provided with Meals on Wheels and
police parades. He said summer camps have been busy, sports league are moving
forward and movie nights have been popular.
Director Evans does not foresee any large special events or live music this year and
liquor licenses cannot be obtained. Ms. Cesich said residents were appreciative of the 4th
of July parade and thanked the staff for all they have done under the circumstances. She
complimented Ms. Remus on her portrayal of a Disney character. Ms. Remus said
activities are included in the water bills, Facebook, e-mail, and updates are put on the
website, etc. Overall, revenues are down about 50% at this time, said Mr. Evans.
Alderman Koch asked about band deposits--they will transfer to next year. Mr. Evans
said the work increased for Mr. Sleezer's department since more people used the parks
and Director Evans thanked Mr. Sleezer and staff for the work they did. Mr. Sleezer said
a shelter was installed at Raintree Park along with other improvements.
Executive Session: None
Additional Business:
The possibility of using the sports dome was also briefly discussed, but Mr. Evans said
they might reach out to more of the schools. He talked about how sports and pre-school
might proceed this fall with virtual options being offered for pre-schools. Ms. Remus is
working with state guidelines, while making sure to cover all expenses. Moving pre-
school classes to the Van Emmon facility is also a possibility.
Mr. Evans also said a reimbursement list is submitted to the city each week regarding
Meals on Wheels participation and for other items.
Board member Hyett thanked the staff for preparing all baseball fields in a very short
time. He also suggested a Parks & Rec app to provide a catalog.
Mr. Perez commented that he was glad to see Zoom being used, for having the catalog
on-line and for digital communications. He noted the cost-savings by going paperless.
Adjournment:
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 6:59pm on a motion by Mr.
Lane and second by Mr. Dumanovic. Roll call vote: Dumanovic-yes, Hyett-yes, Lane-
yes, Perez-yes, Cesich-yes. Carried 5-0.
Respectfully transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker/remote