Park Board Minutes 2022 11-17-22 APPROVED 1/19/23
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UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PARK BOARD MEETING
Thursday, November 17, 2022 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 ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:05pm by Board member Sash Dumanovic. Roll call was
taken and a quorum was established.
Roll Call:
Tiffany Forristall-yes, Gene Wilberg-yes, Jorge Ayala-yes, Kelly Diederich-yes, Sash
Dumanovic-yes, Rusty Hyett-yes
Absent: Dan Lane
Introduction of Guests, City Officials and Staff:
The Board members, staff and new members, Tiffany Forristall and Jorge Ayala, all introduced
themselves. Mr. Dumanovic recognized the following staff and guests: Director of Parks &
Recreation Tim Evans, Superintendent of Parks Scott Sleezer, Superintendent of Recreation Shay
Remus (6:26pm-6:55pm), Certified Playground Specialist/Safety Inspector Ryan Horner, City
Council Liaison Ken Koch.
Public Comment:
For the benefit of the new members, Mr. Evans said the Board serves as an advisory group. They
purchase playgrounds and any expenditures over $25,000 go to the City Council for final
approval. The Board provides input to the Mayor and Council.
Ms. Forristall asked how the north and south side trails can be joined. Mr. Evans and Mr. Sleezer
explained the current trails which includes some sidewalk and has natural barriers such as major
roads and the river. They also discussed future proposed connections. Mr. Sleezer hopes for
grants for a trail to Hoover and to develop the old trolley line. However, a creek traverses the
trolley line several times which would drive up the cost. Alderman Koch said the Park Board
has discussed the old trolley line as early as 2003.
On another note, Mr. Dumanovic thanked Mr. Evans and staff for allowing the Board members to
participate in community events.
Presentations: None
Approval of Minutes: July 21, 2022
The minutes were approved as presented on a motion by Mr. Hyett and second by Mr. Wilberg.
Roll call vote: Forristall-yes, Wilberg-yes, Ayala-yes, Diederich-yes, Dumanovic-yes, Hyett-yes.
Carried 6-0.
Bills Review:
Bill List – August - November 2022
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Budget Report – July - October 2022
Mr. Evans said a large amount of the bills was $50,000 for Hometown Days and a profit of
$15,000-$20,000 is expected. Other activity expenditures included the pre-school partnership,
pickleball court, fall athletics and Halloween activities. Four new vehicles were purchased a year
ago and just received. He said the budget is good and more pre-covid activities have resumed
including getting back into the schools for sports. Part-time salaries are being monitored because
they skyrocketed due to difficulty in finding and retaining people. Shipping costs also rose.
Director Evans explained the functions of land cash and capital budget. He said the Parks
generate about one-third of their revenue from programs and the city provides two-thirds for
expenditures.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Playgrounds Purchase Proposal
Mr. Evans said there is a playground replacement plan and each year two are replaced. The wait
time to receive new equipment is long, so it was decided to order for next year. Some money was
also designated for a park in Countryside since they have no park. The church has offered land for
a park (including a solar aspect), which is still in negotiations. Parks and Rec has also tried
refurbishment of some parks using staff labor to save money. There is money in the budget to
purchase new playgrounds for Sleezer and Kiwanis Parks and staff would like to move forward
with the purchase. If Countryside does not come to fruition, the equipment at Prestwick Park will
be replaced. The cost would be about $178,000.
Mr. Sleezer added that better pricing is obtained if 3-4 parks are replaced and a 40% discount is
possible. There are 5 manufacturers. He said the equipment at Kiwanis Park and Sleezer Park is
wheelchair accessible. Mr. Evans added that Mr. Sleezer is outstanding with management,
construction and providing staff labor to save $30,000-$40,000. Mr. Sleezer noted there are 28
playgrounds in the city and the Park Board has felt that they do not want children to go more than
a half-mile to a park considering the area highways and the river.
Mr. Horner is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector, handles risk management and
replaces/inspects playgrounds and coordinates rehabs. He said rehabs are a good alternative for
some of the parks. He gave a slide presentation of the current parks and showed the ADA
accessibility. Some of these parks have inclusive swings and some merry-go-rounds have speed
limitations. ADA rules have changed vastly and new standards need to be met/exceeded. All
construction is done in-house. Ms. Forristall asked if used playsets could be traded to the pre-
school. Mr. Evans said Parks has been working with the schools.
A slide of Sleezer Park was shown and a complete re-do is slated. Mr. Horner commented on
some of the equipment there such as calming stations, sensory caves, and other equipment. It
was noted playgrounds cannot be resold. Mr. Wilberg asked if making a handicapped accessible
park helps to secure grants. Mr. Sleezer said it would be helpful to include that info on an
OSLAD grant request or for private grants.
After this discussion, Mr. Dumanovic entertained a motion to approve the purchase of 3 sets of
playground equipment for Kiwanis, Sleezer and Countryside from a single-source at a total cost
of $177,083. So moved by Ms. Forristall and seconded by Mr. Hyett. Roll call: Wilberg-yes,
Ayala-yes, Diederich-yes, Dumanovic-yes, Hyett-yes, Forristall-yes. Carried 6-0.
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Self Service Kayak Rental Proposal
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Director Evans noted the bridge and island are done and open. Staff has been looking at how to
get more people to the Riverfront and they are considering a self service kayak rental. He asked
Mr. Wilberg to reach out to users at the Riverfront for input that could be forwarded to the City
Council. Mr. Wilberg said he has researched both the kayak rental and also connecting trails, but
will report on the rentals at this time. He said in the last 4 months he has spoken with about 200
people who had ideas and interest. He recommended formation of a charter group/exploratory
committee to prepare a study for the city. This would include business people and vendors who
would benefit. He also said safety should be considered and skill development classes could be
offered when equipment is rented. Mr. Wilberg said this is a much bigger conversation than just
renting kayaks and he hopes to bring more users from other states. Input from Board members
included offering kayak and other river-related classes, paddleboats/canoes, lack of staff to teach
classes and implement the possibilities, safety is first, include info in catalog, work with City
Council about funding, financial investors, foundations, determine how to generate revenue and
make this concept a 2023 initiative.
Fox Hill Park Improvements Update
Director Evans and Mr. Sleezer said several baseball/softball groups have an agreement to use
city parks. The YYBSA uses Fox Hill Park and is willing to pay 100% of the material cost of
$10,000 for a fence and the Parks will install. Mr. Sleezer said YYBSA has been a great partner
and he thanked Board member Rusty Hyett for this donation and for temporary fences. Mr.
Evans gave a brief history to new Board members regarding the sports groups.
Meeting Schedule for 2023
The Board members were OK with the schedule as presented. Ms. Forristall moved and Ms.
Diederich seconded a motion to approve as presented. Roll call: Ayala-yes, Diederich-yes,
Dumanovic-yes, Hyett-yes, Forristall-yes, Wilberg-yes. Carried 6-0.
Parks and Recreation Monthly Report:
Mr. Evans listed the upcoming holiday celebrations, reported on the Hometown Days, pre-school
is off to great start, sports league partnership, Storywalk partnership with YEA, city is looking at
a joint Public Works/Parks facility, no bids on the old Post Office and ongoing discussions for the
Van Emmon city building. Mr. Sleezer said the Fox Hill playground should be done by
Christmas. He also noted that 4 Parks employees volunteered to distribute Thanksgiving dinners
at the Food Pantry earlier today.
Board member Dumanovic commented that the data on social media is insightful. The shared
marketing person, Kaitlyn Gregory, has greatly increased the posts.
Executive Session : None
Additional Business:
Ms. Diederich said she had informal discussions with attendees of baseball games this summer
and discovered two things: many did not know there was a concession stand at Bridge Park and
she suggested additional signage. At Beecher, she said there is no path/not wheelchair accessible
to get to the far baseball field. She said aside from these, overwhelmingly there was 99%
compliments.
Adjournment:
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:54pm on a motion by Ms.
Forristall and second by Mr. Hyett. Approved on a voice vote.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker