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Park Board Minutes 2023 01-19-23APPROVED 5/18/23 Page 1 of 3 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE PARK BOARD MEETING Thursday, January 19, 2023 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 6:00pm by Board member Sash Dumanovic. Roll call was taken and a quorum was established. Roll Call: Sash Dumanovic-yes, Dan Lane-yes, Tiffany Forristall-yes (left 6:47pm), Gene Wilberg-yes, Jorge Ayala-yes Absent: Kelly Diederich, Rusty Hyett Introduction of Guests, City Officials and Staff: Mr. Dumanovic recognized the following staff and guests: Director of Parks & Recreation Tim Evans, Superintendent of Parks Scott Sleezer, Superintendent of Recreation Shay Remus, City Council Liaison Ken Koch, William Wille, Keegan Wille-Boy Scout Troop 40, Al Zamora- Raintree Village HOA Public Comment: Mr. Zamora, Raintree Village HOA President, said residents have informed the HOA that dog waste has increased in the Hawk Hollow park which is off Rt. 126. He asked if signs could be erected regarding park closure times, trash, rules for the park etc. and Director Evans said they will put up a sign by spring. Trash bins are also needed. Alderman Koch said that a year ago a garbage can was placed in Windett Ridge park and he asked about the results of that. Mr. Sleezer noted that 80% of the trash was dog waste. Staff will also look into electricity for the park for lighting. The budget has also been increased to have staff present on weekends in parks such as Riverfront to clean up overflowing trash. Presentations: Keegan Wille of Boy Scout Troop #40 gave a presentation for a proposed Eagle Scout project. He is hoping to place 2 benches in the Town Square near the Eternal Flame to honor veterans. Parks staff and the Legion support the proposal. The benches would be powder coated and they cost $1,500 each.. Part of the project would include engraved bricks honoring vets and they would be installed under the benches. He hopes to have the project completed by fall of 2023. Mr. Wilberg congratulated him on this project and offered assistance. Ms. Remus said some people who sponsor the flags may be interested and Ms. Forristall suggested contacting the schools since they hold ceremonies at Memorial Day, etc. Mr. Evans said the Parks will help disseminate the information. Ms. Forristall made a motion for approval to move forward with the Eagle Scout project as presented. Mr. Lane seconded. Roll call: Dumanovic-yes, Lane-yes, Forristall-yes, Wilberg-yes, Ayala-yes. Carried 5-0. Page 2 of 3 Approval of Minutes: November 17, 2022 Mr. Ayala moved and Mr. Wilberg seconded to approve the minutes as presented. Approved on a unanimous voice vote. Bills Review: Bill List – December 2022 and January 2023 Budget Report – November – December 2022 Mr. Evans said the larger bills are related to holiday activities, pre-school, sports leagues and playgrounds. He stated that YYBSA made a $9,000 donation for outfield fences at Fox Hill. Also, a fourth truck purchased for Parks has finally come in. The budget is doing well and spring sports registration has just started. There were 187 kids who registered for soccer with 500 expected. Staff also expects about 500 registrations for baseball and softball. The mild weather has been a factor in well-attended activities. Old Business: None New Business: 2023 Travel Sports Team Athletic Field Agreement Mr. Evans said Parks & Rec rent space to for-profit travel teams and most are Yorkville kids. They have an agreement which spells out rules and insurance info and designates their fields which they prep for games. It was noted that the teams do not always maintain the fields properly due to lack of equipment and manpower. The Board had a brief discussion on the possibility of charging the teams for maintenance, however, they decided it would not be feasible. Mr. Dumanovic said responsibility for background checks, insurance and ADA should be addressed in the agreement and Mr. Evans will have the city attorney review it prior to execution. A motion was made by Mr. Ayala and seconded by Mr. Lane to approve the agreement with the suggested additions. Roll call: Lane-yes, Forristall-yes, Wilberg-yes, Ayala-yes, Dumanovic- yes. Carried 5-0. Recreation Full Time Position Proposal (moved forward on agenda) Director Evans said discussions are being held for the 2024 budget. A current rec intern has become a permanent part-time person working 25-30 hours a week. With the pre-school becoming very large and other special events growing, Parks has proposed making the intern a full-time employee. She has a recreation degree, has helped create special events and has been a huge asset especially at the pre-school. Ms. Remus added that revenue is doubling and an additional person is needed to keep pace. City staff is OK with this proposal and Mr. Evans added that looking at staffing standards, the Parks are lagging. Mr. Evans added that it is difficult for the Rec staff to find time to take their vacations. A motion was made by Ms. Forristall and seconded by Mr. Ayala to approve the part-time to become a full-time recreation position. Roll call: Lane-yes, Forristall-yes, Wilberg-yes, Ayala-yes, Dumanovic-yes. Carried 5-0. School District Beecher Park Parking Lot Proposal The Schools are planning on redoing their entire sports area and desire some additional parking on the north side near Beecher Park. The Parks & Rec are open to this idea since it will also provide extra parking for city festivals. The permanent parking would result in a a loss of grass space and the t-ball fields would need to be moved. The City Council will also need to sign off on this proposal, but the schools will be paying for all improvements and an IGA would be Page 3 of 3 drafted. Alderman Koch suggested additional trails in and around Beecher Park and Mr. Lane added that a trail would help older people access the area. Mr. Ayala noted that the school will do these improvements over 3 years. This is informational at this time. In another matter, Mr. Lane commented that he has received many positive comments about pickleball courts and wondered if there are any planned for the south side. Mr. Sleezer said, while there is no money budgeted, they will rehab the Raintree tennis courts and add pickleball lines. Mr. Ayala said pickleball courts can be configured to flow the opposite direction as a tennis court and Mr. Sleezer will look at this possibility. Mr. Lane also asked about the park on Van Emmon and the new development there. The hilly subdivision area does not lend itself to a park and the park on Van Emmon does not have enough parking. Mr. Lane also inquired about the proposed park at the UCC church. He said the church is waiting for an answer and may pull the proposal if a decision is not reached. Director Evans will follow up promptly. He said the city was working with them on the solar aspect. Parks and Recreation Monthly Report: Mr. Evans said the Parks & Rec shared Marketing person is working with the Library for the upcoming mini-golf event. The special events calendar is being finalized. Ms. Remus said they are preparing for the '23/'24 pre-school and an open house has been held. Over half the openings are already filled. About 70 students from the school district have been doing observations and she has 2 interns from the high school for field experience. Spring sports registration starts along with baseball and soccer. She expects that about 1,000 will sign up for sports. She said the jingle jog went well at the holidays. Special events have just been finalized. Mr. Sleezer reported on his department and said the employees are doing maintenance on vehicles and equipment. They are also doing tree trimming/brush cleanup, but the ground is too soft to pick up brush piles at this time. He said a $10,000 donation was received from YYBSA for fences at Fox Hill. Tennis courts will be resurfaced in April. Budgeting is taking place and decisions on playgrounds will be made and they will order playground equipment for 2025. Executive Session : None Additional Business: Mr. Dumanovic asked if there is a survey in the future and Mr. Evans said in the next couple years. Mr. Sleezer also noted the possible new joint maintenance facility for Public Works and Parks. He said it would be a good idea for sharing some equipment and services. He also requested extra parking by Caledonia Park to be used for soccer games. The facility site is 12.5 acres with the ability to add on to the building. It was also noted that staff hopes to be in the new city hall by March. There is also much being done in regards to the Lake Michigan water project. Alderman Koch noted that many watermains need to be replaced to reduce water loss to less than 10%. Loans may be available. Adjournment: There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:22pm on a motion by Mr. Lane and second by Mr. Dumanovic. Approved on a voice vote. Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young, Minute Taker