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Park Board Minutes 2024 04-02-24 - Special APPROVED 7/18/24 Page 1 of 3 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE SPECIAL PARK BOARD MEETING Tuesday, April 2 2024 6:00pm West Conference Room, #335 651 Prairie Pointe, Yorkville, IL Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Board President Dan Lane. Presentation: (moved forward on agenda) Girl Scout Gold Award Project Presentation Ms. Anita Werderich, Girl Scout, proposed a project to plant additional trees on the east end of Riverfront Park. Parks staff have already met with her and the project will move forward with Mr. Sleezer's guidance. Ms. Werderich then shared her plans for this proposal. She explained what a Gold Award entails and said it is the highest award a Girl Scout can achieve. She explained her proposal and how it will be beneficial for the environment. She will solicit volunteers to do the work and it was noted the trees will be funded by the Parks Department. Ms. Werderich also said she would like to have QR code tags on the trees to identify them and compile an infograph or Power Point to give further information. The project will start this spring and be completed by end of August. Board members had comments for Ms. Werderich. Ms. Forristall suggested volunteers from the Girls Around the World at the high school may be willing to help and Mr. Hyett suggested an additional person at the high school to contact. A barrier will be placed around each tree to protect them from animals, said Mr. Sleezer. Mr. Wilberg commended Ms. Werderich as an individual and for this project. Roll Call: (resume order of agenda) Jorge Ayala-yes, Kelly Diederich-yes, Rusty Hyett-yes, Dan Lane-yes, Tiffany Forristall-yes, Gene Wilberg-yes Absent Sash Dumanovic Introduction of Guests, City Officials and Staff: The following staff and guests were present: Director of Parks & Recreation Tim Evans, Superintendent of Parks Scott Sleezer, Superintendent of Recreation Shay Remus, Wally Werderich, Belem Werderich, Anita Werderich Public Comment: None Approval of Minutes: January 17, 2024 Ms. Forristall moved to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Ayala asked for revisions concerning the mini-golf event and a request for a presentation regarding the acquisition of land for future parks. (The minutes were approved with no second on the motion and no roll call) . Page 2 of 3 Bills Review: Bill List – February and March 2024 Mr. Evans said the bills were for basketball, soccer, spring sports and items related to Kiwanis Park. There will soon be purchases for other spring sports and there were also expenses related to St. Patrick's Day Budget Report – January and February 2024 Director Evans said there were increases in revenue for special events, sports and concessions. He said at this time there is a $435,000 surplus, but large purchases will be made. He expects a $500,000 surplus in athletics. He said the city has just approved their budget and he expects 2 more Parks employees that can be hired in addition to purchases of trucks and other capital items. There were additional sponsorships secured which Marketing Person Katelyn Gregory helped obtain and she greatly increased the promotion of the many city events as well as the attendance/revenue. It was also noted that WGN does highlights of various cities in the area, on their radio station, which she has initiated for Yorkville. Mr. Lane asked if the city would consider billboards—these have not been done in the past. Old Business: None New Business: Yorkville Youth Tackle Football 2024 Agreement Mr. Evans said this group rents space at Rotary Park and has done so for 6 years. They have practices there from August to October/November, but play their games at another location. They pay a $4,000 rental fee and this group does their own field maintenance. Mr. Lane asked if there was a chance Parks could use the football field at the high school when school is not in session. This will be researched. A motion was made by Mr. Ayala and seconded by Mr. Hyett to approve this 2024 Tackle Football Agreement. Roll call: Hyett-yes, Lane-yes, Forristall-yes, Wilberg-yes, Ayala-yes, Diederich-yes. Carried 6-0. Riverfront Park East Shelter Naming Request Mr. Evans said that President Lane had reached out to him about naming the Riverfront east park shelter after a former City Treasurer, Bill Powell, who passed away recently. A plaque on the shelter was also suggested. Mr. Lane praised Mr. Powell and said he was an upstanding person. Mr. Lane has also spoken with Mrs. Powell and received permission from her. Ms. Forristall moved and Mr. Wilberg seconded to approve this naming request. Roll call: Hyett-yes, Lane- yes, Forristall-yes, Wilberg-yes, Ayala-yes, Diederich-yes. Carried 6-0. Other Comments President Lane commented that the St. Patrick's Day parade was outstanding. There was discussion about the need to be cautious when candy is thrown at parades, due to an observation of a dangerous situation at the parade. Ms. Diederich noted some cities do hand-to-hand distribution of candy or no candy at all. Signs are already used to direct attendees to stay behind barriers. Parks and Recreation Monthly Report: Mr. Sleezer noted that it only took one day to remove the playground that was donated to Kids Around the World. The July 4th and holiday celebration fireworks contract was forwarded to City Council as it needed to be finalized, said Mr. Evans. He also said the Fire Department has donated an ambulance to the Police Department and Parks & Recreation for use at city events. He said at some of the events, kids have passed out so it can be used as a cooling area. It should be ready for use starting Memorial Day. It will not be staffed with medical professionals, however, Parks personnel will be on hand and they have been trained in CPR. Page 3 of 3 Superintendent Sleezer noted that Kiwanis Park is not finished yet as some of the parts had manufacturing defects and had to be replaced. He also said that the staff has spent time in obtaining their CDL's and others updated their CDL's to Class A. The staff has also received training in AED and CPR. He noted that employee Ryan Horner was re-certified as a Playground Safety Inspector. The department is getting ready for soccer and they are working with Ms. Remus on special events. Recreation Superintendent Remus discussed recreation activities and special events. There are 1,200 kids in baseball/softball and soccer, 200 more than last year. Most fields are sponsored. Mens' leagues for softball and kickball are starting soon. Katelyn Gregory has secured 6 community sponsors at $2,000 minimum, which helps with funding and staffing. Ms. Remus has now started planning the details for special events while bands and big items have already been secured. At the St. Patrick's Day event, she said they worked with the Key Club which provided 36 volunteers and she hopes to grow that relationship. The Easter Egg Hunt was moved indoors due to weather. The pre-school is full for next year with a waiting list. Two long term staff members have accepted full time positions in the pre-school for next year and they will start in May. Ryan Horner brought heavy equipment for children to look at. The 60-page summer catalog is out Monday and will also highlight other city services and will be digital only, saving money. The catalog is also accessible through a QR code and will be on utility bills and Facebook too. Ms. Gregory is also building a presence on Instagram and TikTok. Mr. Ayala asked if there is football for girls. Ms. Remus said they formerly partnered with Oswego, however, it did not have enough participants. Lacrosse is another sport that people have asked about. Additional Business: Mr. Wilberg said he visited the Oswego bandshell since Yorkville has been involved in discussions about their own bandshell. He asked if Yorkville has any connection with the promotion of Oswego's bandshell and Mr. Evans said Yorkville collaborates with them on showing movies. It was noted there is no update on the proposed Yorkville bandshell. Adjournment: There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:01pm on a motion by Ms. Forristall and second by Mr. Hyett. Roll call: Hyett-yes, Lane-yes, Forristall-yes, Wilberg-yes, Ayala-yes, Diederich-yes. Carried 6-0. Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young, Minute Taker