Park Board Minutes 2024 04-02-24 - Special APPROVED 7/18/24
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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) .
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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.
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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