ADDISON PARK DISTRICT
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
NOVEMBER 19,2007
MINUTES
1. CALL
TO ORDER
President Jessen called the meeting to order at
Also in attendance: Attorney, Pat Bond; Executive Director, Mark McKinnon;
Superintendent of Parks, Noel Rolle;
Superintendent of Recreation, Michael Walaszek; Superintendent of Finance, Janis Jordan; Fitness
Center Operations Manager, Greg Vitale; Golf Facility Manager, Charles Sims; Community Leisure Service Manager, Geri Estvanik; and Marketing and Communication Supervisor,
Traci Wicks.
ATTENDING
GUESTS
See attached list.
2. CHANGE IN AGENDA
Move item 5 b to 5 a.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Residents of 53 Trail Estates were present at this meeting to discuss the annexation of Army Trail Nature Center to the Village of Addison. These are some of the questions and views presented to the Board from the residents.
Clarence DuPree asked if it was a rumor that the park district was selling 3-½ acres of park land to the Village at Community Park. His opinion was that the park district should never negotiate park land because it is in the publics trust.
Commissioner Capizzano read the letter presented to the
Board by the
Dan Bilodeau from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office explained that there was a study done a couple of years ago about how their response time compares to the response time with other municipalities and agencies throughout the country. He stated that the national average for response time for a call for violence is 5 minutes, which would include armed robbery, battery, domestic battery, and things of that nature. When the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office did their study, their response time was 3.6 minutes. He stated that there has not been that many calls for service. He stated that there has not been a problem with their response time and they work well with the Addison Police Department.
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Committee of the Whole
Jeff Roppel asked if this was just a new source of revenue for the Village of Addison.
Richard Hardgraves stated that he did not understand the reason this petition was brought to the park district.
Mary Piscopo stated that Stone School uses the Army Trail Nature Center for programs and projects, and if this property is taken over by the Village, then she believes that things will change. She mentioned that her brother put a path in at the nature center and she would like to see it continue as a nature center that people can benefit from instead of turning it into something it was not intended for. She also asked why safety is an issue after all this time.
She mentioned more people would have been here tonight but District 88 had their parent/teacher conferences so they could not attend this meeting.
President Jessen mentioned that the nature center would not change.
John Mueller mentioned the kids from all different schools who are using the nature center. Why does the Village have to take over? He also mentioned that the Addison Police Department is in the parking lot doing their job.
Rich Schultz asked what advantage is it to the park district if the annexation goes through. He believes that it is not in the best interest of the park district and that there is a hidden agenda.
Paul DelMedico asked why the
President Jessen mentioned the meeting dates of the Village.
Marie Peterson asked if the Board was going to talk to the Village on behalf of the people who are here at the meeting tonight. She asked what other safety concerns the Village had and if the Park District Board was going to meet with the Village to find out the answers.
Rich Schultz asked if we were going to contact the DuPage Sheriff’s Office and get feedback from them.
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Committee of the Whole
Angelo Chrysogeles asked for a copy of the letter from the Village. He believes this whole thing is a farce. He stated he was involved with the park district before he became Mayor of this Village for 32 years and that this is the first time he has ever heard of something going on like this.
Bridget Zielinski stated that they are here as a community, and she asked why they are not important enough to be on cable.
Commissioner Capizzano explained that committee meetings have never been televised. The Board meetings are televised and during that meeting they have public comment if they wish to speak at that time.
John Mueller asked if the Board was approving this tonight.
President Jessen stated that nothing would change with the nature center.
Mary Piscopo asked if it would be put in writing somewhere that nothing would change with the nature center.
Clarence DuPree, representing the 53 Trails Estates Homeowners Association, objected to the annexation. They feel that the integrity of the pond is gone and it no longer has an ongoing amphibian population. This is a multi-government nature center with the intent of being used as a study and water recharge area. Those goals have fallen down. He asked where the reinvigoration is. He also asked Commissioner Reed how many times he has been to the nature center.
Clarence questioned whether we owned or leased the property for the nature center.
President Jessen mentioned we would look into the matter.
John Pedi stated he has lived here for 28 years. He stated in the beginning when we first acquired the nature center how nice it was and that gradually through out the years the pond has deteriorated. How come the pond has not been kept up?
President Jessen mentioned if the residents wanted more information to contact the Village of Addison.
Jason Zielinski made a statement about how he felt that the Village has not been honest with the public in regards to the nature center.
Jan Schutz asked if the agendas appeared on the website and how often they are posted.
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Committee of the Whole
Richard Hardgraves stated he felt that the Village wants to give them more public safety measures. He felt that there is no reason for them to be doing this when it is already provided by the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. He felt this was not in the best interest of the people or the park district.
John Mueller repeated what President Jessen had stated earlier that nothing was going to be discussed at the Board meeting tonight and that this will continue at the Dec 17th committee meeting. He asked for a copy of the agenda for the next meeting.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ON
MOTION BY WELKOMER, SECONDED BY REED, TO APPROVE THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 2007.
5. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Don Jessen
A. Sponsorship
Geri Estvanik discussed with the Board a new approach in seeking sponsorships. She mentioned a company called International Events Group. She proceeded to explain how they go to different park districts and set up an evaluation process to look at what assets you have and connections to people you have that sponsors may be seeking. She mentioned she met with them and looked at their services and how they may impact us in obtaining naming rights and larger corporate sponsorships for the district. Some of the other park districts that utilize I.E.G are Schaumburg, Naperville, Batavia, and Lisle. They have seen tremendous results from I.E.G.
B. Annexation of
This item will be discussed at the December 17th, 2007 meeting.
C. Miscellaneous
Executive Director McKinnon introduced Mark Goode, our new Safety Coordinator.
6. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION - Tom Reed
A. Accounts Payable for Approval for
Staff answered all questions presented by the Board.
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Committee of the Whole
B. Payables for Ratification
Staff answered all questions presented by the Board.
C. Interim Financial Report for October
Janis Jordan presented the Board with a monthly Interim Report for October 2007
D. Miscellaneous
None.
7. BUILDING
& GROUNDS - Joe Welkomer
A. May Street Tot
Noel discussed some of the options they have on whether or not to replace the playground equipment that was previously burnt down this past summer. It was questioned what the value of the lot is to the park district and is it worth it to maintain it. It was suggested to have a neighborhood meeting to discuss options.
B.
Executive Director McKinnon presented a Facility Study of the Community Recreation Center to the Board. There are no plans currently in place for any upgrades or improvements. Executive Director McKinnon researched architects to determine one who would do a Space Analysis Study for Community Center. He is familiar and has worked with the firm Burnidge Cassell Associates from Elgin. After meeting with BCA, the scope of the project would include analyzing the existing facility and site, along with developing proposed improvements to meet the future administrative, community, and senior needs.
The project would be done in 4 phases. The total cost for this project is $20,670 plus reimbursable costs. It is anticipated the entire project will be under $25,000. It is recommended that the Board of Commissioners consider a motion to accept the proposal of Burnidge Cassell and Associates, for the purpose of conducting a Space Analysis Study, with an amount not to exceed $20,670.
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Committee of the Whole
November 19, 2007
C. Wood Chipper Replacement
Noel discussed the existing brush chipper is 8 years old and has reached its’ lifetime expectancy. The brush chipper is used by the parks department to chip/grind tree limbs that are trimmed off or have fallen off the trees around the district.
On Friday, November 9th, 2007, a bid opening was held. It is recommended that the Board of Park Commissioners consider a motion to approve the bid submitted by Alexander Equipment Company of Lisle in the amount of $22,750, including trade in, for the purchase of a brush chipper.
D. Miscellaneous
Commissioner Welkomer commented on how clean the Community building was this past weekend.
Janis Jordan talked about the Addison Rotary wanting to sponsor and build a safety town in Addison, and she suggested partnering with them and providing the space for them. She suggested the ideal location would be the sled hill at Community Park.
Noel mentioned the complaints we have received about the goose droppings at Centennial and Community. Noel suggested using the same vendor Links and Tees uses and try them out for a few weeks. He also suggested having our own dog.
8. FACILITIES - Michael Capizzano
A. Golf Dome Update
Charles Sims mentioned that the golf dome is currently
open. Charles mentioned he did a phone
interview with Mike Thomas from the Chicago Sun-Times on an article about
indoor activities throughout the winter months.
He is working with Maria Long, Mark Psensky,
and John Elliot to run a series of free golf clinics during January. The Illinois
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Committee of the Whole
B. Club Fitness
Greg Vitale gave an update of Club Fitness. He discussed the open house week and the 116 new memberships that they received that week. He discussed what the manager of sales was doing to promote these memberships.
C. Miscellaneous
Noel explained that staff would begin prepping Nike ball field for new material. Old Turface material will be hauled to different locations in the district for fill-ins at other ball fields. This new screening material will help with the drainage issues in the spring and eliminate any game rainouts that may occur.
9. RECREATION - Don Ortale
A. Contractual Programs
Michael Walaszek stated that they were moving forward to eliminate some of the contractual programs and bringing them in-house is the goal for this year. He mentioned we just went into a contractual program with Center Ice for ice skating lessons.
B.
Michael Walaszek discussed the flood that occurred in August
this year at the
Motion to recess to
the Regular Board Meeting at 8:27 p.m. was made by Welkomer, seconded by Reed.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion to reconvene
the Committee of the Whole Meeting at
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Committee of the Whole
November 19, 2007
Motion carried unanimously.
C. Referendum Ethics Law Training
Kit Dailey presented to the Board what she is in the process of doing from this point on. The first thing she discussed was putting together a form of what the park district is doing and what the key reasons are, in addition to what the major features are of the aquatic center and multi purpose field. She explained the purpose of this fact sheet. There will be a mailing sent out to all residents. The fact sheet will be available on the website. Frequently asked questions are now being worked on. She discussed the different ways of promoting the referendum, such as referendum information night and mailings that will be going out. Traci Wicks discussed how this would affect the website and that a hotline and email system was developed for questions pertaining to the referendum.
Kit discussed the photos from PHN Architect that they will be using.
Kit discussed what is appropriate now that we adopted a resolution and are legally on the ballot.
D. Aquatic & Athletic Complex Referendum
Resolution
Kit Dailey discussed having the resolution read as closely to the public communication and information effort so that it coincides with all material when we move forward with the referendum.
Commissioner Capizzano proceeded to read what should appear on the ballot in regards to the referendum.
E. Miscellaneous
Geri Estvanik gave an update of the Turkey Trot program.
F. Calendar of Events
The Calendar of Events was read at the Board Meeting by Commissioner Ortale.
10. Presidents Report & Commissioners
Comments
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Committee of the Whole
11. Executive Session
Motion
to adjourn to executive session at 10:25 p.m. for Personnel pursuant to 5
ILCS 120/2 ( C ) ( 1 ) and Land
Acquisition pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 ( C ) ( 5 ).
Motion
by Ortale, seconded by Reed.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion to reconvene the Committee of the Whole Meeting at 11:07 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
12. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By,
Lisa Zucchero
Recording Secretary