WESTERN SPRINGS PARK BOARD MINUTES

Approval of Minutes of October 19, 2006 Board Meeting

MOTION: John White moved and Deb Lyons seconded that the Minutes of the October 19, 2006 Park Board Meeting be approved as written.

Acknowledgement of Visitors to be heard from the floor:

No visitors were present.

Trustee Hickey’s Report

Village Trustee, Ann Marie Hickey, reported that the Village President wants to see a long range plan put together by the Western Springs Park Board.  General discussion ensued as the Park Board members questioned Trustee Hickey about the concept of a plan.  Such a plan would show improvements needed and be used as a budgeting tool for capital expenditures.  Len Kurfirst commented that the continuing cost of maintenance of the park facilities that are used for recreation programs is expensive and that the Park District does not generate revenue from Recreation programs.  President Kurfirst asked Trustee Hickey how much revenue the Village receives on the programs it runs at Park facilities.  Trustee Hickey replied she did not know that amount and that the Village does have overhead and staff and the recreation building to maintain.  General discussion about Park Board/Village relations and President Kurfirst’s comment that he appreciate Trustee Hickey’s efforts to keep the Village informed on Park Board projects and Park funding.  President Kurfirst asked Trustee Hickey if Dartmoor had applied to the Village for funds for the special assessments which are needed to build the park at Timber Trails.  Trustee Hickey replied that it has not yet been done. 

Recreation Department Report

None.

Old Business

Update on Timber Trails Park

President Kurfirst reported that there was a letter agreement signed by the Park Board and Dartmoor  and Len asked Joe Brueasau to put together a Timber Trails Park Plan that can be submitted for bids and hopefully Joe will have his proposal at the December Park Board Meeting available for the Board to consider.

Update on Request by Hilds to Purchase 15 Feet of Ridge Acres Park

Attorney Ekroth reported that the Hilds’ attorney had called and had no response from the Hilds; although the Village of Western Springs had approved the Hilds’ plan.

Update on Spring Rock Park Pavilion

Deb Lyons, Mike Kane and Craig met with Tom Girouard, general contractor for the project, to discuss the problems with construction of the Spring Rock Park Pavillion from the contractor’s point of view. Graig reported that he and Joe Brueasau had walked through the pavillion on November 15th and developed a punch list of items to be performed, that the builder had complained about delays in getting the architect and engineer to approve the changes, many of which were caused by the contractor not performing and constructing the building according to the plans.  President Kurfirst suggested that Joe Brueasau be at the next Park Board Meeting on December 12th so that the Board can hear his report on the project.

Pavillion Landscaping

Director of Parks, Himmelmann, presented the Board with a proposal to landscape the pavillion.  Craig had wanted to do the work this fall so that the grass would begin to grow immediately next spring.  Mike Bruck noted that the quote was higher than the quote for the football fields and perhaps Craig could negotiate with the landscape company.  Upon a Motion by Mike Kane and seconded by John White, Craig was given the flexibility to negotiate with the landscape company in an effort to get a quote from the landscape company below the one presented at the Park Board this evening.

Federal Transportation Funding

Craig reported that he had a meeting with Jeff Ziegler, Village Engineer, regarding storm water retention issues and the Spring Rock Park improvements that will be made.  President Kurfirst asked what the costs associated with expanding the parking lot would be as well as the cost of building underground storm water storage.  Mike Bruck asked what areas are available for storm water detention.  Craig outlined possible areas for detention such as a south of the parking lot, close to the football field, use of the volleyball courts, enlarging the ditch running along 47th Street.  The Board reviewed a map of Spring Rock Park and mentioned suggested areas for detention and asked Craig to go back to Jeff Ziegler to review the situation.

President Kurfirst asked Craig about the status of the baseball lights.  Craig said he is waiting for final plans.

Safety

Director of Parks, Himmellmann, reported there were no accidents at the parks this month.

New Business

Matt Gresge first reviewed the October financial reports. 

MOTION:  Mike Bruck moved to approve and Deb Lyons seconded the reports as presented.  With a roll call vote, the financials were approved as reported.

2007 Budget and Tax Levy

Matt Gresge presented the Budget for 2007 to the Park Board which was prepared after the budget discussion in October.  In October the Board reviewed the revenues and anticipated expenses.  Matt said it is important to know that what is not included such as the new parking lot proposal, paving of park paths and also the funds from the bonds that the Board is anticipating issuing.  These will be considered separately.  Matt also indicated that additional funds from Dartmoor for the Timber Trails Park were added to the budget presented.  Matt spent some time carefully going through the income and expense.  The Board made a number of changes to the proposed budget which were incorporated to the budget and are attached to these minutes along with a final proposed budget which will be available to the general public for review.  The Board then agreed to schedule a public hearing on the proposed Budget and tax levy for the December 12, 2006 Board meeting before the regular meeting.  The Board then adopted Resolution 2006-4 by a unanimous roll call vote.

Football Matter

President Kurfirst discussed a football matter that a parent had complained that a football team had started a game too quickly after lightning.  Craig reported that almost all the parks he contacted do not have rules and regulations regarding this and that PDRMA and the Western Springs Park District probably does not have control over its user groups and they control their scheduled activities and they provide us with insurance to cover injuries.  After some discussion, the Board agreed that it is appropriate for the user groups to make their own decisions and that we are not in a position to enforce any rules which we might adopt and that the parents need to deal with the groups themselves.  Mike Bruck and Len Kurfirst agreed to relay this information to the user groups.

Hiring the Board Secretary

Craig reported that three applicants have responded to an ad for a Secretary

Director’s Report

Craig reported in writing in the Board Packet and his report is as submitted.  Craig indicated that he is looking into an extension of a football light warranty which for a fee the park board can increase the standard 10-year warranty to a 25-year warranty. He will report back to the Board.

Commissioner’s Reports

Deb Lyons indicated that the Park Board needs someone to work on its website and that the Park Board needs a SPAM filter. 

Craig stated that he had forgotten to report that the expenses to upgrade the electrical work at Spring Rock Park.  These expenses covered the cost of upgrading the electrical box and running electricity to the lower storage shelter.  Matt Gresge reported that these amounts were budgeted for payment.  Craig also reported that Lyons Township Little League (LTLL) incurred a cost of $3,600 for safety improvements of Ridgewood Park ball diamond  and in the past we have paid half of these expenses and the LTLL has paid the other half.  After some discussion, the Board approved the payment of the Park District share of the expenses.

Commissioner White should be thinking of possible nominees for the Park Board elections in April, 2007.  Any ideas for nominees should be reported to the local caucus committeeman.

The Board then moved to go into an executive session to discuss the salary paid to the Director of Parks, by a unanimous voice vote at 10:30 p.m.  The Board reconvened after 3 minutes.

Adjournment

MOTION: Mike Kane moved, with a second by Mike Bruck that the Park Board meeting be
adjourned at 10:33 p.m., which motion was approved by all on a voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert R. Ekroth
Acting Secretary