REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

A regular meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of the Kankakee Valley Park District of Kankakee County, Illinois was held on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. at the Bird Park Fieldhouse, Kankakee, Illinois.   The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Gathing and roll call was taken.

 The following Commissioners were present and constitute a quorum: 

            Mullady

            Gathing

            Collins

            Hollis

            Grill 

Staff attending the meeting was Jim Romanek, Renee Chavez, John Bessette, Attorney John Coghlan, Marlana Hunter, Dee Osenglewski. 

Members of the public present: Jeff Mayo 

Press present: Scott Boehmer, The Daily Journal 

Commissioner Hollis led the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Public Comments were addressed.  Jeff Mayo, the Coordinator of the Central Cardinal’s asked to use Pace Field for their final two games.  They are currently paying to play out of state in Gary, IN and would rather pay the county they are from. The next two games are 8/18 & 8/25.  Romanek indicated that he would give Mayo his card and asked him to make an appointment to come in to discuss this with him and his special event’s coordinator. 

Romanek presented the Budget Appropriations Ordinance for 2007-2008.  It has been reviewed and has met the criteria of posting the budget for public view for the last 30 days.  He asked that an ordinance be adopted to accept the budget and appropriate funds to move on with District expenses for 2007-2008. 

On motion by Commissioner Grill, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to approve the 2007-2008 Budget Appropriations Ordinance. 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Hollis                            Aye

            Grill                              Aye

 Romanek noted the communications items. He announced that Advanced Arenas has hired Rob Lopez as the new General Manager/Director of Hockey of OAK Orthopedic Ice Arena.  He will start today.  Also, River Valley Special Recreation will hold a “meet and greet” at the SRA office on Friday, 8/17/07.

On motion by Commissioner Grill, seconded by Commissioner Hollis, and carried the following actions were taken: 

(A)   The minutes of the July 9, 2007 regular meeting were approved and were not read aloud.

(B)   Financial Statements for June.

(C)   Bills Payable General Fund check numbers 1 through 155 in the amount of $267,194.45 were approved for payment and ordered paid and a copy of the list payable attached to these minutes. 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Grill                              Aye

            Hollis                            Aye 

Commissioner Grill asked if there were any new developments in regards to the water situation at River Road.  Romanek stated he has been working with Jerry Connelly and there was no documentation showing that they are responsible for hook-up.  We obtained a quote for the expense to run the water line.  Aqua is willing to install the meter through the hard quarry rock.  We continue to work with Aqua but we are not to the point of hook-up. 

Bessette reported that things were going well.  He stated that as of today, he has lost approximately 70% of his seasonal staff but believes his remaining crew will be able to stay on top of things.  The basketball court at Riverwood Park is finished and is being used non-stop.  Commissioner Grill stated that he stopped at Riverwood recently and was flagged down and thanked for the work the Park District has been doing there.  Bessette stated they have been looking at new equipment (back hoes & a bobcat) in hopes that the budget would be passed.   Commissioner Mallady asked if there was any word on the triple deck mower.  Bessette stated that they have seen demos on two of them – a John Deere and a Toro.  Both were very impressive.  The cost difference was $4000 - $6000 depending on options (the Deere being the higher). 

Chavez reported that they were looking at the end of Splash Valley’s season.  They have also lost seasonal staff.  Reduced hours begin on August 20.  Soccer Fields have been moved to Splash Valley and it’s working well.  Summer softball ends this Wednesday. 

Romanek presented a request from staff member Gloria Giese for the use of the Civic Auditorium for a fund raiser.  She is asking to use one of her free rentals for this fundraiser.  Attorney Coghlan stated that a permit or license from the Illinois Department of Revenue would be required for the event.   Romanek would make sure all required permits, licensing, and insurance would be obtained prior to the event. 

On a motion to approve by Commissioner Mullady, seconded by Commissioner Hollis the rental was approved.   

All in favor – all ayes. 

Romanek discussed his meeting with LRMG regarding bringing back the shoreline of Cobb Park.  They will continue to proceed according to the agreement.  We didn’t make the grant cutoff in July.  They will come back to us with a final estimate and advise on what kind of funding we would need to start coordinating with the City to stabilize the shoreline.    

Romanek also advised that he had a “meet & greet” with Senator Halvorson that went very well.  She indicated there will be funding available.  She would like a priority list.  He suggested that we bring up the revitalization of the quarry.  It was presented to her in the past, but did not move forward.  In addition he would like to present the water hook-up at River Road for funding. 

Also, Romanek indicated that he and Chavez are meeting weekly in on the Regatta.  We need volunteers to sell tickets or work in the beer concession area.  Chavez has a sign-up sheet if anyone is interested. 

In addition, Romanek stated that we are moving forward with Phase I of the River Trail.  Shapiro Development has signed the river initiative easement.  Aqua also signed off on their easement.   

In regards to Committee Reports, Romanek indicated that the KCCVB has asked him to step on board with them to take over an open Board position that they have.  If there are no objections, he will accept.  There were no objections. 

In addition, the Museum is having a function at the end of the month to benefit the Museum. 

 Commissioner Grill advised all that a local individual recently qualified for the International Special Olympics and will represent our area and the State of Illinois at this event. 

On motion by Commissioner Hollis, seconded by Commissioner Grill and carried to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel and litigation pursuant to Section 2(C)(5).

All in favor – all ayes.

On motion by Commissioner Hollis, seconded by Commissioner Grill to come out of closed session: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Hollis                            Aye

            Grill                              Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

 On motion by Commissioner Grill, seconded by Commissioner Hollis to adjourn the meeting: 

All in favor – all ayes.