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, December 18, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. at the OAK Orthopedic Sports Arena, 1601 River Road, Kankakee, Illinois.   The meeting was called to order by President Denoyer and roll call was taken. 

The following Commissioners were present and constitute a quorum:           

            Denoyer

            Bitsky

Mullady

Gathing

 Staff attending the meeting was John Bessette, Renee Chavez, and Jennifer Ledden. 

Members of the public present: Carmen Huizenga

 Press present: None 

Carmen Huizenga presented and explained the Audit.  She thanks the staff and board for their cooperation.  President Denoyer asked questions about the depreciation numbers as well as various questions about various funds.  The board thanked Carmen for her time and effort. 

Bessette presented the following Communication items:

Lisa Dugan Family Christmas Party Invitation and Thank you from the Central Illinois Cardinals 

On motion by Commissioner Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Mullady, and carried the following actions were taken: 

(A)   The minutes of the November 13, 2006 regular meeting were approved as presented and were not read aloud.

(B)   The minutes of the November 20, 2006 special meeting were approved as presented and were not read aloud.

(C)   Bills Payable General Fund check numbers 1 through 106 in the amount of $ 302,192.61 were approved for payment and ordered paid and a copy of the list payable attached to these minutes.

(D)   Financial Statements for October.   

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Bitsky                           Aye

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

Bessette explained that the attorneys retainer is $1000 per month.  This will include mail, faxes, and emails.  If we do not exceed the $1000, he would not send another bill.  Mr. Marek stated to him that meeting would only be attended if so requested.  Mr. Marek feels that the retainer is the way to go right now.  Litigation would cost us more than the $1000 per month and would be billed at $150 per hour.  The base of $1000 a month would be owed regardless of any litigation or use of his services.  President Denoyer asked what our recourse would be if his services were not needed as often or if he wanted to send someone on his behalf.  Bessette explained that we are hiring the firm and not specifically Mr. Marek.  Bessette further stated that he did not have a solid recommendation at this time because both options are vague.  Bessette feels that the best option is to sign the agreement with the $1000 monthly retainer with includes emails, faxes, mail and phone calls with any additional services being billable.  President Denoyer stated that he feels that Mr. Marek has been fair to us so far and is charging us less than his normal rate.  Bessette asked the board to approve the agreement and allow staff to work out the details.  Commissioner Bitsky asked what the point of the agreement is if the bills will be higher.  Bessette explained that the bills would only be higher for the next few months while we are in litigation.  After those cases are settled, the bills will drop dramatically.  Commissioner Gathing felt that the agreement does not hurt or help us at this point, but would will be necessary when we are not in litigation.  Commissioner Mullady feels that Mr. Marek is performing with the best interest of the park district in mind and feels that if we do not lock in the agreement now, we may pay for it later. 

On motion by Commissioner Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to approve the attorney agreement with Ackman, Meyer, Marek, and Boyd allowing staff to finalize the details:  

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Bitsky                           Aye

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

Bessette presented the 2007 Holiday Schedule for Full-Time Non-Bargaining Employees.  He stated that this was presented at the November Meeting and sent back to committee.  The committee met and Commissioner Mullady was the only commissioner to attend the meeting.  The only change to the schedule from last year was the addition of Good Friday.  The schedule follows what the State and City do. 

On motion by Commissioner Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to approve the 2007 Holiday Schedule for Full-Time Non-Bargaining Employees: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Bitsky                           Nay

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

Chavez presented the board with a request to use the 2006 Splash Valley Season Pass fees the same for 2007 Preseason Pass Sales.  President Denoyer asked what we would be changing the 2007 Preseason Pass fees to.  Chavez stated that we will be using last years rates for the Preseason Passes and she was still working on those numbers and they would be going to the next committee meeting and presented for board approval at the next meeting.  Chavez stated that we would be selling the Preseason Passes at last years rates until January 12, 2007.  Commissioner Bitsky asked why we were not offering the Preseason Pass rates until the end of January.  Chavez stated that that January 12 date came from what was printed in the brochure that was coming out this week.  Commissioner Gathing asked what a recommended increase would be.  Commissioner Bitsky stated he felt a cost of living increase of 3-4% would be a good idea.  President Denoyer stated that we are more dependant on the daily receipts verses the season pass sales.  However, we can discuss it more at the committee meeting and next board meeting. 

On motion by Commissioner Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to approve using the 2006 Splash Valley Season Pass fees as the 2007 Preseason Pass fees: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Bitsky                           Aye

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

Bessette presented the Commissioners with an amended Discipline Policy.  PDRMA recommends the changes to better protect us and it gives us more leverage.  President Denoyer stated he felt the amended policy gives us more discretion in discipline.  Bessette noted that this policy only applies to non-bargaining employees.  The bargaining employees discipline policy was part of their contract. 

On motion by Commissioner Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to approve the Discipline Policy: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Bitsky                           Aye

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

Bessette presented the Commissioners with the Email Policy.  This policy is also at the recommendation of, and comes straight from PDRMA. Staff has reviewed the policy as recommended by PDRMA and did not feel any changes were necessary.  Bessette states that jokes are sent a lot through our email system and that is not the intent, with this policy jokes become a violation of the policy.  Each employee will have to read and sign acknowledgement of this policy as well as the discipline policy. 

On motion by Commissioner Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to approve the Email Policy: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Bitsky                           Aye

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

Bessette presented the Commissioner with a Remote Attendance Policy.  Bessette explained that this policy was at the recommendation of Ancel Glinck Municipal Attorneys in Park District law.  This policy follows the Open Meeting Act regulations.  This policy will allow up to 2 Commissioners to attend a meeting remotely.  We would still be required to have 3 Commissioners present. 

On motion by Commissioner Bitsky, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to approve the Remote Attendance Policy: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Bitsky                           Aye

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

Bessette stated that we needed to have a Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting on January 4, 2007 at 4:00pm at the main office.  This meeting was not on the schedule that was presented and approved in November. 

On motion by Commissioner Mullady, seconded by Commissioner Bitsky to add a Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting on January 4, 2007 at 4pm at the main office: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Bitsky                           Aye

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

Bessette informed the Commissioners that the Annual Report has been completed and signed by Commissioner Grill.  The Annual Report stated where we have spent our money this year.  We are required to publish the Annual Report by the end of December. 

On motion by Commissioner Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Bitsky to approve the Annual Report: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Bitsky                           Aye

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

Bessette shared important dates for the Commissioners who are up for election. 

Bessette informed the Commissioners that Yoder would be out of the office for the rest of  the week, if they had any questions, please feel free to email her and she will be more than happy to reply. 

Chavez presented her monthly report to the Commissioners.  She indicated the her and the staff were still reviewing a lot of things.  At this time she did not have much to report.  Chavez further indicated that she was going through the agreements to make sure we are always covered for anything that may happen to require extra staffing or extra locations. 

Bessette informed the Commissioners that he had combined his Superintendent of Parks & Facilities Report and his Interim Director Report.  He stated that he was a little disappointed with LRMG at the current time.  When they created there plan, they only did 11 parks and the agreement was for 12.  They forgot Beckman Park.  LRMG was going to re-do the drawings they had done to include Beckman Park, but he received a call stating they were out of funds to complete the drawing.  He stated that he was going to discuss it further with them this week.  Bessette proceeded to show the Commissioners the plans for the parks that we had drawings for.  He further encouraged the Commissioners to stop by his office for a more detailed look at the plans.  Commissioner Mullady asked if we could prioritize the parks in order of necessity.  Bessette stated that we were viewing this as a 5 or more year plan to complete the entire project.  We would not be able to afford to do everything at one time, but the parks would be prioritized. 

On motion by Commissioner Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Mullady 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 Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to come out of closed session: 

On roll call the vote was as follows: 

            Bitsky                           Aye

Mullady                        Aye

            Gathing                         Aye

            Denoyer                       Aye 

On motion by Commissioner Gathing, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to adjourn the meeting: 

All in favor – all ayes.