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, February 11, 2008 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

            Grill      

 Staff attending the meeting was Jim Romanek, Renee Chavez, John Bessette, John Coghlan, Jennifer Ledden, Marlana Hunter.

Members of the public present: Jeff Renville, Jamie O’Connor.

Press present: Scott Boehmer 

Commissioner Collins led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Romanek noted the communications items and asked to move the Kankakee Coyotes item to new business.  His request was granted.  

Jeff Renville and Jamie O’Connor or the Kankakee Coyotes informed the board that OAK Orthopedic Sports Arena was selected as the location for the Championship Games in March.  They noted issues with the ice arena that they would like repaired prior to the game.  Romanek noted the issues would be addressed in new business. 

Commissioner Hollis arrived during public comment. 

On motion by Commissioner Grill, seconded by Commissioner Hollis to receive the items presented in the Consent Agenda: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Grill                              Aye

            Hollis                            Aye 

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

(A)   The minutes of the January 14, 2007 regular meeting were approved and were not read aloud.

(B)   Bills Payable General Fund check numbers 1 through 56 in the amount of $ 59,744.22 were approved for payment and ordered paid and a copy of the list payable attached to these minutes.

(C)   Financial Statements for December. 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Grill                              Aye

            Hollis                            Aye 

Romanek informed the commissioners that he has been in contact with the City of Kankakee and they want to take the lead on the shoreline project at Cobb Park.  We are therefore focusing LRMG’s efforts on the Quarry and LeVassuer Park.  Commissioner Grill asked if the city has talked to LRMG.  Romanek stated that he provided LRMG’s information to them, but he is unaware of any discussions they may have had. 

Romanek presented a proposed contract from Horvath Towers.  The agreement was just received and was open for discussion.  Horvath Towers would be responsible for obtaining all permits and zoning issues.  Park locations being looked at include Legion Park, Pierson Parkway, and a park in Aroma Park.  Commissioner Mullady asked if the attorney had any advice on the contract.  Coghlan noted that he needed to read and advised the commissioners to do the same prior to making any decisions or recommend changes.  

Romanek explained the Regatta Title Sponsorship proposed budget.  As presented, it appears that we would be ahead by approximately $7,000 the first year.  Romanek recommended being the title sponsor and taking complete control of the south side.  Commissioner Grill asked for a few of the numbers to be clarified.  Romanek provided the clarification. 

On motion by Commissioner Mullady, seconded by Commissioner Hollis to be the title sponsor for the 2008 Regatta and take control of the South Side: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Grill                              Aye

            Hollis                            Aye 

Romanek explained the changes to the Community/Affiliate Group Agreement.  Under the new agreement, groups would have the ability to barter work and materials in exchange for the fee.  Funds collected would be used towards facility repairs.  We currently purchase the materials and the group provides the work for repairs.  Commissioner Gathing expressed concern for some of the changes.  Commissioner Gathing asked that the fee for light usage be changed to $50 for the first 3 hours of use than the per hour fee after that.  He further asked for the groups free usage be brought back to committee for further discussion and clarification.

On motion by Commissioner Collins, seconded by Commissioner Grill to approve the Community/Affiliate Group Agreement with amendment to light usage fees and without approval of free usage: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Grill                              Aye

            Hollis                            Aye 

Romanek recommended, based on our auditors recommendations, to start forgiving the interfund loan/expenditures for Splash Valley.  The amount, yet to be determined, would be written off at the end of each fiscal year.  The proposed amount at this time is $40,000 per year.  Commissioner Grill noted that any off season costs that were not able to be covered with Splash Valley funds, should also be written off at the end of the fiscal year, in addition to the $40,000 per year. 

On motion by Commissioner Grill, seconded by Commissioner Hollis to begin writing off Splash Valley’s interfund loan and annual overage expenditures beginning 5/31/08: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Grill                              Aye

            Hollis                            Aye 

Romanek explained the Coyotes request for bleachers and improvements for the March Championship Games.  We have provided bleachers for them in the past.  Romanek further explained that the improvements and repairs had been discussed with Rob Lopez and they will be working together to get the improvements and repairs completed. 

On motion by Commissioner Grill, seconded by Commissioner Gathing to provide bleachers for the Coyotes Championship Games in March: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Grill                              Aye

            Hollis                            Aye 

Bessette reported that weather was tying up his guys.  LJ Shaw came and inspected the flood damages and they have settled on a number.  There was no significant damages from the most recent flooding, however it would require many more hours of cleanup from his staff.  The south side of the fence at Beckman was damaged pretty badly, and will be replaced with settlement funds. 

Chavez reported that the Corn Hole Tournament was successful.  Adult programs and trips are filling well, however youth programs are struggling.  She is looking into possible changes to improve youth program participation.  Our next edition of Leisure Living will have the entire summer listed. 

Romanek noted that Ted Flickinger from the IAPD will be coming for a board training session on February 26, 2008.  Therefore, we will be having a combined committee meeting on February 27, 2008.  Romanek noted that he has new ideas about the customer service area and we are in the process of working with a company on a website upgrade. 

Commissioner Grill noted that historically SRA presents a 3 year agreement.  Last year, due to our changes they only presented a 1 year agreement.  We can expect to receive a 3 year agreement in the near future. 

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

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

All in favor – all ayes.

                                                                                    ________________________

                                                                                    Jess Gathing, President

________________________

Roy Collins, Secretary