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, January 14, 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

            Hollis 

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

Members of the public present: Carmen Huzinga. 

Press present: None 

Commissioner Hollis led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Romanek noted the communications items.  

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

(A)   The minutes of the December 10, 2007 regular meeting were approved and were not read aloud.

(B)   The minutes of the December 10, 2007 truth in taxation meeting were approved and were not read aloud.

(C)   Bills Payable General Fund check numbers 1 through 69 in the amount of $ 164,466.03 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 

Carmen Huzinga from Smith, Dykstra and Ohm presented a draft copy of the audit for the 2006-2007 Fiscal Year.  She made special note of some of the statements and figures.  Commissioners questions were asked and answered by Ms. Huzinga.

Commissioner Grill asked Romanek what he was asking the board to approve for LRMG.  Romanek stated that he was asking for a total figure of $12,500 for both the Cobb Park and LeVassuer Park projects. 

On motion by Commissioner Grill, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to approve the expenditure of no more than $12,500 for the LRMG project Cobb Park and LeVassuer Park; approve the KGSSL request; and approve the Civic Rental Request from Awareness Inc: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Grill                              Aye

            Hollis                            Aye 

Commissioner Grill stated that he did not have a problem with the overall idea of the Appearance of Employees Policy; he was not comfortable with the way the policy was written.  He does not feel that it is clear for employees.  Commissioner Hollis stated that he felt the policy was giving staff the benefit of the doubt that they have common sense and would know what is appropriate attire for there specific work area. 

On motion by Commissioner Hollis, seconded by Commissioner Mullady to approve Employee Policy HR-15 – Appearance of Employees: 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

            Gathing                         Aye     

            Collins                          Aye

            Mullady                        Aye

            Grill                              Nay

            Hollis                            Aye 

Bessette reported on the flooding in the parks.  A creature from the river did end up in the parking lot, but has been removed.  Park cleanup is underway.  Until the water completely recedes and the land is not so mushy, cleanup will be a slow process.  The only building with potential damage is the Bird Park Maintenance Building.  Commissioner Mullady asked about equipment damage.  Bessette stated that he believes there will be some minor damage; however, until we can get everywhere, he can not give a more specific answer.  Commissioner Collins stated that something needed to be done at River Road due to the damage the flooding caused on the river bank.  Bessette agreed, for the time being he will block off hazardous areas until it can be determined the whole extent of the damage and how we can repair it. 

Chavez reported that the recreation staff is hard at work trying to fill all programs.  Commissioner Grill asked about the cost of Kennedy for Soccer.  Chavez explained that we are paying a flat fee and small energy surcharge for Saturday usage; we are not paying anything for weekday usage.  Chavez noted that we still have tickets available for Wicked. 

Romanek explained how MaxSolutions training went.  He further reported that he is currently working with Dr. Weber at KCC in regards to facility sharing, and student usage.  More information will be presented when available.  We have received and are applying for a tourism sign on I57 for Splash Valley and River Road.  Market research has shown that billboards cost more than you earn in revenue as a result of them.  Romanek further stated that he is currently working with staff to make some minor changes to the sponsored group agreements.  He noted that during the holidays, he visited the ice rink and was not happy with the condition of the facility.  He will be contacting Advanced Arenas to correct the problems. 

Commissioner Grill stated that there was not much to report for SRA.  There concert event went well. 

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

All in favor – all ayes.

                                                                                    ________________________

                                                                                    Jess Gathing, President

_________________________

Roy Collins, Secretary