Kankakee Times

Kankakee Valley Park District Board of Commissioners met September 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Board Meeting was called to order at 5:05 pm by President Hollis. Those present for roll call were Commissioners D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, and D. Skelly. Not present: Matt Mullady. Staff present: Executive Director, Dayna Heitz, Superintendent of Recreation, Melissa Woodard, Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds Rick Collin, and Attorney John Coghlan.

Public Present: Brant Fred, Dondi Maricle, Helen DeFour, Ann Burns, Ron Bourasse, Jim G.

Pledge Of Allegiance

Public Comment:

Dondi Maricle: She brought another sketch for the Governor’s Project. They will be selling some bricks to help offset the cost of the project.

Communications:

n/a

Consent Agenda:

Consent agenda for Monday, September 25, 2017 consists of board, committee meeting minutes, executive session minutes (not for public viewing) bills payable, financial statement, intergovernmental agreement with Forest Preserve, BMX Land Usage Agreement, Riverside & St. Mary’s agreement, and disposition of surplus (boat docks).

A motion to receive the consent agenda for Monday, September 25, 2017 was made by Commissioner Skelly, seconded by Commissioner Spriggs. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, A. Hollis. Not Present: M. Mullady. With 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, motion carried.

A motion to approve the Committee Meeting Minutes (August 15, 2017) was made by Commissioner Skelly, seconded by Commissioner Spriggs. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, A. Hollis. Not Present: M. Mullady. With 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, motion carried.

A motion to approve the Public Hearing Meeting Minutes (August 28, 2017) was made by Commissioner Tucker, seconded by Commissioner Spriggs. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, A. Hollis. Not Present: M. Mullady. With 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, motion carried.

A motion to approve the Board Meeting Minutes (August 28, 2017) was made by Commissioner Spriggs, seconded by Commissioner Hollis. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, A. Hollis. Not Present: M. Mullady. With 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, motion carried.

Executive session minutes are tabled until next board meeting for time to review.

A motion to approve the bills payable was made by Commissioner Skelly, seconded by Commissioner Spriggs. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, A. Hollis. Not Present: M. Mullady. With 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, motion carried.

A motion to approve the Financial Statements was made by Commissioner Skelly, seconded by Commissioner Hollis. Discussion: We will be transferring $356,000 into money market for bond payment. Need to clear that from the operating account. Did receive our 3rd tax distribution. Hope to receive the balance. We will have $600,000 income that needs to last us through June 18. That’s not including other revenue from Ice Valley or rentals. Did talk about working with Speer financial for a bond. In talking to Speer, we are discussing going against our 2018 levy. Would give us capital and that would keep our bonding costs down. Usually pay per bond so we wouldn’t have to bond the following year. Still looking at the different models. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, A. Hollis. Not Present: M. Mullady. With 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, motion carried.

The Forest Preserve approached us and would like to take responsibility of the playground agreement. The equipment is ours. They had taken over the mowing in the spring for us. Commissioner Tucker asked why we aren’t trying to sell it to them. John said the alternative is to send our people out there to move it or scrap it. In the past we have had a good relationship with them. It’s been sitting out there so long, the scrap value may not be much now. If they are willing to take it over, but they won’t buy it. A motion to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement-Forest Preserve District was made by Commissioner Spriggs, seconded by Commissioner Skelly. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, A. Hollis. Not Present: M. Mullady. With 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, motion carried.

The agreement with BMX Land Use is identical from when they had it before. Any questions before were insurance that they clarified. Would have to be fenced in for their insurance to cover. Well is not working. Director’s concern is electric for lighting. Brant said they don’t have to have night races or need electric. They could do day races. Parking would be around the track. Won’t infringe on wetlands. Director Heitz said we have very large softball tournaments and football. If they are having a race, would there be parking? Brant said they would work out scheduling to not interfere. Could park on the east side and starting out there won’t be a huge crowd. Commissioner Spriggs doesn’t have a problem with an activity for the kids, the timing is bad. We are striving to persevere to make things better. Does it have to be this year? We have to catch up on a lot. Director Heitz said it’s still our property and we would need to monitor it. A motion to approve the BMX Land Usage Agreement was made by Commissioner Skelly, seconded by Commissioner Tucker. Discussion: Commissioner Spriggs said we have so many things to catch up on. Don’t see that we are ready for a big project like this. Dayna is bogged down with all kinds of things. Maybe a year from now when we had time to think about it. Brant said there isn’t a lot on your end that needs to happen. Commissioner Tucker said initially it was insurance and timeline. Brant said while they are building their insurance would cover it. Commissioner Skelly said we are struggling but this project doesn’t require much out of the park district. Want communication with us and a timeline. Talked about programming at the last meeting to the community. But if you would agree to provide the programming for us, the park District wins. Get the kids into sports and get them off the street. Work with the bike place to get kids bikes. Director Heitz asked if you were to call BMX how long would building the track take? Brant said he did have a volunteer who has equipment we can use. He said he still may have time this year to do the track. If they wait until spring they are at the mercy of the weather. Commissioner Tucker asked about the additional work for the District. Dayna said we need to monitor and follow up. Want to make sure it’s done professionally. Are there permits that are needed? Told prior they didn’t. Commissioner Hollis asked do we have the manpower to monitor the project? Commissioner Tucker said they are putting in effort and doing what we asked. We want to be more accountable. Brant said if they can make the phone calls after tonight, 2 full weeks of construction. Would sit over the winter to let it settle. Next spring they would groom it, and race next year. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker. The following Commissioners voted nay: B. Spriggs, A. Hollis. Not Present: M. Mullady. With 2 ayes, 2 nays, 1 absent, motion fails.

Riverside agreement - met with Ms. Jacobi and both sides are in agreement. $2500 per year for 20 years. No other changes from original agreement.

A motion to approve the Riverside Agreement, with amendment, was made by Commissioner Tucker, seconded by Commissioner Spriggs. Discussion: Dave asked about utilities. They pay.

One typo change in lessor/lessee. That was an error and will be amended. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, A. Hollis. Not Present: M. Mullady. With 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, motion carried.

St Mary’s Agreement - Will receive this tomorrow if approved. Director Heitz discussed some of the changes. Will be 20 year lease. Will be paying per year for the parking lot. Would continue maintaining the parking lot and grass. They would take care of the landscaping around the signage. A motion to approve the St. Mary’s Agreement was made by Commissioner Tucker, seconded by Commissioner Skelly. Discussion: Commissioner Skelly asked if they had a conversation with the elks about this? Dayna has tried. St. Mary’s needs to have an agreement with the Elks specifically. Not go through us. Not received anything from the Elks regarding Comed bills. Commissioner Skelly doesn’t want to change perception in the community. Try contacting someone else in the league. Commissioner Tucker said we should find someone with the Elks to talk to. They have been around forever. Director Heitz did explain to Keith what St. Mary’s wanted and how they don’t want 2 agreements. Table this until we talk to someone from the organization. Contact Mike Areseneau. Commissioner Tucked said we are trying to build back in the community.

A motion to approve the Disposition Surplus-Boat Docks was made by Commissioner Hollis, seconded by Commissioner Tucker. Discussion: Commissioner Skelly asked who is pushing this? Director Heitz got a phone call and has had several discussions about it. The city is on board and it will be on their October 2nd agenda. There are several items that belongs to the regatta that should be talked about. Maybe there is someone else that might want to buy it. Should post it somehow. Could we have a meeting with everyone about the assets we are 1/3 owner of. Commissioner Hollis said this deems it surplus not that a certain someone can buy it. Commissioner Spriggs asked if the dock would be a 3 way split. Table until we get more info and can meet with all 3 entities. Commissioner Skelly wants to go about the process in a clear and transparent way. Definitely want to declare it surplus but want to do it the right way and give everyone an opportunity.

Old Business:

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New Business:

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Staff Reports:

Executive Director-

Dayna Heitz: Auditors will be here next week for 3 days. Commissioner Skelly asked about the sale of property? Attorney Coghlan said it’s just so we know what our options are. Asked about the fire people from Cobb Park? One more rental in October. There are no city ordinances. If we have their insurance and are notified correctly. We will be increasing the deposit for Civic rental but will allow them the option of a 5 hour cleanup on Sunday. Will go up to $650. Commissioner Tucker asked if people would still get the option on Saturday, if they had a Friday rental would they be able to come in on Saturday. Keep it clear and the same for everyone.

Committee Reports:

KCCVB Report-

No report.

Historical Society Report-

All good.

SRA-

Commissioner Tucker said they are getting ready for the October fundraiser.

Commissioners Forum:

Commissioner Tucker: wants to be clear about the BMX? Did not pass. Does it get revisited next year? Attorney Coghlan said that agreement was denied. Whatever comes up in the future, can be revisited.

Commissioner Spriggs: thank Rick for the campground looking so good. The building out there is open and the host out there is doing a good job. Thanked Melissa for getting the campground info on Facebook.

Director Heitz said there is a 5-6 year plan for the trees. Have completed the first year. Bill has been instrumental on making the contacts. Have started a tree restoration fund and has collected $1900 to plant trees. Would like to do that at River Road too. Sniders is going to help us out.

Commissioner Skelly: Several residents of Cobb Park said there is a homeless man sleeping in the park. It’s after hours and can write him the ticket but that won’t do any good. Looking for legal advice. He’s been warned twice. Need a letter from the Park District.

Executive Session:

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Adjourn Meeting:

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 6:25pm by Commissioner Skelly, seconded by Commissioner Hollis. Upon voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.

Official Reports:

1. Committee Minutes August 15, 2017

2. Public Hearing Minutes August 28, 2017

3. Board Minutes August 28, 2017

4. Bills Payable

5. Financial Statement

6. Intergovernmental Agreement-Forest Preserve District

7. BMX Land Usage Agreement

8. Riverside Agreement

9. St. Mary’s Agreement

10. Disposition Surplus-Boat Docks

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/kvpd/Minutes/2017/09-25-2017+Board+Meeting.pdf