Kankakee Times

Kankakee Valley Park District Board of Commissioners met January 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Committee Meeting was called to order at 5:15pm by President Hollis. Those present for roll call were Commissioner A. Hollis, D. Tucker, M. Mullady, D. Skelly, B. Spriggs. Others present: Dayna Heitz, Executive Director; Rick Collins, Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds; Attorney John Coghlan. Not present: Melissa Woodard

Public Present: Dave Phillips

Communications:

Written: na

Public Comment: na

Old Business

New Business:

Department Reports Rick Collins: We been able to continue maintain buildings for rentals. Monitor compressors at Ice Valley. Changed heat filters at Ice Valley and repaired some water fountains. Had some frozen pipes out there and some of the sprinkler heads popped so there were some leaking on the ice. Have moved some snow at our locations. Replaced an outside light at the Civic. Regulator went out at the Charlton Room and it’s been repaired. Commissioner Hollis asked if we are still doing the needed repairs at the buildings? Rick said we haven’t started that yet. The compressor unit switch needs to be replaced on unit 1. Currently running on unit 2 right now. Commissioner Spriggs asked when the union guys will return? March. What’s the plan for when they return? Painting buildings, picnic tables, etc. Commissioner Spriggs said Rick and Eric’s performance has been wonderful especially since there are only 2 of you. Haven’t missed much. Commissioner Mullady asked if we could get some better signage at our parks? We do need to do that. Commissioner Tucker asked how many seasonal staff will we hire? 8-10 for maintenance. Around 20 for Ice Valley but they are year-round.

Melissa Woodard: Any questions, please forward those to her.

Angie Tousignant: Little Blackhawks can take up to 50 and registration opened mid-December. Jeff ran a hockey camp the week of Christmas. They had a radar gun to clock how fast the kids skated. Try Hockey For Free will be March 3. Irish has an alumni game on December 26. Went really well. Disney on Ice tickets are on sale until tomorrow. Winter Fest was on December 9 and had 137 people attend. Have had several rentals and groups. Hosted a Girl Scout event. Had Cookies & Skating with Santa. Had around 300 people attend. 220 paid and parents that didn’t participate. Have extended Christmas break schedule. Hosted a New Year’s Eve party on the 31st. Have some other special events coming up as well. Managers cleaned out the pro shop. Hope to reopen it next year. Facebook page is doing well. Director Heitz heard from Staci at KCCVB and said they have had a lot of interest for Ice Valley. Commissioner Spriggs asked if the rink gets lots of volunteers? Parents of skaters and hockey players usually. Should probably keep track of them.

Commissioner Hollis appreciates you doing all the extra things like NYE party, etc. Director Heitz was at Cookies with Santa and Angie does a great job. Has special events every month.

Dayna Heitz: Would like some ideas or direction on what you want to do about St. Mary’s parking agreement. Should we leave it alone or make a pay lot? Commissioner Spriggs would prefer just leaving it alone until we come up with a better plan. Commissioner Skelly said maybe we don’t maintain it. Commissioner Hollis said until we can come up with a better agreement, let’s leave it alone. Let them know we aren’t going to maintain but also won’t charge them.

In your packet there is a couple different quotes on Director’s vehicle. Intention is that the board would make a decision by the board meeting. Commissioner Skelly has no problem approving a vehicle at the board meeting. Do you have a vehicle you like, a price point, or a recommendation? Director Heitz will give her recommendation to the board. Commissioner Tucker asked what price point you are looking at? $14,000-16,000 is where she is hoping to stay. Would have to go out to bid at $20,000-$25,000. Would like something with low miles and a warranty.

The community letter is done. Its 10 pages. That will be posted by the end of the week on website, Facebook, and emailed to a select group. There will also be copies at our facilities. If there is someone specific you’d like it sent to, let her know.

The park renaming policy will be in place once you define what you want. Is there something else you want added? Honor individual or family, historical event, and organization that contributed, and under certain circumstances sponsorship/donations would be the criteria important to the board. At the next meeting recommend the renaming of the park at Sun River Terrace by resolution. Contact the family. Have something at the park when the weather is nicer.

Commissioners Forum:

Commissioner Spriggs said the campground host from last year contacted him and would like to do it again. He has some ideas for what to do out there to make it better. Maybe get some signage out there. Commissioner Mullady thinks signage should be better. People don’t know it’s there and maybe some brochures with cost, etc. Commissioner Hollis said to contact KCC for their construction program. If we could supply the materials maybe they could do the work.

Executive Session:

n/a

Adjourn Meeting:

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 6:05pm by Commissioner Spriggs, seconded by Commissioner Mullady. Upon voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.

Official Reports:

1. R. Collins

2. M. Woodard

3. A. Tousignant

4. D. Heitz

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/kvpd/Minutes/2018/01-08-18+-+Committee+Meeting.pdf