Kankakee Times

Kankakee Valley Park District Board of Commissioners met Jan. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the commissioners:

The Board Meeting was called to order at 5:02 pm by President Hollis. Those present for roll call were Commissioners D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, D. Skelly, M. Mullady and A. Hollis. Staff present: Executive Director, Dayna Heitz; Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds, Rick Collins; Superintendent of Recreation, Melissa Woodard; Attorney John Coghlan. Also present: Ariana Padilla

Public Present: Steve Kelley, Bonita Arceneaux-Anderson, Derek Anderson, Don Palmer, Vita Brooks, Mike Cobbs, Bonita Jordan, Mary Archie

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENT

Steve Kelly: In support of protecting the Cobb Park trees from proposed Nicor plan

Venita Arsenueax Anderson: Requesting Civic deposit be returned even after entering building day after rental.

Derrick Anderson: Requesting Civic deposit be returned even after entering building day after rental.

Don Palmer: In support of protecting the Cobb Park trees from proposed Nicor plan.

Vita Brooks: In support of protecting the Cobb Park trees from proposed Nicor plan

Mike Cobbs: In support of protecting the Cobb Park trees from proposed Nicor plan

Venita Jordan: On behalf of her daughter and son in law, requesting Civic deposit be returned even after entering building day after rental.

Mary Archie: On behalf of the Anderson’s, requesting Civic deposit be returned even after entering building day after rental.

COMMUNICATIONS

NA

CONSENT AGENDA

Consent agenda for Monday, January 28, 2019 consists of board minutes, bills payables, financial statements, and Ordinance 1.86 Disposition of Park District Property.

A motion to receive the consent agenda was made by Commissioner Mullady, seconded by Commissioner Spriggs. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, M. Mullady and A. Hollis. With 5 ayes, 0 nays, motion carried.

A motion to approve consent agenda was made by Commissioner Tucker, seconded by Commissioner Mullady. Discussion: Commissioner Skelly asked how the scuba equipment will be sold? Director Heitz will try to find some scuba places first to sell to. Upon roll call vote the following Commissioners voted aye: D. Skelly, D. Tucker, B. Spriggs, M. Mullady and A. Hollis. With 5 ayes, 0 nays, motion carried.

Director Heitz touched on the financials. Employee benefits will be a line item that is over but as long as the fund itself isn’t over, we are fine.

OLD BUSINESS

Anderson Civic Rental

Director Heitz: Know this was presented at the Committee Meeting. The Civic contract states that if you come in after your time you forfeit your deposit. They did pay extra for the half day to decorate the day before. Their decoration has nothing to do with us. Ariana: We offer the day before and the day after for clean up and set up. They denied the option to clean up on Sunday. We offer this because we understand people decorate a lot. That option is 7am-noon for $200, as long as it’s available. It’s a better option for them to pay the $200 for that than us have to keep the deposit of $650 for not following the rules. Director Heitz said we were fortunate that there was no one renting the building on Sunday. Commissioner Hollis asked how much time the day after would they have gotten if they had paid the $200? 7am-noon. Commissioner Tucker asked what time did the pictures get taken? When Kenny came in first thing in the morning. Commissioner Tucker asked who told us what time they left? Mr. & Mrs. Anderson said they left at 12:30pm. Commissioner Hollis suggests not to keep their whole deposit but they should be charged something. Commissioner Skelly suggests keeping $200. Commissioner Hollis wants us to be flexible and be mindful of our community. They have taken 3 hours to come here. It’s the principle of it. Sounds like the Commissioners agree on keeping $200. They do understand renting on the front end and the back end. Ariana did a great job on this so don’t think you did anything wrong. Director Heitz suggested charging them for a day and we would give the difference back. That is being flexible even thought they broke the contract. Commissioner Spriggs said a contract is a contract. Maybe we need to make adjustments to our contract next time. If it’s that massive again, mandate they take another day. Commissioner Mullady said what if someone else was denied a deposit but they know you got one. Where is the consistency? Commissioner Tucker said normally things don’t come to us. This should be case by case basis. They took ownership of miscalculation and we didn’t have to do any work. They had the integrity to clean up behind them. This doesn’t happen often. We are listening to the people. We need to restore our credibility. Understand policy but when it came before the board, we took it case by case. Director Heitz said this is an operational matter and normally doesn’t come to the board. If it’s recommended and she is given direction and it’s outside policy, can go ahead and do that without it being voted on. Will keep $200 of their deposit.

NEW BUSINESS

2019 A Series Bond

Director Heitz: This is dependent on our levy. Wanted the levy to stay consistent. This will be our winter bond that will be for capital for the coming year. Will bond smaller in the fall and then we will be on a fall schedule. No more winter bond after that. Capital includes removal of dead trees, redoing Beckman building, Civic roof, and bathrooms at River Road. A list accompanies the Director’s report.

STAFF REPORTS

Executive Director

D. Heitz: KCCVB and Riverside are looking at the statistics and want to move the bikes into this part of the park. We will let them know their options. They aren’t getting enough traffic and want it in a busier area. Commissioner Skelly suggests down by the Quarry. Commissioner Hollis thinks people will see them up by Bird Park Office. Director Heitz will offer both options.

The District’s 95th anniversary is coming up next year. Will be the same year as opening Splash Valley. Commissioner Mullady suggested getting local artists involved.

Strategically moving staff around in anticipation of upcoming projects.

Was invited for the Riverfront implementation team. They are still looking to work on the Riverwalk. Will be attending their Capital planning meetings and need to be involved in their meetings if they are making plans. Commissioner Hollis got a call after the meeting. They had already said we were going to tear down our maintenance shop and we didn’t know anything about it. That’s when Director Heitz decided not to be a part of that because it’s like they are making decisions without us. Spoke with the Mayor and she would like Director Heitz be a part of all those meetings and be more vocal and sit up at the table. That Riverwalk will not happen without us. The Mayor said we can all work together and keep a good relationship. This will be beneficial for the entire community. Commissioner Skelly said they came here a year ago and

said we would have more conversations and then it’s been over a year and nothing. certainly support them and the grants.

COMMITTEE REPORTS KCCVB Report

Director Heitz: no report

Historical Society Report

Commissioner Spriggs: no report

SRA

Should

Commissioner Hollis: Made substantial amount of money at Mouse Race. Their Foundation is growing.

COMMISSIONERS FORUM

Commissioner Tucker is happy to hear we opened the building for a warming shelter. Director Heitz said we are on stand by for overnight if the churches fill up.

Commissioner Hollis talked to some people at Conference and there are some grants we should apply for. Talked to Keith Wallace who does diversity sensitivity training. Asked if he could come down and do some things for our board and staff. They do them free of charge. They also have Commissioners boot camp. The closest one is in Lockport. Nothing wrong with us having a refresher. Attended the boardsmanship ethics class. It was very interesting. District’s are using Linkedin to promote activities. A district has a website that you can click on the text and it will change to whatever language they want. We have a very diverse community and that will help. Will give all the board members a copy of the paperwork of the classes that was attended.

Executive Session

NA

ADJOURN MEETING

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 6:13pm by Commissioner Spriggs, seconded by Commissioner Mullady. Upon voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.

https://kvpd.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Minutes%20%26%20Agendas/2019/Minutes/01-28-19%20-%20Board%20Meeting%20-%20Minutes.pdf