Dundee Township Park District Board of Commissioners met Wednesday, March 15.
Board meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of month at 7:00 pm.
DUNDEE TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
The March 15, 2017 meeting of the Dundee Township Park District Board of Commissioners held at the senior wing of the Rakow Center was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by President Frank Scarpelli. Commissioners responding to roll call were: Jim Bonkoski, John Meschewski, Erin O’Leary, Craig Rakow, and Frank Scarpelli.
Staff Reports
Director of Finance Greg Gannon reviewed the February 28, 2017 financial report. He reported the Park District ended the month with a total governmental fund balance of $5.5 million compared to last year of $5.7 million. The corporate fund ended the month with a balance of $1.1 million and the recreation fund at $1.6 million. Fiscal year to date, the recreation fund’s net excess increased $245,000 over last year. The increase is mainly attributed to an increase in the receipt of property tax revenue. Fitness centers’ net excess increased $67,000 over last year. The Circle of Friends program is performing strong with a net of $103,000.
Fiscal year to date, the Randall Oaks Golf Club had a net excess of $32,000, a decrease of $60,000 over the prior fiscal year. The net decrease is mainly attributable to the decrease in food and beverage’s net excess of $56,000. The Bonnie Dundee Golf Club had a net deficit of $32,000, an increase of $54,000 over last year. The change is attributable to the increase in golf revenue of $46,000.
Gannon reported that the first draft of the 2017-2018 fiscal year budget will be presented for the Board’s review on the April 5 Board meeting.
John Meschewski made a motion with a second by Craig Rakow to approve the February 28, 2017 Finance Budget Report as presented. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Superintendent of Park Services Mark Simon reported staff is working on tree line cleanup at Keele Farm and Kemper Park. He reviewed the work completed along the trail that was cleared near the residential area. About one third of the parks have undergone winter pruning. Spring cleanup is in progress throughout the parks. Staff is preparing for opening day of the Randall Oaks Zoo on April 8. Simon reviewed the scope of work of two major projects occurring at the Randall Oaks Golf Course with the storm drain and the Administration Building and its sanitary sewer. Staff is working on new sign construction. The new signage is expected to be installed in the summer. Staff is working on the entrance of the Randall Oaks Zoo to alleviate congestion at the front of the zoo. Parks staff attended the annual safety training.
Administrative Assistant Claudette Valencia reported on behalf of Deputy Director Don Kappel who was excused tonight. Valencia stated the Unneeded Property Ordinance was prepared and will be presented for the Board’s review under New Business. The annual Unemployment Report was created and distributed to Department Heads. The report summarizes the District’s unemployment costs. She said Kappel met with the Food/Beverage Department to review the new Personnel Policy revisions that were implemented in January. The Administration department met with ADP to investigate an integrated on-line Human Resource platform. Staff distributed the new all-in-one labor posters to all Departments. A report was generated that summarizes the Park District’s employee injuries for 2015 and 2016. The report compares data from previous years beginning in 2009. Kappel attended the final meeting of the IPRA ProConnect Mentoring Program. This interactive program involves professionals from the Chicagoland region. The Park District received one FOIA request concerning Hickory Hill Park, Golfview Park, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township’s potential use of a portion of the Bonnie Dundee Golf Course property. Valencia said the Park District is one step closer to the closing of the Andres property.
Deputy Director Dave Peterson informed the Board that he and Kappel attended an employee law seminar last week that Ancel Glink hosted. The focus was primarily on the potential changes of the Affordable Care Act. The Park District’s summer mini brochure that includes camps, events and activities is expected to go out to residents this coming Saturday. The regular summer brochure will go out to residents mid April. Youth basketball ended last weekend with a total enrollment of 600 children including 100 from the BGCDT. A survey was conducted regarding the basketball program. The program scored 4.2 out of 5 in 13 categories. The Park District received very positive feedback from 116 respondents. Discussion followed. A survey was also conducted for the Circle of Friends survey. The program scored 4.2 out of five from 126 respondents. Overall, the Circle of Friends program is very successful and had very positive comments from respondents. Peterson said there is more demand for the before school care. The Park District plans to add before school care at Dundee Highlands and Sleepy Hollow Elementary Schools for the 2017-2018 school year. However, the before school care will be dropped at Algonquin Lakes Elementary School due to low enrollment. Before school care will continue at Liberty Elementary School for the upcoming school year. Fitness memberships met a new high-water mark of 2,615 members through the month of February. Vice President Jim Bonkoski asked about the results of the Free Fridays promotion offered in the month of February. Peterson said 13 new memberships were gained as a result of the promotion. The Special Events egg hunts will take place on April 7-8.
Citizens to be Heard
- None.
Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Items to be Considered for Consent Agenda – Jim Bonkoski made a motion with a second by Erin O’Leary to approve the Items to be Considered for the Consent Agenda to include: Approval of February 15, 2017 Board Meeting Minutes, Payment of Bills, and March Personnel List. The motion passed 5 to 0.
2. Approval of Consent Agenda – Craig Rakow made a motion with a second by Erin O’Leary to approve the March 15, 2017 Consent Agenda. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Director’s Report
1. March 22, 2017 – BDGC Information Meeting - Executive Director Tom Mammoser informed the Board there are 16 individuals who have confirmed their attendance to the informational meeting that will be hosted at the Rakow Center for the purpose of soliciting public input regarding the future use of the Bonnie Dundee Golf Course property. He said residents of the Dundee Township were invited to include individuals from the sports of golf and soccer, representatives from the villages, and general community. He anticipates approximately 20 invited individuals will participate in the meeting. Mammoser stated the informational meeting is open to the public and he does anticipate community residents to attend the meeting.
Mammoser reviewed the format of the meeting that will include presenting information relating to the property, soliciting input from participants, and a questionnaire that will be distributed at the end of the information session. Discussion ensued. Mammoser stated that there will not be any decisions or actions taken at the March 22 informational meeting. The press is aware of the meeting. He said an article was published in the Courier News and one in the Daily Herald. Mammoser said that if after the information meeting, the Board wishes to have more community meetings in the future that will be their choice.
2. School District 300 Leadership Council Meeting – Mammoser met with School District 300’s council last week. He said that although D300 Superintendent Fred Heid has discussed possible district schedule changes in the past, he does not anticipate any modifications to take place in the upcoming 2017/2018 school year. The School District is very proud of its cooperative program with Elgin Community College.
3. NRPA Americans’ Engagement with Parks Survey – Mammoser reviewed the National Recreation and Park Association’s Parks Survey. He read the introduction of the NRPA study. He referenced the following key statistics relating to the recreational and golf use of park districts.
a. Americans on average visit their local park and recreation facilities approximately 29 times a year.
b. Three in five survey respondents report having visited a local park and/or recreation facility within a month of participating in the survey.
c. Nine in 10 Americans agree that parks and recreation are important services delivered by their local government.
d. 41% of survey respondents indicated having used local park or recreation facility within the past week.
e. 80% of Americans have visited a local park and/or recreation facility within the past year.
f. The number one reason people gather at their local parks and recreation facilities is for socialization.
g. 47% of respondents use local park/recreation facility for hiking/biking/walking trail.
h. 39% of respondents listed lack of time as the largest barrier preventing them from visiting a local park and recreation facilities.
i. 20% of respondents listed lack of quality facilities near their home as a factor.
4. NGF Golf Participation Report – Mammoser reviewed the National Golf Foundation’s 2016 Golf Participation Report. NGF surveys approximately 30,000 Americans ages 6 and above every year. The survey results suggest there is a slow leak in overall golf participation. There in an increase in golf interest which means more people are watching golf on television or reading about golf. However, that interest thus far has not increased golf participation. Mammoser referenced the following key statistics:
a. 8.2% of people surveyed indicated they played golf at least once in 2015.
b. Core golfers (individuals ages 6 and above who played at least eight rounds of golf during the survey year) make up 4.2% of the population.
c. Core golfers participation is down to 12.7 million in 2015 from 14.8 million in 2010.
d. Junior golf is up to 3 million in 2015 from 2.5 million in 2010.
e. Beginner golfers have increased to 2.2 in 2015 from 1.5 in 2010.
f. Latent demand (non golfers interested in playing golf) increased to 37.4 million in 2015 from 26.5 million in 2011.
Mammoser told the Board he believes the Park District is in the right niche with respect to junior golf programming and beginners golf.
Mammoser reviewed the FOIA request received relating to the Bonnie Dundee Golf Course property.
President’s Report
- None.
Old Business
1. Sleepy Hollow Pool Liner – Peterson related he received a report from FGM Engineers concerning Sleepy Hollow Pool’s shell integrity to determine if the pool can withstand an installation of a liner. Ten core samples of the wall, flooring and deck were taken to determine if the concept is plausible. He stated the report indicates the cement is in good condition and the pool can sustain another 5 to 6 years of longevity with the continued annual maintenance. Discussion ensued. Peterson said staff cannot make a recommendation to the Board at this time but an FGM consultant will report to the Board at a later time upon further research.
New Business
1. Unneeded Property Ordinance #17-03 – President Frank Scarpelli asked for a motion to approve the Ordinance authorizing the disposal of unneeded equipment.
Craig Rakow made a motion with a second by Jim Bonkoski to approve the Unneeded Property Ordinance #17-03 as presented. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Additional New Business
- None.
Closed Session
At 8:30 p.m., Jim Bonkoski made a motion with a second by Erin O’Leary to move that the Board convene into Closed Session under section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meeting Act for the purpose of discussing personnel. The motion passed 5 to 0.
At 8:53 p.m., John Meschewski made a motion with a second by Erin O’Leary to move the Board reconvene into regular session. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Adjourn Meeting
John Meschewski made a motion with a second by Craig Rakow to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed 5 to 0. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
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