Dundee Township Park District Board of Commissioners met April 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The April 5, 2017 meeting of the Dundee Township Park District Board of Commissioners held at the Adults Activities wing of the Rakow Center was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by President Frank Scarpelli. Commissioners responding to roll call were: Erin O’Leary, Craig Rakow, and Frank Scarpelli. Jim Bonkoski was absent at roll call, but arrived at 7:04 p.m. John Meschewski was absent at roll call, but arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Staff Reports:
None.
Citizens to be Heard:
President Frank Scarpelli asked the audience present if they wished to speak about another topic other than the Bonnie Dundee Golf Course property to bring forward any comments at this time. There were no comments.
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval of Items to be Considered for Consent Agenda – Erin O’Leary made a motion with a second by Craig Rakow to approve the Items to be Considered for the Consent Agenda to include: Approval of March 15, 2017 Board Meeting Minutes and Payment of Bills. The motion passed 3 to 0.
2. Approval of Consent Agenda – Craig Rakow made a motion with a second by Erin O’Leary to approve the April 5, 2017 Consent Agenda. The motion passed 3 to 0.
Director’s Report:
1. Bonnie Dundee Golf Course Informational Meeting Summary - Executive Director Tom Mammoser related that the Board received a summary of the meeting that took place on March 22 at the Rakow Center along with copies of all survey sheets turned in by the participants of the meeting. Twenty-two invitees attended the informational meeting. Mammoser provided a quick summary. Of the 22 participants, 21 completed the survey at the end of the informational meeting. Of those 21 respondents, 12 favored park development with 9 favoring to keep the 18-hole golf course operation. Of the 12 in favor of the park development, half opted to convert the whole property to park land. He said approximately 60 residents attended the informational meeting. The meeting was held to discuss the possible conversion of part of the Bonnie Dundee Golf Course property to a park.
Mammoser talked about the estimated $2 million cost involved with the possible future development of the BDGC property. He stated that this was a preliminary estimate that he first mentioned at the May 5, 2016 Board meeting, which included a workshop regarding the future of Bonnie Dundee. He stated that he was the one who informed the press regarding this estimated cost. The cost was not highlighted by staff at the March 22, 2017 informational meeting because the purpose of the meeting was to get the public’s perspective on changing the use of the property, not on whether to expend those funds. He went on to further explain that funding for development could be allocated out of future Capital Improvement resources, which will be spent regardless of whether the park gets developed.
Scarpelli asked Mammoser to explain the creation of the selected participants who took part in the March 22nd informational meeting. Mammoser said the goal was to invite residents who would represent a balance of the community. Participants included residents involved in recreation programs such as soccer and golf along with representatives of the local villages and other active community members. Treasurer John Meschewski added that he believes the informational meeting was productive.
Scarpelli told the audience that he finds comments of “this is a done deal” disturbing. The Board has not made any decision on the transition of the BDGC land. Furthermore, previous meetings have taken place concerning the future of Bonnie Dundee. It was the Board’s decision to ask for input from the community.
Scarpelli welcomed everyone present. He asked that anyone wishing to comment on the current topic to state their name and limit their time to 2-3 minutes to allow others to speak.
Frank Raczon of Sleepy Hollow related this is a personal issue for tax payers. He felt the informational meeting’s presentation was one sided and the cost of converting the property was omitted along with the failure to discuss the current improvements of BDGC. He believes positive charges are underway at BDGC. Raczon asked the public to be wary of any rushed decisions, to be respectful and keep on top of the process. He thanked the Board and Park District for their hard work.
Jeff Stephens of Carpentersville reported he has played golf at BDGC for 40 years and believes the course is operating well as is. The cost of $2 million to modify the property is a poor use of tax payers’ money. BDGC serves the east side of the community allowing seniors to continue playing golf, one of the few outdoor sports they are able to play at a reasonable price. Stephens said he enjoys playing at ROGC whenever he can, but the drawbacks are higher cost and difficulty of booking tee times. He speculates how the Park District can justify other properties that it maintains that cost money and do not make any income. He believes that although BDGC is 93 years old, it has a lot of potential yet for many years to come as an 18-hole golf course.
Jose Dovado, a member of the community for 27 years and involved in the adult soccer league for 16 years, believes the purpose of this discussion should be about space limitations. The lack of park amenities on the east side of the community is an existing issue. He asked the audience to think as a business owner and be driven by the data available and not by one's emotions.
Tim Bulger, a Dundee resident and president of the American Legion Golf League in Elgin, stated the League came out to play at BDGC because of its 18-hole course. The League will not use BDGC if the conversion proceeds to a 9-hole golf course. He suggested that the Park District take the $2 million to buy land and build soccer fields where they see fit.
Pete Breskovich, resident of East Dundee, stated the ROGC is nice but he prefers the environment of BDGC. Additionally, he is now forced to buy a higher cost season golf pass to get dual access to both golf courses instead of the previous season golf pass that was solely for BDGC. He now plays golf at Pinecrest because it caters to seniors. Breskovich is not sure the Park District is giving BDGC a fair chance.
Dan Sobczyk, resident of East Dundee, has been a player of BDGG for 17 years. He believes the Park District has a wonderful, complete golf course and should remain intact. There is property for sale that the Park District can purchase to make soccer fields and a nice park.
Meschewski said that it would take a lot more than $2 million to purchase a property and develop the land into a park. He appreciates everyone present voicing his or her opinions. He reiterated to the audience that the Board is not close to making any decision at this time.
Discussion ensued. Secretary Erin O’Leary said she appreciates those who have come out to express their opinions. She also believes BDGC is a great place; however, the Park District is in business of meeting the needs of the entire community. Currently, many residents are being underserved.
Mammoser added that the Park District has not considered purchasing other property to meet the east side park needs, because it already owns 105 acres of land at Bonnie Dundee.
Mammoser said the driving force behind the current proposal is to meet the needs of all Dundee Township residents. He mentioned the statistic from the National Golf Foundation’s annual survey that stated only 8.2% of Americans play golf once a year. With the change in demographics surrounding the Bonnie Dundee area, he feels that percentage is even less on the east side of the Township. He noted that a park can be used by all residents.
Mammoser stated that from the staff’s perspective, it makes sense to ask the Board to consider converting part of the golf course into something every resident can utilize. The property is an asset owned by the Park District and paid for by the residents. He questions how much of the taxpayer pot should go to subsidize an operation that is used by a small percentage of residents when there are other uses that can positively impact all of Dundee Township’s residents? That is the question brought forward to the Board.
Mammoser stated that going to a nine-hole golf course also puts the Park District in a better position to make Bonnie Dundee sustainable for golf.
Mammoser again reviewed the $2 million development expense that members of the public brought up as a concern. He explained the $2 million in capital funds will be spent over a period of time on other Park District amenities and needs (HVAC and building upkeep, playgrounds, equipment, etc.) even if it was not used for park development. A redistribution of those expenses would allow for the park development, which would be available for all residents.
Discussion followed on Kemper Park being unfeasible to become a regional park due to its lack of accessibility, its location in a residential area, and limited land of 20 acres. Of the 20 acres, 10 are high quality woodland and a dedicated nature preserve; therefore, only 10 acres are available for active use.
Mammoser mentioned that soccer leagues pay user fees that generate revenue to the Park District. Discussion ensued.
Al Cukla, resident of Dundee Township and past employee of BDGC, stated he is against the transition of the land. He feels “this is a done deal”.
Scarpelli noted that the topic is not about soccer against golf. It might be golf against a regional park. When he thinks of the property being a park, it would be serving far more people than soccer.
Stephens suggested building something to accommodate soccer fields and not destroy Bonnie Dundee, which has been in existence for 93 years. He suggested a referendum. Further discussion ensued.
An unidentified member of the audience stated he has been a resident of Carpentersville for over 25 years. He has played soccer his entire life. He would like to see more soccer fields implemented on the east side of the community. He does not understand why golf and soccer amenities cannot be combined within the same land.
Raczon asked why the new electronic message sign at the intersections of Rt. 25 and 68 only show the time and temperature, but does not advertise that Bonnie Dundee offers the lowest rates in the area. He accused the Park District of not trying hard enough to enhance BDGC. Mammoser responded that marketing and improved management are the main reasons why play has increased at Bonnie Dundee and that information is posted on the sign. Discussion followed on management operation of the Bonnie Dundee Golf Course.
The Board thanked the audience for coming to express their concerns.
2. 2016 Tax Levy – Mammoser stated that with the increase in EAV, the Park District’s tax rate decreased and the tax levy increased 1.42%. He is unsure whether the permanent tax freeze that Governor Rauner is trying to implement will occur. Mammoser said that it is encouraging to see the EAV is up two years in a row.
3. IAPD Legislative Conference – Mammoser related that the Conference will be held in Springfield on May 2-3. At this point, he does not foresee sending any staff to the conference, but may consider attending if an important legislative topic arises. The conference will be held on the same day of the first Board meeting in May.
Mammoser informed the Board that Director Curt McReynolds of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township has accepted a job in Arizona. McReynolds has been with the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township for almost nine years and has done a terrific job of building up the Club. Currently, the Club has over 1,100 members and averaging 700 youth of daily attendance. His departure will pose a major transition for the Club. The Park District is one of the Club’s main supporters as well as the originator.
President’s Report:
President Frank Scarpelli reported that he was approached by a Lacrosse Club at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in East Dundee. The Club is looking to lease outdoor fields for practice and games in the spring of 2018. Scarpelli will follow up with Park District staff.
Old Business:
1. Fox River Valley Library Lease Extension – Mammoser informed the Board that the Fox River Valley Library District has formally notified the Park District of their intent to extend their lease at the Randall Oaks Recreation Center. The Park District is committed to a term of five more years under the current IGA Agreement; however, the FRVLD does not have to stay for the entire length provided proper notice is given.
New Business:
None.
Additional New Business:
None.
Closed Session:
At 8:16 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 9:35 p.m., Jim Bonkoski made a motion with a second by John Meschewski to move the Board reconvene into regular session. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Craig Rakow made a motion with a second by John Meschewski to approve the Closed Session Minutes from March 15, 2017 as presented. The motion passed 5 to 0.
Adjourn Meeting:
John Meschewski made a motion with a second by Erin O’Leary to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed 5 to 0. The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
http://www.dtpd.org/rccms/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BoardMeetingMintues04-05-17.pdf
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