FLOODED FIELDS REIGN OVER PARK BOARD MEETING

The Regular Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District was held on May 19. Included in the Consent Agenda was an Earthwerks Village Green Park Pay Request. Commissioner Jay Kinzler promptly interjected to note that after severely heavy rains there may be a slight problem with the new fields at Village Green. He requested that the outside engineers look at some flooding on the newer fields.

Commissioner Kinzler mentioned concern with how the water after the heavy rains was being diverted and he suggested a meeting with the vendor and those users to point out the grading issue at the fields in question: 4-5-6.

Dave Scarmardo, Superindent of Park noted that Earthwerks is “one of the best contractors we (the Park District) have ever had.” Scarmardo further informed Kinzler that in the rebuilding of the fields, over the four feet of clay that was brought in, and the new fields need time to settle. “Patience is asked, we have a good relationship with Earthwerks. We will look into it, we will get it fixed.”

Board President Sandra Minogue also responded to Commissioner Kinzler’s concerns and reiterated: “I have to echo Dave (Scarmardo’s) comments and ask for patience; we have a long relationship with Earthwerks.”

Commissioner Kinzler was still concerned that heavy rains affected the field and made note that: The guys who voted for us are not happy – especially on a new field.

On the matter of the repairs to Sunset Pool after the March fire, Scarmardo reported that the job would be done by the opening day at the pool. Insurance covered all of the $160,000 of the costs after the $1,000 deductible. Commissioner Ron Aubrey commended Scarmardo and staff for the speed and efficiency with which the project was completed - 6 weeks from start to finish.

Kathleen Esposito, Superintendent of Recreation discussed the District survey that has been mailed out. Out of 14,000 households, 7,000 received the survey. The last survey was conducted in 2005. The survey results are sent to Western Illinois University for tabulation.

Laurie Woods, Superintendent of Finance received a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Organization for the 2008 Fiscal Year. There are 285 Park Districts in Illinois. The GEPD was also recognized for their Standard & Poor’s AA Bond Rating, one of only two Park Districts with that rating in the State of Illinois.

Under New Business Executive Director Cory Atwell gave a Legislative Update including Grant accessibility given the current economic climate. This led to a lengthy discussion as newer Commissioners Creech, Nephew and Kinzler tried to catch up with ongoing projects while peppering staff with questions regarding the proposed Churchill Park Shelter/Nature Center. More specifically the Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD grant, which is the same type of matching grant received for Phases 1 and 2 at Churchill, as well as for Maryknoll Park and more recently, Village Green Park.

The questions were well prepared and rehearsed. Kinzler wanted to know if they would proceed with the Nature Center at Churchill if the PD survey showed that it was not a priority for the community. Creech questioned if Churchill was based on a business decision or community input and not just what staff and the Board wanted.

Staff gave an overview of the OSLAD grant process for Phase 3 of Churchill.

Regarding the grant proposal for Phase 3 at Churchill Commissioner Bill Dallman noted that it was their practice to finish what they start, to which Kinzler asked why.

Commissioner Ed Hess added that when “we (the Park District) acquire open space; we acquire it for a reason.”

The following is an overview of past projects at Churchill Park, as well as future plans. While these points were not specifically addressed at the May 19 meeting, the author felt it was important to include as background for this story.

Phase 1 was completed in 2005 and Phase 2 in 2007. Phase 3 will consist of building a Shelter with accessible outdoor bathrooms/Nature Center for use by the entire community – including School Districts, installing a low ropes team building course, fire pit, primitive permit camping for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, several boardwalks, and removing non-native invasive plant species. The main emphasis will be on the ecological restoration by seeding with indigenous native plant species and installing new signs and exhibits.

Phase 3 and the FINAL PHASE of the Churchill Park renovation will consist of a budget of $600,000; $300,000 of which is eligible for a reimbursable Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD Grant. The final Capital Expenditure from the Glen Ellyn Park District to enhance this facility and complete the final phase is $300,000.

Commissioner Nephew added a thank you for the welcome tours provided to her by staff. She had a picnic at Maryknoll the previous Sunday and had no idea about the amenities offered there. This picnic at Maryknoll served to remind me how important open space is for everyone. We should think about buying more open space and having more parks, concluded Nephew.