ACKERMAN PRELIM BUDGET WINS WITH 5-2 BOARD VOTE

At the August 18 Regular Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners Thomas Water read a letter from John Huston reiterating their opposition to artificial turf at Duchon Field and Memorial Field during Public Participation.

While discussing the Ackerman Sports Complex, Commissioner Melissa Creech was opposed to voting for the proposed Preliminary Budget but wanted to vote to approve the fees instead. Commissioner Julia Nephew made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Creech to vote only for the fees until the two could continue to study the budget for another month. Commissioner Ed Hess commented that it did not make a lot of fiduciary sense; that if they were to split up the process it would be more logical to vote for the Budget, rather than fees at a later date. Hess stated: “How do you approve fees without approving the budget? It is more germane to approve the budget without approving fees”. Commissioner Creech than stated: I am confused. Is this a Preliminary Budget?

Laurie Woods, Superintendent of Finance and Personnel explained that this was the third meeting regarding this budget; that as a Preliminary Budget it was a base budget with as much information as the District could receive by using data from comparable resources. Commissioner Ron Aubrey stated that a budget must “pass the fair and reasonable test – this (the Ackerman Sports Complex Preliminary Budget) has done that.”

Commissioner Nephew’s motion to postpone the budget and just address the fees was defeated 2-5. The vote for the Preliminary Budget was 5-2. In his first break with former running mates Creech and Nephew, Commissioner Jay Kinzler voted with the majority of the Board on both motions and voted to approve the budget for the Ackerman Sports Complex. Kinzler did not vote for the Nephew motion postponing the Budget and just voting for fees. In explaining his vote Commissioner Kinzler commented that the bottom line is that this is a tentative budget and that budgets change. He further remarked that in the spirit of just going ahead he is comfortable with this as a tentative budget.

Regarding Commissioner Creech’s proposed Field Usage Study, Commissioner Bill Dallman stated that he “…does not feel that we need to spend $15,000 on this study. Staff does a good job managing fields, they have the perspective and the information and they know how to present the data.” Commissioner Creech stated concerns that unauthorized users are utilizing the soccer fields. This relates back to Jeff Dickson’s comments at the August 4 Workshop Meeting that that the fields are not rested. Dickson said that is because the District does not limit the use of fields. Dickson would like to see them allow only organized use of the soccer fields by the Park District and appropriate signage placed; with this enforced by the Glen Ellyn Police Department and the Park District Police.

Commissioner Dallman reminded Commissioner Creech that these are public parks. Commissioner Hess asked in these instances how the District would even know usage. Commissioner Creech responded that they wouldn’t know usage. Commissioner Dallman suggested getting numbers from staff about the fields currently available. Commissioner Kinzler suggested they start with it and see where it goes, that it would be a good first step, since more people are utilizing the sports fields than meeting rooms.

At that point Commissioner Hess made a motion for a Program Usage Study which would direct staff to provide a report on major programs such as baseball, soccer and football. This is to include enrollment, scheduled times and fields used. The motion passed with all Commissioners voting in favor of it with the exception of Commissioner Nephew, who abstained.

In reference to the Agenda Item, Audio/Visual Taping of Meetings, Kathleen Talenco Marketing & Communications Supervisor gave a report of all of the options available. In reporting these options, Talenco gave her Staff Recommendation which is on Page 51-53 of the Board Packet located on the Park District website. Option B was $4,000 for installation and $11,275 for equipment. Talenco explained that this option is comparable to what the Village does and it would be available for viewing on Comcast and Wide Open West (WOW).

Instead, Commissioner Nephew made a motion which was seconded by Commissioner Creech to video tape the meetings and broadcast on Youtube with a cost not to exceed $1,000. The motion failed with Commissioners Nephew, Creech & Kinzler voting for this proposal, which was the only option presented to the Board for a vote.

Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo presented options for replacing the playground equipment at Ackerman Park. The Board reached a consensus unanimously to spend $60,000 to $65,000 to replace with a design by Nu Toys. Installation, concrete and shade features will bring the total to approximately $115,000.


PHILLIES, GATORS AND A LIFE-SAVING LIFEGUARD

At the August 18 Regular Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners, the Phillies 14U Softball Team was congratulated by the Board for winning their National Title. The team won their bid to the USSSA World Series back in June.

The USSSA World Series was played at the Disney Wide World of Sports Fields in Orlando Florida. They played 13 games going 12-1. The girls beat teams from Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina and Maryland.

Stephanie Chitkowski, Danielle Chitkowski, Amanda Montbriand, Rachel Cohen and Devan Parkison were selected to the All World Series Team by the umpires to the tournament. Rachel Cohen was awarded best offensive player of the tournament. Stephanie Chitkowski was awarded MVP Pitcher of the tournament and Devan Parkison was awarded the MVP of the entire tournament.

The Gators Swim Team was also recognized for their undefeated season after wrapping it up at July 25 at the West Suburban Swim Conference Championship with their first-place finish at the Sea Lion Aquatic Park in Lisle.

Sunset Pool Manager Christine Guinta was on hand to provide the Board with an overview of the Lifeguard’s responsibilities and to introduce Lifeguard Katie DaRose. Miss DaRose was credited with rescuing a 3 year old child at Sunset in July. Katie was presented with a commendation by Kathleen Esposito, Superintendent of Recreation.

The next Workshop Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 P.M. The meetings are held at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center (SARC) 185 Spring Avenue. As with all meetings, the public is invited and welcome to attend.