The November 17 Regular Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners was called to order at 7:00 PM. Unlike the October 27 meeting the tone was considerably more subdued. During Public Participation Mr. Thomas Waters was greeted by Board President Sandra Minogue, who asked if he would like to address the Board – Mr. Waters ignored her.
During the Consent Agenda discussion Commissioners Melissa Creech and Julia Nephew addressed their concerns with data contained in the Minutes. Nephew stated that they do not want to keep any secrets from the Public. Park District Legal Counsel Steve Adams assured them that they are not hiding anything and that the Minutes, the Agenda and Board Packets were well within the guidelines of the Illinois Open Meetings Act and have always been available to the public.
The ROCLAB Resolution – Chicago Bulls Sox Academy was brought back to the table after changes were made following discussion at the October 27 meeting. The entire Resolution can be located on Pages 18-48 of the November 17 Board Packet on the Glen Ellyn Park District website or by following this link: http://gepark.org/assets/PDFs/Board%20Packets/BrdPkt111709.pdf.
Some key points in the Chicago Bulls Sox Academy Resolution for the Ackerman Sports Complex are as follows:
The term of this License shall begin on a mutually agreed upon date no sooner than the first date the Baseball Area is available for use by the public (the ”Commencement Date") and end on April 30, 2013. The period from the Commencement Date through April 30, 2010 shall be referred to as the "Short License Year" and from each May 1 thereafter to the following April 30, shall each be deemed a” License Year" and particular License Years referenced by the calendar year in which the beginning date falls. For example, the License Year May 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011shall be the "2010 License Year".
This revenue is broken down into four categories; a yearly rental/lease, additional revenue from exceeding a minimum number of lessons, Park District rentals of basketball courts and turf area, and branding assumptions.
* $20,000 / year rental
* Additional $12,000 by exceeding minimum lessons
* $16,000 - $20,000 in additional rentals throughout the year
* $7,625 in assumptions based on additional, memberships and rentals through traffic within the facility due to White Sox programming
Furthermore, the District has been working with the Chicago Bulls Sox Academy staff to come up with an agreement for "Park District" batting cage time. The idea is to have one night during the week with a 2-hour block of time each night for the Park District to program for its residents. Instead of renting this time from the White Sox Academy, staff would trade the time used in exchange for the White-Sox rental fee for 1/2 of the turf area which equals $100.
During this cage time, residents will have the opportunity to walk in and pay the Park District for a half hour of usage. Scheduling for this cage time will be determined by interest level and possibly a call ahead reservation system or on a first come first served basis. By having the ability to offer this time to the residents of Glen Ellyn as well as charge a nominal fee, the Park District will be able to maintain the revenue when cage time is exchanged with turf time while still providing a greatly discounted service for Park District residents only.
Assistant Recreation Superintendent Dan Kroger was on hand to answer any questions and provide additional information. Commissioner Jay Kinzler asked if the Friday/Saturday timeframe that belongs to the Park District could be given back to the Chicago Bulls Sox Academy if the Park District does not use it. Executive Director Cory Atwell remarked that they will rent that time back from the District in a minute.
Commissioner Ron Aubrey commented that he was happy with the changes made in the agreement. Since some of the changes were due to Commissioner Creech’s complaints, Aubrey mentioned to Creech if she wasn’t happy with these changes, to speak up and address them. Creech did not respond.
Director Atwell offered that Mr. Kroger will be providing a monthly summary from Chicago Bulls Sox Academy. Creech than stated her opposition to the WSA Resolution. Counselor Adams reminded her that the life expectancy of the Building (50 years or longer) far exceeds that of this lease, possibly 6-9 years.
A motion made by Commissioner Ed Hess and seconded by Commissioner Bill Dallman to approve the White Sox Academy/ROCLAB Resolution. With that the Board voted 5-2 in favor of the Resolution. In another split with his former running mates, Commissioner Kinzler voted with the majority, leaving only Creech and Nephew opposed.
The 2010 Budget was reviewed in detail. Capital Funds were presented by Superintendent of Finance Laurie Woods. There was considerable discussion of bonds, types of bonds, funds and fund limits. Superintendent Woods was also appointed as Board Secretary; she will be replacing Jeanine Sesto who recently retired.
Superintendent of Recreation presented the Recreation Fund budget with a breakdown by facility: SARC, MSRC, Sunset, Maryknoll and the Boathouse. The Ackerman Sports Complex preliminary budget was presented in detail over the summer. The 2010 Budget will be voted on at the December 15 Regular Board Meeting.
The Meeting adjourned for Executive Session at 10:02 PM with all 7 Commissioners still in attendance.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
NEPHEW CREECH WALKOUT STUNS BOARD
The Regular Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners was called to order at 7:00PM to a rather full audience. Board President Sandra Minogue requested the Agenda Item, Budget Review - Recreation Fund be taken from the Agenda and placed on that of the November 17 Meeting. At that, Commissioner Julia Nephew insisted on a Special Meeting for Budget Review on Tuesday, November 2. Commissioner Nephew asked if another Commissioner wanted the meeting to which Commissioner Creech, in a well rehearsed response agreed.
Park District Executive Director Cory Atwell remarked there needs to be a quorum in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Commissioner Nephew argued but Park District Legal Counsel Nicole Karas interjected and informed Creech & Nephew of the Act.
Regarding the Consent Agenda and Pay Request #11 for the Ackerman Sports Complex totaling $720,868.93, Commissioner Creech demanded a cost breakdown for all money spent to date from the point of the 2006 Referendum from Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo. Commissioner Creech never explained why she did not request this information from Scarmardo before the meeting so that the information would be available for her.
Commissioner Bill Dallman reminded Creech that delaying the Pay Request would delay payment to contractors who have already completed work they bid on; could possibly create a hardship for these vendors, some of whom reside in Glen Ellyn, and it could hamper the Glen Ellyn Park District's ability to receive bids from competent contractors in the future if receiving payment becomes an issue. Commissioner Creech relented and the Consent Agenda passed 7-0.
After careful consideration the Anima Singers rental request is still unfinished business as Superintendent of Recreation Kathleen Esposito and Anima Executive Director Priscilla Smith will be meeting to sort out a long term agreement beneficial to both parties.
The ROCLAB Resolution (White Sox Academy) proposal was put on hold after Commissioner Creech had a problem with the wording in Section 7, Paragraph G: “For each hour that the Park District uses the baseball area it shall pay ROCLAB a rental fee equivalent to one hour of time on ½ of a soccer field on the Turf Area”. In reality it is just an exchange of space between both parties. The wording will be changed to reflect trading the batting cages for use of the soccer field. No funds will be exchanged.
After a lengthy discussion the White Sox Academy proposal was put on hold. With a planned Holiday opening of the Ackerman Sports Complex many are beginning to question why this has not been approved yet. With an expected $55,000 to $60,000 a year in added revenue to ASC this is a proposal anticipated by many in the community.
As Commissioner Dallman read the proposed Resolution between District 87 and the Glen Ellyn Park District, Mr. Thomas Waters demanded a Point of Order and began to speak again in opposition to Artificial Turf. Mr. Waters previously spoke at the September 21 Board Meeting. On August 26, Mr. Waters read a letter from his friend John Huston, opposing Turf.
In any event, Mr. Waters stated his continued opposition to turf and mentioned that Executive Director Cory Atwell did not inform him of the Park District’s proposal with District 87. This in spite of the Turf Proposal being mentioned in Park District Agendas, Board Minutes, Board Packets, information contained in 2 blogs dedicated to the Glen Ellyn Park District as well as coverage in GlenEllynLife.com.
Mrs. Waters also spoke in opposition to Turf including dire warnings of severe illnesses and deaths of children who have played and practiced on turf, impending pollution from run-off in Lake Ellyn and Perry’s Pond, and future lawsuits. Mrs. Waters did not provide any specific studies or have any data to back up her claims.
According to Thomas Waters, Director Atwell was supposed to inform him personally of any changes to the Park District policy regarding turf. However, in reviewing the Glen Ellyn Park Bench notes from the July 21 Board Meeting:
”During Public Participation, members of the community were present to voice their concern over the Park District’s potential financial support for artificial turf at Memorial Field. John Huston asked Executive Director Cory Atwell if opponents of turf would have an opportunity to meet with staff since the Glenbard West Booster Club and Gain Ground had met with staff. Director Atwell informed Mr. Huston that staff would meet with Mr. Huston and other concerned citizens. Commissioner Julia Nephew interjected that Mr. Huston was to email her if his calls to the Park District to schedule a meeting were not returned.”
Although it was Mr. Huston and not Mr. Waters who requested to be notified (and he was) that did not hamper Commissioner Nephew from badgering Director Cory Atwell over this imagined oversight. In an awkward exchange, it became apparent that Commissioner Nephew was not even sure what she was arguing about, as she mistakenly referred to Thomas Waters as Mr. John Huston. The Resolution for an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Park District and District 87 passed 7-0.
Mike Formento, District 4 Forest Preserve District Commissioner and former Glen Ellyn Village President was present for the Resolution for Intergovernmental Agreement between the Forest Preserve and the Park District. In 2001 both parties entered into an agreement regarding 9 acres of Preserve Property at Maryknoll. This agreement finalizes the Park District purchase of that property. The Resolution passed 7-0.
By the way, Eric Bergman, husband of Commissioner Nephew filed petitions with the DuPage Election Commission on October 26. Bergman is seeking the Democrat Party nomination for District 4 Commissioner of the Forest Preserve District. He may be challenging incumbent Mike Formento in the November 2010 General Election.
The Board Meeting was packed with Platform Tennis players from ages 6 to 64 as they presented a proposal to formulate a study regarding the feasibility of a Warming Hut at the platform tennis courts at Maryknoll Park. Ryan Snyder introduced everyone, including Platform Tennis Midwest President Bill Bryan. Glen Ellyn residents and Nationally Ranked Champions Nancy O’Sullivan and Marty Engels also discussed Platform Tennis and the need for a warming hut. They will be meeting with Staff and making another presentation to the Board in the near future.
Director Atwell announced that this was to be Board Secretary Jeanine Sesto’s last meeting. Jeanine has served the Park District for 25 years and she is retiring. Everyone thanked Jeanine for all of her hard work, and they wished her all the best.
Superintendent of Finance Laurie Woods gave a presentation about the Tax Levy, which has to be on display at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center and the Main Street Recreation Center for 30 days.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:44 PM for Executive Session and re-adjourned at 10:23 PM for Open Session to read Resolution 09-08, the ERI Early Retirement Resolution. At that time Commissioner Ed Hess remarked “I manage a sales group of 20 salesmen, along with other sales managers in a sales group. I would never call out another manager and call him basically a liar in front of my sales group. I would handle it more discreetly, find out what the real situation is, being as there is a debate and there is perhaps other information that I don’t know about.
So, before I would put my neck on the line and be as ridiculous as to take a Senior Executive Director of our Park District that has been here for 16 years and embarrass him in front of the public, basically calling him a liar, I think is totally out of line and totally disrespectful to our staff and it seems to be the goal to do that and I just want to put it out there. I’m not going to debate it. I’m just making a statement; everybody can make their own decision on what they want to do.”
Board President Minogue replied, “I agree 100%. It’s not the first time, it’s happened before, there is no excuse.”
Commissioner Nephew interrupted “Is this a question of Board relations that should be in Executive Session?”
Minogue: “We are in Open Session.”
Nephew: “Why are you discussing this in Open Session?”
Minogue: “Why not? It happened in Open Session.”
Nephew: “It should happen in Executive Session”.
Minogue: “It happened in Open Session. We are discussing what happened in Open Session. Counselor, are we out of line?”
Park District Legal Counsel Nicole Karas: “No.”
Minogue: “Thank you. We are not out of line, you’re out of line”.
Nephew: “I don’t think I’m out of line”,
Minogue: “You are out of line. You’ve embarrassed our whole Board tonight. You’ve embarrassed everybody sitting up here. To sit there and challenge the Director and actually, basically call him a liar in front of all of those residents. How could you possibly believe that you have the right to do that?”
Nephew: “So, you’re telling a resident that he was a liar?”
Minogue: “No, we did not say that. We said that what you did, to embarrass the Executive Director of the Park District. You are sitting here as a Commissioner. People that come here say a lot of things”.
Commissioner Creech stands up, gather her things loudly:
Minogue (looking at Creech): “Excuse me?”
Nephew: “I think I’m leaving because this is completely inappropriate”.
Minogue: “You’re inappropriate; you’re both inappropriate because you are both basically disrespectful”.
Nephew: “There have been lies by the Executive Director in the past. We have been lied to by the Executive Director in the past.” Nephew did not provide any data to back up her accusations, and she and Commissioner Creech exited the meeting at 10:34 PM.
Leaving a stunned majority, President Minogue lamented about the fractured Board and asked Commissioner Kinzler, their former running mate to speak with Creech and Nephew. Concerning their actions Kinzler responded “Sometimes I cringe, but you have to realize, some people have a different filter than others.” He further remarked “Because I have talked to them about their delivery, and I’ve talked to them about things that you have to find the positives and that you can’t just continually punch and punch and punch. Sometimes you have to step back and try to come to a consensus, so I understand your frustration and I understand what you’ve seen.”
After further discussion the remaining Board adjourned at 10:54 PM.
An FOI (Freedom of Information Act) request was filed by the Glen Ellyn Park Bench with the Glen Ellyn Park District for the audio recording made by the Park District of this meeting. A transcript was made from the Turf portion and the statements before, during and after the Creech, Nephew walkout in order to verify the accuracy of statements made by Staff and Commissioners during those portions of the meeting.
Park District Executive Director Cory Atwell remarked there needs to be a quorum in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Commissioner Nephew argued but Park District Legal Counsel Nicole Karas interjected and informed Creech & Nephew of the Act.
Regarding the Consent Agenda and Pay Request #11 for the Ackerman Sports Complex totaling $720,868.93, Commissioner Creech demanded a cost breakdown for all money spent to date from the point of the 2006 Referendum from Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo. Commissioner Creech never explained why she did not request this information from Scarmardo before the meeting so that the information would be available for her.
Commissioner Bill Dallman reminded Creech that delaying the Pay Request would delay payment to contractors who have already completed work they bid on; could possibly create a hardship for these vendors, some of whom reside in Glen Ellyn, and it could hamper the Glen Ellyn Park District's ability to receive bids from competent contractors in the future if receiving payment becomes an issue. Commissioner Creech relented and the Consent Agenda passed 7-0.
After careful consideration the Anima Singers rental request is still unfinished business as Superintendent of Recreation Kathleen Esposito and Anima Executive Director Priscilla Smith will be meeting to sort out a long term agreement beneficial to both parties.
The ROCLAB Resolution (White Sox Academy) proposal was put on hold after Commissioner Creech had a problem with the wording in Section 7, Paragraph G: “For each hour that the Park District uses the baseball area it shall pay ROCLAB a rental fee equivalent to one hour of time on ½ of a soccer field on the Turf Area”. In reality it is just an exchange of space between both parties. The wording will be changed to reflect trading the batting cages for use of the soccer field. No funds will be exchanged.
After a lengthy discussion the White Sox Academy proposal was put on hold. With a planned Holiday opening of the Ackerman Sports Complex many are beginning to question why this has not been approved yet. With an expected $55,000 to $60,000 a year in added revenue to ASC this is a proposal anticipated by many in the community.
As Commissioner Dallman read the proposed Resolution between District 87 and the Glen Ellyn Park District, Mr. Thomas Waters demanded a Point of Order and began to speak again in opposition to Artificial Turf. Mr. Waters previously spoke at the September 21 Board Meeting. On August 26, Mr. Waters read a letter from his friend John Huston, opposing Turf.
In any event, Mr. Waters stated his continued opposition to turf and mentioned that Executive Director Cory Atwell did not inform him of the Park District’s proposal with District 87. This in spite of the Turf Proposal being mentioned in Park District Agendas, Board Minutes, Board Packets, information contained in 2 blogs dedicated to the Glen Ellyn Park District as well as coverage in GlenEllynLife.com.
Mrs. Waters also spoke in opposition to Turf including dire warnings of severe illnesses and deaths of children who have played and practiced on turf, impending pollution from run-off in Lake Ellyn and Perry’s Pond, and future lawsuits. Mrs. Waters did not provide any specific studies or have any data to back up her claims.
According to Thomas Waters, Director Atwell was supposed to inform him personally of any changes to the Park District policy regarding turf. However, in reviewing the Glen Ellyn Park Bench notes from the July 21 Board Meeting:
”During Public Participation, members of the community were present to voice their concern over the Park District’s potential financial support for artificial turf at Memorial Field. John Huston asked Executive Director Cory Atwell if opponents of turf would have an opportunity to meet with staff since the Glenbard West Booster Club and Gain Ground had met with staff. Director Atwell informed Mr. Huston that staff would meet with Mr. Huston and other concerned citizens. Commissioner Julia Nephew interjected that Mr. Huston was to email her if his calls to the Park District to schedule a meeting were not returned.”
Although it was Mr. Huston and not Mr. Waters who requested to be notified (and he was) that did not hamper Commissioner Nephew from badgering Director Cory Atwell over this imagined oversight. In an awkward exchange, it became apparent that Commissioner Nephew was not even sure what she was arguing about, as she mistakenly referred to Thomas Waters as Mr. John Huston. The Resolution for an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Park District and District 87 passed 7-0.
Mike Formento, District 4 Forest Preserve District Commissioner and former Glen Ellyn Village President was present for the Resolution for Intergovernmental Agreement between the Forest Preserve and the Park District. In 2001 both parties entered into an agreement regarding 9 acres of Preserve Property at Maryknoll. This agreement finalizes the Park District purchase of that property. The Resolution passed 7-0.
By the way, Eric Bergman, husband of Commissioner Nephew filed petitions with the DuPage Election Commission on October 26. Bergman is seeking the Democrat Party nomination for District 4 Commissioner of the Forest Preserve District. He may be challenging incumbent Mike Formento in the November 2010 General Election.
The Board Meeting was packed with Platform Tennis players from ages 6 to 64 as they presented a proposal to formulate a study regarding the feasibility of a Warming Hut at the platform tennis courts at Maryknoll Park. Ryan Snyder introduced everyone, including Platform Tennis Midwest President Bill Bryan. Glen Ellyn residents and Nationally Ranked Champions Nancy O’Sullivan and Marty Engels also discussed Platform Tennis and the need for a warming hut. They will be meeting with Staff and making another presentation to the Board in the near future.
Director Atwell announced that this was to be Board Secretary Jeanine Sesto’s last meeting. Jeanine has served the Park District for 25 years and she is retiring. Everyone thanked Jeanine for all of her hard work, and they wished her all the best.
Superintendent of Finance Laurie Woods gave a presentation about the Tax Levy, which has to be on display at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center and the Main Street Recreation Center for 30 days.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:44 PM for Executive Session and re-adjourned at 10:23 PM for Open Session to read Resolution 09-08, the ERI Early Retirement Resolution. At that time Commissioner Ed Hess remarked “I manage a sales group of 20 salesmen, along with other sales managers in a sales group. I would never call out another manager and call him basically a liar in front of my sales group. I would handle it more discreetly, find out what the real situation is, being as there is a debate and there is perhaps other information that I don’t know about.
So, before I would put my neck on the line and be as ridiculous as to take a Senior Executive Director of our Park District that has been here for 16 years and embarrass him in front of the public, basically calling him a liar, I think is totally out of line and totally disrespectful to our staff and it seems to be the goal to do that and I just want to put it out there. I’m not going to debate it. I’m just making a statement; everybody can make their own decision on what they want to do.”
Board President Minogue replied, “I agree 100%. It’s not the first time, it’s happened before, there is no excuse.”
Commissioner Nephew interrupted “Is this a question of Board relations that should be in Executive Session?”
Minogue: “We are in Open Session.”
Nephew: “Why are you discussing this in Open Session?”
Minogue: “Why not? It happened in Open Session.”
Nephew: “It should happen in Executive Session”.
Minogue: “It happened in Open Session. We are discussing what happened in Open Session. Counselor, are we out of line?”
Park District Legal Counsel Nicole Karas: “No.”
Minogue: “Thank you. We are not out of line, you’re out of line”.
Nephew: “I don’t think I’m out of line”,
Minogue: “You are out of line. You’ve embarrassed our whole Board tonight. You’ve embarrassed everybody sitting up here. To sit there and challenge the Director and actually, basically call him a liar in front of all of those residents. How could you possibly believe that you have the right to do that?”
Nephew: “So, you’re telling a resident that he was a liar?”
Minogue: “No, we did not say that. We said that what you did, to embarrass the Executive Director of the Park District. You are sitting here as a Commissioner. People that come here say a lot of things”.
Commissioner Creech stands up, gather her things loudly:
Minogue (looking at Creech): “Excuse me?”
Nephew: “I think I’m leaving because this is completely inappropriate”.
Minogue: “You’re inappropriate; you’re both inappropriate because you are both basically disrespectful”.
Nephew: “There have been lies by the Executive Director in the past. We have been lied to by the Executive Director in the past.” Nephew did not provide any data to back up her accusations, and she and Commissioner Creech exited the meeting at 10:34 PM.
Leaving a stunned majority, President Minogue lamented about the fractured Board and asked Commissioner Kinzler, their former running mate to speak with Creech and Nephew. Concerning their actions Kinzler responded “Sometimes I cringe, but you have to realize, some people have a different filter than others.” He further remarked “Because I have talked to them about their delivery, and I’ve talked to them about things that you have to find the positives and that you can’t just continually punch and punch and punch. Sometimes you have to step back and try to come to a consensus, so I understand your frustration and I understand what you’ve seen.”
After further discussion the remaining Board adjourned at 10:54 PM.
An FOI (Freedom of Information Act) request was filed by the Glen Ellyn Park Bench with the Glen Ellyn Park District for the audio recording made by the Park District of this meeting. A transcript was made from the Turf portion and the statements before, during and after the Creech, Nephew walkout in order to verify the accuracy of statements made by Staff and Commissioners during those portions of the meeting.
THE TURF TALK TRANSCRIPT
An FOI (Freedom of Information Act) request was filed by the Glen Ellyn Park Bench with the Glen Ellyn Park District for the audio recording made by the Park District of this meeting. A transcript was made from the Turf portion and the statements before, during and after the Creech, Nephew walkout in order to verify the accuracy of statements made by Staff and Commissioners during those portions of the meeting.
Atwell: “Resolution 90-07 which directs staff and counsel to enter into an agreement with Glenbard West on Turf.”
Dallman: “So, are you just looking for a motion for this Resolution?”
Atwell: “Correct. That’s what we are asking for. We cannot enter into an agreement. We do not have an agreement; we are just trying to move forward.”
Dallman: “Ok. Than I make a motion to approve Resolution 09-07. Resolution regarding Park District contribution to District 87 installation of artificial turf at Memorial Field portion of Glenbard West High School site.”
From Audience: “Point of Order.”
Hess: “2nd.”
Minogue: “We have a second.”
From Audience: “May I make a public comment? Thomas Water, *&* G$%# Avenue, I am a 24 years resident of Glen Ellyn. Several month ago I, John Huston who lives on L&^# Street in Glen Ellyn and Mary Ellen Wexler met with Mr. Atwell and I believe Kathleen Esposito to discuss the turf issue. At that time we were told that there were no plans to enter into an agreement with District 87. We were told that staff felt it was not economically justified, or justifiable given the amount of time that District 87 would allot to the Park District for the funds to be expended. Um and several representations were made but I think those were the most important. Um, I requested Mr. Atwell and Ms. Esposito to call me in the event that things changed or they decided to have further discussions regarding the turfing issue and I was assured that they would.
“Unfortunately I did not receive a call in that regard. Um, I believe the expenditure, especially with the cost overruns at Ackerman at this point that $20,000 expenditure a year, while it may seem minimal over an 8 year period is significant. And I think the Park District should consider that you’re getting into bed with a project that is going to cost more in the future because this turf has to be replaced every 8 years, at considerable expense.
“I don’t know how much research you’ve done into the replacement costs are going to be but I think that’s something the Park District should look into before going ahead with an agreement with District 87. I also think your funds could be better spent if you utilized them for Park District projects where you know benefits than a part time usage of Memorial Field on I guess it was Sundays or weekends, some portion of Sundays or weekends. I haven’t seen the actual proposal , um, it doesn’t seem to me that that ‘s worth $20,00 a year and I would ask that the Board table this for further consideration and look into the matter in more detail. Thank you very much.”
Kinzler comments.
Thomas Waters: “Mr. Kinzler, I think one of the things you should consider in that regard with respect to the amount of usage you can get out of this field is that during the summertime those fields all have an ambient temperature of about 40 degrees warmer than the surrounding fields, or places with real grass. So on an 80 degree day you can have a 120 degree temperature out there which are unplayable and unsafe for children.
“I don’t have kids. But I don’t want them going out there and passing out from heat exhaustion or you know, god forbid, something worse. There have been incidents, where um children have been hospitalized and I read of one death actually that occurred on a turf field and I think that is something the Board should consider because you can’t utilize or you may not be able to utilize it as much as you may expect to, in reality.
“So, I do think this, I think that the Board should get a good bang for its buck. I want to see your dollars well spent and I think that the Board is very conscious of that an d I am very pleased tonight at the detail that the Commissioners have gone into with respect to expenditures but this one merits a closer look and that you should really consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of going into this partnership. Thank you very much.”
Mrs. Waters Comments.
Minogue: “We have a Motion and a Second. Roll call please.”
Nephew: “Before we continue with the vote I’m concerned that staff had promised residents to be contacted when this was discussed. We also received a memo in a packet saying that they were contacted. So, that’s a major concern to me that they’re telling us they were contacted they were not. Because they wanted to take part in these discussions earlier.”
Atwell: “Mr. Huston was contacted. Mr. Huston was asked to be contacted he brought a letter to us and he was sent a letter and it was in your Board Packet.”
Nephew: “And Mr. Waters?”
Atwell: “I don’t know if Mr. Waters was or not. I just know Mr. Huston was because that is who gave us the letter.”
Nephew: “I heard that Mr. Huston was not contacted.”
Atwell: “Mr. Huston was contacted.”
Nephew: “By letter?”
Atwell: “By letter, yes. That was in your (Board) Packet.”
Nephew: “I did see a note saying he was contacted. I didn’t see…”
Atwell: “There was a letter.”
Nephew: “That’s not what I heard from Mr. Huston so I just hope we will be concerned about that in the future.”
The Board voted 7-0 to approve Resolution 09-07.
Atwell: “Resolution 90-07 which directs staff and counsel to enter into an agreement with Glenbard West on Turf.”
Dallman: “So, are you just looking for a motion for this Resolution?”
Atwell: “Correct. That’s what we are asking for. We cannot enter into an agreement. We do not have an agreement; we are just trying to move forward.”
Dallman: “Ok. Than I make a motion to approve Resolution 09-07. Resolution regarding Park District contribution to District 87 installation of artificial turf at Memorial Field portion of Glenbard West High School site.”
From Audience: “Point of Order.”
Hess: “2nd.”
Minogue: “We have a second.”
From Audience: “May I make a public comment? Thomas Water, *&* G$%# Avenue, I am a 24 years resident of Glen Ellyn. Several month ago I, John Huston who lives on L&^# Street in Glen Ellyn and Mary Ellen Wexler met with Mr. Atwell and I believe Kathleen Esposito to discuss the turf issue. At that time we were told that there were no plans to enter into an agreement with District 87. We were told that staff felt it was not economically justified, or justifiable given the amount of time that District 87 would allot to the Park District for the funds to be expended. Um and several representations were made but I think those were the most important. Um, I requested Mr. Atwell and Ms. Esposito to call me in the event that things changed or they decided to have further discussions regarding the turfing issue and I was assured that they would.
“Unfortunately I did not receive a call in that regard. Um, I believe the expenditure, especially with the cost overruns at Ackerman at this point that $20,000 expenditure a year, while it may seem minimal over an 8 year period is significant. And I think the Park District should consider that you’re getting into bed with a project that is going to cost more in the future because this turf has to be replaced every 8 years, at considerable expense.
“I don’t know how much research you’ve done into the replacement costs are going to be but I think that’s something the Park District should look into before going ahead with an agreement with District 87. I also think your funds could be better spent if you utilized them for Park District projects where you know benefits than a part time usage of Memorial Field on I guess it was Sundays or weekends, some portion of Sundays or weekends. I haven’t seen the actual proposal , um, it doesn’t seem to me that that ‘s worth $20,00 a year and I would ask that the Board table this for further consideration and look into the matter in more detail. Thank you very much.”
Kinzler comments.
Thomas Waters: “Mr. Kinzler, I think one of the things you should consider in that regard with respect to the amount of usage you can get out of this field is that during the summertime those fields all have an ambient temperature of about 40 degrees warmer than the surrounding fields, or places with real grass. So on an 80 degree day you can have a 120 degree temperature out there which are unplayable and unsafe for children.
“I don’t have kids. But I don’t want them going out there and passing out from heat exhaustion or you know, god forbid, something worse. There have been incidents, where um children have been hospitalized and I read of one death actually that occurred on a turf field and I think that is something the Board should consider because you can’t utilize or you may not be able to utilize it as much as you may expect to, in reality.
“So, I do think this, I think that the Board should get a good bang for its buck. I want to see your dollars well spent and I think that the Board is very conscious of that an d I am very pleased tonight at the detail that the Commissioners have gone into with respect to expenditures but this one merits a closer look and that you should really consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of going into this partnership. Thank you very much.”
Mrs. Waters Comments.
Minogue: “We have a Motion and a Second. Roll call please.”
Nephew: “Before we continue with the vote I’m concerned that staff had promised residents to be contacted when this was discussed. We also received a memo in a packet saying that they were contacted. So, that’s a major concern to me that they’re telling us they were contacted they were not. Because they wanted to take part in these discussions earlier.”
Atwell: “Mr. Huston was contacted. Mr. Huston was asked to be contacted he brought a letter to us and he was sent a letter and it was in your Board Packet.”
Nephew: “And Mr. Waters?”
Atwell: “I don’t know if Mr. Waters was or not. I just know Mr. Huston was because that is who gave us the letter.”
Nephew: “I heard that Mr. Huston was not contacted.”
Atwell: “Mr. Huston was contacted.”
Nephew: “By letter?”
Atwell: “By letter, yes. That was in your (Board) Packet.”
Nephew: “I did see a note saying he was contacted. I didn’t see…”
Atwell: “There was a letter.”
Nephew: “That’s not what I heard from Mr. Huston so I just hope we will be concerned about that in the future.”
The Board voted 7-0 to approve Resolution 09-07.
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