THE TURF TALKS CONTINUE

The Workshop Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Board of Commissioners was called to order at approximately 7:05 on Tuesday, March 2.

Pay Request 15 totaling $398,973.35 for the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center will be placed on the Consent Agenda for the Mach 16 Regular Board Meeting. The contractors, PBS (Professional Building Services) and Staff are still exploring all options regarding the roof leak.

The District 87 Intergovernmental Agreement regarding artificial turf at Memorial Field was presented. Resident Thomas Waters discussed his continued opposition to Turf he considers it flammable and is concerned that the Glen Ellyn Park District will be stuck with replacement costs if it is struck by lightening. Mr. Waters would prefer to see the Park District spend their money elsewhere.

Anne Bouchard from the Glenbard South Booster Club complemented the Glen Ellyn Park District on the Intergovernmental Agreement with District 87. Ms. Bouchard noted that the Boosters at Glenbard South contributed lights a few years back, and if and when the time comes for South to get artificial turf, she hopes that the Park District will consider entering into a similar agreement.

Sally Goggin, formerly of Gain Ground and currently assisting the Glenbard West Boosters gave an update on the Turf Project at Glenbard West. With the West Campus at 9 acres, West has ½ the field space per student than any other Glenbard School. With Lake Ellyn being a water retention basin, the Park District, District 87 and the Village made Duchon Field a flood basin.

Ms. Goggin further commented that Memorial Field is a workhorse. Village Green is used for baseball, Ackerman for soccer and softball, Newton for football and Lacrosse and Spaulding for Lacrosse and field hockey. The Glenbard West students are riding busses all over town to accommodate their needs.

Steve Adams, Park District Legal Counsel will be reviewing and updating this agreement with District 87. The Board of Directors already voted unanimously on October 27 to direct Staff and Counsel to develop an Intergovernmental Agreement with District 87 for Board approval.

Minutes for the January and February Workshop and Board Meetings were presented. There were no objections or corrections by the Board and the minutes will be placed on the Consent Agenda for approval at the March 16 Board Meeting.

Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo noted that Volunteer Work Days will include Manor Park, Panfish Park, Danby Park and Ellynwood Park in addition to Churchill Park and Ackerman Park this year. Volunteers will assist in removing invasive plant species such as buckthorn. Commissioner Melissa Creech will assist in organizing volunteers. Since insurance regulations require staff supervise the volunteers, Board President Ed Hess asked Scarmardo for a breakdown of staff time required to monitor and supervise on these Saturday events. Staff will be paid at time and a half.

Executive Director Cory Atwell updated the Board on the Virginia Graeme Baker Act and updates that are required at Sunset Pool. The Virginia Graeme Baker Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007 and established that all public swimming pools have anti-entrapment drains and/or devices installed. This is an American federal law.

The Virginia Graeme Baker Act goals are: to enhance the safety of public and private pools and spas, to reduce drownings, to reduce the number of suction entrapment incidents, injuries and deaths; and to educate the public on the constant supervision of children in and around water. All public pools and spas, both new and existing are to be equipped with drain covers compliant with ASME/ANSI A 112.19.8. 2001 standard.

The Glen Ellyn Park District is in the process of obtaining quotes to retrofit Sunset Pool to be in compliance with this Act. Due to time constraints they may schedule an emergency Board Meeting on March 23 in order to review bids and award a contract for this project.

The Board adjourned into Executive Session at 8:10 PM.

The next Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:00 PM. 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.