GLEN ELLYN PARK DISTRICT EXERCISES DUE DILIGENCE AT POOL

The June 15 Board of Directors Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners was Called to Order at approximately 7:00 PM. Among those in attendance included the Daily Herald, Glen Ellyn News, Bob Cornwell, Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation, and an Observer from the Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters.

The Consent Agenda which included the Finance Report, a Voucher List of Bills totaling $644,572.32 along with all April and May Meeting Minutes was passed unanimously with a motion made by Commissioner Bill Dallman and seconded by Commissioner Melissa Creech.

During Public Participation Bob Cornwell, newly appointed to the Village of Glen Ellyn Recreation Committee and with the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation invited everyone to the June 18 Putts for Kids Fundraiser at Maryknoll Park. Over the last 3 years the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation has donated over $20,000 to the Glen Ellyn Park District Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund enables every child and family in need the same recreational opportunities as everyone else in the community.

Mr. Ron Amen of Lauterbach & Amen, LLP presented the results of the Annual Audit for fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. In his report Mr. Amen stated that due to the excellent financial reporting of the Glen Ellyn Park District, they will once again be considered for a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United Stated and Canada. This Certificated was previously awarded to the Glen Ellyn Park District on December 31, 2008.

Mr. Amen gave a detailed overview of the Audit and the Audit process. Included in Mr. Amen’s remarks were: All Government bodies are required by law to have an annual, independent audit; the process for this audit began in March, to ensure all financial paperwork for 2009 was received; and test controls are set up at that time to assess receivables, dispersibles and payroll.

During Mr. Amen’s recap he mentioned that the Glen Ellyn Park District utilizes a cash basis for accounting, which is typical. The Audit though uses an accrual method of accounting which can be somewhat confusing; Most of the questions and misconceptions during the Board discussions were as a result of the differences of those two reporting methods.

Included with the Audit was the Gross Debt for the Glen Ellyn Park District of $17,445,000. Other Governmental Unit’s debt which overlap with the Glen Ellyn Park District include:

Grade School District 41 $17,475,282
Village of Glen Ellyn $16,184,438

After further discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Bill Dallman and seconded by Commissioner Ron Aubrey to accept the Audit Report. The motion passed unanimously.

Park District Executive Director Cory Atwell presented the Prevailing Wage Ordinance. Every June the Glen Ellyn Park District is required by the Illinois Secretary of State and the Illinois Department of Labor to pass this Ordinance. Included is a schedule of labor rates, these records are kept on file for three years. A motion was made by Commissioner Bill Dallman and seconded by Commissioner Melissa Creech to pass this Ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.

Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo presented Pay Request #17 for construction costs related to the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center for $270,480.94. A motion was made by Commissioner Dallman and seconded by Commissioner Aubrey. The motion passed unanimously.

Superintendent Scarmardo presented Pay Request #1 for construction costs related to the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) updates at Sunset Pool in the amount of $45,003.60. 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.

This law is the result of the 2002 drowning death of seven year old Virginia Graeme Baker, the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker. Virginia was trapped against the bottom drain of a hot tub and held there until she drowned. The suction created by the hot tub’s motor was so great that it required the efforts of two men to free her from the pool bottom.

All Public pool operators must comply with this Act. 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.

This spring the State of Illinois had three employees reviewing VGB permit applications for every public swimming pool in Illinois. Director Atwell thanked State Representative Sandra Pihos for her assistance in expediting the Glen Ellyn Park District’s application.

During Memorial Day weekend approximately 600 Glen Ellyn residents utilized the Lombard Park District pool while approximately 75 residents used the Butterfield Park District facility. This was due to the delay in the State issuing permits and the length of time the concrete needed to cure – seven days. It became apparent that several Illinois Park Districts chose NOT to be in compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act restorations at their pools this season and that the Glen Ellyn Park District exercised due diligence given the short time frame given by the State.

The meeting adjourned into Executive Session at approximately 9:10 PM. The next Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20, 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.