Peoria Standard

Peoria Park District Board met October 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

President Cassidy presided and called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Roll Call:

Trustees Present: Trustees Harant, Johnson, Petty, Snowden, Vice President Rayford and President Cassidy.

Trustee Absent: Trustee Ryan.

Staff Present: Executive Director Cahill, Deputy Director Brent Wheeler, Attorney Bill Streeter, Attorney Ken Snodgrass, Jan Budzynski, Chief Sylvester Bush, Rebecca Fredrickson, Matt Freeman, Shalesse Pie, Joe

Atkinson, Chris Barron, Trish Blattenberger, Meg Boyich, Lanada Cunningham, Meridith Deverman, Mike Friberg, Mary Harden, Dennis Heskett, Willie Howe, Emma Lawson, Scott Loftus, Val Marek, Aimee McLaughlin, Kyle Meger, Mike Miller, Tom Miller, Taylor Moore, Marty O’Brien, Gene Petty, Steve Quinn, Karrie Ross, JD Russell, Kristi Shoemaker, Earl Swanson, Sue Wheeler and V Joyce McLemore.

Others Present: Matt Bartolo, Laborers #165, 439 Longbow Dr., Peoria; Mike Blanco, 5110 W. Newcastle Dr., Peoria; Randy DeGroot, 806 W. Mossville, Peoria; Ken and Carol Ferino, Peoria Womens Golf League, 413 E. High Point Lane, Peoria; Judy Friedman, 6618 N. Post Oak Road, Peoria; Theresa McAfee, 1806 N. Stever, Peoria; Bob McGowan, 1909 W. Marlene, Peoria; Donna and Bob Moore, Peoria; Keith Musselman, 5216 N. Ashford, Peoria; John O’Connor, GolfVisions Management Inc., Mundelein IL; John O’Russa; Hedy Payton, 1110 N. Elmwood, Peoria; Tim Schmidgall, Laborers #165, 4509 Catalina, Peoria; John Walker, Teamster, 3525 Sylvan Lane, Peoria.

Press Present: Steve Tarter, Peoria Journal Star.

Pledge Of Allegiance: All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes: Trustee Snowden Moved To Approve Minutes Of Regular Park Board Meeting Of October 11, 2017.

Motion seconded by Trustee Petty and carried on unanimous voice vote. (Results: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays)

Executive Director Updates: Updates for October 11, 17 and 24, 2017 were presented.

Police Division: Chief Bush presented September 2017 report. Executive Director Cahill reported a $3,000 grant has been awarded to Police Park Explorers Program. Cahill congratulated Chief Bush and Sergeant Ellison on receiving the grant.

Finance Committee: Finance Chairman Snowden Reported The Finance Committee Had Examined The Bills And Found Them To Be Correct And Moved That The President And Secretary Be Authorized To Issue Orders On The Treasurer For The Several Amounts:

Peoria Park District Thursday, October 19, 2017

General 88,921.67

Recreation 138,826.96

Liability 2,975.68

Museum 6,426.81

Police 4,325.25

Bonded Projects 201,230.59

Paving & Lighting 1,390.55

Riverfront Events 175,058.98

Detweiller Marina 471.41

Golf 68,451.90

Hisra 2,849.05

Riverplex 48,400.59

Total Payables $739,329.44

Payroll #21 10/20/2017 $481,384.18

Motion seconded by Vice President Rayford and carried on unanimous voice vote. (Results: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays)

Joint Operating Committee: Trustee Johnson presented minutes of the October 3, 2017 meeting.

Trustee Petty inquired as to the status of proposed Riverfront apartments. Trustee Snowden stated there has been no word from the developer.

New Business: 2018 Budget Update

Executive Director Cahill’s PowerPoint presentation set out proposed 2018 budget cuts in order to present a balanced budget. The District’s Operating Budget has increased since 2000 to accommodate growth. In order to find a path to financial stabilization, staff is proposing series of budget cuts for consideration. The target amount of cuts needed to balance 2018 budget is $325,000. Among proposed cuts:

-closure of Lakeview Family Aquatic Center

-closure of Detweiller Golf Course

-elimination of clay tennis courts at Glen Oak Park

New Business: (continued)2018 Budget Update

-reduction of Board travel and training

-elimination of July 3rd fireworks at Glen Oak Park

-personnel and program cuts

Cahill reported cash reserves are depleted and without significant change the District will suffer continued operational deficits:

$2 Million in 2020

$3.5 Million in 2022

There has been progress with strategic planning which began in 2017, resulting in restatement of mission, values, priorities and goals for the District.

BID: Lakeview Recreation Center-

With staff recommendation, Trustee Snowden Moved To Accept The Low Base Bid Plus Alternates #1, #2, And #3 Totaling $2,118,00.00 From George H. Rump Construction Company For The Renovations To The Lakeview Recreation Center. Motion seconded by Trustee Harant. Planner Mike Friberg reported this project will include the demolition of the old end of the building, upgrades to the middle section of the building including air conditioning in the existing gym and a new roof, and the renovation of the pool end of the building into a large multi-purpose program space. Trustee Harant noted the 75% PARC grant match from IDNR for this renovation of Lakeview Recreation Center. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

(Results: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays)

IAPD Credentials

Trustee Petty Moved That Trustee Johnson Serve As Delegate To The Annual Business Meeting Of The Illinois Association Of Park Districts To Be Held At The Hilton Hotel, Chicago, Illinois On Saturday, January 20, 2018 At 3:30 P.M. In The Grand Ballroom. Motion seconded by Trustee Snowden and carried on unanimous voice vote.

(Results: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays)

Approval for Trustee Johnson Travel Expenditure associated with

Illinois Parks & Recreation/Illinois Association of Park Districts Program Committee-

Trustee Petty Moved To Approve Pre-Travel Expenses For Trustee Johnson To Attend Iapd/Ipra Program Committee Meeting In Highland Park Il, November 15- 16, 2017. Motion seconded by Vice President Rayford and carried on unanimous voice vote. (Results: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays)

New Business: (continued) Consideration and Approval for Second Amendment to Lease Agreement between Peoria Park District and OSF St. Francis Inc.

for Retail Space inside RiverPlex With staff recommendation, Trustee Johnson Moved To Approve Second Amendment To Lease Agreement Between The Park District And Osf Saint Francis Inc. For 700 Square Feet Of Space In The Riverplex. Motion seconded by Trustee Harant. Vice President Rayford asked how much the annual rent amounted to. Sue Wheeler indicated $13,000.00 per year. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

(Results: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays)

Consideration and Approval for Renewal of License Agreement between Peoria Park District and Detweiller BMX-Detweiller Park

With staff recommendation, Trustee Snowden Moved To Renew License Agreement For Use Of Detweiller Bmx Track Located At Detweiller Park For One (1) Year Term, Effective January 1, 2018. Motion seconded by Vice President Rayford. Vice President Rayford asked if anyone from the public can participate at Detweiller BMX. Staff reported only BMX dues paying members can participate. Trustee Harant questioned if Detweiller BMX was a for-profit club and commented on the low amount they pay to use the track. Superintendent Freeman stated this amenity in Detweiller would not otherwise be be offered to Central Illinois public. Harant requested revenue be enhanced from this amenity. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

(Results: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays)

Consideration and Approval Authorizing Staff to Negotiate with GolfVisions Management Inc. for Management of the Peoria Park

District Golf System for 3-Year Term-

(Motion and second from September 7, 2017 meeting.)

President Cassidy invited public comment.

Matt Bartolo, representative of Teamsters #165, stated this is an inopportune time for revenues to leave the community and stated the need for protecting good jobs. Bartolo believes the RFP for golf management should be more transparent. Staff reiterated FOIA guidelines, stating that RFP documents are not available until negotiations have been completed.

Trustee Petty stated she would not change her position regarding this matter and stated the District needs a golf professional with marketing expertise to lead staff and bolster golf. Petty requested expansion of golf committee.

(continued) Consideration and Approval Authorizing Staff to Negotiate with GolfVisions Management Inc. for Management of the Peoria Park

District Golf System for 3-Year Term-

Trustee Snowden stated the numbers of golfers are dwindling and golf is on a downward trend. Park staff do a good job but the number of rounds played continues to reduce. Over the past decade we haven’t been able to turn golf around; we continue to see number of rounds go down.

President Cassidy stated the problem in golf shows that in year 2000 there were 225,000 rounds of golf played. In 2017, total rounds played are estimated to be 99,000. This has nothing to do with fee structure or maintenance, this is a trend and that’s the problem. President Cassidy stated golf is down both nationally and locally. Golf is weakening the financial system of the Peoria Park District. Ideas offered for golf are good but we don’t have the management and administrative staff to implement ideas. He will vote for this motion. The need is to reduce the $1 million golf deficit.

Motion failed on the following roll call vote: Trustees Harant, Johnson, Petty and Vice President Rayford voting “Nay,” Trustee Snowden and President Cassidy voting “”Aye”.

(Results: 4 Nays; 2 Ayes)

Calendar Of Consent: Quote: Proctor Auditorium Painting

With staff recommendation, Vice President Rayford Moved To Approve Quote In The Amount Of $11,042.00 To Paint Proctor Center’s Auditorium. Motion seconded by Trustee Johnson and carried on unanimous voice vote.

(Results: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays)

Pending Business: None.

Citizen Request To Address The Board: Previously addressed.

Communications: Communications were received as submitted.

Other Business: None.

Adjournment: At 7:16 p.m., there being no further agenda business, Trustee Snowden Moved To Adjourn. Motion seconded by Vice President Rayford and carried on unanimous voice vote. (Results: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays)

https://www.peoriaparks.org/media/17-10-25-Regular-Meeting-Minutes.pdf