League of Women Voters Observer Report

Park District of Oak Park www.pdop.org

Park District of Oak Park, Board information: www.pdop.org/about/park-board/

Regular Board Meeting, October 22, 2015

Joan Fiscella, Observer

The meeting was held at the Hedges Administrative Center.

Present: Commissioners Paul Aeschleman (President); Victor Guarino (Vice President); Sandy Lentz (Secretary); Kassie Porecca, David Wick (Treasurer). Executive Director Jan Arnold.

President Aeschleman opened the meeting at 7:30 pm.

Approval of the Agenda:

The Board approved the agenda.

Visitor/Public Comments:

None.

Consent Agenda – Commissioner Wick

The Commissioners approved the Consent Agenda, which included Cash and Investment Summary and Warrants and Bills for the month of September; Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 3, 2015; Special Board Meeting Minutes September 3, 2015; Regular Board Meeting Minutes, September 22, 2015; and Ordinance for Disposal 2015-10-01.

Staff Reports:

· Executive Director’s Report.

Work on Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center is progressing, including insulation and walls. Geothermal work is beginning. A Brookdale resident is donating $1,000 toward tagging trees.

The middle school project is behind schedule due to difficulty in securing a subcontractor.

Old Business

· Recreation and Facility Program Committee: None

· Buildings and Grounds/Facility Maintenance Committee.

Custodial Bid Awards: The Park Board of Commissioners accepted and approved the bid from Crystal Maintenance of Mount Prospect, IL, for Section I and Section III of the contract for a combined yearly cost of $32,820.00, and also accepted and approved the bid from Eco Clean of Elmhurst, IL, for Section II for a yearly cost of $25,680.00; totaling a yearly cost of $58,500.

· Administration and Finance Committee:

The Park Board of Commissioners approved the Park District of Oak Park and Austin Gardens Fund Agreement with the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation. (Until now the annual distribution has gone into a special fund; now the full transfer will be made.)

New Business:

· PlanIt Green Report Card

The report shows progress of River Forest and Oak Park toward sustainability goals. The Trends and Metrics section shows areas of goals, such as energy, transportation, education, waste, etc. For example, energy efficiency goals have been exceeded by both communities; waste goals overall have been met. Progress depends greatly on collaboration.

· IAPD membership

The Park District uses its membership in Illinois Association of Park Districts, for instance attending the recent legal symposium. O P Park District is reconsidering its membership, in the light of some districts withdrawing.

· IDOT Noise Wall Update

IDOT has selected a preferred option; it had a meeting Oct 28, 5:3-7:30 pm at the Carleton in Oak Park. Residents and institutions with direct impact from the walls and from noise will be eligible to vote yes or no on the walls.

Commissioners’ Comments

· Commissioner Porreca: She attended the District 97 reception for Superintendent Dr. Kelly, the West Suburban Special Recreation Association meeting, and a WSSR fund raiser.

· Commissioner Wick spoke positively about the Frank Lloyd Wright Race.

· Commissioner Lenz: Lenz also spoke positively about the FLW day; she attended the AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) annual meeting. A question came up about how playing space was allocated.

· Commissioner Guarino: Volunteered at the Frank Lloyd Wright Race; he said it was well done.

· President Aeschleman: Noted that parking was a problem for the Frank Lloyd Wright Race, due to aother event. He heard that others have commented on space issues around a baseball event.

Executive Session: None

Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.