League of Women Voters Observer Reports

Park District of Oak Park www.pdop.org

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

Regular Board Meeting, continued July 9, 2015

Joan Fiscella, Observer

The meeting was held at Hedges Administrative Center.

Present: Commissioners Victor Guarino (Vice President), Kassie Porecca, David Wick (Treasurer). Executive Director Jan Arnold, Mark Burkland, Attorney.

Absent: Commissioners Paul Aeschleman (President); Sandy Lentz (Secretary).

[Observer, Joan Fiscella, arrived late.]

III. Old Business

B. Buildings and Grounds/Facility Maintenance Committee

2. Middle School Fields Project Bid Recommendation

3. Field Turf Purchase for Middle School Fields Project Recommendation.

The members present of the Park Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of Field Turf to serve as the synthetic turf surface for the Middle School Fields Project at both Brooks and Julian Schools through the State of Illinois Joint Purchase Program in an amount not to exceed $400,138.80.

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm

Park District of Oak Park www.pdop.org

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

Regular Board Meeting, July 16, 2015

Joan Fiscella, Observer

The meeting was held at the Hedges Administrative Center.

Present: Commissioners Paul Aeschleman (President); Commissioner Victor Guarino (Vice President), Sandy Lentz (Secretary) (by phone); 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 Guarino

The Commissioners approved the Consent Agenda, which includes Cash and Investment Summary and Warrants and Bills for the month of July; Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes, June 4, 2015; Regular Board minutes, June 16, 2015; St Giles PACT Agreement; and the 2014 Audit Report.

Staff Reports:

· A. Executive Director’s Report.

At Stevenson Park Athletic Field, dirt is back on the reservoir. It will take approximately 2 weeks to build up the level and add 4” of topsoil. Restoration is to begin August 29, depending on the weather and other usage.

The contracts for Middle School parks have been signed. Construction on Brooks and Julian will begin at the end of July. Depending on weather conditions, the ribbon cutting may be in mid-October.

Executive Director Jan Arnold will meet with the new Superintendent of District 97.

A suburban education group will provide a donation to support Art in the Park. Jan Arnold met with Bill Griffin of the Arts Commission of the Village to possibly collaborate in identifying places for art in the parks.

· B. Updates and Information from Staff – Bobbi Nance

Weather seemed to reduce participation rates for residents. There were over 300 sales of polar passes.

The computer servers have been moved back to Hedges; the new ones are faster with better reliability.

All supervisors had training, including an overview of leadership models.

Thanks to all for participation in the July 4 parade; there were approximately 2500 attendees at the field for fireworks.

· C. Revenue/Expense Status Report

No further comments.

Old Business

· Administration and Finance Committee: None.

· Recreation and Facility Program Committee – None

· Buildings and Grounds/Facility Maintenance Committee:

1. Longfellow and Fox Centers Task Order – Nagle Hartray

The Park Board of Commissioners approved the Nagel Hartray Task Order in an amount not to exceed $55,000 to begin architectural services for the design and oversight of the Longfellow and Fox entrance ramps and walls.

The bids will go out at the same time, but the work will be done sequentially. Some changes are being considered in order to bring costs down.

2. Longfellow Park Cistern Professional Services Fees – Manhard Consulting
The Park Board of Commissioners approved authorization to engage Manhard Consulting Ltd., Chicago, Illinois, for a total cost of $27,450 to create engineering construction documents and accompanying project details and specifications, to provide bid and permit assistance and to provide site observation of the cistern construction phase of the project at Longfellow Park.

The contract will be awarded in February, with construction planned for spring of 2016.

Sustainability issues include the cost of water for the splash pad and water on the field. Some water may be repurposed from other sites.

New Business

1. Austin Gardens Trust Update

Christine Bogan reported that the trust began in 1994, but became part of the Park District in 2008. The amount of $89,000 is to be distributed to the Park District. She recommends rewriting the document so that the allocated trust funds are available to the Park District. The Park District is to decide how to allocate and use funds for annual distribution.

2. Quarterly Report Performance Measures Update

Bobbi Nance reported that the staff will use the measures to improve sales of passes and make decisions during the course of the year instead of waiting until the end of the year. Examples include analyzing the results of customer service surveys and analysis of wellness programs.

Bobbi will present the District’s use of the measures at the Dashboard Conference. Other agencies have expressed interest in what Oak Park is doing. The Alliance for Innovation (Arizona State Univ.) collects best practices of innovation in local governments. Oak Park Park District is joining this association; the Alliance is interested in Oak Park’s use of dashboards.

Because the software is cloud-based, the daily updates are available. The next steps will be to compare calendar quarters across years.

Commissioners’ Comments

Commissioner Wick

One of the lifeguards did a Heimlich maneuver on a swimmer who needed help. Commissioner Wick recommends a reward for the lifeguard.

Commissioner Lenz:

Expressed appreciation for allowing her to participate by phone (required because of an illness).

Oak Park Festival Theatre’s production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” has been nominated for a Jeff Award.

Commissioner Guarino

Commended the lifeguard and other staff; commented on the training that help guards to respond dependably. He also noted the quality of Sunday night concerts.

Commissioner Porreca:

Membership numbers have increased for the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON). They are looking at options for multiyear membership. The 30- year anniversary of the FOPCON will be held in 2016. The Garden Walk on June 28 was very well attended. “Uncorked” drew almost 80 people, even with the rain.

President Aeschleman

Each year the Park District hires a new group of lifeguards, and they do very well.

The school fields are doing well.

The Library Board has expressed interest in how citizen committees work.

IX. Executive Session

None

X. Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 8:32.