Oak Park Park District Report 1-16-14

Park District of Oak Park  www.oakparkparks.com

Regular Board Meeting,  January 16, 2014

Joan Fiscella, observer

The meeting was held at the Hedges Administration Center.

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

President Bullock opened the meeting at 7:30 pm.  The Board approved the agenda. The order of two items was reversed.

Mark Pellettieri was visitor.  There were no public comments.

Board members approved the Consent Agenda which included: the Cash and Investment Summary and Warrants and Bills for the month of December 2013; minutes from the Committee of the Whole Meeting December 5, 2013, Regular Board Meeting December 19, 2013; Greening Advisory Committee New Member – Mark Pellettieri; and Surplus Property Disposal Ordinance 2014-01-01.  Mr. Pellettieri expressed appreciation for his appointment to the Greening Advisory Committee.

Staff Reports:

·       Executive Director’s Report.  
Executive Director Jan Arnold reported that solar heating is completed in Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex.  Sand will be delivered next week for the ice rink.  The Parks State Conference is next week; 29 staff members will attend training.  Bids for the work in Cheney Greenhouse are due January 28.  The Community Service awards will be given at the February 20 at the Board Meeting.
The high school’s earlier start dates requires preparation from the park district.
Jan Arnold has met with the Village regarding rulings on water retention

·       Shari Wenzel provided updates on the staff reports:  data from the dasher boards is being used for fund-raising, planning of programs, etc.  Information for the summer day camps has been distributed.

Old Business:

·       Recreation and Facility Program Committee – None

·       Buildings and Grounds/Facility Maintenance Committee

o   FOPCON-Oak Park Conservatory’s East Garden Concept and Grant Application.
The Board of Commissioners voted to give consensus for the plans of the Oak Park Conservatory’s East Garden Concept presented by FOPCON and authorized the Executive Director, Jan Arnold, to move forward with applying for grant funding through IDNR (Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources) for this project. The proposal was amended to give Arnold additional authorization to sign for the IDNR program. 
The 2014-2018 Capital Improvement Plan budget is higher that the Park District budgeted for it.  FOPCON will raise more funds ($68,000 already raised), and appropriate grants have been identified and are being submitted.

o   Comprehensive Master Plan.
The Board of Commissioners authorized the Executive Director, Jan Arnold, to enter into a contract with the Lakota Group in the amount of $97,800 for its work on the Comprehensive Master plan

·       Administration and Finance Committee - None

New Business

                                    Nagel Hartray 218 Plan Recommendation

Representatives outlined the plan for remodeling 218 Madison, with discussion and feedback from the Commissioners. 

Several walls are to be demolished, enabling staff to more easily work together in one location. 

Work includes bringing the building up to code standards.

By the April 17 Board meeting, there should be a better idea of the amount of contingency funds needed for Ridgeland Common, etc.

Park District of Oak Park Marketing Plan Presentation

                                    PKOP Marketing Plan Presentation by Mike Dockum and Diane Stanke.

The plan was developed with participation from the District’s staff and intern, focus groups, and surveys returned from village residents. In part it is to give support to the marketing staff.  There are four parts:  the brand message, attributes, personality and promise.  While the current brand is in line with resident expectations, there is room for improvement by downplaying some parts and emphasizing others.  The logo may be refreshed, tag lines are being developed, and a marketing calendar will be drawn up.  Further discussion will come with a focus on funding.

Commissioners’ Comments

Aeschleman:  attended AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) and OP youth baseball meetings.  Both are going into their spring seasons; members are looking forward to the opening of Ridgeland Common.

Guarino: None

Lenz:  A question has been raised about ice skate rental. The West Suburban Special Recreation Association  (WSSRA) has raised $46,000.   Pleasant Home was awarded a Richard Driehaus Foundation grant.

Wick:  Suggested that as part of marketing efforts, a page be inserted in newspapers to highlight monthly park district activities.

Bullock:  None

There was no Executive Session.

President Bullock adjourned the meeting at 9:25.