Oak Park Park District Report 4-17-14

Park District of Oak Park  www.oakparkparks.com

Regular Board Meeting, April 17, 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.

Public Comments

                  One resident, a scientist, offered a different opinion from those of the last meeting; that is, the house lots at Carroll Park are being used; residents want to use them for private play rather than organized activities.

Board members approved the Consent Agenda which included: the Cash and Investment Summary and Warrants and Bills for the month of March, 2014; Committee of the Whole Meetings, March 6, 2014; Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex Tour minutes, March 8, 2014, Regular Board Meeting minutes, March 20, 2014, Executive Session Minutes, from March 6 and 20, 2014; the Fox Master Plan – Phase II; Longfellow Master Plan – Phase II; and the Executive Director’s Contract.

Staff Reports:

·       Executive Director’s Report.  
Ridgeland Common is receiving quite a bit of use.  Work continues on the roofs.  The memorial stone in front of the Common is presenting a challenge.  Play fields will be open to the affiliates soon.

Ridgeland Common dog park has reopened and is now in full use, but Stevenson’s has not been used very often as yet.

·       Updates on the staff reports

Spring lottery for registration show increases of almost 17% from 2013.  Scholarship funds have also shown an increase. 

Old Business:

·       Buildings and Grounds/Facility Maintenance Committee

Professional Services for Fox and Longfellow Parks – Phase II
Park Board of Commissioners approved authorization to engage Planning Resources Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, for $27, 970 to create project bid specifications consistent with the approved master plans for Longfellow Park and Fox Park and to provide oversight of Phase II construction at both Longfellow Park and Fox Park.

·       Administration and Finance Committee

                                    Naming of the Oak Park Conservatory’s East Garden:

Board of Commissioners approved the honorary naming of the East Avenue Garden/Fourth Showroom the Elsie Jacobsen Discovery Garden.

Community Survey Questions:  No motion required by the Board.  Tod Stanten presented the community survey for review and consensus.  Work will be done to continue to improve the questions.  Electronic and telephone surveys will be started on May 19; hard copies will be sent May 27.  The phone survey will take about 20 minutes. 

Discussion included considering ways of setting priorities, since some of the questions are related.

New Business

·       Cheney Mansion Facility Report:  Cheney Mansion hosted three weddings, two private parties, and five recreation programs during March.

Commissioners’ Comments

Aeschleman:  Ridgeland grand opening was fun, and all the feedback he heard from organizations using it has been positive.

Guarino:  Seconded Aeschleman’s comment.  He also suggested checking the timing of lights.

Lenz: Noted the OSLAD Grant for Maple Park, $400,000 matching grant and unveiling of Pleasant Home Summer Dining Porch on April 8.  The Art Advisory Council is acquiring art for the gymnastic center.

Wick: There has been trespassing in Ridgeland Common, probably due to the proximity of the roof to the train track; solutions are needed.  Both the architects and the counsel are working on the problem.

Bullock:  Noted the OSLAD Grant.

Executive Session

                  The Board approved the motion to adjourn to convene into closed session for the discussion of purchase or lease of real property for the use of the Park District.