Park Board Minutes - June 10, 2010
Amended
REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
AND OFFICERS OF THE WINNETKA
PARK DISTRICT, WINNETKA, ILLINOIS
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010
President Pierce called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and Secretary Schwartz took roll call. Present were Commissioners DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler, Snyder, Vanden Bosch and Pierce. Absent: McLane. Also present were staff members Gullen, Farmer, Volpe and Schaum.
Visitors: Scott Hallerman
REMARKS FROM VISITORS
None
CONSENT AGENDA
Park Board minutes from 05/13/10 & 05/27/10
Commissioner Kahnweiler moved to approve the Consent Agenda as Amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner DiCola and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting – Aye: DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler, Snyder, Vanden Bosch and Pierce
Voting – Nay: None
Absent – McLane
MOTION CARRIED
Commissioner McLane arrived at 6:34 p.m.
GOLF FEE ADJUSTMENT
Superintendent Gullen reported that through two months of the 2010 season, staff has found a 7% decrease in weekend tee time reservations from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Gullen continued that in 2009, from April 18 - May 31, the golf course tee book was at 24% capacity in this same timeframe, and that through April 17- May 30, 2010, the tee book has been only filled at 17%.
The golf staff researched competing local courses and found that most are starting to discount green fees to react to a customer base looking for cost effective golf rates.
Winnetka Golf Club's normal twilight starts at 3:00 and the fees are $36 walking and $16 per person for a cart.
Staff is proposing that we offer a special fee for golfers (with motorized cart) for $45 a player, starting at 2:00 pm. If the players decide not to take a motorized cart the green fee will be the normal twilight rate of $36 a player.
A lengthy discussion ensued. Commissioners questioned budget controls. Gullen stated that good controls are in place and staff has made extra efforts for reduction of costs both in the clubhouse and course maintenance.
Commissioner Snyder stated that two million dollars has been invested in the course and would like to see aggressive sale of the course.
After further review, Commissioner Harney moved to approve staff’s recommendation to offer a special fee for golfers (with motorized cart) for $45 a player, starting at 2:00 pm., and if a cart is not used the green fee will be the normal twilight rate of $36 a player. The motion was seconded by Commissioner DiCola and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting – Aye: DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler, Vanden Bosch, McLane and Pierce
Voting – Nay: None
Abstain: Snyder
MOTION CARRIED
2010 COMMITTEE AND LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS
The Board was presented with the 2010/2011 Committee and Liaison Assignments.
Discussion ensued. Three additional entities were added to the Liaison assignments: District 36 –John DiCola; Winnetka Public Library-Gerri Kahnweiler and the BC/DC-Ed Harney.
It was determined that the New Trier Liaison needs only one member (Susan Snyder).
Staff was asked to provide bullet point instructions on what the responsibilities are for liaisons and committee members.
Commissioner Vanden Bosch moved to approve the 2010/2011 Board Committees and Liaisons as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kahnweiler and passed by a voice vote.
LOCAL TRANSPARAERNCY PROJECT
Executive Director Schwartz reported that he received a spreadsheet from a Park District colleague indicating that the Illinois Policy Institute is examining all units of local government in New Trier Township. The program they have initiated assesses the level of transparency of
local governmental entities in New Trier Township. The future desire of the group is to
conduct the same analysis of all units of local government throughout the state of Illinois. The purpose of the work is to rate and provide the community that the unit of government represents with a score of transparency
Schwartz continued that while staff is always interested in contributions toward how we react to these issues, staff recommends that we seek a way to populate the assessment tool as best we can and post on the current website.
Commissioner Kahnweiler volunteered to investigate this website and find out what credentials they hold before spending further staff hours on this project.
MATTERS OF THE DIRECTOR
Schwartz informed the Board on the NRPA conference that will take place in Minneapolis in October.
Schwartz invited the Board to the Golf Classic after party on June 11.
REMARKS FROM VISITORS
Parks Caucus Chair, Scott Hallerman stated that a draft survey should be available shortly. He asked the Board to think of areas that the Caucus should focus on for questions. Hallerman did comment that at the Town meeting residents were looking for ways that local government agencies should look at ways to work together and possibly consolidate services.
President Pierce and Mr. Hallerman will work together on the formulation of potential questions.
Commissioner Kahnweiler moved to adjourn the meeting to Executive Session for the purpose of the semi-annual review of closed session minutes under Section 2(c)(21) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McLane and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting – Aye: DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler, Snyder, Vanden Bosch, McLane and Pierce
Voting – Nay: None
MOTION CARRIED
President Pierce stated that the Board met in Executive Session for the purpose of the semi-annual review of closed session minutes under Section 2(c)(21) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The Board took no action.
Commissioner Snyder moved to adjourn the Regular Board meeting at 8:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kahnweiler and passed by a voice vote.
