Park Board Minutes - December 10, 2009
Amended
Regularly Scheduled Board
Meeting Of The Commissioners
And Officers Of The Winnetka
Park District, Winnetka, Illinois
Commissioner Snyder called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. and Secretary Schwartz took roll call. Present were Commissioners DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler and Snyder. Absent McLane, Pierce and Vanden Bosch. Also present were staff members Gullen, Smith, Farmer, Volpe and Schaum.
DECEMBER VOUCHERS
The Board was presented with the December Voucher List for 2009.
After Board review, Commissioner Kahnweiler moved to approve the December Voucher list as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner DiCola and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting – Aye: DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler and Snyder
Voting – Nay: None
Absent – McLane, Pierce and Vanden Bosch
MOTION CARRIED
NOVEMBER FINANCIALS
Financial Officer Farmer reported that the November financials could not be completed in time for this meeting. The November financials will be presented for approval in January.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner DiCola moved to approve the Consent Agenda as Amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Harney and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting – Aye: DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler and Snyder
Voting – Nay: None
Absent – McLane, Pierce and Vanden Bosch
MOTION CARRIED
REVENUE FACILITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES
Superintendent Gullen and Commissioner Snyder highlighted the committee meeting.
Gullen reported that Tennis continues to perform well. Commissioner Snyder commented that tennis made great improvements from previous years and kudos to staff. Staff needs to ensure that New Trier is paying a fair price for the courts they utilize and that staff be proactive in making possible facility expansion. Commissioner Kahnweiler commented that we need to be careful when speaking about the agreements/negotiations with New Trier.
Gullen reported that surprisingly Golf had a solid season with revenues coming in close to
budget and a small year-end surplus achieved. Commissioner Snyder commented that committee
members encouraged staff to enlist a more elaborate, entailed marketing/advertising program; to generate more interest within the community for golf facility; and to monitor New Trier golf usage to ensure they are paying appropriate fees.
Gullen reviewed the Ice Arena. Two projects were not anticipated and added expenses of close to $60,000. The Ice Fund is performing well with close to $300,000 in reserves. Snyder stated that with the economy there was very good hockey participation and staff should continue to emphasize the skating program.
Gullen reviewed paddle tennis he stated that participation continues to be strong and the lesson program has developed into a feeder system for the WPTC Teams. Snyder reported that the committee feels that there needs to be more visibility from management staff during WPTC events; give consideration to having on-site staff and to make sure the Head Professional represents the Winnetka Park District.
After review, Commissioner DiCola moved to approve the Revenue Facilities Committee Minutes and the fees and charges for 2010. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Harney and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting – Aye: DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler and Snyder
Voting – Nay: None
Absent – McLane, Pierce and Vanden Bosch
MOTION CARRIED
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING FROM 11/25/09
Executive Director Schwartz reported that staff me with Commissioners DiCola and McLane on November 25.
Schwartz stated that the purpose of the meeting was to begin to define how the park district staff currently engages in the process of marketing to the community and users and to determine how the district can reposition marketing strategies and then initiate marketing planning as business plans are being created for all park district operations. Schwartz stated that the session was also conducted to initiate discussions as to how we can retool our website to make it more user-friendly.
Commissioner DiCola reported that due to the diversity of facilities and programs there are many markets.
The committee reviewed tactics that might apply to the manner in which the District applies marketing in the future.
Schwartz stated that as business plans are being written several factors will be considered to ensure they are effective in their use and contribution to understanding the business.
Discussions at the end of the meeting moved toward effective redevelopment of the website and how it can be simplified as the new site is being created. The site will be expanded upon as the strategic plan evolves over the next fiscal year.
After a brief discussion, Commissioner Kahnweiler moved to approve the Administration Committee Minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Harney and passed by a voice vote.
SERVICE CENTER UPDATE
Superintendent Smith reported that the crews have poured the last sections of the concrete drive and the remaining interior concrete sections.
BRIDGE PLAN UPDATE
Executive Director Schwartz presented the Board with the Bridge Plan update. Schwartz indicated that these updates will be presented over the next few months and for completion by April 1.
Commissioner DiCola asked that the word “strategy” be replaced with “objective” and the word “action” be replaced with “result”.
TAX LEVY ORDINANCE #516
Financial Officer Farmer presented the Board with the 2009 Tax Levy. The total sum requested is $4,353,011.
After a brief review, Commissioner Harney moved to approve Tax Levy Ordinance #516 as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner DiCola and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting – Aye: DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler and Snyder
Voting – Nay: None
Absent – McLane, Pierce and Vanden Bosch
MOTION CARRIED
BRIDGE PLAN CAPITAL
Finance Officer Farmer presented the Board with a preliminary spreadsheet of 2009 Capitals. If approved the budgeted capitals will be updated and presented to the Board quarterly.
Commissioner Kahnweiler moved to approve the spreadsheet as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Harney and passed by a voice vote.
GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWEL
The Board was presented the Blue Cross/Blue Shield renewal contract. It was noted that since 2007 the annual group insurance premium has decreased 14%. Farmer indicated that the employee contribution is budgeted to increase by 5%.
After Board review, Commissioner Kahnweiler moved to approve the Blue Cross/Blue Shield renewal. The motion was seconded by Commissioner DiCola and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting – Aye: DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler and Snyder
Voting – Nay: None
Absent – McLane, Pierce and Vanden Bosch
MOTION CARRIED
STAFF REPORTS
The Board congratulated Superintendent Gullen for being inducted to the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame. The Board also thanked staff for the wonderful dedication to Art Nielsen Jr.
Commissioner Kahnweiler moved to adjourn the Regular meeting to Executive Session for the purpose of the Board discussing the appointment of personnel and the semi-annual review of Executive Session minutes under Section 2(c)(1) and 2(c)(21) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Commissioner Snyder reported that the Board met in Executive Session for the purpose of the Board discussing the appointment of personnel and the semi-annual review of Executive Session minutes under Section 2(c)(1) and 2(c)(21) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the following action was taken.
Commissioner Harney moved to approve the appointment of Attorney Charlene Holtz of Tressler, LLP, as the District’s Counsel. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kahnweiler and a roll call vote was taken.
Voting – Aye: DiCola, Harney, Kahnweiler and Snyder
Voting – Nay: None
Absent – McLane, Pierce and Vanden Bosch
MOTION CARRIED
Commissioner Snyder noted that no action was taken on the semi-annual review of Executive Session Minutes.
Commissioner DiCola moved to adjourn the Regular Board meeting at 8:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Snyder and passed by a voice vote.
