City of Rock Island Park Board met Oct. 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. Call to Order
President Fred Dasso called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
2. Attendance
Members Present: Fred Dasso, Bill Anderson, Moses Robinson
Members Absent: Don Deleu, Kate Hotle, John McEvoy
Staff Present: John Gripp, Parks Director; Todd Winter, Assistant Director; Kimberly Kruse, Parks Administrative Office Manger
Staff Absent: none
Audience: none
Let it be noted that Mr. Deleu was called and put on speakerphone for the sake of a quorum on voting.
3. Move to 11 C
Mr. Anderson motioned to move to Item 11C. Mr. Robinson seconded. All voted yes.
Motion made by Mr. Anderson to allow the Director to work with DIFCO and the City Attorney to create an agreement for an easement and sale of the northeast parcel at Sylvan Naturalized Area. Mr. Robinson seconded. All voted yes.
4. Minutes of the September meeting.
Mr. Robinson approved the September minutes; Mr. Anderson seconded. All voted yes.
5. Correspondence
Thank yous from American Heart Association, YWCA, TCE Golf Outing, and United Way Day of Caring were acknowledged.
6. Monthly Report from Finance Department as of August.
All facilities are in the black. There will be a hit from leasing the equipment at Highland Springs that was charged all at once but was covered by a position not filled. Whitewater had a large water leak and are still trying to locate it.
August Financials were reported to the board with a summary explanation of changes and discrepancies. There is a two month lag that will ensure that all revenues and expenditures are reported to give a more accurate look at the department financially.
7. Approval of the Bills for the Month of September: $168,484.76
Mr. Robinson moved to approve the bills for the Month of September in the amount of $168,484.76. Mr. Anderson seconded. All voted yes.
8. Director’s Report and other reports
Ryan has left the position of Fitness & Aquatics Manager. It is being reevaluated and adjusted to be more aquatics focused and spreading out the fitness and RIFAC duties among the other managers. The Parks team participated in the Labor Day Parade with the First Tee van and maintenance truck. Big Brother Big Sister has formed a partnership with RIFAC and Whitewater Junction. The OSLAD grant application has been submitted for next year but not as confident that it will be approved. Alternative funding is being researched to fund the lighting portion of Douglas Park. Day of Caring went well. The Mayor and his wife came to help. Todd did a great job coordinating. Douglas Park construction is well underway. Vintage Football game went well. There was also a rugby demonstration. The work for the Hauberg electrical for the Carriage House is underway. The Kiwanis bike path is on hold for now until the funds are received. A quote was received for resurfacing the Schwiebert playground.
Day of Caring was at Longview Park and Sunset Park this year. The fountain and bathroom was repainted at Longview and the large shelter got a coat of paint at Sunset. Staff pitched in and finished the shelter at a later meeting. Reached out to all the golf outings to see if numbers could be gathered as to how much money they have raised over the year. It’s a good way to show how the golf courses have contributed to an impact in the Quad Cities to raise money for charitable causes. Indoor golf is coming up and a flexibility class was held for golfers that went over well. Augustana had their first cross country run at Saukie with another coming up. Rockie normally has theirs at Saukie as well but they held their at the Complex for the first time and worked out really well.
The Fitness and Aquatics Manager position is open. Special thanks to Nikki, Emily and Ramon for helping out during this time. Whitewater Junction ended up doing alright despite the unfavorable season due to smart staffing and supply choices.
Annual fall maintenance is underway at both golf courses. Bunker work continues. Deer hunting is going well.
Recreation Managers are going through and evaluating programs by looking at life cycles. Many programs have been added so they are at the seed stage but doing well. Fees are being evaluated. The first wave of minimum wage increases will require an evaluation of services and certainly presents challenges. A complete report will be compiled and provided to the board.
Bush Turf continues work at Douglas Park. The field maintenance is underway as well. The dog park was cleaned up for the event. Funds were raised to do repairs and acquire new amenities for the park. The wall calendar at Longview has been retired for the season. A group has adopted the disc golf course and has been keeping the pad areas trimmed. Longview Park is the first disc golf course in the Quad Cities. The sand volleyball court is going to be evaluated for other uses. It could possibly be repurposed as a warm area for disc golf. Marc has completed the first phase of burn training.
9. Special Event Request: Goebal Wedding Application
Mr. Robinson motioned to approve staff recommendation for the event. Mr. Anderson seconded. All voted yes.
10.Best of the Best Partnership Award
An application was submitted to IAPD to give an award to the Friends of Douglas Park for the Best of the Best Partnership Award.
11.Old Business
YWCA has done a feasibility study that came back favorable for the location they purchased. There will be a new facility built at the old Zimmerman building spot. They want to form a partnership and have a consult on how to grow programs and create a facility maintenance plan in exchange for letting RIFAC members possibly be able to use the facility at a reduced cost.
CED has earmarked money to put in a new roof, eaves and copper gutters at the Douglas Firehouse. This is not city money but HUD money. DCEO will be used for HVAC and ADA sidewalks.
Mr. Robinson motioned to adjourn. Mr. Anderson seconded. All voted yes.
The meeting adjourned at 6:24 pm.
https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10152019-470
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