Kewanee Park District Board met January 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The Monthly Board meeting of the Kewanee Park District Board of Commissioners was held at the Baker Park Office, Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 5:30 pm.
Present: Commissioners Andrew Verstraete, Mike Nichols, Jacque Verscha, Jim Powell and Jim Heberer. Also present were Brian Johnson, Director and Michelle Anderson, Secretary
Absent: None
President Jim Heberer called the regular Board meeting to order. The December 2017 Regular Board meeting were reviewed and discussed. Jim Powell moved to accept the minutes as written. Jacque Verscha seconded the motion. All in favor.
The December 2017 Financial Statement was reviewed and discussed. Mike Nichols moved to accept the December 2017 Financial Statement. Jim Powell seconded the motion. All in Favor. The January 2018 Bills for Approval were also reviewed and discussed. Mike Nichols moved to approve the bills for January 2018. Jacque Verscha seconded the motion. All in favor.
Open Business: With no open business to discuss, President Jim Heberer turned the meeting over to Director Johnson for the Director's Report.
Director Johnson's Report: Director Johnson began his report by addressing the executive session included on the agenda. Kewanee Park District Attorney, Justin Raver, is scheduled to attend the meeting to discuss litigation matters.
Director Johnson next informed the Board, he has received an insurance binder from ICRMT (Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust), via Jim Grier from the Lyle R Jager Agency. The binder includes identification cards for all park district vehicles and describes coverage for all parks and equipment. The binder also included Certificates of Liability Insurance sheets for park district outdoor activities.
The next item in Director Johnson's report pertained to the proposed Kewanee Park District Investment Policy sent to the Kewanee Park District's Financial Advisor Clark Blair. Director Johnson informed the Board that Mr. Blair is planning to attend the February regular board meeting to discuss changes he would like made to the policy before the Board adopts it.
Director Johnson then presented the Board with pictures of accidental damage done to the grounds at Windmont Park by the Windmont Lighting Crew. Director Johnson explained that the crew had waited to take down their lighting displays until the weather was warmer and created the damage by driving on ground that had thawed and could no longer support the weight of the vehicles. Director Johnson has spoken with Bob Martin from the lighting crew regarding the damage and suggested that more common sense be used when choosing the day to dismantle the displays. Mr.
Martin agreed that even though the weather was nice, consideration for the conditions should have been taken into effect. Mr. Martin also offered to purchase grass seed to help repair the areas that had been damaged.
Next in Director Johnson's report was to present the Board with the 2018 registration forms for the Kewanee Park District Spring and Summer activities. The Fishing Rodeo is scheduled for the first Saturday in June from 8am-noon. Director Johnson reminded the Board that in 2018 the month of June will be dedicated to 16 years and younger fishing at Windmont Park. Director Johnson also noted that Easter is early this year, so the Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday March 24th at 10am in Windmont Park. On that same date, March 24th, the first of 2 walk-in registrations for baseball/softball/t-ball and soccer will be held at the office from 11am-1pm.
The final item in Director Johnson's report was to present the Board with the finalized audit from Doug Irwin & Assoc. and asked for approval to pay the professional fees of $5,200. The Board was pleased the audit was finally completed and after a brief discussion, Jim Powell moved to accept the 2016 Audit and pay the $5,200 to Doug Irwin & Assoc. Jacque Verscha seconded the motion. All in Favor. Motion passed. Director Johnson then presented the Board with a proposal of $5,300 from Doug Irwin & Assoc. to complete the 2017 Audit. Director Johnson encouraged the Board to hire the company early as to have a completed audit closer to the actual due date instead of asking for yet another extension. Mike Nichols moved to accept the proposal for $5,300 from Doug Irwin & Assoc to complete the 2017 Annual Audit. Andrew Verstraete seconded the motion. All in Favor. Motion passed.
With nothing further to discuss, Director Johnson turned the meeting back over to President Heberer. President Heberer asked the commissioners for any additional items they wished to discuss. Director Johnson reported that the Convention in Chicago went good and he learned a lot in the classes he attended.
Andrew Verstraete inquired as to the progress of the lean-tos approved by the board in the December meeting. Director Johnson informed him that Dan has not yet started on the construction of the lean-tos as he has been busy with projects in the restaurant.
Director Johnson also informed the Board that Lattner Gaming did an onsite visit and will be placing 3 gambling machines by the 1st week in March. Lattner will also provide the rope barrier and no admittance under 21 signs to place at the machines. Andrew asked if the park is limited to just 3 machines if things go well. Director Johnson informed him that would be a question to ask once we see how things go this year. Jim Heberer asked whether any electrical issues need to be addressed prior to the machines being installed. Director Johnson replied that there are 3 outlets available along the wall where the machines will be and does not see any upgrades necessary at this time.
Director Johnson informed the Board that 19th Hole Restaurant manager Jackie Garms has been working with Michelle on updating the menu and adding new food items, delivery options and happy hour specials. Director Johnson said only the Early Bird will be increa it from $5 to $6. All other pricing will remain the same. He also informed the Board that Jackie has been doing price comparisons and has found ways to save money on paper products by purchasing from Sam's instead of TPC but will continue to use TPC for most of the food items. Director Johnson also stated he is in the process of checking into the status of the restaurant's contract with Aramark to determine whether a washer and dryer would be feasible.
Jim Heberer next suggested putting ads for Baker Park Golf Course in area papers including the Quad City Times, Peoria Journal Star and local papers in towns such as Geneseo and Princeton. Mike Nichols stated he would like to see a light installed above the door at the office. Andrew Verstraete also requested a light to be installed on the main concession stand at Northeast Park.
Andrew Verstraete next suggested that uniforms be required for employees at the 19th Hole Restaurant to help look more professional and to distinguish between restaurant workers and other workers for the Kewanee Park District. After a lengthy discussion, the Board asked Director Johnson to implement uniforms consisting of a polo shirt, khaki pants (capris and hemmed midthigh shorts) and closed toe shoes. The Board would also like to see 19th Hole Manager Jackie Garms have a shirt that identifies her as the manager.
Jim Powell next discussed that he would like to see the Board instruct Director Johnson to move forward on going out to public bid for 3 projects discussed in the December 2017 meeting. The 3 projects to put out for bid would be: (1) New light poles/system on the Pool North and South Diamonds at Northeast Park due to safety issues, (2) Repairs and renovations made to the existing spillway at Windmont Park which is also a safety issue since the deterioration has caused rebar to be exposed, and (3) Installation of a well to help replenish the irrigation pond for Baker Park Golf Course. The Board would like to see all three projects be able to be done but need to know how much each one would cost to determine priorities. Jim Powell moved to put 3 projects out for public bid as build design since no specs will be provided. Mike Nichols seconded the motion. All in Favor. Motion passed.
Andrew Verstraete also inquired as to the possibility of installing basketball hoops at the existing tennis courts at Windmont Park until the time comes to renovate those courts.
Jim Heberer inquired about events already scheduled on the golf calendar for the 2018 season. He suggested possibly adding a Chip, Putt, Drive competition on a weekend just to offer something different. Andrew Verstraete also suggested sending comment cards to season ticket holders asking them what they like about the course and what they would like to see change.
With nothing further to discuss and Kewanee Park District Attorney Justin Raver being unable to attend which eliminated the need for an executive session, President Heberer entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Andrew Verstraete moved to adjourn the meeting. Mike Nichols seconded the motion. All in Favor. Motion passed.
http://kewaneeparkdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/January-2018-Minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up