City of Rock Island Park Board met Feb. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. Call to Order
President Fred Dasso called the meeting to order at 5:29 pm.
2. Attendance
Members Present: Fred Dasso, Bill Anderson, John McEvoy, Don Deleu, Moses Robinson, Kate Hotle
Members Absent: none
Staff Present: John Gripp, Parks Director; Kimberly Kruse, Parks Administrative Office Manger; Todd Winter, Assistant Director; David Driskill, Sports Field Maintenance Manager
Staff Absent: none
Audience: none
3. Mr. Anderson moved to go to Item 11A. Mr. Deleu seconded. All voted yes.
David Driskill, Sports Field Maintenance Manager, gave a presentation on the successes and projects for Douglas Park and Campbell Sports Complex.
4. Minutes of the January meeting.
Mr. Anderson moved to approve the Minutes as printed; Mr. Deleu seconded. All voted yes.
5. Correspondence
Thank yous from Spring Forward, QC Tweed Ride Committee and QC Parrot Head Club were recognized. A congratulations letter from Caryl Altemus was recognized as well on commending the recognition of Douglas Park in the NFL.
6. Monthly Report from Finance Department as of December.
December finances have several items to take into consideration due to being yearend. There are taxes that need to be reflected still along with a few other items. The department took a big hit when IMRF stated that some of our retirees needed to be on accelerated payouts. However, the year will end up alright if items that do not affect cash such as depreciation and the asset change are taken into account. Whitewater Junction had an exceptional year. The golf courses still came out slightly ahead with smart staffing choices despite the hit on revenue due to weather.
December 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 January: $116,251.33
Mr. McEvoy moved to approve the bills for the Month of January in the amount of $116,251.33. Mrs. Hotle seconded. All voted yes.
8. Director’s Report and other reports
The Director spent some time with CED to look at Five Points and work on landscaping and the art installation. Mowing RFP’s are out. Staff went to the IPRA annual conference and brought back lots of good information. It helps a little to know that we are all facing similar challenges with budget constraints. The 2019 Action Plan was presented to city council and well received. January weather was very cold resulting in some challenges. Hauberg is moving forward with IMEG on upgrading electrical. The second floor has been renovated and looks great. In the spring, a look at Sunset will be done to see what needs repaired on the Kiwanis paths.
The Assistant Director updated the mission statement and core values for the department. This, along with the Action Plan, are going to be presented to all staff to impress the importance of our mission to serve the public. There are large boards going up in the Front Office and Admin area. The department is taking advantage of the #ThisTownRocks initiative and created bingo boards to engage the community in parks and recreation activities. Parks planning has begun and a plan is being developed starting with site walkthroughs and then identifying grants to start sprucing up our park areas. The first part is to look at renovating the overlook at Sunset and repurpose the ball field there as well. A meeting with the new First Tee Director went very well. She seems very ambitious and a partnership with Big Brothers, Big Sisters was started and will looks at some others as well for partners to get kids out to the golf course.
The senior citizen programming has changed some and a better capture of scans for Silversneakers members as resulting in an increased revenue. This is conjunction with creating more programs and events for members will get seniors into the facility. Kevin Horton has been a dedicated maintenance worker this winter and it has worked out very well. The facility is run at tip top capacity and the members have had many positive compliments. When the warm weather hits, he will have to return to other duties for Public Works but there is a seasonal that we have come in and does a wonderful job as well.
Preparations are already underway for Whitewater Junction with hiring staff and looking over the facility for any winter damage. Mr. Dasso asked if fees were being reviewed. Fees will not be increased in 2019 but are always being evaluated for all facilities to ensure we remain competitive. Ms. Kruse is working on a worksheet to show the impact of the increase in minimum wage and fee structures will be one area to supplement in this increase within reason.
There are a couple of Eagle Scout projects being looked at for Saukie out by holes 13 and 14. The other project is for a gaga pit installation at Lincoln Park.
Dad/ Daughter date night was a huge success with 338 participants which is up from the previous year. This is a partnership with Moline Parks & Recreation. An initiative for the #ThisTownRocks slogan is to create a Bingo Board with activities throughout the summer to encourage citizen participation within the parks department. One of the items on the board is to attend one of two movies in the park events. There will also be a movie played at RIFAC over the winter months. A sponsor was secured today from RIAFCU.
There is a new commercial out featuring QC Storm using RIFAC. They have named RIFAC as their dedicated facility and it has been a positive partnership. Carrie has done a good job of cataloging any time donations are given out and this will be used as an opportunity to network and suggest holding fundraisers at our facilities.
Pete met with Pepsi to stock Douglas concession. There is two more years to the contract. They are under new ownership now but will honor the current agreement. There is a sports intern with the department that will be with us till August. She will attend the next board meeting for introduction.
Spring prep is underway through the bi-state. During the last polar vortex, the boiler froze up and lost a heater as well in the greenhouse. There were plants lost and have been reordered. The Horticulturist is going to work with Public Works to identify plans to renovate the parks. There is a plan to put up screen trees rather than a fence at Mel McKay to protect from the wind at the pickleball courts there.
9. Rock Island Kiwanis Grant
Kiwanis would like to give $25,000 towards the bike and jogging paths. It would go towards the large amount necessary to renovate both areas.
10.Special Event Request: River Action Ride the River
Mr. McEvoy motioned to approve staff recommendation for the event. Mrs. Hotle seconded. All voted yes.
11.Special Event Request: River Action Floatzilla
Mrs. Hotle motioned to approve staff recommendation for the event. Mr. Anderson seconded. All voted yes.
12.Brochure Bids
Proposals are in and it is staff recommendation to go with K. K. Stevens. They have the best offer for the quality and are very professional and easy to work with. Mr. Deleu motioned for approval. Mrs. Hotle seconded. All voted yes.
13.Old Business: OSLAD Grant
The Department was awarded a matching grant of $150,000 for Douglas Park from OSLAD. The matching portion will be $100,000 from Friends of Douglas Park and $50,000 of labor from the department.
14. Old Business: Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust
The Department was awarded a grant from the Roy. J. Carver Charitable Trust for $250,000 for Douglas Park.
15. Old Business: NFL Draft Update
April 27th is the NFL Draft event at Augustana. A variety of events for all ages including a Vintage Football Game are planned. More details to come.
Mr. Anderson motioned to adjourn. Mr. McEvoy seconded. All voted yes. The meeting adjourned at 6:32 pm.
https://rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02192019-331
Alerts Sign-up