City of Rock Island Park Board met Nov. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. Call to Order
President Fred Dasso called the meeting to order at 5:26 pm.
2. Attendance
Members Present: Fred Dasso, Bill Anderson, Moses Robinson, John McEvoy, Don Deleu
Members Absent: Kate Hotle
Staff Present: John Gripp, Parks Director; Todd Winter, Assistant Director; Kimberly Kruse, Parks Administrative Office Manger
Staff Absent: none
Audience: none
3. Minutes of the October meeting.
Mr. Anderson approved the October minutes; Mr. Deleu seconded. All voted yes.
4. Correspondence
Thank yous from Unity Point, RI/Milan Boosters, and QC 76ers were acknowledged.
5. Monthly Report from Finance Department as of September.
All things considered, the department is doing well. Finances are going steady well with golf coming out positive and Whitewater Junction is good as well. There have been many hurdles such as flooding, heavy rain and major storm damage. RIFAC is entering into its busy season.
September 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.
6. Approval of the Bills for the Month of October: $111,356.49
Mr. Robinson moved to approve the bills for the Month of October in the amount of $111,356.49. Mr. McEvoy seconded. All voted yes.
7. Director’s Report and other reports
Managers did a good job keeping a close eye on their budgets with the challenging weather this year. The Winter/Spring Activity Guide Book will be out early next month. Indoor sports are underway. Electrical updates are under way for the Carriage House. Douglas Park irrigation is completed. Fencing will be coming soon. The RPZ has been tested and drained for the season. Kiwanis walk paths are going to occur in 2020. Schwiebert Park playground resurfacing will take place in 2020 as well. Interviews are set up for the Aquatics Manager position to take place next week. The position has been reclassified to be more realistic and fitness and staff duties have been spread out to other managers.
The golf courses have been closed for the season as of November 9th. Temporary greens are only available now with the honor box at Saukie. Indoor First Tee will be starting and running throughout the winter. Golf lessons will also have a class working with a personal trainer to offer stretching. The executive summary has been put together and has received very positive feedback from the council.
RIFAC will be updating their hours slightly by closing at 8 pm on Fridays. Guest fees have been updated. The pool pass will be removed and a family guest pass will be added to better serve those that are in town for the holidays. Guest passes will also not be limited during school breaks now as youth will be required to be accompanied by an adult. Membership promos will be going out as a push to get people into RIFAC.
Chris and Tanner have reviewed the 2019 season. They discussed options and plans for staffing, tree work, continued bunker renovations, equipment lease, and revenue sources. Bill Anderson noted that Highland Springs is an excellent course with amazing greens and Fred Dasso echoed the same sentiment of Saukie. Well done by all involved.
School break daytrippers numbers have increased 30%. The first school break for preschool camp did well. One more child has been added to the full day preschool program. Nikki has taken over the fitness classes and received a 5% increase as did Emily for overseeing all service and supervisor staff. Met with all of the fitness instructors to go over changes and explained the shortened fitness programs as well. This will allow for easier scheduling of the rooms and will allow for people to try multiple areas by offering a discount if they sign up for two or more sessions. Fright Night and the.5K events were very successful. A donation from Goodwill covered Fright Night expenditures. Dan is getting the sponsorship packages together and gearing up for the season. The golf tee box sponsors are being revamped and will be adding golf range sponsors as well. Current grants are going to be reviewed and research what else may be out there. The NFL gave $10,000 for our football program as a donation. This can be used for equipment and possibly for the fields too.
There is a lot of work going on at Douglas Park with David and Bush Turf. Rugby was held at the Complex. Soccer goal posts have been brought in for the season from the Complex as well. There is a lot of fall work underway at the Dog Park. Leaves are getting mulched. The fencing is being taken down at Mel McKay. The Quad Cities Pickleball group got fencing and we will put it up.
8. Special Event Request: Digital Circus
Mr. McEvoy motioned to approve staff recommendation for the event. Mr. Robinson seconded. All voted yes.
9. Park Foundation Bi-Laws Update
Mr. Anderson recommends that changes be made as stated. Mr. Deleu seconded. All voted yes.
10. 2020 Meeting Dates
Mr. Anderson moved to accept the dates as posted for 2020. Mr. Robinson seconded. All voted yes.
11. Rock Island Parks & Recreation Questionnaire
Todd is putting together questions for council, park board, community members and stakeholders as focus groups to get feedback on all our programs and services. It will be coming out in December and will base the Action Plan on the feedback.
12. Budget Presentation
The Budget Presentation was given to the council and was well received. About 40% of residents outside of Rock Island use our services further showing how the department stimulates the economy for the Quad Cities.
13. DIFCO Inc/Sylvan Naturalized Area Update
DIFCO Inc is still working to purchase but it will be a small part of the park and they have agreed to maintain the entire park for a determined period of time that will be stated in the contract.
Mr. Robinson motioned to adjourn. Mr. Deleu seconded. All voted yes. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.
https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11192019-492
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