Rock Island Today

City of Rock Island Park Board met July 21.

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, John McEvoy, Kate Hotle, Moses

Robinson, Don Deleu

Members Absent: none

Staff Present: John Gripp, Parks Director; Todd Winter, Assistant Director; Kimberly

Kruse, Parks Administrative Office Manager

Staff Absent: none

Audience: none

3. Minutes of the June meeting.

Mr. Anderson approved the June minutes; Mr. Robinson seconded. All voted yes.

4. Correspondence

No correspondence.

5. Monthly Report from Finance Department as of May

COVID-19 expenses are being recorded to submit for reimbursement. The Pandemic has had a significant impact on the budget. While there has been a drastic decrease in revenue, staff is working to reduce expenses where possible as well. The City Manager is pleased with the efforts that the Parks Department has put forth to conserve during this crisis.

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 June

Mr. Dasso: Aye Mr. Delue: Aye Mr. McEvoy: Aye Mr. Robinson: Aye Ms. Hotle: Aye Mr. Anderson: Aye

7. Director’s Report and other reports

Golf numbers are good all things considered. Tennis numbers are up. Adventure camp is going well with the new dynamic to accommodate safe number and social distancing. Dphilms created a virtual tour for RIFAC. Carriage House work is finishing up for a future projects. STEAM, rental space and fundraisers will be good for it. Douglas Park seeding did not take so will need to be redone. RFP will go out for lighting of the park with funds from DCEO. This is critical for fall play. The Kiwanis bike path will be completed this fall. The Webber Park sign will be completed this fall.

The first golf outing of the year finally happened with 104 golfers. Many outings have canceled due to COVID-19. There is a career program that is being used for pouring the concrete at Saukie for the new garbage pad. An Eagle Scout has come forward wanting to work on the Sunset Park tables and little shelters. Individual carts are available for golf play but at an additional cost.

Memberships have been turned back on for RIFAC. There have been many that have canceled as they do not feel safe coming back yet. It is being noted though for future reference. There have been several new faces though as well for memberships. Whitewater Junction has a reservation schedule in order to come swim. Three shifts during the week, closing in between each shift to clean and sanitized the entire area before the next shift arrives. There is no closing date yet with the later opening of the season.

Adventure Camp is underway with temperature testing every morning. Outdoor fitness classes are going well and being held in the RIFAC parking lot and at Schwiebert Park. This will continue as participants are really enjoying the fresh air.

Staff is down due to some going back to college. The greens are being vented. The top spreader is out of commission so aeration won’t happen this year. Leasing is being looked into as an option. It will not be this year though.

Outdoor fitness classes continue. There are a few indoor ones as well with the lifted restrictions. Adventure Camp is going through to August 5th. Preschool Camp is being extended with the later school year. Preschool will be decreased to 15 kids and the full day option will change to 8am to 4pm.

There was a Drive In in June and went very well. Another one is planned for July but was rained out along with the Illinois Unplugged events. Starlight Review is now back at Lincoln Park. They were being done in front of various nursing homes. Pete did have the mini sports camps and spread them throughout several parks in Rock Island.

Restrooms are underway at Douglas. The tree program is underway working at Lincoln then will go through Sunset and then Longview.

8. New Business

Special Event Application: Central District Naturalization Ceremony Application

Mr. Robinson motioned to approve staff recommendation for the event as presented provided restrictions at the time of the event during the pandemic. Mr. Deleu seconded. All said yes.

Rock Island Resilience Video & RIFAC virtual tour

A video was shown that was a co-op with Director and Mayor to show Rock Island Resilience. A video of the RIFAC virtual tour was shown as well.

Finance Audit Update

The Finance Director will come next month to go over the Financial Audit

9. Old Business

None

Mr. Anderson motioned to adjourn. Mr. Robinson seconded. All voted yes. The meeting adjourned at 6:14 pm

https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07212020-595