Rock Island Today

City of Rock Island Park Board met Jan. 21.

Here are 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, Mike Foley, John McEvoy, Paul Hansen Members Absent: Bill Anderson, Venessa Taylor

Staff Present: John Gripp, Executive Director; Todd Winter, Assistant Director; Kimberly Kruse, Parks Administrative Office Manager

Staff Absent: none

Audience: none

3. November Park Board Minutes

Mr. McEvoy motioned to approve the minutes. Mr. Foley seconded. All voted yes.

4. Correspondence

We have thank you’s from Central High School Athletics, RIMSD #41, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Heart of Hope Ministries were recognized.

5. Monthly Report from Finance Department as of November 2024.

End of the year was around $400k still to come for Parks & Rec. Whitewater Junction was slight over budget. Golf as well. RIFAC activity is picking up. Schwiebert Park is $k to the positive. The city is starting to offset the maintenance costs as per an original agreement. There is annual performance measures report that will be available and numbers reported for 2024 are unofficial and unaudited by Finance. The golf courses had a true nine month season that went successful. Highland Springs crossed the $1 million mark for revenue for the first time ever.

6. Approval of the Bills for the Month of November for $89,394.30 and December for $78,591.42

Mr. Dasso: Aye Mr. Foley: Aye Mr. McEvoy: Aye Ms. Taylor: Abs Mr. Hansen: Aye Mr. Anderson: Abs

7. Director’s Report and other reports

Attended the planning and zoning community committee for Realtor’s Park. Community is making an LLC for Realtor’s to keep it a green space. The community did not realize the park was as big as it was. CDBG block grant request is in for the Hauberg playground to be replaced and to install an ADA path along with lighting. The Parks Foundation is donating $5k towards the project. IPRA webinar series attended. Positions the department is currently interviewing for are Preschool Director and Front Office Manager. Lauren Pannier has taken a position in the recreation team as the Adaptive Programming Manager among other duties. Master Plan for the city and department are underway. Working with the CED to help give direction and having a Master Plan will help with that. ARPA funds for Friends of Longview Park was awarded to help with the renovation of the lagoon and conservatory. Nick Holderson who did the ponds at Hauberg will help with the lagoon. The drain will be taken out and work on proper drainage. Genesius Guild has $26k of ARPA work with IMEG to do a building evaluation.

The Saukie perimeter is poured and ready for the walls to go up for the new clubhouse weather permitting. Looking at the end of May as an estimate to be completed. Looking to have food trucks in the meantime for start of the season. The Chilly Dipper put on by the Moose Lodge was held. Money was raised for Christian Care clothing drive. Interviews were held for the Front Office Manager and Preschool Director.

New billboard ads are up for RIFAC. A member survey was completed last week and will be reviewed. Whitewater Junction will be receiving a new sign this season.

The golf maintenance staff are doing bunker work and updated some tee boxes at both golf courses. The practice green at Saukie will be moved to Hole 8 and the course will be adjusted accordingly for play.

Basketball practices have started. Special Olympics team is traveling. There is a new sports intern by the name Evie from Illinois State University. Longtime sports photographer, Shutterbug, has discontinued services due to retirement and a RFP is out to find a new vendor. Basketball is down minimally but play setup has been changed to follow trends.

Outdoor buildings have been winterized and equipment maintenance. Marc and the team are working on the Whitewater Junction sign. Hodge Park is getting a new ADA path.

Fred Dasso has about marketing once Hodge Park is complete and to possibly have a Party in the Park and ribbon cutting.

8. New Business

The Annual Report of Rock Island Parks and Recreation was handed out that highlights the accomplishments of the Parks Department. This year was a focus on the seven dimensions. This report is available upon request.

9. Other Business

John Gripp mentioned that staff will be attending the IPRA/IAPD Soaring Heights Conference in Chicago. This is helpful to keep up on trends, networking opportunities, and obtaining CEU’s to maintain CPRP certifications.

Mr. McEvoy moved to adjourn. Mr. Hansen seconded. All said yes. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm.

https://www.rigov.org/301/Agenda-Minutes