Macon Reporter

Decatur Park District Board met October 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Park Commissioners of Decatur Park District, Macon County, Illinois, met in a regular session on Wednesday, the 3rd day of October, 2018 at the hour of 12:00 Noon at the Decatur Park District Administration Office, 620 E. Riverside Avenue, Decatur, Illinois at which time and place there were present the following officers and members of said Board:

Chris Harrison, President

Chris Riley, Vice-President

Stacey Young, Commissioner, via conference phone

Jack Kenny, Commissioner

Bob Brilley, II, Commissioner

A quorum of the members of the Board of Park Commissioners being present, President Harrison called the meeting to order and declared the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States was recited.

No. 15871- A motion to approve items 1 – 3 on the Consent Agenda was made by Commissioner Riley and seconded by Commissioner Brilley. All voted aye.

1.Minutes of the Previous and Closed Session Minutes of the Previous Meeting

2.Approval of Employer Contract between the District and United Steel Workers, Local Union

3.Bills for Approval

Presentation- Chuck Kuhle updated Commissioners on the Park District’s tennis program. He presented a $5,000 check from the Decatur Community Tennis Foundation to resurface two courts at Fairview Tennis Center. Last year, a donation was provided for a blower to dry the courts after rain.

Julie Heim, Decatur Community Tennis Foundation member, plays tennis at various facilities and said there is nothing like the Fairview Tennis Facility. No one has the relationship that the indoor club (DAC) and Park District share, and Chuck’s professionalism is the reason for this.

Recognition- Danita Roseman and Fairview Pool staff were recognized for achieving an “exceeds” rating following the lifeguards’ 3 Ellis & Associates audits.

Facility Fees Discussion- CFO Buhr provided an overview of the proposed facility fees for 2019. Most fees are unchanged from last year. The few proposed increases are in the 2% - 3% range.

Following responses to questions from the Commissioners, he asked for tentative approval to proceed. Upon approval, staff will prepare and present the Golf Fee Ordinance and other fees for approval at the October 17 regular meeting.

Airport- Plans for Scareport are coming along nicely. The event will be held October 20. Cape Air will sponsor food from La Gondola.

Dan Wolf, Founder and CEO of Cape Air, gave a presentation this morning at the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast.

Exective Director- There is a need for an executive session to discuss pending litigation and personnel.

Golf Red Tail Run had a total of eight outings in September. Titleist TS National Launch Day was held at Red Tail Run on September 28.

Autumn Greens continues to be popular, with many out-of-towners coming to play.

IHSA plans are coming together. Next to Symetra, this is the second largest event we host. Play will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday (October 11 – 13) at both courses. Thanks to Commissioner Kenny for organizing volunteers at Red Tail Run.

The courses are in fantastic shape, thanks to superintendents Tom and Greg, who do a great job.

Recreation- Decatur Games finished up last weekend. Staff sent a survey to participants to get an idea of what people liked and what we may need to change next year.

About 50 people attended the Zombie Glow Golf event last Saturday evening. There are a couple of more special events planned at mini golf.

The Fit 4 Fall promotion is up by four people from this time last year.

Johns Hill and the Macon County Senior Center will hold a mini golf/Bingo event at Overlook Adventure Park.

Scovill Zoo will close for the season on October 8. Boo at the Zoo will be held on October 12-14, 19-21 and 25-28.

The DISC will host School’s Out Day Camp on October 8, 26 and 29 and on November 21 and 23.

CFO Buhr- Updated golf rounds through September are 34,317 compared to 44,502 last year. This is close to what staff had projected. The breakdown by course shows that Hickory Point is up 400 rounds from last year and Red Tail Run is up 100 from last year. Year to date, Hickory Point is up 3,000 rounds and Red Tail Run is up 1,600 rounds from last year.

Staff is working on the 10-year capital plan to present to Commissioners in November. Staff will be working on the tax levy as soon as preliminary updated numbers are received from the county.

The Distinguished Agency review team will be on-site Thursday, October 11. Part of the review is a tour of the District’s parks and facilities.

Project Manager- Rough grading is taking shape for the amphitheater lawn seating area. Contractors are preparing for the installation of the irrigation system. Sodding is scheduled to begin the week of October 15. The terraced seating turf placement will start next week. Final plumbing and electrical are coming along nicely.

At the water park, all of the islands and outer curbing in the parking lot are in place. The contractors now have an approach off of US 36 so they can get in and out all winter. We have asked IDOT for permanent access and will continue to pursue that. The excavating for the tanks is done, and the floor may be poured today. Westport Pools continues to work on the piping and plumbing. Christy Foltz has finished the walls for the mechanical building.

The Scovill Zoo train extension bridge abutments and pier caps are built, and the contractors are getting ready to set the bridge. The Children’s Museum parking lot is 75% done.

The footings and foundation walls are done for the soccer pavilion. The floor slab will be poured tomorrow.

Commissioner Comments:

Commissioner Brilley thanked Phil for being part of these projects.

Vice President Riley stated that in addition to day-to-day work, staff is working on Distinguished Agency. Hats off to everyone for all of the work being done.

Commissioner Riley made and Commissioner Kenny seconded a motion that the meeting move into closed session to discuss pending litigation and personnel. All voted aye and the meeting moved into closed session at approximately 1:15 p.m.

A motion was made by Commissioner Brilley to adjourn the closed session and return to open session was seconded by Commissioner Kenny and unanimously approved.

A motion was made by Commissioner Riley and seconded by Commissioner Brilley to adjourn the meeting and was unanimously approved.

https://www.decatur-parks.org/event/board-meeting-agenda-minutes-for-october-17-2018/