BOARD MINUTES
June 9, 2008
The regular monthly Board Meeting of the Board of Commissioners was called at 7:02p.m. on May 12, 2008 at the Cynthia Neal Center, 8047 W. 91ST Place, Hickory Hills, Illinois.
The following commissioners were present: Jerantowski, Kosnick, Michaels, Morgan, Potacki.
Also present were: Dan Maier, Recreation Director, Jennifer Menard, Executive Director, Jim Murphy, Maintenance Director.
Commissioner Kosnick moved, seconded by Commissioner Potacki to approve the minutes of May 12, 2008 as presented. Ayes: Jerantowski, Kosnick, Michaels, Morgan, Potacki.
Mail forwarded to commissioners: Commissioner Kosnick received an NRPA magazine.
Nothing to report.
MAINTENANCE REPORT
The cracks were filled at the tennis courts. It is the 5th year so the warranty is up.
The well at Martin Park, not the water fall, had black iron in it and the motor was weak. The pipe, motor and wires have to be replaced. Three quotes were received. Lockport put it in but they are not the least expensive. Sharpe is the lowest and has worked with Homewood Flossmoor Park District. They will put in a pvc pipe with cooper fittings rather than galvanized pipe. It is 168 feet deep. Director Menard said it is an emergency repair. There is a $50,000 budget line item in capital projects that we will be using. It has to be repaired. Commissioner Potacki said he didn’t see that quote. Mr. Murphy said he gave Commissioner Potacki Lockport’s quote since it was the first one but not the other ones because he didn’t have them at that time. They are all comparable. They used the same specs. Commissioner Potacki said once the pipe was pulled out and said it was leaking they didn’t say it would have any effect using pvc. Mr. Murphy asked Lockport why they didn’t put in pvc six years ago when it was installed. They didn’t do it then. The other companies said the same thing. In order for it to be standard, you have to change the wires. Commissioner Michaels asked if the well itself isn’t bad, is it just the mechanics of it. Mr. Murphy said that is correct. In the 168 feet, there are 21 foot pipes. Commissioner Morgan asked if it put any toxic things in the water. Mr. Murphy said no. Commissioner Jerantowski asked if the blow out part is the same. Mr. Murphy is eliminating the blow out. If they blew it out, there would be black iron all over the place and in the pond. Lockport recommended blowing it out but the other companies said no. They said it would create a mess all over. Commissioner Potacki said it is sulfur in the water. Director Menard said it needs to be budgeted every six years. Commissioner Michaels asked how many times a year do you fill that well. Mr. Murphy said 50 times. When it gets low he fills it up.
The roof is complete at the Maintenance Facility. There haven’t been any leaks. GAF inspected it and it passed. Active Roofing fixed the bricks that were damaged. Kozy will be putting the condenser on this week. The parking lot was paved. Chicagoland Paving was supposed to put 4” of top soil on the berm. When he stripped the material he used that and didn’t put the top soil on. The seed is coming up now but you will get that when there is a lot of rain but when it is hot out, it fails. We may get a credit for it. When it is pouring rain out the water was running is flowing the way it should be. A concern was it going towards the west and it is not close. It is pitching right in the middle. The staff moved in on Friday and the time clock is there now and the parking lot is a perfect size. Commissioner Potacki asked if the neighbor next door said anything. Mr. Murphy said Rich knows what we were doing and he has not said anything negative about it.
Krueger Park’s playground is moving along well. The concrete went in on Friday. The playground is installed. It was projected to seal coat the parking lot by the skate park at Kasey Meadow but it would be best to do the pathways by the Krueger Park playground. There is a place on the pathway that leads to the ball diamond which has a low spot. Instead of sealing coating the Kasey Meadow lot, it would be better to do the Krueger Park lot. Blackout would bring that section up. Director Menard said it is not the Krueger Park parking lot, it the pathway by the tennis courts, sand volleyball, playground and ball field. That low spot has been there a long time. Mr. Murphy said they are also building up a curb behind the backstop to hold the material in from running back there. The total cost is $2,380. The budget is for $2,500 for the Kasey Meadow lot. It will have two coats of seal coating. Commissioner Morgan asked how long does the seal coating last. Mr. Murphy said it depends on how much traffic it gets. At Krueger Park probably it is about five years.
Mr. Murphy showed a picture of the big wing mowers. Originally, we were not going to trade in the Ransome lawn mower but now we are having problems. The hydraulic line started going and it has been over heating. We would like to purchase two mowers and sell the mower to Gordon for $2,500 since that was the trade in value for it. We would also trade in the small Ransomemower deck which the trade in value is $300. It takes up space and you have to pull it with a tractor. Everyone in the department liked the Toro the most. Director Menard said Doug, in maintenance, said he liked it. It has a roll bar and a seat belt. It is so much better on the Kasey Meadow hill. The Ransome could not cut in the ditch. They have to get a hand mower to cut that area. Since there are so many hills, the roll bar is nice just in case they tip. Commissioner Morgan asked if we are getting rid of two mowers. Director Menard said one of them is a big mower which is the Ransome. The other one is a mower that attaches to a tractor. We haven’t used this deck mower in a very long time. Mr. Murphy told her approximately 10 years. Mr. Murphy said some of them couldn’t fit when using the demo’s because their legs are too long. Director Menard said he wants to purchase two mowers. There is a $50,000 capital line item for these. If the first mower breaks down than they have to rent or wait until it is fixed. They are cutting grass every day especially at this time of year. Mr. Murphy said after all of this rain, he can use both mowers and get ahead of cutting grass. It is a diesel mower not gas. The manufacturers say that diesel is better. Commissioner Jerantowski asked what the total is and asked if we are taking the warranties. Mr. Murphy said we are not taking any of the warranties. Director Menard said it is $39,716.25 and the smaller one is $10,681 which has the $300 trade-in. Mr. Murphy said they will take two weeks to a month to get the mowers. He told Gordon if the Ransome breaks to not call him once he buys it. Director Menard said she looked into Commissioner Kosnick recommendation to check International Harvester. They sell tractors and didn’t have any mowers on the internet. Mr. Murphy said they have a Cub Cadet but nothing we were looking for. They were all bigger.
The summer staff is working full time except Jim Vodika since he had school in the morning. Splash pad is ready and running. It is showing its age so there was more work on the values and the activation ballard needed to be replaced. Right now the controller is on hand so you can still run all the features. They like it better on hand because all the features are running. It is a sensor that goes on the top. It is nine years old and the company he buys it from said that lasts longer than usual.
There was a problem with Krueger Park’s air conditioning in the fitness room. The suction line to the compressor had a hole so we lost the refrigerant. He had to re-pipe a section of that and replace the thermostat. It is wear and tear. The suction line was difficult to replace because it was inside the unit. The fitness room was warm but is up and running now. Commissioner Jerantowski said two people complained about it. Director Menard said Controlled Environmental came out on Friday when the air was warmer and said you have one unit working so you can still run the air conditioning. Diana wrote a note on Friday about the fitness center running at 68 instead of 65 degrees and if it gets any warmer than 70 degrees to call Jim Murphy. On Saturday it got warmer and the facility managers from Saturday and Sunday did not call Jim. They took the note down and lost the note. On Monday, Dan and Director Menard came in for a meeting at 10:00am and were told it was warm. It would have been nice to receive a call over the weekend. Controlled Environmental would have come in on Saturday and tripped it. We just asked Controlled Environmental a week ago if they would come in on a Saturday and they said yes. The facility managers call for small items but not a big item like this. Controlled Environmental came out within an hour and a half. Mr. Murphy said it works very hard to stay at 65 degrees. You can’t do that at your own house because you freeze out the coils. Director Menard said the members have to understand that things break such as air conditioning and it takes time to fix it. It was too warm on Saturday and it was fixed on Monday. If your air breaks at home, it is not fixed right away. Commissioner Jerantowski said they complained last week. Mr. Maier said it was registering 68 degrees versus 65 so it was fine last week. Director Menard said 68 degrees is not warm. Mr. Maier said even if it is one degree off than the regular members know it. Mr. Murphy said it went back down to 65 degrees. It fluctuates a few degrees when it is warm outside. Director Menard said some members have said they are too cold because it is so cold in the fitness room. After five minutes they do warm up. Mr. Maier said it was late Saturday that the air went out. The staff opened the windows and put the fan on. The turn over from Controlled Environmental wasn’t bad since he arrived at 11:00am and it was cold by 2:00pm. Mr. Maier said it is cool 359 days out of the year and one or two days it is warm. It is running 18 hours a day with cold air.
Director Menard said the basketball lines on Krueger Park’s gym floor were repainted. Karate said the floor was dirty. Maintenance can’t scrub that floor for three weeks. It has been spot mopped but not scrubbed. We will let Karate know that it won’t be as clean as it usually is when it is scrubbed. If it is scrubbed than the lines will be smeared.
Director Menard showed the before and after pictures of last year versus this year at 8831 Parkview. Last year, after the storm damage there was many trees and stumps in that area. Maintenance took out all the trees and stumps and put grass in. Her grass looked thinned out too last year. The grass looks full and wonderful now. She didn’t call but Director Menard wanted to show the commissioners the pictures. Commissioner Jerantowski said she drove by the house the other day and it looked very nice. Did she take anything out? Director Menard said no the maintenance staff did it and than fertilized her grass. The maintenance staff does an excellent job. The director at Chicago Ridge Park District told their maintenance staff to come here and look at the parks and lawns because they are pristine.
Director Menard said one of the maintenance employees came to work last week with a Mohawk. How do the commissioners feel about Mohawks? Commissioner Michaels asked if he was a part time employee. Director Menard said he is part time. Mr. Murphy said he is summer help and the Mohawk is short and not three inches high. Right now he is wearing a hat. Commissioner Morgan said it is not interfering with his job. Mr. Murphy said he wore his hat until the board meeting. He really did understand and was fine with it. The policy says, “Your hair should be neatly combed and trimmed at all times. Staff with long hair should wear it in such a manner so it does not fall forward over the face while performing the job. Any hair style or color determined inappropriate by management will not be allowed. Lines or shaved designs will not be allowed. Mustaches and beards are allowed as long as they are neatly combined”. Commissioner Morgan asked what you would say if he shaved it totally bald. Director Menard said that was fine. Mohawks are cool but it may be like opening Pandora’s Box. What if they have pink or orange hair or circles designs in their hair? Commissioner Morgan said as long as it is not gang related than it is fine. Health wise there is no problem. Commissioner Michaels said a lot of the boys have that ring cut. It is like a patch on top. Mr. Murphy said that the Marine’s have that. Commissioner Kosnick said if it is short that is o.k. but when it is spiked it is noticeable and they are making a statement. Commissioner Michaels asked if it bothered Mr. Murphy. Mr. Murphy said no it didn’t bother him. Director Menard said it bothered her but wanted the commissioner’s opinion. Commissioner Morgan asked if he works outside. Mr. Murphy said he works outside all day. Commissioner Michaels asked if he comes in direct contact with the public. Mr. Murphy said he will be working concerts so yes he will be around the public. Director Menard said he was planting flowers out in front of the building so patrons will see him. Four commissioners were o.k. with it. Director Menard said if you let him do it than all staff can do it such as a camp counselor, dance instructor or preschool teachers. Commissioner Michaels asked if they were stepping outside the boundaries of management. Director Menard said no because she asked their opinion. In conclusion, we will allow him to have the Mohawk as long as it is kept short.
RECREATION REPORT:
Camp orientation was today for the camp counselors. Two of them are returning. They are older and mature young adults. The CIT training was today which includes the students from Stagg High School that help the counselors. There are 13 CIT’s. Commissioner Michaels asked if it was volunteer work. Mr. Maier said yes. Some of the CIT’s that go above and beyond and put in extra hours are considered for employment when they are of age. Records are kept on them. Camp starts next Monday.
There was a complaint from one of the residents who said some of the softball players are undressing in front of his house. They have been out there many times and they come from work. They might take their shirt off and change shirts while at their cars. They have never fully undressed. This is at Martin Park. Director Menard goes to softball games and has seen them also change their shirt were they are bare on top but that is it and they change their shoes. Mr. Maier and Joe the softball supervisor will keep an eye on it. Director Menard said she was at a Street Fair meeting and Joanne Jackson said she received two e-mails regarding complaints at Martin Park. She gave her the park district’s e-mail address so she could forward them to her. She didn’t hear anything for about a week and called her about them. She just received them today and the email was from May 18th from the person Mr. Maier is referring to. She told this person that she received it today. The e-mail said, “I live on the corner of 78th and 90th and now the ball players are creating parking spots and backing into anything that resembles a spot. Between my house and my neighbors house there is a five foot space where the mailboxes are which also is the dividing line between the houses and now they are obstructing my view when I back up or pull into my driveway. I am sick and tired of this and I feel those signs not allowing parking also need to be situated on 78th Avenue near the corner of 90th Street during ball games. During the day visibility is o.k. but once it gets dark the visibility near the corners is going to suck because there are no street lights on the block other than the corners. Another thing the ballplayers are changing in their street clothes while the cars are parked on the block. I don’t need to see people taking clothes off in front of my house. It is only practice now so I feel it will only get worse as summer continues. This is worse than where the Sox play. At least the City of Chicago cares of the neighbors and residents there. You need to step up because you guys created this mess and it is your responsibility to fix it”. When she went down the street there are mailboxes and driveways. Commissioner Potacki said he goes there when games are playing. They should have gotten their mail by then. It doesn’t seem like a problem with parking. We can’t restrict parking. Director Menard said she addressed the block across from the park. It is not across from the park so it is a city block. She doesn’t know the persons name because the e-mail name was different. She e-mailed him back and told him we would address the changing of the ball players. She will tell him she talked to the commissioners and we are only addressing the street across from the ball fields. Commissioner agreed. Commissioner Morgan said they are public streets. Mr. Maier said when he plays at Mount Greenwood they are parking everywhere, in front of houses and mailboxes. The ball fields were they before the houses. Commissioner Morgan said if you live anywhere near Wrigley Field you are dealing with people parking in front of their houses for miles around that park. Mr. Maier said they are done by 10:15p.m. There aren’t lights on that street. Commissioner Kosnick said they are public streets and everyone agreed.
Zumba has been doing well. There were 45 people there for the free demo class at the Cynthia Neal Center. It is a walk in program and may be best since people have so much going on in the summer. Annabel teaches the class and has put a lot of time into it. She paid $360 to get certified and bought CD’s for it. She is very dedicated. It is a dance exercise class. The air had to be turned down low since there were so many people in it. The class is at 6:00p.m. Some of the staff attended it. It is spin off of salsa with a lot of foot work and moves. It comes from Mexico and may be Latin too. They will vary the dances and music. You take a risk because you have to pay the teacher even if two people show up.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Commissioner Michaels moved, second by Commissioner Jerantowski to approve Claim Ordinance 635. Ayes: Jerantowski, Kosnick, Michaels, Morgan, Potacki. Commissioner Kosnick and Commissioner Jerantowski asked the following questions answered by Director Menard.
Check #24492 $90.00 Spectrum Sox. They were for dance jackets. The girls and parents wanted to purchase dance jackets with HHPD on it. We took the money and charged them for the jackets. No one made any money on it. We have shirts that have a similar logo design as these jackets. Commissioner Kosnick asked if it was our cost. Director Menard said no.
Check # 24527 $324.00 Oak Lawn Special Recreation. We have a coop with Oak Lawn Park District. If a Hickory Hills resident is special needs they go to Oak Lawn to register and we pay the difference of the resident and nonresident rate. Commissioner Jerantowski asked if it happens often. Director Menard said she probably needs to increase that budget because there have been more than in the past. It cost the district approximately $1,000 to $1,200. Some park district’s pay for a special recreation association and could be $10,000 per year and it doesn’t matter how many students you have. You do get tax dollars for that which does offset the cost if you are in a special recreation association. There are approximately three students a quarter on average and it could be more. Sometimes they are the same students per quarter.
Check #24516 $2,290.75 Friedman and Holtz. Director Menard said it is usually a variety of items she calls the attorney for. The bill was for February to April. It was for the Open Meetings Act questions, disposal of mower, budget and appropriation ordinance, board meeting agenda and supporting material, Prevailing Wage Act, password security, construction documents and condo sale.
Commissioner Morgan made note of the Investment Report for May 31, 2008. The CD rates have been ranging from 2.21 to 2.31 percent.
DIRECTOR REPORT:
Maintenance Facility Roof:
The skylights have been installed. We are waiting for the GAF warranty. We have received their last certified payroll and they replaced the chipped bricks. The check for the final payment was made on May 30th but won’t be released until the GAF warranty is received.
The splash pad surface has held up well. There aren’t any more slippery surface spots like when it was first finished. Mr. Murphy said they have steam cleaned it. Commissioner Morgan asked if the colors match. Mr. Murphy said yes they match. Director Menard said it doesn’t look different in colors.
Parking Lot Project:
Chicagoland Paving had some overspray on the concrete sidewalk at Osborne Park so we are working with Chicagoland Paving to take care of it. They have to finish some work on the berm. They need to put a layer of top soil on top and smooth it out. We have not received a payment request so she asked 3D Design to check on it.
Krueger Park:
The playground equipment is currently being installed. Some of the exit points looked close from the curb. Jim Murphy measured to make sure all exit points had a minimum of 6’ from the exit points of each playground piece to the curb around the playground. Director Menard also had Green Up show her the exit points and they are all more than 6’. The closest one was 6’9”. Gerrit from PDRMA came out to look at it. There are some pods that are located near some of the web climbing features. It is designed that way and is ASTM certified so it will be accepted. It was designed that way by the playground company. The opening of the playground is scheduled for July 20 at 1pm. All commissioners can attend. The invitations won’t go out until the last week of June. We are looking for sponsorships for the opening from Green Up, NuToys and 3D Design. NuToys sent $200 but was only asked for $150. Their logos will be included on Frisbees.
Floors Inc. repainted the basketball lines at Krueger Park. The sales representative told Jim Murphy that we would have to be closed for three days. When the contractor came in to repaint the lines we were told five days. They started the project on Wednesday and the gym was closed until Sunday. The Teen Mixer was rescheduled for June 13 since we could have 50 teens attend and needed the gym. Two people called and asked why it was rescheduled. Also, the smell was very strong so the KP secretary took breaks outside. Some of the walking track members complained about the smell so we closed the walking track on the first day they painted, Thursday, May 29th, at 4pm for the rest of the evening.
The floor at the CN building is being done this week. The building is closed Wednesday to Sunday. We will stay open on Wednesday until it smells because splash pad is open.
Security Cameras:
The security cameras have been installed. The cameras are working and recording. The cameras on the skate park and tennis courts have some lines going across so Closed Circuit had to order a part.
We had trouble installing the software on my computer in the office and at home but now it is working. Director Menard and Tammy Muth now have them working from home. Chris Pearson and Elite Computer have been very helpful with the installation. There will be written directions so Mr. Murphy can pull them up at home and if we change computers we will remember the numerous steps to install on new computers.
The skate park cameras were hit by lightening two days after they were installed. The insurance claim for this was submitted to PDRMA. Director Menard asked for the cameras back that had damage so PDRMA could investigate. Closed Circuit said it wouldn’t be any more than the $1,000 deductible. We know that the cameras will not cost more than this if we replace them in the future. There are no specific specifications on these new cameras because they didn’t install what was originally on the quote. Closed Circuit sent an email that said they were going to install them free of charge. They haven’t said when they will be installed. The cameras have been broke since June 4. Phil from Altec will be out to look at our cameras once everything is up and running to see if he could repair them in the future if we needed it. We wouldn’t need help with the software, just the hardware. Commissioner Potacki asked if she asked Phil if there is a battery operated camera or solar powered camera. Director Menard said Closed Circuit said they don’t have one like that. There was a company from California that had solar cameras. She will ask Phil if he has some like that. Someone chopped the top of a tree off this past weekend but it wasn’t on camera since it was not working at that time. They haven’t broken the pop machines and graffiti is very minimal. Mr. Murphy said the garbage has been reduced. It was not storm damage to that tree.
A press release was sent to all the newspapers on the security cameras. Jim Hook from the Southtown Star called on May 27th for an interview. The article he wrote is included in the board packet. Director Menard did make a statement that the park district is looking into cameras at all of our parks.
Mower Purchase and Disposal:
Commissioner Potacki moved, seconded by Commissioner Kosnick to approve the purchase of two lawn mowers which are the Groundsmaster 4000 $39,716.25 and the Toro Z580 $10,681.38 for a total of $50,397.63. Ayes: Jerantowski, Kosnick, Michaels, Morgan, Potacki. Mr. Murphy asked if we can sell the Ransome to Gordon. Director Menard said it will be covered in new business as a disposal ordinance.
Martin Park:
Commissioner Kosnick asked if we know the name of the person who complained at Martin Park and were they sent letters. Director Menard said it was hard to tell who it was by the e-mail but didn’t think he was on the list who received letters regarding the fiels. Commissioner Kosnick moved, seconded by Commissioner Jerantowski to approve the repair for the Martin Park well from Sharpe Well Drilling for $4,166. Ayes: Jerantowski, Kosnick, Michaels, Morgan, Potacki.
Financial Assistance:
Two people have submitted paperwork for financial assistance. The first candidate received financial assistance last year for Little Rascals which cost $78. This year she is asking for full day camp for the same child who is now five years old. Camp for one session will be $207. Camp is full for the first session but we could put her in the second session.
The second candidate is requesting financial assistance for her four year old daughter to attend preschool Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 12:15-3:15pm. The tuition for the school year is $505.
The cost comes out of the camp and preschool budgets. Both camp and preschool are doing o.k. financially and it should not hurt them.
The financial assistance form is included in the board packet. The candidates submit their Federal Form 1040 which is their tax form or a paycheck stub or public aid. The 1040 form is the best form to get. The paycheck stub will only show that pay period which could be two days a week versus five days a week. We will now always require the 1040 form. All financial assistance has to be approved by the commissioners.
Commissioner Potacki asked if she applied at the school districts for their projects for kids and camps in Justice. Director Menard said she wasn’t sure. She is a Hickory Hills Park District resident so she didn’t think she did. She may get help from the school because last year she said she received help from her school district.
Commissioners Morgan asked if they usually have to be Hickory Hills resident. Director Menard said yes, usually. We usually don’t consider them if they are not a Hickory Hills resident. There is a different program called SOAR through Child and Family Services. We just started this. They go to SOAR and get a letter from them that says they will pay for this person’s camp. They would than come into the park district with this letter and we would enroll them. They would not pay any payment. The district will send an invoice to SOAR and will be reimbursed by SOAR. Commissioner Morgan asked who does it service and what requirements do they have to have. Director Menard said they are low income. Commissioner Morgan asked if it is in any township. Director Menard said they would inquire at SOAR which park districts offer this. Ten people have inquired about it but no one has come in with the letter. Commissioner Morgan asked where they were located. Director Menard wasn’t sure.
Commissioner Jerantowski asked if it was for the summer time. Director Menard said the request for camp is for this summer but preschool is for the school year.
Commissioner Potacki moved, seconded by Commissioner Morgan to approve financial assistance for both requests for camp $207 and preschool $505. Ayes: Jerantowski, Morgan, Potacki. Abstain: Kosnick, Michaels.
Vandalism and Incidences:
On May 12, there was graffiti on the men’s bathroom stall at the Cynthia Neal Center. It was written in pencil so it was easily taken off.
On May 15, the front of the Pepsi machine panel was broken at the skate park. This was before the cameras were installed.
On May 18, someone broke a branch on a tree at Osborne Park and there was graffiti on some of the playground pieces.
On May 18, the preschool banner was stolen in front of Krueger Park. There will be a wooden sign made to replace the banner.
On June 7, Marty Ptacek had graffiti on the rock wall.
On June 8, there was a small area with graffiti on the slide and top level at Prairie View Park.
Someone tipped over the port-o-potty at Martin Park this past weekend. There was on a police report. It was up today. Mr. Murphy said Wilson Rental cleans it up twice a week or maintenance hoses it down. Commissioner Potacki asked if the door was banged up and wanted to know if they are going to replace it. Mr. Murphy said they do the repairs and will check it tomorrow for damage.
Miscellaneous:
Mr. Maier and Director Menard have scheduled a trip to the National Park and Recreation Convention in Baltimore, Maryland for October 14 - 17.
Commissioner Morgan asked where the recycling is taken to. Director Menard said the Waste Management Material Recycling Center, 30869 N. Rt. 83, Grayslake, IL, 60030.
Director Menard attended an IPRA seminar on “What are Taxable Benefits & What Should Employers Do About Them?” The district only paid $5 with the MARC card of $50. The MARC card is given to everyone when they renew their Illinois Park and Recreation membership. There was a shorter version of this at the IPRA conference that was enjoyable but not enough time to ask questions. It covered many topics ranging from length of service awards, usage of facilities and programs, reimbursement of meals and transportation for conferences and cafeteria plans. They mentioned you can give gift cards as long are not redeemable for cash. We have a cafeteria plan and our plan is fine the way it is written. Cafeteria plans are used if an employee wants to put their spouse on insurance and the district doesn’t cover their insurance than they don’t pay taxes on it.
A neighbor across from Kasey Meadow Park would like to use our parking lot on Saturday, July 26 for her wedding. She requested 4pm but Director Menard told her she can’t use the lot until 6pm because of the splash pad. They will have 80 cars. Director Menard said she would check with the commissioners. Commissioners agreed it was o.k. for 6:00-10:00pm. It would be the Kasey Meadow/Cynthia Neal Center parking lot and it will probably fill the parking lot. Commissioner Morgan asked if they still allow parking on the street just in case they want to use the playground. Director Menard said yes. Commissioner Jerantowski said yes on the park district but not on the hill. Director Menard said the parking on the street would not be enough for her wedding. Other people have called in the fall through spring and she has said no because there are dance classes. Commissioners agreed that was fine. Mr. Murphy said what if they are still there at 11:00p.m. Director Menard said she said she would be out by 10:00p.m. Commissioner Morgan said to tell her they would be towed if not out by 11:00p.m. Commissioner Michaels asked if the towing company goes by. Director Menard said he was for awhile but there hasn’t been a problem in the lot. He said there were 10 cars in the lot one time from the banquet hall for a wedding. Police also drive by. Mr. Murphy said he would tell the auxiliary police to come by to enforce the 10:00-11:00p.m. time.
The concrete has been poured for the railing installation at Woodland Park. We have received $5,442 from PDRMA for the insurance reimbursement. As soon as the person who hit the railing sends their reimbursement payment to PDRMA, then we will receive the $1,000 deductible the district paid. The railing will take 6-8 weeks before it comes in. Commissioner Potacki said it seemed expensive. Director Menard said it is the same company that installed it two years ago. The company said the railing cost went up 40%. Commissioner Michaels asked how it turned out. Mr. Murphy said the concrete turned out good.
We received a $970 check from PDRMA from the microburst damage in October 2006. This was for a multiple accident occurrence reimbursement where they gave the district the deductible back minus $30.
The April fitness center and walking track report is included in the board packet.
The City will begin work on 92nd Place on June 16 and will be excavating on June 23. There will always be access to the garage, tennis courts and skate park parking lots except on one day when they are pouring asphalt for four hours. Larry Boettcher said he is arranging for parking at the funeral home next door. There will be a five day notice when they do the asphalt work.
We are looking at switching the dance recital from Moraine Valley Community College to Carl Sandburg High School. We have prices and some details to work out. The advantages are to have an earlier dance recital than beginning to middle of June. The weekend of the recital this year had a lot of graduations and other celebrations. Moraine doesn’t tell us a firm date until the beginning of March. They schedule a tentative date and have switched the date before. There have been some customer service issues with parents buying tickets at the ticket box. It may be difficult to go back because we won’t have first choice of dates but we are willing to take that chance. Sandburg High School is a larger theatre and the parents would like more tickets. They can purchase four tickets and than they call in for extra tickets after a particular date. The 4:00p.m. show was sold out which is typical for the first show. There is a disadvantage because we will have to sell the tickets. It will be a lottery system. Four tickets will be bundled and put in a basket. We will select one set and that is what the parents will get. Commissioner Jerantowski said they will not have a choice of where they can sit. Director Menard said that is correct. Otherwise, they will be lined up very early in the morning. There are a lot of details involved with customers and the program in itself. There are about 130 kids at one show. There will be specific details at the next board meeting. Commissioner Morgan asked if the parking is o.k. Director Menard said there is plenty of parking but it is set up a little different. The theatre is in front and parking on the sides. There is another organization that has their dance recital there.
OLD BUSINESS:
Nothing to report.
NEW BUSINESS:
Commissioner Kosnick moved, seconded by Commissioner Potacki to approve ORDINANCE 2008-254 AUTHORIZING AND PROVIDING FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY (Land Pride Mower and Ramsome 351 Mower). Ayes: Jerantowski, Kosnick, Michaels, Morgan, Potacki
Commissioner Jerantowski moved, seconded by Commissioner Kosnick to approve ORDINANCE 2008-255 ADOPTING PREVAILING WAGE RATES TO BE PAID TO LABORERS, MECHANICS AND OTHER WORKERS PERFORMING CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR THE HICKORY HILLS PARK DISTRICT Ayes: Jerantowski, Kosnick, Michaels, Morgan, Potacki. It is an annual ordinance approved every year. The prevailing wage for Cook County on the Illinois Department of Labor web site is included in the ordinance. When the contractor submits certified payroll Director Menard checks to see if their rate of pay for each position is the same or more than what is on the prevailing wage list of jobs. It will be published in the paper within 30 days.
Commissioner Jerantowski moved, second by Commissioner Morgan to adjourn to the next regular meeting.
Ayes: Jerantowski, Kosnick, Michaels, Morgan, Potacki.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:46p.m.
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Secretary
ATTEST:
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President