Earlier this fall I visited every Glen Ellyn Park District neighborhood park with my children and took note of small ways we could improve the parks. I want to focus attention on our neighborhood parks, where small upgrades - benches, paths, garbage cans, play equipment- can make a big difference to the community. Recently the district has emphasized large construction projects at the expense of these parks.
My intent was for the Board to take a look at these small capital projects as part of our 2011 budget discussion. This did not happen. I sent my Park Improvements List to President Hess in October. The Board briefly discussed the list in closed session in December. I am still waiting for the list to be "cleared" by legal counsel before the Board is allowed to discuss the list in public. I will share the list on my blog as soon as I am allowed.
In the mean time, what projects would you like to see for your neighborhood park? Send me an email or comment here.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Update: interim Director and 2011 Budget
January 18, 2011
The Board appointed Kathleen Esposito and Dave Scarmardo to be interim executive directors. Commissioners Hess, Dallman, Minogue and Aubrey voted yes, Commissioners Creech, Kinzler and Nephew voted no. I voted no because I do not think it is in the best interest of the park district to have two interim directors.
When Director Atwell announced his retirement in November I immediately suggested that the Board hire an interim director. President Hess refused to consider an interim director and said that we would have a permanent director in place by the time Atwell left on January 14. The only option that President Hess let the Board consider was the dual interim directors. I think we are much better served by one director and a clear chain of command.
The Board elected new officers for 2010 at this meeting: President- Ed Hess, Vice President- Ron Aubrey, Treasurer- Melissa Creech.
During Matters from Commissioners I urged staff to focus on a few high-priority projects. We need to have the Lake Ellyn flooding project in place and operational before spring rains come. We also need to put in paths at Spalding and Surrey parks as soon as the weather breaks for greater access at those parks.
December 21, 2010
The Board approved the 2011 budget on a 4-3 vote with Commissioners Hess, Dallman, Minogue and Aubrey voting yes, and Commissioners Creech, Kinzler and Nephew voting no.
I voted no because I am very concerned about how rapidly we are drawing down our fund reserves. The budget calls for deficit spending of over $360,000 for 2011. This $360,000 deficit spending is the best case scenario for 2011- this assumes that we stick to the budget. In 2010 we planned on $920,000 in deficit spending but staff overspent the budget by $697,690, leaving us $1.6 million down for 2010. President Hess refused to address the deficit spending and the budget overruns when Commissioners Kinzler, Nephew and I expressed our concerns.
We anticipate that the GEPD will have $2.6 million in fund reserves at the end of 2011. However, the reason we have a positive balance is because the previous board approved borrowing $4 million in bonds ten minutes before Commissioners Kinzler, Nephew and I were seated last May. Without borrowing those funds, we would be $1.4 million in debt. Taking out those bonds maxed out our legal debt limit and the GEPD cannot borrow more money until 2013 without a referendum. This leaves us a thin margin for emergencies.
The Board appointed Kathleen Esposito and Dave Scarmardo to be interim executive directors. Commissioners Hess, Dallman, Minogue and Aubrey voted yes, Commissioners Creech, Kinzler and Nephew voted no. I voted no because I do not think it is in the best interest of the park district to have two interim directors.
When Director Atwell announced his retirement in November I immediately suggested that the Board hire an interim director. President Hess refused to consider an interim director and said that we would have a permanent director in place by the time Atwell left on January 14. The only option that President Hess let the Board consider was the dual interim directors. I think we are much better served by one director and a clear chain of command.
The Board elected new officers for 2010 at this meeting: President- Ed Hess, Vice President- Ron Aubrey, Treasurer- Melissa Creech.
During Matters from Commissioners I urged staff to focus on a few high-priority projects. We need to have the Lake Ellyn flooding project in place and operational before spring rains come. We also need to put in paths at Spalding and Surrey parks as soon as the weather breaks for greater access at those parks.
December 21, 2010
The Board approved the 2011 budget on a 4-3 vote with Commissioners Hess, Dallman, Minogue and Aubrey voting yes, and Commissioners Creech, Kinzler and Nephew voting no.
I voted no because I am very concerned about how rapidly we are drawing down our fund reserves. The budget calls for deficit spending of over $360,000 for 2011. This $360,000 deficit spending is the best case scenario for 2011- this assumes that we stick to the budget. In 2010 we planned on $920,000 in deficit spending but staff overspent the budget by $697,690, leaving us $1.6 million down for 2010. President Hess refused to address the deficit spending and the budget overruns when Commissioners Kinzler, Nephew and I expressed our concerns.
We anticipate that the GEPD will have $2.6 million in fund reserves at the end of 2011. However, the reason we have a positive balance is because the previous board approved borrowing $4 million in bonds ten minutes before Commissioners Kinzler, Nephew and I were seated last May. Without borrowing those funds, we would be $1.4 million in debt. Taking out those bonds maxed out our legal debt limit and the GEPD cannot borrow more money until 2013 without a referendum. This leaves us a thin margin for emergencies.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Meeting Tonight: Interim Director Appointed
The agenda and packet for the Glen Ellyn Park District January 18, 2011 meeting are online. This is a regular meeting.
The Board will hear end-of-the-year reports for the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center, Sunset Pool and Maryknoll Park.
After meeting in executive session, the Board plans to appoint an interim executive director and hold officer elections for the Board.
Glen Ellyn Park District board meetings are always open to the public and are held in the board room at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center at 7:00 p.m. Please join us!
The Board will hear end-of-the-year reports for the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center, Sunset Pool and Maryknoll Park.
After meeting in executive session, the Board plans to appoint an interim executive director and hold officer elections for the Board.
Glen Ellyn Park District board meetings are always open to the public and are held in the board room at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center at 7:00 p.m. Please join us!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Special Meeting called for January 4
The Glen Ellyn Park District Board is holding a special meeting to discuss the executive director search on January 4, 2011. The agenda for this meeting is online.
The Board will be meeting in closed session for the majority of the meeting. There are no agenda items for open session.
Glen Ellyn Park District board meetings are always open to the public and are held in the board room at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center at 7:00 p.m. Please join us!
The Board will be meeting in closed session for the majority of the meeting. There are no agenda items for open session.
Glen Ellyn Park District board meetings are always open to the public and are held in the board room at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center at 7:00 p.m. Please join us!
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