Director Cory Atwell announced his retirement to the Board after 17 years of service. His last day with the park district is January 14, 2011. The Board hired a search firm to find a new executive director for the park district at a special meeting on Dec. 13, 2010.
Glen Ellyn parks chief resigns
Park District hires search firm to fill director seat
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
December 7 Meeting: Paddle and Capital Budget 2011
The agenda and packet for the Glen Ellyn Park District December 2, 2010 meeting are online. This is a workshop meeting.
The Board will consider installing used platform tennis courts at Maryknoll park because there were no qualified bids to construct new courts.
The Board will also continue to discuss the proposed 2011 budget, which is not available online. The Board is planning on discussing capital projects for 2011.
The Board also met on November 16, but I didn't have a chance to post a blog before the meeting. The agenda and packet for that meeting are online. We also held a special meeting on November 30 in executive 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 consider installing used platform tennis courts at Maryknoll park because there were no qualified bids to construct new courts.
The Board will also continue to discuss the proposed 2011 budget, which is not available online. The Board is planning on discussing capital projects for 2011.
The Board also met on November 16, but I didn't have a chance to post a blog before the meeting. The agenda and packet for that meeting are online. We also held a special meeting on November 30 in executive 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!
Monday, November 1, 2010
November Workshop Meeting Canceled
The Glen Ellyn Park District workshop meeting for November 2, 2010 is canceled.
The agenda for this meeting was the 2011 budget. The next Glen Ellyn Park District Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center.
The agenda for this meeting was the 2011 budget. The next Glen Ellyn Park District Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center.
Monday, October 18, 2010
October Meeting: Paddle Vote and 2011 Budget
The agenda and packet for the Glen Ellyn Park District October 19, 2010 meeting are online. This is a regular meeting.
The Board will most likely vote on whether to approve the $350,000 party room and court expansion for platform tennis. The current legal agreement allows the private platform tennis club to sell liquor at Maryknoll Park on the three nights a week that they have exclusive use of the party room. This project will cost the Glen Ellyn Park District $200,000 to construct.
The Board will also continue to discuss the proposed 2011 budget, which is not available online.
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 most likely vote on whether to approve the $350,000 party room and court expansion for platform tennis. The current legal agreement allows the private platform tennis club to sell liquor at Maryknoll Park on the three nights a week that they have exclusive use of the party room. This project will cost the Glen Ellyn Park District $200,000 to construct.
The Board will also continue to discuss the proposed 2011 budget, which is not available online.
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!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
UPDATE: Glen Ellyn Park District overbudget; no financial reporting reform
The Board learned at the October 5 meeting that our 2010 budget is projected to be overspent by $600,000. Staff could not fully account for the overspending or explain why this money was spent without Board approval. The figures revealing the overspending were buried in our Proposed 2011 Budget information (not available online). The Board was not aware of the problem until I questioned staff at the meeting.
The Board only receives detailed budget or projected spending information once a year- when we discuss the next year's budget. At our September 21 meeting the Board voted down my proposed financial reporting reforms in a 4-3 vote. My motion would have required quarterly detailed budget reports to the Board.
The financial reform motion would have also required that:
The Board only receives detailed budget or projected spending information once a year- when we discuss the next year's budget. At our September 21 meeting the Board voted down my proposed financial reporting reforms in a 4-3 vote. My motion would have required quarterly detailed budget reports to the Board.
The financial reform motion would have also required that:
- the vendor name be listed for all voucher requests. GEPD voucher lists for payment require Board approval each month but all payments charged to our credit card show the name of the credit card rather than the name of the vendor to which the payment was made. We typically charge over $30,000 to the credit card each month. The only way to figure the name of the vendor is to call the finance director. The Board voted not to receive this information.
- whenever any unexpected financial activity occurs, such as funds that are over budget or revenues or expenses are charged to an incorrect account, the Board will receive notification. The Board voted not to receive this information.
- our monthly budget reports show expenditures and revenues for the month, as currently provided, and also the total amount of money available in the fund. The Board voted to not receive this information.
Monday, October 4, 2010
October Meeting: Paddle and 2011 Budget
The agenda and packet for the October 5, 2010 meeting are online. This is a workshop meeting.
The Board will continue discussion on whether to approve the $350,000 party room and court expansion for platform tennis. Platform tennis is now requiring that the GEPD acquire a liquor license for the party room as part of this project. This project will cost the GEPD $200,000 to construct.
The Board will also begin discussion of the proposed 2011 budget, which is not available online.
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 continue discussion on whether to approve the $350,000 party room and court expansion for platform tennis. Platform tennis is now requiring that the GEPD acquire a liquor license for the party room as part of this project. This project will cost the GEPD $200,000 to construct.
The Board will also begin discussion of the proposed 2011 budget, which is not available online.
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!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
September Meeting: Platform tennis expansion for $350,000
The agenda and packet for the Glen Ellyn Park District September 21, 2010 meeting are online. This is a regular meeting.
At this meeting the Glen Ellyn Platform Tennis Club is presenting a request that the GEPD construct two additional courts and a party room for $350,000. The paddle group is in the process of raising money for this project and is asking the Glen Ellyn Park District to contribute $200,000 to this project.
Also at this meeting, the Board will vote on the changes to financial reporting that I have proposed. These changes will allow the Board and the public to have more information about Glen Ellyn Park District expenditures and the overall financial health of the park district.
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!
At this meeting the Glen Ellyn Platform Tennis Club is presenting a request that the GEPD construct two additional courts and a party room for $350,000. The paddle group is in the process of raising money for this project and is asking the Glen Ellyn Park District to contribute $200,000 to this project.
Also at this meeting, the Board will vote on the changes to financial reporting that I have proposed. These changes will allow the Board and the public to have more information about Glen Ellyn Park District expenditures and the overall financial health of the park district.
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!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
GEPD starting construction on $600k Safety Village
The Glen Ellyn Park District plans to begin construction on a $600,000 Safety Village facility at Maryknoll Park. The Park District and the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation have been actively raising money and soliciting donations for this project for many years and the Foundation is donating $25,000 to start construction this fall. The remaining funds for construction have not yet been raised through donations or budgeted for by the Park District.
According to Director Atwell, the new facility will not change the safety village program curriculum, which is a long-running program that teaches children about safety. This is a cosmetic project that provides little value to the community at a high cost.
At the end of this phase of construction we will be left with underground utilities and pavement that will not yet be usable for the program. After further fund raising and construction children will be able to ride their bikes around 25 miniature replicas of GE buildings instead of the plastic houses currently used at Spring Avenue. The children will not be able to go into the new buildings.
This new phase of Safety Village construction was on the agenda at the last Board meeting but, according to President Hess, the Board will not be voting on whether to approve this project. President Hess stated that this project was approved by a previous Board. I asked President Hess to provide the Board with documentation about this previous approval, and we have not yet received this information.
The 2010 GEPD budget does not include any capital funds for any construction projects at Maryknoll Park this year. The park district cannot spend money that is not budgeted. If the park district wishes to construct this project this year, the Board must amend the 2010 budget. I have emailed President Hess and Director Atwell regarding this issue. President Hess responded by writing that "this phase will be completed, as presented, as soon as possible." Director Atwell has not responded.
According to Director Atwell, the new facility will not change the safety village program curriculum, which is a long-running program that teaches children about safety. This is a cosmetic project that provides little value to the community at a high cost.
At the end of this phase of construction we will be left with underground utilities and pavement that will not yet be usable for the program. After further fund raising and construction children will be able to ride their bikes around 25 miniature replicas of GE buildings instead of the plastic houses currently used at Spring Avenue. The children will not be able to go into the new buildings.
This new phase of Safety Village construction was on the agenda at the last Board meeting but, according to President Hess, the Board will not be voting on whether to approve this project. President Hess stated that this project was approved by a previous Board. I asked President Hess to provide the Board with documentation about this previous approval, and we have not yet received this information.
The 2010 GEPD budget does not include any capital funds for any construction projects at Maryknoll Park this year. The park district cannot spend money that is not budgeted. If the park district wishes to construct this project this year, the Board must amend the 2010 budget. I have emailed President Hess and Director Atwell regarding this issue. President Hess responded by writing that "this phase will be completed, as presented, as soon as possible." Director Atwell has not responded.
Monday, September 6, 2010
September Workshop Meeting
The agenda and packet for the September 7, 2010 meeting are online. This is a workshop meeting. The proposed changes to financial reporting that we discussed at our last meeting will be voted on at our next regular meeting on September 21, 2010.
At this meeting the Board will discuss a plan to construct a permanent Safety Village at Maryknoll Park. The Board will also discuss flooding issues around Lake Ellyn.
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!
At this meeting the Board will discuss a plan to construct a permanent Safety Village at Maryknoll Park. The Board will also discuss flooding issues around Lake Ellyn.
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, August 16, 2010
August 17 Regular Meeting: Financial Reporting
The agenda and packet for the Glen Ellyn Park District August 17, 2010 meeting are online. This is a regular meeting. Our August workshop meeting was canceled because of an anticipated lack of quorum.
I've proposed several changes to the way financial information is reported to the Board. Staff adopted two of these changes in our packet this month. Monthly financial statements are now included in the official Board packet, rather than as a separate, private document. Also, the voucher list shows account information for each voucher. My suggestions and the response from staff are on page 39 in the packet from last month. The Board will continue discussing the proposed changes at this meeting.
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!
I've proposed several changes to the way financial information is reported to the Board. Staff adopted two of these changes in our packet this month. Monthly financial statements are now included in the official Board packet, rather than as a separate, private document. Also, the voucher list shows account information for each voucher. My suggestions and the response from staff are on page 39 in the packet from last month. The Board will continue discussing the proposed changes at this meeting.
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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