NEW GEPD Official Board Blog

In a move to increase transparency at the Glen Ellyn Park District, the Board of Commissioners has created a blog with an RSS feed that allows the public to subscribe and receive regular updates on board business.

The blog will contain meeting notices, links to agendas, packets and minutes, and highlights of meetings posted soon after each meeting. Material that is distributed during the meeting that was not in the packet, and presentations that were made in the meeting will also be available at the board blog.

Visit the blog and enter your email address in the box at the top right corner to receive regular updates about the GEPD Board.

In addition to having its own unique address, the blog is also embedded on the Park District Website. People looking for it on the Park District Website can find it under the board & staff drop-down menu on the home page. The GEPD Board Blog is maintained and written by GEPD staff.

A board priority, the blog is the first step in increasing transparency. Efforts will continue in 2012 when public meetings begin streaming live and are available later on demand on the Park District Website.

Visit the new blog & register to receive email updates

Board Selects New Executive Director

The Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce David Harris as the new Executive Director of the Glen Ellyn Park District. Harris is currently the director of the Butterfield Park District and is a 19-year resident of Glen Ellyn. Harris is expected to start on September 7, 2011.

"Dave Harris is an experienced leader who understands Glen Ellyn. I am confident that he has the skills, experience and determination to guide the Park District in improving fiscal discipline, maintenance of our parks and facilities, and customer service. I am thrilled to have Dave on board," said Melissa Creech, Glen Ellyn Park District Board President.

Harris has over twenty years of experience in park districts, much of which he spent at the Park District of Highland Park. There he launched a profitable new recreation and fitness center similar to the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center and managed a nature center, golf course, pools, water park and an indoor ice rink. Additionally, Harris has significant experience in all other areas within the Parks and Recreation industry including parks maintenance, athletics, fundraising and community relations.

"I am honored and excited to be appointed the next executive director for the Glen Ellyn Park District. As a 19 year resident of Glen Ellyn, my wife, two daughters and I have utilized and enjoyed District programs, facilities and parks over the years. Along with my professional experience, my personal insight and knowledge of the community will provide a foundation to enable me to lead and provide direction for the Park District. To be able to serve the community that has provided so many opportunities for my family and me is tremendous and I cannot wait to get started," said Harris.

The Board approved the 18-month contract with a salary of $117,000 at the July 7, 2011 board meeting. Harris replaces Cory Atwell, who retired in January after 16 years as executive director of the Glen Ellyn Park District.

"Dave Harris understands the importance of listening to the community we serve. I am convinced that he will be able to take our customer service to the next level and make our Park District even better," said Gary Mayo, Glen Ellyn Park District Commissioner.

The Glen Ellyn Park District Executive Director is responsible for the daily operations for the district, which serves 35,000 residents and has a staff of 31 full-time employees and 500 part-time employees. Harris was selected from a pool of over 50 candidates who responded to the Glen Ellyn Park District's national search for a new director through the search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates.

July 9 Meeting: New Director

The agenda and packet for the Glen Ellyn Park District July 9, 2011 meeting are online. This is a workshop meeting. We usually don't meet on Thursdays, but have a different schedule this week because of the July 4th holiday.

We're looking forward to announcing our new executive director at this meeting and approving the contract. Also on the agenda is the new Finance Committee bylaws and members and a discussion about ways to make the park district more transparent.

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!

GEPD Takes Action to Resolve Roof Issues at Ackerman

The Glen Ellyn Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on June 1 to discuss the ongoing problems with the leaky roof at the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center. Below is the text of the press release that was issued today:

The Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners has taken special action to resolve roof issues at the Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center at a special meeting Wednesday, June 1. This includes a motion directing staff to take the necessary steps to terminate the contracts of T.A. Bowman Constructors LLC, Professional Building Services and Ollmann Ernest Architects.

The board cited breach of contract as the reason for its action. Board members have directed staff to initiate a contract with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. to provide supplemental design and bid documents for roof remediation.

It is the Board’s hope that these actions will enable the park district to resolve the ongoing roof leak issues at the Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center. The Glen Ellyn Park District appreciates the patience of the numerous facility participants and its constituents during this process.

Citizens' Advisory Committee Members Sought

from the Glen Ellyn Park District press release:

The Glen Ellyn Park District Board has approved the formation of a citizens' advisory committee to review all aspects of the District's finances, and develop a long-range financial plan to help guide the Board's future decision making. The Board is looking for volunteers who would be willing to serve on this committee.

Applicants must be residents of the Glen Ellyn Park District and willing to devote several hours per month for a minimum of one year.

Interested community members should submit a resume to Nick Cinquegrani, Glen Ellyn Park District, 185 Spring Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.

Preference will be given to applicants with a background in finance and accounting. Expertise/ experience in municipal accounting is a plus.

Deadline for applications is May 31, 2011, and interviews will be scheduled in June.

Board approves new interim director

The Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on May 11 to approve a new interim director. The TribLocal story below is a nice summary of the meeting:

Retired Lombard parks director to take over in Glen Ellyn

A retired parks director has temporarily taken the helm of the Glen Ellyn Park District and likely will remain in place through July when a new executive director is expected to be hired.

During a special meeting Wednesday, the Glen Ellyn Park Board agreed to bring on Mike Fugiel, the former executive director of the Lombard Park District. He will work part-time for $1,600 a week, said Park Board President Melissa Creech.

Fugiel was with the Lombard Park District for a decade before retiring in 2007.

The position of executive director has been vacant for several months following the resignation of Corey Atwell. Superintendent of Recreation Kathleen Esposito and Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo have been serving as co-interim directors.

However, with the busy season now in full-swing, Creech said the board agreed to contract out the position to a separate employee.

“It is the busy season, and they have full-time jobs with lots of responsibilities key to keeping the parks and recreation departments running,” she said.

Fugiel, who officially took over the position Thursday, has been hired through the park district’s search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates. Because he is not a direct employee of Glen Ellyn, he will not collect benefits, Creech said.

She added the park board will begin conducting interviews in June with potential candidates to permanently take over as executive director.

Commissioners would like to have a new person in place by August, although that could change depending on notice periods and availability.

“It all depends on the executive search process,” Creech said.

New Commissioner swearing-in delayed

Commissioner Ron Aubrey refused to allow newly-elected commissioners to take the Oath of Office at the May 3, 2011 Glen Ellyn Park District Board meeting. Kathy Cornell, Gary Mayo and Richard Dunn were set to be sworn in and assume their roles as commissioners at the beginning of the meeting when Aubrey objected. Aubrey claimed that the old Board was required to certify the election results and because this had not been done the new commissioners could not be seated.

When I made a motion to certify the election results Aubrey then claimed that the Board could not certify the election results at the meeting because it was not on the agenda. Agenda item number seven, "Oath of Office- Inauguration of Commissioners" clearly showed the Board's intent to seat the duly elected commissioners. Commissioners Creech, Kinzler, Nephew and Dallman voted to certify the election; Commissioner Aubrey voted no. After further disagreement from Aubrey, I then made a motion to administer the Oath of Office to the new commissioners. Commissioners Creech, Kinzler, Nephew and Dallman voted to administer the Oath of Office; Commissioner Aubrey voted no.

After a 25-minute delay, Commissioners Cornell, Mayo and Dunn were sworn in and seated.

The DuPage Election Commission confirmed today that the park district board does not need to take any action on their canvass results or certify the election in any way. It is stated in the state statute 10ILCS 5/22-17.

May 3 Meeting: Financial Changes

The Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners made several changes at the May 3 , 2011 meeting with the intent to reduce costs. The Board voted to cancel the $324,000 Safety Village project, directed staff to propose additional cuts to the 2011 budget, and suspended work on the overbudget $350,000 paddle project until the project can be completely funded. For a good summary of these changes, check out the Daily Herald article, "Glen Ellyn Park District cuts costs."

The Board also elected new officers. The 2011 officers are:

President: Melissa Creech
Vice President: Jay Kinzler
Treasurer: Julia Nephew

May 3 Meeting: New Commisioners

The agenda and packet for the Glen Ellyn Park District May 3, 2011 meeting are online. This is a workshop meeting.

Kathy Cornell, Richard Dunn and Gary Mayo will be sworn in as Glen Ellyn Park District Commissioners; a result of the April 6, 2011 municipal elections. The Board will hold officer elections for GEPD Board president, vice president and treasurer.

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!

Paddle Hut and Safety Village construction approved on 4-3 Board decisions

At the Glen Ellyn Park District April 19 meeting the Board approved bids for the first third of the first phase of the Safety Village Project at Maryknoll Park. On a 4-3 vote the Board approved $69,000 in spending for this project although only $50,000 was budgeted for in the GEPD 2011 budget. No explanation was given as to where the additional money would come from. A new cost estimate shows expenses of $324,000 for partial construction of Safety Village. This information was not presented to the Board at the time of the vote. It is included in the packet for the May 3 meeting, starting on page 25. A memo from our previous executive director last summer placed the total cost of Safety Village at over $600,000.

At our April 5 special meeting the Board approved bids for construction of the paddle warming hut. On a 4-3 vote the Board approved $236,383 for construction of the hut and sewer line although only $206,263.07 in funds is available. No explanation was given as to where the additional money would come from. Total costs for the project are $273,073, though this information was not presented to the Board at the time of this vote. It is included in the packet for the May 3 meeting, along with the paddle agreement, starting on page 31.

The Board will address the funding issues for both of these projects at the May 3 Board Meeting.