Chicago Park District Board Meetings
Park District Commissioners review 2009 Financial Report, recap Lollapalooza, and approve other items at August 11, 2010 meeting
The August 11, 2010 Committee and Board of Commissioners meetings were held at Chicago Park District headquarters, 541 N. Fairbanks.
Commissioners attending the committee meeting at 10:30 included: Dr. Bryan Traubert, President, Vice-President Bob Pickens, Commissioners Rouhy Shalabi, Laird Koldyke, Dr. Scott Hanlon and Dr. Margaret Burroughs and the newest Commissioner, Juan Rangel.
Approved at the Committee on Capital Improvements:
Authorization to issue final payment of $146,712.48 for work completed in connection with Brainerd, Crescent, Fuller and Veteran’s Memorial 2008 District Wide Playgrounds- Group D. Budget for project was $1,416,000.00 and was completed for $1,380,849.76. The project was completed under budget!
Commissioner Pickens stated that the CPD did a good job and appreciated that the accessibility blended well into the design of the playgrounds.
Approved at the Committee on Administration:
Adoption of the 2010 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance
$259 million tax levy adopted for 2010
Presentation of FY 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) and other associated audit documents. Click here to view report:
Comptroller Melinda Gildart presented the 2009 Annual Financial Report to the Board.
Here’s a recap of her report:
- The General Fund increased by $22 million to $40.2 million
- Revenues exceeded expectations by $5 million due to user fees and from Soldier Field
- Pension funding declined to 67.2% from 73.8% in 2008
- Property tax receipts were $277.7 million
Due to the downturn in the economy the CPD implemented a number of cost cutting moves including a hiring freeze, no cost of living increases, and 2 shutdown days for all union employees and 5 additional unpaid days for all managers.
The CPD adopted a policy of internal borrowings from Long-term Income Reserve Fund to meet operational cash flow needs eliminating the use of short term bonds.
The CPD long term debt decreased by $11 million in 2009, down 1%. The CPD issued a $24.5 million SRA Alternative Reserve Bond in January 2009.
The CPD Debt Rankings in 2009
Fitch Ratings AA+
Moody’s Investor Service Aa3
Standard and Poor’s AA+
In 2009 online registration for park programs reached 343,000
Special events that benefitted the CPD:
American Volleyball Chicago Open Tournament
Venetian Night
Lollapalooza
The work of the Parkways Foundation and Friends of the Parks was highlighted for their support of the CPD.
In 2009 The Parkways Foundation raised private funds for the following projects:
Buckingham Fountain Restoration Campaign
Send a Kid to Camp Scholarship Fund
Tiffany & Co. Foundation Celebration Garden
Abbott Fund Wellness Center Programs
Inferno Mobile Recording Studio
Community Gardens Grant program
Alvin Ailey Dance & Adaptive Camps
Tree Fund
Friends of the Parks provided the CPD support in the following:
- 20th Annual Earth Day Parks and Preserves Cleanup
- More than 4,000 volunteers cleaned up 85 parks
- 37 Community Service Days in 22 parks
- National Public Lands Day
- 100 volunteers worked in 3 parks
- Service learning
- 20 schools equaling 150 students stewarded in 6 parks
- $15,000 in Seed Grants was awarded to 23 park advisory councils
The Kathy Osterman Award for Superior Achievements of Municipal Employees was awarded to 2 CPD staff members: Michelle LoCoco (winner) and David Reamer (finalist)
President Traubert complimented the comptroller’s office for a good job making the budget transparent and open.
Approved at the Committee on Programs and Recreation:
General admission fee at the Du Sable Museum to African American History to be increased beginning September 1, 2010. The Du Sable Museum hasn’t had an increase in 35 years. (Note: Commissioner Burroughs abstained from voting, as she is the founder of the DuSable Museum)
Rates:
Adults: $10.00 (non Chicago Resident) $8.00 (Chicago Resident)
Students and Seniors: $7.00 (non Chicago Resident) $5.00 (Chicago Resident)
Children: $3.00 (non Chicago Resident) $2.00 (Chicago Resident)
Children under 6: FREE
Sundays: FREE
CPS school trips: FREE
The Du Sable Museum hosts 170,000 a visitors a year
The operating budget is $3.4 million
Commissioner Shalabi inquired why there is such an increase. COO from Du Sable stated that the increase will allow for catch up, Du Sable will be close to the fees that the other museums charge. He also stated that the increase falls within the budget range of the museum’s constituency
George Blakemore, a concerned citizen, spoke about the rate increase. He feels that the increase is unreasonable to increase the rate by 100%. He inquired how DuSable was able to operate under the current rate of $3. Such an increase would be harmful to the community. He requested that the motion be deferred for community input.
Vice President Pickens commented the following: that he disagrees with Mr. Blakemore’s approach. The admission increase was reviewed with core constituency. It is impossible for the DuSable Museum to survive on1960 rates.
Tim Mitchell responded that museums need to reinvent themselves to stay relevant. The CPD supports the increase it will support the building of the Round House and allow for more technology.
The Board of Commissioners met at 4:00 p.m.
New CPD Board Commissioner Juan Rangel was introduced as the newest commissioner.
The July 2010 Board Minutes approved
Tim Mitchell, General Superintendent, CPD and Brenda Palm, Executive Director, Parkways Foundation gave a recap of Lollapalooza
They thanked the CPD staff for their efforts and thanked the public for sacrificing Grant Park for the weekend.
The 2010 Lollapalooza hosted more than 250,000 concert goers over the 3-day music festival. The festival was expanded from 85 acres to 115 acres using 1/3 of Grant Park.
From 2005-2009 Lollapalooza contributed $6 million to the CPD
In 2009 $1.9 million was contributed
A ten year agreement was made in 2008; Lollapalooza would contribute $1 million a year from their proceeds.
Over the past years Lollapalooza’s contributions have gone to:
- Summer camp scholarships
- Community garden grants
- Inferno Mobile Recording Studio
- Alvin Ailey Dance & Adaptive Camps
- New playground in Washington Park
- Artificial turf soccer field in McKinley Park
This year’s Parkway Foundations Galapalooza benefit grossed $250,000 and created new partners. Brenda Palm stated that Lollapalooza has helped expand private partnerships which benefit Chicago’s parks.
Dr. Carol Adams, President, Du Sable Museum, defended the need to raise the admission fee. For 35 years the Museum kept the same admissions fee but expenses went up.
She reported that currently 2.4% of the budget comes from admission fees. When the fee increases in September the immediate impact will be 5-6%. Within a 3 year period the Museum will be at 13%, which is the industry standard.
The People in the Parks segment of the Board Agenda drew 4 people who addressed the board on the following park policy issues:
CeCe Edwards, President, Grand Crossing Park PAC presented Tim Mitchell an award for his support in building the new playground at Grand Crossing. She thanked the CPD for the free programs at Grand Crossing such as the basketball camp and teen programs. She is looking forward to more partnerships with the CPD.
Joy Ranson Wood, Dauphin Park, thanked the CPD for the help in improving the park. She wanted to know the status of proposed archway and garden at Dauphin Park.
Meryl Dann, from the Jackson/Burnham Park neighborhood, stated that groups are using Burnham Park, between the Drive and Cornell and south of 47th Street as a music fest site with amplified sound. She requested that the CPD reinstate or enforce the ban of amplified music in the park. The park is adjacent to a large condo building and the noise is so loud in her condo that the residents must leave their homes for the weekend.
George Blakemore, questioned the CPD Commissioner about the DuSable Museum fee increase. He asked how the Museum was able to function with a $3 admission fee for so long. He asked again (see committee minutes) that the issue be deferred for community input and requested strategic plan for the next 5 years.
Jim Watkins, Harrison Park, gave a brief history of the park. He would like to see more accessible equipment. The CPD suggested that he work with the Harrison Park Advisory Council.
May Toy, Skinner Park, requested that a dying tree in Skinner Park be replaced. Also, she would like to see a public information program targeted to park users to prevent them from dumping hot coals next to trees.
Tony Iniquez, Touhy Park, thanked the CPD for the new soccer field and the repaving of the tennis courts. He also thanked the Parkways Foundation for the camp scholarships. He wanted to know the status of a new playground at Touhy Park, has it been bid on yet. Alderman Joe Moore will allocate menu funds for the playground.
Scott Jacobs, Holstein Park, stated that the field house is 98 years old and wanted a status on the electrical rehab and plumbing repair. In 2007 $300,000 was budgeted for the repairs. Tim Mitchell stated that he would take a look at the contract. If funds, promised from the state, are actually committed to the project, the CPD will move ahead with the project.
The next CPD Board Meeting will be September 15, 2010 at 541 n. Fairbanks, 8th Floor.
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December 14, 2009
NOTICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT 2010 REGULAR MEETINGS
The regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District for the Year 2010 will be held on the dates and the times listed below. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable public notice or by further public notice, the meetings will take place in the Eighth Floor Board Room of the Administration Building, 541 North Fairbanks, Chicago, Illinois 60611. Committee Meetings will take place in the Chicago Park District Administration Building, Committee Meetings will not be held on the dates the Board will meet at the various field house locations. Matters for consideration at the Committee Meetings will be taken up at the Board Meeting beginning at 4:00 P.M.
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. SECTION 12101 et seq.), the Chicago Park District does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or admission/access to programs and activities.
Any person with a disability who desires special accommodations or the services of a signer in order to attend a meeting of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners should contact David Donnersberger, Section 504 Compliance Officer, 3l2-742-4603 (541 North Fairbanks, Chicago, Illinois, 60611) or telephone 312-747-2001 TTY at least 72 hours before the meeting.
- The Public Participation portion of the Board’s regularly scheduled committee meetings will commence at 10:30 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m. for the Board’s regularly scheduled Board meetings. Any individual interested in making a presentation must register with the Office of the Secretary in person between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the day of the Board Committee Meeting; and between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on the day of the Board meeting.
- Registration must be made in person by the individual who will make the presentation.
- Representatives may not sign up another speaker via proxy.
- Speakers will be limited to speak on one (1) agenda item during one Committee meeting, and cannot speak to any other item from other Committee meetings scheduled for the same date.
- Groups must select a maximum of two (2) representatives from those who have signed up to speak on their behalf. The Board Secretary will schedule group speakers according to topic.
Please visit http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/docs/308f95f2-2e78-4801-b53c-da1e31edf381_document.pdf for 2010 regular meeting dates of the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District and/or http://fotp.org/events/calendar.
