Metro East Sun

City of Belleville Parks & Recreation Board of Trustees met Oct. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Belleville Parks and Recreation Department was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Ms. Marge Belt.

Roll Call Board Members (Alphabetical Order) Ms. Marge Belt, Mr. Brennan Hartin, Mr. Mike Heisler, Mr. Scott Lanxon. Mrs. Teresa Hessel was absent from the meeting.

Roll Call Staff Members (Alphabetical Order) Mr. Don LaChance, Mr. Craig Maue, Mr. Jason Poole. Ms. Emma Martin, Ms. Emily Riedenger.

Previous Minutes

Ms. Belt asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes for the September 13, 2023 meeting. Mr. Heisler made a motion that the minutes be placed on file, the motion was seconded by Mr. Lanxon. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Introduction of Guests and Public Participation None.

Correspondence

Mr. Poole read an email from Khloe Manno stating she has finished her last three trash cans for her Girl Scout Silver award. Mr. Poole stated that she completed a total of 6 trash cans and shared a photo of them with the board members. Mr. Poole stated that the first three cans are placed at Laderman Park and the last three will be placed at North End Park.

Mr. Poole read a letter from Jill Koski, President and CEO of The Morton Arboretum. Ms. Koski thanked Mr. Poole for sending a letter of a support for the Morton Arboretum's Chicago Region Trees Initiative grant proposal to the U.S. Forest Service.

Mr. Hartin thanked Mr. Poole for providing the picnic tables for the Highland Neighborhood Association event.

Claims

Mr. Heisler made a motion that the claims for the month of September 2023 be paid, the motion was seconded by Mr. Hartin. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Summary of Fund Balances

Mr. Heisler made a motion to have the finance reports for the month of October 2023 be placed on file, the motion was seconded by Mr. Hartin. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Bids None.

Recreation Supervisor

Ms. Martin informed the board members that there are four nights of Adult Softball Leagues with eight teams in each night. Ms. Martin stated there are twelve teams in the Adult Volleyball Leagues. Mrs. Martin informed the board members that she met with Mr. Justin McMillian of Elite FT to try to improve on the Belleville Kickers Program and they decided to offer a Practice and Play Soccer League that has 164 participants enrolled. Ms.Martin stated there are two divisions in Flag Football and there are 138 participants. Ms. Martin stated 3 on 3 Basketball will begin on November 6th at the Belleville Arena.

Director of Recreation

Mr. LaChance introduced Ms. Emily Riedinger to the board members. Mr. LaChance stated Ms. Riedinger comes to the department with a lot of experience.

Mr. LaChance informed the board members that the Parks and Recreation Department has taken over all athletic bookings for the Southwestern IL Justice & Workforce Development Campus. Mr. LaChance stated that includes the Arena Gyms, Fitness Building/Turf Room, Tennis Courts, Soccer Fields, and the Football Field. Mr. Heisler asked Mr. LaChance if the tennis courts are going to remain and what kind of condition they are in. Mr. LaChance stated the courts are not in good condition but for now they will remain as tennis courts and discussions are being held as to the future plans for repairs. Discussion was held on "The Campus" amenities, repairs, programs and use.

Mr. LaChance informed the board members that the Howlin' Hayride and Movie in the Park scheduled for October 13, 2023 has been cancelled due to the weather prediction of rain and possible hail.

Assistant Director of Public Works

Mr. Maue informed the board members that there have been a couple of Memorial Trees planted in the parks as well as replacement trees on Main Street by the Parks Maintenance employees. Mr. Maue stated picnic table season should be ending soon.

Director of Public Works

Mr. Poole provided the board members with a Tree & Bench Memorial brochure. Mr. Poole stated the cost of services is going up and fees need to be reviewed. Mr. Poole stated the current pricing is $1200.00 for a bench and $500.00 for a tree and a plaque. Mr. Poole stated he would recommend increasing the tree and plaque cost to $600.00 and $1800.00 for benches. Discussion was held on the Tree & Bench Memorial Program pricing. Mr. Lanxon made a motion to increase the Tree & Bench Memorial fees to $600.00 for trees/plaques and $1800.00 for benches, seconded by Mr. Hartin. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Mr. Poole informed the board members that the Bellevue Park Fitness Court project is moving along well. Mr. Poole stated the concrete, drainage, grass planted, and the tile installation has begun. Mr. Poole stated there will need to be a ribbon cutting next month for the project. Mr. Poole stated the next phase will be the bandshelter and the playground.

Mr. Poole informed the board members that a Metro East Park & Recreation District grant was applied for and received for the Citizen's Park upper diamond concession stand, restroom, and bleacher area. Mr. Poole stated there is also an OSLAD Grant that has been applied for, but an answer has not been received yet.

Mr. Poole informed the board that Mr. LaChance applied for the MEPRD grant and was awarded $2500.00 for the Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk.

Additional New Business

None.

Old Business

Mr. Poole stated at the September board meeting the idea of renaming Bicentennial Park in honor of the late Mayor Mark Eckert. Mr. Poole explained the history of the park and Mayor Eckert to others who weren't in attendance or familiar. Mr. Poole suggested renaming the Splash Pad to the "Mark Eckert Memorial Splash Pad". Discussion was held on the possible renaming of the park or an area within a park and the process. The board members tabled the discussion until next month to explore all options.

Mr. Lanxon stated ideas are still needed for renaming Khoury Park. Discussion was held on the renaming of Khoury Park.

Mr. Lanxon asked Mr. LaChance the status of the possibility of the bird house contest. Mr. LaChance stated that now that we have a Recreation Coordinator in charge of programming on staff maybe there could be a

partnership with a local hardware store. Mr. LaChance stated he believes spring would be a good time to offer the program.

Executive Session

None.

Questions From the Floor

None.

Adjournment

Hearing no further New Business, Old Business or Questions from the Floor. Mr. Lanxon moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Hartin. All members voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m..

https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10112023-3102