The village of Godfrey Park Board Committee met Feb. 10 to present the budget.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the committee:
Village of Godfrey Park Board Committee Meeting February 10, 2017 Minutes
Village of Godfrey Park Board Committee Meeting February 10, 2017 Minutes
Members Present: Chairman Mike Walters, Mark Lorch, Max Heinz, Ford Green, Norma Glazebrook, Rob Hasse, Craig Rathgeb, Jess Woodman, Parks & Recreation Director-Kimberly Caughran, Director of Parks Maintenance-Jim Lewis, Recreation Supervisor- Jessica Wiedman, and Administrative Assistant-Angela Bosoluke
Members Absent: Trustee Eldon Williams, Trustee Sarah Johnes
No Public Comments
Mike Walters called the meeting to order and asked for approval of the January 13, 2017 meeting minutes. Rob Hasse made a motion to approve the minutes as written, and Max Heinz seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Jim Lewis reported the parks staff has poured concrete at Clifton Terrace Park for installation of four new park benches and also expanded the sidewalk with concrete to make it handicap accessible to the drinking fountain. He continued they have also been busy cleaning up brush at LaVista Park and doing dirt work in some areas of the parks, as well as general maintenance on the equipment and facilities in preparation for the spring. He stated a sewer line had settled in an area at Glazebrook Park so dirt has been brought in and seed lay in this area. He also stated the street department built a new ball field drag to attach to the gator to work up the ball fields during baseball season.
Kimberly Caughran reported she had recently completed and submitted the Madison County Park Enhancement Program Grant for additions to Homer Adams Park to include new swing set, a new spinner/merry-go-round, two large swings, new trash cans, six new park benches, six new picnic tables, and surfacing under the play equipment and swings. She stated the amount of the grant is $5 per capita for a total of $90,625.00 and commented that the Village is very fortunate to be a part of this grant.
Kimberly Caughran presented the parks department budgets with FY 2015-2016 and FY 2016-2017 comparisons. Kimberly stated the Godfrey Women’s Club had donated two expression swings in 2015-2016 and has offered to donate another swing next year for the ball park playground. She continued monies are allocated to replace the existing line on the zip line with a heavier gauge per the inspection report and also looking to replace the fencing on fields #5 and #3. She commented that an Eagle Scout had approached her wanting to do a project for his Eagle Scout badge at the ball park so she will be contacting him regarding the fencing project. Max Heinz asked if a fence is needed for Field #5 since the ball never gets hit out that far into the outfield. Max Heinz suggested leaving the outfield fencing as is and use what is currently there as a barrier and replace the backstop fence. Kimberly stated the Village is still awaiting confirmation from the College of the 6 year lease agreement for the ball fields and if this is accepted, the Village will be more willing to do the fencing replacement and playground replacement. Rob Hasse commented on the idea of a moveable fence option, whereas if the college takes the property back at any time, the fencing can be moved from this area to another area. He stated he is unsure of the cost of this type of fencing, but could be multi-use on other fields or for parking barrier. Kimberly stated she would check on cost of this type of fencing option. Kimberly reported the parks department does not have plans for vehicle replacements in FY2016-2017 and stated the Administration Building budget, which is overseen by the Parks Department has budgeted for new floor covering in the Mayor’s office and the Madison County Sherriff substation facility during 2016-2017. She also stated there has been an issue with the generator at Village Hall and the transfer switch on the unit will need to be replaced. Max Heinz commented on the increase from $0 to $15,000 in the budget for the triathlon. Kimberly stated she must have overlooked the 2015-2016 budget amount on the spreadsheet.
Jessica Wiedman reported that today is the last day of early registration for the little league baseball registration for minors, majors, and juniors leagues. She stated she is looking at purchasing a portable mound for the 9-10 year old baseball field. She continued that we are partnering with MERBL league again this year to try to get teams for boy’s ages 14-18 years for play with Collinsville, Troy, Highland and Belleville teams. Jessica also reported the pitch, hit and run competition will be held on May 6, 2017 with the opening day of the baseball season and the March Madness Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 18 which will conclude the basketball league season as well as the cheerleading clinic which has 55 participants. She stated the cheerleaders will do a performance at the tournament and invited the members to attend. She stated registrations are being accepted for baseball, MERBL, pitch, hit and run competition, 4x4 volleyball league, and rookie soccer. Jessica also stated the Daddy Daughter dance will be held at Bluff City Grill tomorrow evening with a total of 400 registrants attending. She commented that we are partnering with Alton Parks and Recreation and moved to a larger facility this year because we maxed out at 350 participants last year. Jessica reported that a couple of the parks employees have been interested in working a summer camp hosted by the Village parks department and she and Kimberly will be meeting with the employees to discuss ideas and location for the camp. She stated they are considering hosting three camps; one week in June, one week in July and one week in August and stated she would report further at March meeting.
Jessica Wiedman asked the committee for their opinion on the continuation of awarding participation medals for all sports at the end of the seasons. She stated the older kids have tournaments for 1st and 2nd place trophies within their sport divisions and the younger kids, grades K-3rd grades all get participation medals. Mike Walters stated he thinks it is a waste of money for all to get medals and Ford Green asked how the children felt about the medals. Jessica stated the K-1st grade kids enjoy getting a medal, but older than that they do not care; they only want to win a trophy. Kimberly commented that maybe medals should only be given to the teams where score is not kept which would be 3rd grade and under in basketball or soccer and ages 7-8 years and younger in baseball. Jessica also reported the movie “A League of Their Own” will be shown the Friday night before opening day.
Kimberly Caughran reported the Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee met in January and had a lively discussion with listed priorities for the Village of Godfrey. Mark Lorch commented the committee is comprised of a diverse group of individuals with different priorities for wanting pedestrian and bike paths within the Village. He stated reasons for path inclusion consisted of recreational use, connectivity, and economic issues. Kimberly stated the committee will meet again on March 15, 2017 with another open house. Craig Rathgeb commented that during his visit to Vancouver, Canada he saw bike and pedestrian paths everywhere and were highly used, stating people had carriers attached to their bicycles for use to and from the grocery store. Discussion was held regarding Edwardsville’s use of abandoned railroad ways for their trails and Mark Lorch questioned if anyone knew what happened with the abandoned railways within Godfrey. Mike Waters stated the County has been trying to gain the right-of-ways along Seiler Road for years but the landowners want a high dollar amount. Kimberly stated that not having the railways such as Edwardsville will be much more expensive but we have a starting point with a master plan in place and this will be a long term project with problems identified during the process. Mike Walters stated the Village will need to have a signed contract from landowners for right-of-way purchase instead of vocal agreement. Kimberly stated she would report further on the committee after the March meeting.
Kimberly Caughran reported the annual Easter egg hunt will be held on Sunday, April 9, 2017 from 2-4 pm and we will once again partner with Dream Home Realty who will supply the pictures with the Easter bunny.
Kimberly Caughran also reported the Village will once again partner with Liberty Bank as sponsor for the summer movies which will be held on the second Friday of the months of June, July, and August. She stated the movies shown will be Moana, Lego Batman, and Trolls.
Kimberly Caughran reported the Arbor Day festival will be held on Friday, April 28, 2017 from 4-8 pm with the Youth Fishing Derby to begin at 4 pm and the Memorial Tree ceremony to begin at 6 pm. She stated the parks department has been working on ideas for the maze and possibly a Mother/Son event with a family camp out at the park as one option.
No public comments.
With no further discussion, at 9:30 am Ford Green made motion to adjourn the meeting. Craig Rathgeb seconded the motion. Motion passed.
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