Byron Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Met Oct. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Commissioners present: Baker, Gramer (arrived at 7:02pm), Patterson, and Vincer.
Commissioners absent: Hogan.
Staff present: Brown, Brunner, deOliveira, Gerke, Henkel, Herman, McCammond, Schoenhard, and Tucker.
Guests present: Chris Remhoff and Carla Leddy, citizens.
In the absence of President Hogan, Vice President Vincer presided over the meeting. He called the meeting to order at 7pm.
Director Tucker added Agenda Item 13B Declare Surplus Items and deleted Executive Session unless the Board needs it. BAKER MOVED AND PATTERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. GRAMER – ABSENT, HOGAN – ABSENT, PATTERSON – YES, BAKER – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
Vice President Vincer recognized Carla Leddy as a guest present at the meeting. Director Tucker read a letter from her into the minutes as follows:
Todd, October 17, 2020
I am an all-inclusive passholder at PrairieView and would like you to address a couple of things to consider for 2021.
As you know, we lost a couple of months of golf due to the virus. We thought we may get a little credit for that loss but did not. Looking past this, we know our passes are going to be more for 2021. A lot of us did not use the driving range which is included in the pass so we’re wondering for 2021 if there could be an all-inclusive pass without the range and be cheaper for us. Right now, the range only is $175.
Also, all seniors use the gold tees. Could the senior ladies age 60+ have a “more forward red tee?” If so, that would be great! I would like to hear back from you on these.
Thank you!
Carla Leddy, 1027 Shadow Wood Drive, Byron, IL 61010 Cell: 815-441-7565
Director Tucker noted that the driving range use was added to the all-inclusive pass without adding additional cost for the pass. Brief discussion followed. The staff will consider Mrs. Leddy’s suggestions. Mrs. Leddy asked if the 2021 passes will be available at the 2020 rates this year. Scott confirmed that the 2021 passes will be available at the 2020 rates. The board thanked Mrs. Leddy for her recommendations and for attending the meeting.
PATTERSON MOVED AND BAKER SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING AND EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2020. PATTERSON – YES, BAKER – YES, GRAMER – YES, HOGAN – ABSENT, AND VINCER – YES.
The correspondence was noted and discussed briefly.
GRAMER MOVED AND PATTERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2020. BAKER – YES, GRAMER – YES, HOGAN – ABSENT, PATTERSON – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
PATTERSON MOVED AND GRAMER SECONDED A MOTION TO ACCEPT COMMISSIONER HOGAN’S RESIGNATION FROM THE BOARD. GRAMER – YES, HOGAN – ABSENT, PATTERSON – YES, BAKER – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
BAKER NOMINATED AND GRAMER SECONDED THE NOMINATION OF VINCER FOR BOARD PRESIDENT. PATTERSON – YES, BAKER – YES, GRAMER – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
PATTERSON MOVED AND GRAMER SECONDED A MOTION TO DECLARE A VACANCY ON THE BYRON FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. BAKER – YES, GRAMER – YES, PATTERSON – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
President Vincer stated that he had spoken with Jeff Ludwig regarding the board vacancy. Mr. Ludwig would be interested in filling the vacancy until the election when a 2-year unexpired term can be added to the ballot.
PATTERSON MOVED AND GRAMER SECONDED A MOTION TO APPOINT JEFF LUDWIG TO THE BYRON FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS UNTIL ELECTION IN THE SPRING. GRAMER – YES, PATTERSON – YES, BAKER – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
Commissioner Baker began questioning the District’s nepotism policy. He would like for his son to have an opportunity to be employed with the District since there are limited part-time jobs in the Byron area. Director Tucker noted that the District has allowed the relatives of commissioners and employees to work together in the past. This created many uncomfortable and unnecessary situations for those employees, their supervisors, and the commissioners. It was decided in the best interest of the District to implement the current nepotism policy. Brief discussion followed and the board decided to review the policy at the November meeting.
President Vincer opened the floor to District Department Heads to present their Staff Reports. Todd Tucker, Administrative Services Department-7:31-7:38pm-He informed the board that he has an OCIAB meeting coming up soon. There is going to be an article on PrairieFire in an upcoming Northwest Quarterly. He updated on the sponsorships and progress of preparing for the PrairieFire Invitational to be held on November 27th. Commissioner Patterson asked about other events at PrairieFire. Director Tucker stated that only leagues are happening right now. Because of the pandemic restrictions, no indoor activities are allowed so event planning is very limited. He noted that the Ogle County Health Department has been “popping in” at the golf course to make sure we are following the restrictions. Mark Herman, Education Department-7:38-7:43pm-He distributed the tri-fold brochures that Janet designed for each of the District’s preserves. She is currently working on designing the trail marker signs. He informed the board that they have had some of the Friends and Family Field Trips. He recently had an event for the Byron Middle School that went very well. President Vincer commended Mark on the program because his daughter was in the group and enjoyed it very much. Russell Brunner, Restoration/Maintenance Department-7:43-7:51-He reported that clearing at the new Dennis property has begun. He reviewed photos. Brief discussion followed. Scott deOliveira, Matt Henkel, and Mike Brown, Golf Operations-7:51-8:03pm-He reported that we had 700 rounds played during Customer Appreciation Week. High school and college tournaments were held. The Glow Golf event is full with 54 participants. Chili Shootout was held and everyone had a good time. He plans on building on this event. Operations are now like they were in June, no inside dining and allowing only four people per bay. Nick stated that the pandemic is making things very difficult but everyone is trying to do what we can. Commissioner Patterson asked about the speeding issue that was discussed at the last meeting. Nick sent out a mass email to staff warning everyone to slow down in that area. Commissioner Patterson noted that it’s not just staff who are speeding through that area. Signs or something needs to be done due to the pedestrian traffic that’s so close to the road in that area. Matt Henkel and Mike Brown, Golf Maintenance Department-8:03-8:08pm-President Vincer asked about the effect of the increased rounds of play on the maintenance of the course. Matt stated that there’s an uptick in cart traffic, divots, etc. which increasing maintenance costs but it’s hard to gauge exactly how much. Commissioner Patterson stated that the course is in great shape. Matt noted that rounds/revenue should surpass last October. Mike noted that Trent Snodgrass began working for Golf Maintenance again. President Vincer commended the staff on the condition of the course.
There were no policy revisions to discuss.
President Vincer stated that the Strategic Plan can be revisited and updated in 2021.
PATTERSON MOVED AND GRAMER SECONDED A MOTION TO APPOINT SHAWN MCCAMMOND AS THE DELEGATE AND AARON VINCER AS THE 1ST ALTERNATE TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING OF THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021. PATTERSON – YES, BAKER – YES, GRAMER – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
BYRON FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT
GRAMER MOVED AND PATTERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO DECLARE ITEMS SURPLUS AS PRESENTED BY RUSSELL BRUNNER, RESTORATION DEPARTMENT. BAKER – YES, GRAMER – YES, PATTERSON – YES, AND VINCER – YES.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15pm with all in favor.
https://www.byronforestpreserve.com/board-of-commissioners/meeting-minutes/
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