Only three people at the park district can sign checks: Brad Martin, Wade Brewer and Colleen Pettrone. Last month, two of them signed a check for a payment of $941 for a TOILET SEAT! Is it made of gold?
For the third time in six months, representatives from auditing firm Virchow and Krause attended the board meeting to present the state of affairs. In April they said the park was doing very well. In June the park was broke. Now, it's September and the financial picture is still up in the air. They did admonish the park board about the necessity of a check and balance system to secure any remaining funds that they have. Let's hope the board heeds their warnings...but don't hold your breath.
After discussion of several items, some that were on the agenda and some that were not, talk turned to the Chalet Renovation. Remember that survey you got a few weeks ago that asked you what kind of programming you would like to see there? The responses must have been overwhelming because construction begins this Saturday, September 12!!
You might be wondering what they plan on doing. Here is what they released. Click on the image to enlarge it.
Now you might be wondering what all this is going to cost a park district that is broke, right? Well, based on discussions at last night's meeting, they really aren't sure. They are hoping to spend between $100,000 - $125,000 on a 19,000 square foot renovation!
They are not going out to bid on this project because they are going to 'piece meal' it together. Retired local contractor Joe Jura is working on the project. Per his presentation, he is soliciting contracts from various companies. "If it's too much money, (he will) bring in people he knows."
The cash strapped Village of Willow Springs was kind enough to waive all permit fees. Board president Martin is in good with the mayor and finance chairman over there. Let's hope they aren't kind enough to waive inspections, especially an asbestos inspection.
So far, demolition is expected to cost about $19,000 but this does not include removing the debris. That will cost another $16,000-19,000. The flooring will cost $96,000 for colored flooring and $120,000 for maple.
They did not discuss the cost of moving the weight room equipment, repairing the racquetball courts, repairing the heating and air conditioning, replacing the carpet, cleaning the area, installing new lighting, painting the walls, purchasing the equipment needed for an indoor soccer field, two basketball courts and four volleyball courts and striping to regulation size which is all part of this renovation project.
You might be wondering if the Park District is going to go out to bid on a project of this magnitude. Nope. They don't have to because each 'piece' will be under $20,000. As for the Sport Court(TM) flooring, they don't have to get bids on that either because only one company sells it.
The interesting part of this discussion was when two board members said they were never given the document posted above. They appeared to be in the dark about this entire project other than the fact that it has been discussed in bits and pieces.
Board member Carol McMurray stated, "It would be nice as a board to see the figures in print. We have nothing in writing. We don't have any numbers in front of us. We owe that to the community." Amen sister!
Board member Ernie Moon added, "Definitely. It's only fair to the community that we do our job right instead of just guessing (the cost).
We are not opposed to this project. It could work and bring the park district out of their financial debt. Board member Martin said he has several volleyball leagues ready to come in, although nothing is in writing.
The problem with this project is all the pieces. Piecing together the renovation; releasing pieces of information to the community and even fewer bits and pieces to the entire park board. There are so many unanswered questions.
When you are spending the community's money, you have to be on the up and up; cautious, prudent and sure of what you are doing. You have to use companies that are secure, insured, licensed and bonded. With a project of this magnitude, you should go through a proper bidding process. You need to have all the facts and figures in front of you. You cannot guesstimate how much it will cost.
This project has potential, they just need to do it right. Maybe they can ask their neighbors across the street how the process works to get a project done right. After all, they are just finishing one and that was only 800 square feet, not 19,000.
If you want to weigh in or get more information on this project, the board announced to the audience that they will continue discussion at a "special meeting" at the Chalet on
Oh and in case you are wondering, yes we feel that meeting is in direct violation of the Open Meetings Act.
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/government/openmeet.pdf
Like we said, when you are spending the community's money, do things right and on the up and up. Please.
2 comments:
The situation at the park district is very frustrating. The Board meeting the other night lasted 3 hours long. Approximately 30 minutes of that was the auditor explaining how the park district needs to adapt better accounting procedures and practices. Then there was an equally longer discussion about renovations at the Chalet which have no budget attached to them or organization. There is no question the Chalet needs work, but the way they are going about it is puzzling. How can you bring in a paid, professional auditor to explain the appropriate way to do things and then provide no written evidence of how much it is going to cost to renovate a 16,000 square foot facility? There is a lack of communication and respect on the Board. That was definitely apparent at the Board Meeting the other night. Disagreements on a Board are healthy, but the way you react to those disagreements shows the amount of respect you have for your position and those serving with you. This community deserves to have a wonderful park district, I think that is obvious, but they also deserve to have elected officials who are diligent and accountable for how they use our tax dollars. I know people are busy and have other commitments, but please try to attend either the Special Meeting or the next Board Meeting. You may go and feel everything is great, that is wonderful, but at least you will be informed as to what is happening at your local park district.
Glad to see they worked together at the Special Meeting. That is a step in the right direction.
Post a Comment