Bettendorf Park Board Minutes August 13, 2001

Day Camp changes approved for next summer

The Bettendorf Park Board held a special meeting on August 13, 2001, at the Herbert D. Goettsch Community Center in the Canteen Room at 4:00 pm.

Present: Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben
(4:15 pm)
Absent: None

Brad Peterson reviewed the monthly golf maintenance report, which is annex #1 to these minutes.

Brad reviewed the proposed golf course maintenance building addition specifications and drawings. The project will be more than just the addition; it will include renovation to the existing facility. All new siding, roof, gutters, electrical, and plumbing and also new blacktop around the facility will be added. The projected cost is $145,000.00 which is more than what is budgeted.



Steve stated that staff would review the Capital Improvement Budget to see if it can be adjusted. We may have to go back to a stand-alone structure and not do anything to the existing facility.

The Board decided to proceed with the Public Hearing and bid the project out to see what the numbers will be.

Brad informed the Board that he is currently in the process of getting proposals to rebuild the two greenside bunkers on the #6 green.

Brad explained that he was told by Bill Connors, City's Chief Building Official, to keep the new golf course sign as low as possible, so it will not obstruct vision pulling out on Middle Road. Brad has heard that people would like to see it raised. A decision needs to be made soon because the landscaping has been purchased and is ready to be planted.

Chairman Hutter stated to work this out with city staff and to do whatever the ordinance says on installation of signage.

Brad informed the Board that he received three quotes for a three-compartment storage bin for dirt, top dressing, and mulch. The low quote was from McCubbin Construction Corporation in the amount of $4,975.00.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Adamson, to approve the low quote from McCubbin Construction for a three-compartment storage bin for Palmer Hills Golf Course in the amount of $4,975.00.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben
Nays: None

Rita VanWetzinga reviewed the recreation monthly report, which is annex #2 to these minutes.

Rita introduced the intern, Keith Grage, from Winona State University. He assisted in the summer programs this season.

The Board reviewed Rita's recommendation to offer a $25.00 bonus for any seasonal staff that will come back the next season.

Steve informed the Board that this is something that needs to be budgeted and reviewed with the City Administrator.



The Board supports the recommendation to offer a bonus.

Rita and Melanie Willadson, Day Camp Manager, presented a recommendation to offer Day Camp for ages 5-7 at the Community Center and ages 8-11 at Middle Park.

It is too difficult to program and manage activities for all age groups at both locations. The only problem will be parents who have a child in each group may not like to drop off at the two locations.

Other changes recommended:


(1) Change time of Day Camp from 9:00-3:00 to 9:00-4:00.


(2) Charge a $5.00 fee to parents per 15 minutes of being late picking up their child. The fee is to be paid before the child returns to camp. If the parent does not come by 5:45 pm, the child will be taken to the LFC and the emergency contact called. If no one can be reached, the authorities will be called.


(3) Put on registration forms the name of the teacher and school the child attended, to make sure that the child has completed kindergarten.


(4) Brochure and information sent to parents each week will contain a list of general program rules to include children who display aggressive, disruptive behavior on a consistent basis will be removed from the program.


(5) Increase fee from $55.00 to $75.00 a week. They will be getting one more hour of camp each day and this will also include the cost to swim at Splash Landing each week. A transfer of $1,200.00 would be made from Day Camp revenues to Splash Landing at the end of the season.


(6) Eliminate the mini-session offered during the week of July 4th.

Rita explained a concern regarding the day camp children needing to take medication during day camp hours. She recommended having some type of waiver the parent must sign.

The Board agreed to have Greg Jager review medications being taken during Day Camp. If children bring medications with them, the parent should be signing a special waiver.

Rita also recommended renaming the Day Camp offered over Christmas break from Holiday Camp to Winter Break Camp and offer Holidate Camp over Martin Luther King and Presidents Day, when school is out. The cost for the camps would be $18.00 a day and would include lunch.

Rita stated that a letter would be sent to the participants of the Day Camp program this year to explain the changes.

On motion by Glenn, seconded by Makoben, to approve all changes as recommended by staff for the Day Camp Programs and have the City Attorney look into the medication issue and bring this back with a recommendation to the Board.

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben
Nays: None

Rita recommended an increase in the team fee for winter volleyball leagues from $130.00 to $140.00 per team.

The Board agreed with the increase.

Rita recommended posting a sign at the aquatic facilities regarding the responsibility of parents and lifeguards to get parents to be responsible for their children and not have the lifeguards serve as babysitters while the parents visit or sun bath.



On motion by Glenn, seconded by Makoben, to post signs at the aquatic facilities to say "Lifeguards enforce rules and regulations and respond to aquatic emergencies, but parents are ultimately responsible for the safety of their children".

Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben
Nays: None

The language for the sign is taken from an article that appeared in the Leisure Exchange flyer. This sign is required throughout Illinois facilities.



The Park Maintenance and Golf Course Administration monthly reports are annex #3 and #4 to these minutes. The Directors monthly report is annex #5 to these minutes.

The Board reviewed the proposals received for the concrete pad for the Skate Park in Crow Creek Park. Resolutions for the low bids will be drawn up for approval at the Wednesday meeting.

Chairman Hutter requested a bid sheet be prepared for the concrete and installation of materials for the Skate Park to be a matter of public record.

The Board scheduled the Master Plan Public Hearing on August 28, 2001. Steve informed the Board that the Master Plan draft revisions will be available at the Wednesday Board Meeting.

Steve informed the Board that the proposals for the landscaping and irrigation of Phase I for the Centennial Gardens in Middle Park where received and within budget. The low bid for the landscaping was from Greenspace and the low bid for the irrigation was from Signature Lawns. Bid tabulation is annex #6 to these minutes. Resolutions will be approved at the Wednesday Board Meeting on the consent agenda. Construction will start within the next two to three weeks.

Steve informed the Board that Stu Smith received proposals for concrete walkways and additional repairs at the Life Fitness Center. The low bid was from 3-D Concrete, the original concrete work subcontractor for the lap pool, in the amount of $3,680.00. The funding is available in the Lap Pool Capital Improvement Project.

On motion by Glenn, seconded by Kamp, to approve the proposal submitted by 3-D Concrete for the additional repairs needed at the Life Fitness Center.



Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben
Nays: None

The Board reviewed the request from Edward Wehr to name a softball field in Crow Creek Park after Don Hardy. The letter is annex #7 to these minutes.

Chairman Hutter requested Steve contact Edward Wehr and request additional information regarding his request.

On motion by Adamson, seconded by Makoben, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 pm.