​(Peoria Park District 7-8-2020 meeting was cancelled.)

Peoria Park District (PPD) Observer Report of 7-22-2020 meeting:
The meeting was held both in person and through streaming ZOOM on the Peoria Park District Face Book Page. 
Executive Director Cahill noted that July is National Parks and Recreation Month. To celebrate, PPD highlighted members of the staff on Facebook.
Trustees discussed a public hearing to be held on August 5 about the possible removal of the Christopher Columbus Statue in Laura Bradley Park. A Facebook live meeting will be held. An in-person option will be explored. The Planning Committee will discuss results on September 1 and the Trustees will receive a recommendation at its September 23 meeting.
During Other Business, Trustee Harant shared that the Peoria City/County Board of Health declared racism a public health crisis. She asked the Trustees to consider a position statement about the impact of racism. Following discussion, they decided to get additional information, including checking with other park districts’ statements. Trustee Harant also shared that a Task Force is being formed to address racism.
​Farrell Davies, Observer

​The meeting was held through streaming ZOOM on the Peoria Park District Face Book Page. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by President Johnson. All Trustees were present.
2019 Audit Report was presented by Katie Bermingham, CPA with CliftonLarsonAllen. The audit was clean with no findings. Trends in major areas such as tax revenue, operating expenses, and long-term debt were all good.
The Golf Ad Hoc Committee report indicated that golf is doing very well, especially the Partner to Play program that currently has sold 276 passes to date.
The Trustees discussed the short-term closure of the Franciscan Recreation Center in West Peoria.  Concerns about closing this site were expressed because West Peoria does not have any other recreation center.  The Trustees were assured that it could still serve as a polling place for voting and that the outdoor area is still available. Trustees voted to approve the short-term closure of the center. Voting for the motion: Trustees Harant, Ryan, Snowden, and Williams. Voting against the motion: Trustees Cassidy, Petty, and Johnson.
The Trustees voted unanimously for short-term closure of the Glen Oak Amphitheater and the establishment of an Advisory Group for Glen Oak Park Reimagination.
The Trustees discussed the short-term closure of the Aquaplex, including the public comments that focused primarily on the need for people to have access to the lap and therapy pools for health reasons. Trustees also discussed concerns about the impact on the PPD relationship with OSF if the lap and therapy pools remained open. Trustees approved the short-term closure of the Aquaplex with the exception of the therapy and lap pools. Voting for the motion: Trustees Cassidy, Harant, Johnson, Petty, Ryan, and Williams. Voting against the motion: Trustee Snowden. Notification to RiverPlex members will be sent out immediately. OSF will also be notified in order for them to inform their patients that used the Aquaplex.
Trustees unanimously approved a motion to begin the process of evaluating the removal of the Christopher Columbus Statue in Laura Bradley Park through public hearings Aug or Sept.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 PM.                                               Farrell Davies, Observer

The meeting was held through streaming ZOOM on the Peoria Park District Face Book Page. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by President Johnson. Trustees Cassidy, Harant, Petty, Snowden, Williams, Ryan, and Johnson were present.
Trustees approved a one-year deferral for the Donovan Sculpture Garden.
Trustees approved a Welcoming Ordinance that will be posted at District locations. The ordinance will broadly communicate that PPD is open and accessible to all residents.
Trustees were shown a new marketing approach for PPD during the pandemic. Titled “New Ways to Play” it will feature the various activity options of the district such as Peoria Park District Academy that will be located at Proctor and Lakeview Recreation Centers, Yoga in the Park, and mobile movies.
Guidance from the May 27 Trustees’ meeting for addressing the budget challenges presented by COVID-19 included the following:

• Equitable access to healthy and vibrant programming
• Celebrate the value of parks and trails and advocate for the environment
• Prioritize PPD unique amenities
• Support health initiatives and base decisions on public health guidance

The staff informed Trustees that they project a $2 million loss in 2020 if changes are not made. 

​The meeting was held through streaming ZOOM on the Peoria Park District Face Book Page. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by President Johnson. Trustees Cassidy, Harant, Petty, Snowden, Williams, and Johnson were present. Trustee Ryan was absent.
Exec Director Cahill reported that $8,000 worth of annuals purchased for PPD beds will not be able to be planted; therefore, the PPD will be holding a Plant Sale on May 16 and 17 from 10am-5pm at Luthy Botanical Garden following appropriate safety guidelines. The plants will be sold to cover the cost of the plants and the staff time. Cahill also reported that PPD is evaluating the submission of an Illinois Department of Commerce grant to fund public infrastructure projects.  The grant is due June 15th. A potential site for improvement with these grant funds is Glen Oak Park.  At a press conference, PPD announced the cancellation of PPD camps through July 3.
The Planning Division reported that Logan Park has a grant to host ten Farmer’s Markets.
Development reported that community outreach is being done to boost operating funds and that a new database for donor information has been acquired without cost.

​The meeting was held at 6pm through streaming ZOOM on the Peoria Park District Face Book Page. The meeting opened with a staff update on the district’s response to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Trustee Harant asked for information on concerns for the zoo’s tigers. Staff reported that they are wearing masks and gloves when with big cats and primates since a tiger at another zoo was reported to have the virus after exposure from a zoo employee with the virus. Committees have been not been meeting because of the virus and changing guidelines. The committees will resume soon using virtual meeting arrangements.
Trustees approved the following by unanimous roll call vote:
· annexation of 7.374 acres of land along Route 91.
· a three-year employee contract with AFCSME.
· an Assistant Treasurer to replace a vacancy.
· an emergency order for an additional $14,00 to finish work on Trewyn steps.
Staff noted that budget adjustments resulting from the impact of the pandemic will be forthcoming over upcoming months.           
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 PM.                                     Farrell Davies, Observer

The meeting was held through streaming ZOOM on the Peoria Park District Face Book Page. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by President Johnson.
The meeting opened with a staff update on the district’s response to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Trustee Harant asked for information on concerns for the zoo’s tigers. Staff reported that they are wearing masks and gloves when with big cats and primates since a tiger at another zoo was reported to have the virus after exposure from a zoo employee with the virus. Committees have been not been meeting because of the virus and changing guidelines. The committees will resume soon using virtual meeting arrangements.
Trustees approved the following by unanimous roll call vote:

• annexation of 7.374 acres of land along Route 91.
• a three-year employee contract with AFCSME.
• an Assistant Treasurer to replace a vacancy.
• an emergency order for an additional $14,00 to finish work on Trewyn steps.

Staff noted that budget adjustments resulting from the impact of the pandemic will be forthcoming over upcoming months.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 PM.                                                  Farrell Davies, Observer

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM by Trustee Petty and recessed to go into a Public Hearing concerning the intent of the Board to issue $5 million General Obligation Park Bonds for capital improvements. There were no replies for calls for written and oral testimony. At 6:10 PM, the hearing was closed and the regular meeting resumed with President Johnson presiding.
Staff member Mike Friberg provided a report on the emergency repairs made on Grandview Drive following a landslide on July 7, 2019. NE Finch Co. did the work. A combination of graphs, photos, and video offered information about the rebuilding of an area of pipe and of manhole number two. The landslide was caused by groundwater, a problem not anticipated in the original construction. A groundwater drainage system to prevent this problem from occurring in the future will need to be added to the site in the future, adding significant additional cost to the project.
An amendment to the Sexual Harassment Policy was approved to comply with a new State law. The amendment adds Trustees to the policy, requiring reporting and an independent review of allegations of sexual harassment by an elected official against another elected official.
A request for a membership price increase by Peoria Zoological Society was approved. The increase will be effective April 1, 2020.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 PM. The next scheduled PPD Board meeting is February 12, 2020.
Farrell Davies, Observer

​Executive Director Cahill reported that staff are working on developing a policy that will address cannabis use and that the policy will come before the Board by the end of 2019.

Nine Americorps volunteers who are providing park restoration and facility restoration services through November 7 introduced themselves to the Board.

Jason Hawk from Hawk-Attolo, LLC was present for the vote on Power Purchase Agreements for Solar for four PPD facilities. Executive Director Cahill thanked Trustees Harant and Snowden for meeting with her and Mr. Hawk the previous day to cover final questions regarding the agreements. A separate vote was held for each Facility Agreement for Solar. The following four facility agreements were approved unanimously: River Plex Recreation Center, Noble Center, Lakeview Recreation Center, and Owens Recreation Center.

Current Park Board Meeting
Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Michael Williams as the Southern District Trustee.
New Park Board Meeting
Southern District Trustee Williams was seated.
Trustees voted to receive and file reports on the PPD 4-Pronged Commitment to Diversity Action Items as follows:

1. Community Workforce Development- Matt Freeman, Supt. Parks Division/Carl Cannon, Elite  
2. Peoria Park District Contractors and Suppliers- Rebecca Frederickson, Supt. Planning, Design, and Construction Division
3. Peoria Park District Workforce Development- Shaleese Pie, Supt. Human Resources
4. Access to Peoria Park District Facilities, Parks, and Programs- Brent Wheeler, Deputy Director

Power Purchase Agreements for Solar for four PPD facilities were deferred to the next scheduled meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 6:08 PM by Chairman Robert Johnson and adjourned at 7:03. All trustees were present except Trustee Cassidy. The next scheduled PPD Board meeting is 10-23-19.
Farrell Davies, Observer

​Trustees unanimously approved three motions that will give the City of Peoria the ability to complete the Bike Trail Connection in Glen Oak Park.
Staff reports were given including a Strategic Plan Update by Executive Director Emily Cahill. The update included the following highlights:

• As a part of overall PPD development efforts, a Legacy Fund is being established to help sustain the Peoria Park District.
• Data collection and analyses is being utilized to improve the tracking of PPD assets.
• Data collection and analyses is being used to improve volunteer coordination,
• Four solar projects will be implemented in 2020.
• Efforts to recycle and go “green” are underway.
• A commitment to diversity document has been prepared and will be presented at the next meeting.