Chicago Park District public meetings in 2020

Board of Commissioners

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners holds a virtual regular meeting on December 2, 2020, under COVID-19 remote-meeting rules. The agenda lists routine items — a resolution honoring retirees, approval of November 18, 2020 meeting minutes, and public comments — plus new business on the 2021 Annual Appropriation Ordinance and Budget Recommendations. The agenda does not include dollar figures or detail on the budget's contents.

• New business: 2021 Annual Appropriation Ordinance and Budget Recommendations (sponsored by Budget and Management)
• Resolution honoring retirees (20-1252-1202)
• Approval of minutes from the November 18, 2020 public hearing and regular meeting (20-1249-1202)
• Public comments under 'People in the Parks' (20-1250-1202)
• Meeting held virtually via electronic platform and YouTube due to COVID-19

The Board of Commissioners approved the 2021 annual appropriation ordinance and budget recommendations. The board also approved a resolution honoring retirees and the minutes from the November 18, 2020 meeting.

• Approved 2021 annual appropriation ordinance and budget recommendations (6-0)
• Approved resolution honoring retirees (6-0)
• Approved meeting minutes from November 18, 2020 (6-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners meets remotely on November 18, 2020, immediately after a 11:15 AM public budget hearing on the 2021 budget recommendation. The board will consider contract awards for plumbing supplies and office technology, a request to name Park 218 in honor of Anna and Frederick Douglass, and closed-session items including appointment of an Inspector General and settlement of the Slusarek lawsuit. Routine items include approval of October 14 minutes and certificates of publication and bond filings.

• Request to officially name Park 218 in honor of Anna and Frederick Douglass (20-1241-1118)
• Authorization for contracts for supply and delivery of plumbing supplies, Specification No. P-20006 (20-1235-1118)
• Authorization to contract with Insight Public Sector Inc for office technology products and related services (20-1239-1118)
• Certificate of filing of executed bond order: $4,000,000 General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds Series 2020F-1 and $103,970,000 General Obligation Unlimited Tax Refunding Bonds Series 2020F-2 (20-1234-1118)
• Closed session: appointment of Inspector General (20-1225-1118) and settlement of Michael Slusarek v. Chicago Park District, No. 2018 L 007488 (20-1228-1118)

The Board of Commissioners approved the naming of Park 218 and authorized a contract for office technology products. The Board also approved the appointment of an Inspector General and a legal settlement.

• Approved naming Park 218 in honor of Anna and Frederick Douglass (7-0)
• Approved contract with Insight Public Sector Inc for office technology products and services (7-0)
• Approved appointment of Inspector General (7-0)
• Approved settlement of Michael Slusarek v. Chicago Park District, No. 2018 L 007488 (7-0)
• Approved meeting minutes from October 14, 2020 (7-0)
• Plumbing supplies contract (Specification No. P-20006) was not entertained

Public Hearing

The Chicago Park District is holding a virtual public hearing to present the 2021 proposed operating budget and tentative appropriation ordinance. The meeting includes a presentation, public comments, and adjournment. This is a procedural budget hearing, not a final vote.

• 2021 proposed operating budget report
• Tentative appropriation ordinance
• Virtual hearing due to COVID-19
• Public comments accepted

The District conducted a virtual public hearing to review the Year 2021 Proposed Operating Budget Report and the Tentative Appropriation Ordinance. The meeting included a video presentation by CEO Michael Kelly and comments from the public. No votes were taken on the budget itself during this hearing.

• Adjourned the hearing (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners meets remotely on October 14, 2020 to vote on park naming and renaming requests, two contracts, and a code amendment. The board will also meet in closed session to discuss a workers' compensation case. The agenda lists several items under new business but provides no dollar amounts or contract details.

• Request to name Park No. 543 as Printers Row Park and Park No. 568 as West Ridge Nature Park
• Request to remove the name Catalpa Park from Park No. 372 and initiate a 45-day notice period to rename it in honor of Chester Frank Kujawa
• Authorization to enter into a contract with UCG Associates for concession program management (Specification P-20011)
• Authorization to enter into a contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC for debris dumping transfer station services
• Authorization to amend Chapter VII of the Code of the Chicago Park District

The Board of Commissioners approved contracts for concession management, debris dumping, and community center design. They also officially named two parks and initiated a renaming process for a third.

• Elected Nicole Ginger and Timothy O'Connell as IAPD delegates (6-1)
• Approved contract with UCG Associates for concession program management (7-0)
• Approved contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC for debris dumping (7-0)
• Named Park No. 543 as Printers Row Park and Park No. 568 as West Ridge Nature Park (7-0)
• Removed the name Catalpa Park from Park No. 372 (7-0)
• Initiated 45-day notice period to name Park No. 372 after Chester Frank Kujawa (7-0)
• Approved amendment to Chapter VII of the Code of the Chicago Park District (7-0)
• Approved design and construction services for Clarendon Park Community Center (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners meets remotely on September 9, 2020 to consider new business including a request to remove Stephen Douglas's name from Park No. 218 and start a 45-day notice period to rename it for Anna and Frederick Douglass. The board will also weigh issuing up to $130,000,000 in general obligation bonds, adopting the 2020 annual tax levy ordinance, and a fitness equipment contract. Several items are procedural filings and updates rather than final decisions.

• Ordinance authorizing up to $130,000,000 in general obligation unlimited tax bonds, Series 2020F
• Request to remove Stephen Douglas's name from Park No. 218 and initiate a 45-day notice period to rename it for Anna and Frederick Douglass
• Adoption of the 2020 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance
• Authorization to contract with Direct Fitness Solutions, LLC for fitness equipment purchase, maintenance, and repairs (Specification P-19009)
• Request to officially name Park #572 as Bloomingdale Trail Park

The Board approved the issuance of general obligation bonds for harbor facilities and adopted the 2020 annual tax levy ordinance. Additionally, the Board approved a fitness equipment contract and several park naming actions.

• Approved issuance of General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds up to $130,000,000 (5-0, 2 absent)
• Adopted the 2020 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance (5-0, 2 absent)
• Approved contract with Direct Fitness Solutions, LLC for fitness equipment purchase, maintenance and repairs (6-0, 1 absent)
• Approved removal of Stephen Douglas' name from Park No. 218 (6-0, 1 absent)
• Approved 45-day notice period to name Park 218 in honor of Anna and Frederick Douglass (6-0, 1 absent)
• Approved naming Park #572 as Bloomingdale Trail Park (6-0, 1 absent)
• Approved meeting minutes from August 12, 2020 (6-0, 1 absent)

Board of Commissioners

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners holds its Annual Board Meeting remotely on August 12, 2020. The board will elect a President and Vice President, approve minutes from April 8 and July 22, 2020, and review the 2019 financial reports. New business includes an ordinance authorizing general obligation bonds for harbor and marina improvements, several park naming requests, and contract awards for summer meals and pest control.

• Election of President and Vice President of the Board of Commissioners
• Ordinance authorizing general obligation bonds (alternate revenue source) to finance harbor and marina improvements
• Certificate of publication for intent to sell not to exceed $4M in GO bonds (alternate revenue)
• Request to name Park No. 543 as Printers Row Park and Park No. 568 as West Ridge Nature Preserve Park; Catalpa Park to be named in honor of Chester Frank Kujawa
• Contract ratification with Open Kitchens for summer food program meals (Spec P-20004) and contract with All Pests Controlled and Vector Stomp Inc. for district-wide pest control (Spec P-20002)

The Board of Commissioners elected its President and Vice President for one-year terms. The Board approved an ordinance to issue general obligation bonds for harbor and marina improvements and authorized several park renaming notice periods. Contracts for district-wide pest control and summer food program meals were also approved.

• Elected Avis LaVelle as President (7-0)
• Elected Tim King as Vice President (7-0)
• Approved ordinance for general obligation bonds for harbor and marina improvements (7-0)
• Approved 45-day notice to name Park No. 543 as Printers Row Park and Park No. 568 as West Ridge Nature Preserve Park (7-0)
• Approved 45-day notice to name Catalpa Park, striking the phrase 'in honor of Chester Frank Kujawa' (7-0)
• Approved intergovernmental agreement between the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District (7-0)
• Approved district-wide pest control contract with All Pests Controlled and Vector Stomp Inc. (7-0)
• Ratified contracts with Open Kitchens for the Summer Food Program (7-0)

Public Hearing

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners is holding a virtual public hearing to consider selling up to $4,000,000 in General Obligation Alternate Revenue Bonds to finance harbor and marine improvements. The meeting includes a presentation on the bond sale, an opportunity for public comments, and adjournment. No other substantive items are on the agenda.

• Public hearing on intent to sell up to $4,000,000 in General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source)
• Bond proceeds to finance harbor and marine improvements
• Virtual meeting due to COVID-19 health emergency
• Public comments accepted during the hearing

The Chicago Park District held a virtual public hearing on August 12, 2020, to consider selling up to $4,000,000 in General Obligation Alternate Revenue Bonds for harbor and marine improvements. No substantive decisions were made; the hearing was procedural, with one public comment and no written testimony. The meeting adjourned without a vote on the bond sale.

• Held public hearing on $4M bond sale for harbor improvements (no vote)
• Adjourned meeting (motion by Edwards, seconded by Koldyke)

Board of Commissioners

The Chicago Park District Board voted unanimously to initiate the process to rename Stephen Douglas Park in honor of Frederick Douglass, after striking the words 'in honor of Frederick Douglas' from the motion. The motion to approve the removal of the name was moved by Commissioner Tim King and seconded by Commissioner M. Laird Koldyke, passing with 6 ayes. The board also heard public comments from three residents and adjourned with a 7-0 voice vote.

• Approved initiating the process to rename Stephen Douglas Park in honor of Frederick Douglass (6-0)
• Struck the words 'in honor of Frederick Douglas' from the motion before approval
• Heard public comments from Colleen Wales, Eddie Anderson, and Sheila McNary
• Adjourned the meeting (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners meets virtually on April 8, 2020, due to the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. The board will vote on a COVID-19 resolution tied to the governor's executive order, approve minutes from its March 11 meeting, and consider issuing up to $143 million in general obligation bonds. It will also vote on ratifying emergency sanitation contracts with Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. and Servpro Industries LLC.

• Ordinance authorizing up to $143,000,000 in general obligation bonds (2020, one or more series)
• COVID-19 resolution applying Governor Pritzker's stay-at-home executive order
• Ratification of emergency sanitation contracts with Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. and Servpro Industries LLC
• Approval of minutes from the March 11, 2020 regular meeting
• Meeting held virtually via electronic platform due to COVID-19; public link provided

The board unanimously approved a resolution applying the Governor's stay-at-home executive order, the minutes from the March 11 meeting, and an ordinance authorizing up to $143 million in general obligation bonds. It also ratified contracts with Milhouse Engineering and SERVPRO for emergency sanitation services. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved COVID-19 resolution applying Governor's stay-at-home order (7-0)
• Approved minutes from March 11, 2020 meeting (7-0)
• Approved ordinance authorizing up to $143M in general obligation bonds (7-0)
• Ratified contracts with Milhouse Engineering and SERVPRO for emergency sanitation services (7-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners meets March 11, 2020 at 11:30 AM at 541 N. Fairbanks Court. The board will vote on a contract with ASM Global, LLC to manage and operate the Gately Park indoor track and field facility and the Addams Park recreation center, and will receive a certificate of publication for alternate revenue bond ordinances for capital and recreation improvements. The agenda also includes approval of February 19, 2020 meeting minutes, an update on the Polar Plunge, and routine reports.

• Vote on contract with ASM Global, LLC (Specification P-19021) to manage and operate Gately Park indoor track and field facility and Addams Park recreation center
• Certificate of publication of alternate revenue bond authorizing ordinances for capital improvements (PPRT) and recreation (SRA)
• Approval of minutes from the February 19, 2020 public hearings and regular board meeting
• Update on Polar Plunge under Acknowledge Excellence
• Meeting held at 541 N. Fairbanks Court, 8th Floor Board Room, Chicago

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners approved a contract with ASM Global, LLC to manage and operate the Gately Park Indoor Track and Field Facility and Addams Park Recreation Center. The vote was 4-0, with three commissioners absent. The board also approved the minutes from the February 19, 2020 meeting and received a certificate of publication for bond ordinances.

• Approved contract with ASM Global, LLC for management of Gately Park and Addams Park (4-0)
• Approved meeting minutes from February 19, 2020 (4-0)
• Received and filed certificate of publication for bond ordinances

Personnel Board

The Chicago Park District Personnel Board is meeting to consider general personnel business, including approving new job descriptions and salary ranges for several positions and title or requirement changes for others. The meeting may include closed session discussions on employee appointments or dismissals.

• Approval of new job descriptions and salary ranges for Deputy Inspector General, Director of Workforce Development, Deputy Director of Workforce Development, and Assistant Benefits Manager
• Approval of title or requirement changes for Region Manager, Deputy Director of Natural Resources, and Labor Foreman
• Possible closed session for personnel matters

Board of Commissioners

The Board approved two ordinances authorizing General Obligation bonds for the capital improvement plan and accessibility improvements, along with a reimbursement resolution for 2020 capital expenditures. Contracts were awarded for street sweeping, Wi-Fi at Gately Track & Field, and defibrillator maintenance, and a 45-day notice period was initiated to name Park #572 as Bloomingdale Trail Park. The meeting was otherwise procedural, with no unfinished business or department presentations.

• Adopted ordinance authorizing GO bonds (alternate revenue source) for capital improvement plan (5-2)
• Adopted ordinance authorizing GO bonds for accessibility improvements (4-3)
• Approved resolution authorizing reimbursement of 2020 capital improvement expenditures (5-2)
• Approved contract with Advanced Sweeping Services for street sweeping (4-3)
• Approved contract with Comcast for managed network services and Wi-Fi at Gately Track & Field
• Approved contract with Annuvia LLC (dba SOS Technologies) up to $193,281.73 for defibrillator maintenance
• Ratified contract for emergency lakefront erosion threat assessment
• Approved request to initiate 45-day notice period to name Park #572 as Bloomingdale Trail Park

Public Hearing

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners is holding a public hearing to consider selling up to $40 million in general obligation limited tax bonds. The funds would finance capital improvements, including land acquisition for parks, building and improving facilities, refunding bond anticipation notes, and paying issuance expenses. The hearing is required by state law before the bond sale can proceed.

• Public hearing on intent to sell up to $40,000,000 in general obligation limited tax bonds
• Bond proceeds for capital improvements, land purchase, facility improvements, and refunding bond anticipation notes
• Hearing held at Warren (Laurence) Park, 6601 N. Western Ave, Chicago
• Public comments accepted during the hearing

The Chicago Park District held a public hearing to discuss the intent to sell general obligation limited tax bonds not to exceed $40,000,000. The funds were proposed for capital improvements, land acquisition, facility maintenance, and refunding bond anticipation notes. The minutes record no final vote or decision on the issuance.

Public Hearing

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners is holding a public hearing to consider selling up to $53,000,000 in General Obligation Alternate Bonds to finance capital improvements for recreational programs. The hearing includes a presentation on the bond issue and an opportunity for public comments. This is a required step under the Bond Issue Notification Act before the board can proceed with the bond sale.

• Proposed sale of up to $53,000,000 in General Obligation Alternate Bonds
• Bonds would finance capital improvements for recreational programs
• Public hearing held at Warren (Laurence) Park, 6601 N. Western Ave, Chicago
• Presentation on bond issue (item 20-1149-0219)
• Public comments accepted

The Chicago Park District held a public hearing regarding the intent to sell General Obligation Alternate Bonds not to exceed $53,000,000. The funds are intended for financing capital improvements to provide recreational programs. The minutes record the presentation and public comment period, but do not list a final vote or decision.

Board of Commissioners

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners is meeting to consider several items, including a proposed change to the general admission fee for the DuSable Museum of African American History, authorization for intergovernmental agreements for park projects, and contracts for floral gardens, cellular infrastructure, and IT services. The agenda also includes routine items like approval of minutes and public comment.

• Authorization to change general admission fee for DuSable Museum of African American History
• Contract with Moore Landscapes, LLC for district-wide floral gardens (Specification P-19008)
• Contract with Spaan Tech, Inc. for cellular infrastructure management (Specification P-19014-R)
• Contract with AT&T Corporation for switched Ethernet services
• Contract with SDI Presence LLC for IT services

The Chicago Park District Board approved changing the general admission fee for the DuSable Museum of African American History, along with several contracts and agreements. The board also approved minutes from prior meetings and received public comments. All votes were 5-0 with two commissioners absent, except for one contract that had a 4-0 vote with one abstention.

• Approved change to DuSable Museum general admission fee (5-0)
• Authorized intergovernmental agreements with City of Chicago and other agencies for park project funds/services (5-0)
• Approved contract with Moore Landscapes, LLC for district-wide floral gardens (5-0)
• Approved contract with SPAAN Tech, Inc. for cellular infrastructure management (5-0)
• Approved contract with AT&T Corporation for switched ethernet services (5-0)
• Approved contract with SDI Presence LLC for IT services (4-0, 1 abstention)
• Approved meeting minutes from Dec 4 and Dec 11, 2019 (4-0)