Chicago City Wire

Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners met Jan. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

Pledge of Allegiance 

The pledge of allegiance was recited. 

Roll Call 

A Roll Call was made and the following Commissioners were found to be in attendance: 

Present: 4 - President Myetie Hamilton, Commissioner Andrea Telli, Commissioner Sharif Walker and Vice President Modesto Valle

Absent: 2 - Commissioner Ashley Hemphill Netzky and Commissioner Jose M. Munoz

1. GENERAL BUSINESS: 

The Secretary stated for the record that Commissioner Hemphill Netzky joined the meeting during the Resolution Honoring Retirees. 

Present: 5 - President Myetie Hamilton, Commissioner Ashley Hemphill Netzky, Commissioner Andrea Telli, Commissioner Sharif Walker and Vice President Modesto Valle 

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Jose M. Munoz 

24-1002-012 

4 RESOLUTION HONORING RETIREES 

Sponsors: Workforce Development and Human Resources 

Indexes: Resolution-Honoring 

Rosa Escareno, General Superintendent and CEO, read the Resolution into record and introduced Jason Mann, Deputy Director of Workforce Development who addressed the Commissioners and acknowledged the Retirees in attendance. 

A motion was made by Commissioner Walker, seconded by Vice President Valle that the Resolution be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

24-1003-012 

4 CERTIFICATE OF FILINGS OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT 2023 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERKS OF COOK AND DUPAGE COUNTIES  

Sponsors: Office of the Secretary 

Indexes: Certificate of Filing 

These Certificates were marked as received and filed by the Secretary. 

24-1004-012 

4 CERTIFICATE OF FILINGS OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERKS OF COOK AND DUPAGE COUNTIES  

Sponsors: Office of the Secretary 

Indexes: Certificate of Filing 

These Certificates were marked as received and filed by the Secretary. 

24-1005-012 

4 CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE

Sponsors: Office of the Secretary 

Indexes: Certificate of Publication 

This Certificate was marked as received and filed by the Secretary. 

24-1006-012 

4 CERTIFICATE OF FILINGS OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT 2024 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERKS OF COOK AND DUPAGE COUNTIES 

Sponsors: Office of the Secretary 

Indexes: Certificate of Filing 

These Certificates were marked as received and filed by the Secretary. 

24-1007-012 

4 CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT 2024 ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 

Sponsors: Office of the Secretary 

Indexes: Certificate of Publication 

This Certificate was marked as received and filed by the Secretary. 

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: 

24-1008-012 4 APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES FOR THE  PUBLIC HEARING AND BOARD MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 13, 2023 

Sponsors: Office of the Secretary 

Indexes: Meeting Minutes 

A motion was made by Commissioner Telli, seconded by Commissioner Walker, that the Meeting Minutes be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

3. PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS: 

24-1009-012 4 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER II OF THE CODE OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT  

Sponsors: Law Department and Office of Inspector General 

Indexes: Code Change 

Attachments: Exhibit A - Proposed Amendments to Chapter II of the CPD Code 

Heather Keil, Acting General Counsel, addressed the Commissioners to provide an overview of the proposed amendments to Chapter II of the Code of the Chicago Park District. 

4. PEOPLE IN THE PARKS: 

24-1010-012 4 PUBLIC COMMENTS 

Sponsors: Office of the Secretary 

Indexes: Public Comments 

The following members of the public addressed the Commissioners: 

1. Denise Ferguson (Addressed health and safety concerns around Douglass Park festivals) 

2. Florina Florea (Addressed safety and health concerns and requested investment in repairs needed from Douglass Park's Riot Fest) 

3. Shirley Franklin (Addressed employing wages and working conditions) 

4. Lillian Gaytan (Addressed employee wages, benefits, and retention rates) 

5. Alejandra Jacobo (Addressed employee wages, health and safety, and retention rates) 

6. Phillip McGrath (Addressed concerns related to Park District expenses and Soldier Field contracts and maintenance)  

7. Kevin McGurn (Provided supportive reasoning for renaming Paschen Park as Pollard Park and requested a follow up discussion on next steps) 

8. Nicole Kowrach (Provided supportive reasoning for renaming Paschen Park as Pollard Park and requested a follow up discussion on next steps) 

9. Ginger Williams (Addressed impacts of migrant shelter on Broadway Armory Park programming and requested reopening of the park to the general public) 

10. John Markowski (Addressed impacts of migrant shelter on Broadway Armory Park programming and requested reopening of the park to the general public) 

11. Cecilia Butler (Addressed concerns about community center development across from Washington Park)  

12. Gin Kilgore (Addressed the community engagement process for the Chicago Park District Strategic Plan) 

13. Melissa Ruiz (Addressed employee wages, health and safety, and retention rates) 

14. Kenneth Newman (Requested lighting repairs at Midway Ice Rink, addressed revenue opportunities, and requested district wide park improvements and increased programming)  

Robert Johnson registered to speak, but was unavailable for comment. 

Written testimony was received from Bill O'Callaghan, Joanne Paschen, Rachel Azzarello, Jeanne Paschen, Frank Paschen, and Patricia Sharkey. 

5. NEW BUSINESS: 

24-1012-012 4 AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO  

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND VARIOUS STATE, LOCAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO ACCEPT THE TRANSFER OF VARIOUS FUNDS AND SERVICES FOR PARK PROJECTS 

Sponsors: Law Department 

Indexes: Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) 

Heather Keil, Acting General Counsel, addressed the Commissioners.  

A motion was made by Vice President Valle, seconded by Commissioner Telli that the matter be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

24-1013-012 

4 CHANGE ORDER NO. 05:  TO PACIFIC CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LLC FOR THE CLARENDON COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION SPECIFICATION NO. P16008-050 

Sponsors: Planning and Construction 

Indexes: Change Order 

Heather Gleason, Director of Planning and Construction, and Brian Stepp, Director of Purchasing, addressed the Commissioners.  

A motion was made by Commissioner Telli, seconded by Commissioner Hemphill Netzky, that the matter be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

24-1000-012 

4 AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT  WITH BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPES LLC FOR DISTRICTWIDE PLANTING AND LANDSCAPING SPECIFICATION NO. P-23012 

Sponsors: Cultural and Natural Resources 

Indexes: Contract Award-IFB, RFP, RFQ 

EDS - Brightview Landscapes LLC 

MWBE Schedules - Brightview Landscapes LLC 

Cathy Breitenbach, Director of Cultural and Natural Affairs, and Brian Stepp,  Director of Purchasing, addressed the Commissioners.  

A motion was made by Vice President Valle, seconded by Commissioner Walker,  that the matter be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

24-1001-012 

4 AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT  WITH THE ACTIVE ALARM COMPANY, INC. FOR ALARM AND CCTV CAMERA INSTALLATION, MONITORING,  MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR SERVICES-DISTRICT WIDE SPECIFICATION NO. P-21012R 

Sponsors: Security 

Indexes: Contract Award-IFB, RFP, RFQ 

EDS - Active Alarm 

MWBE Schedules - Active Alarm 

Pat Levar, Chief Operating Officer, Michael Torres, Security Supervisor, and  Brian Stepp, Director of Purchasing, addressed the Commissioners.  

A motion was made by Commissioner Hemphil Netzky, seconded by Vice  President Valle that the matter be approved. The motion carried by the following  vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

24-1016-012 4 SETTLEMENT OF PETER SLOWIK V. CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT, 21 WC 004338 

Sponsors: Law Department 

Indexes: Settlement Agreement 

A motion was made by Commissioner Telli, seconded by Vice President Valle  that the matter be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

24-1015-012 

4 SETTLEMENT OF LISA DOLAN V. CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT, 17 WC 031157 

Sponsors: Law Department 

Indexes: Settlement Agreement 

A motion was made by Commissioner Telli, seconded by Vice President Valle that the matter be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

24-1014-012 

4 CLOSED SESSION MINUTES REVIEW: AUTHORITY TO RELEASE OR HOLD CLOSED SESSION MINUTES AND AUTHORITY TO DESTROY VERBATIM CLOSED SESSION RECORDINGS 

Sponsors: Law Department 

Indexes: Executive Session Minute Review 

A motion was made by Commissioner Walker, seconded by Commissioner Hemphill Netzky, for the release of Closed Session Meeting Minutes for the following dates: November 15, 2023. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

Indexes: Executive Session Minute Review 

A motion was made by Commissioner Hemphill Netzky, seconded by Commissioner Walker, for the destruction of verbatim records for the following dates: April 20, 2022, May 11, 2022, and June 8, 2022. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

6. ADJOURNED 

A motion was made by Vice President Valle, seconded by Commissioner Hemphill Netzky that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by the following vote: 

Aye: 5 - Hamilton, Hemphill Netzky, Telli, Walker and Valle 

Absent: 1 - Munoz 

https://chicagoparkdistrict.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1147463&GUID=D94D0FD6-5A92-4494-9871-D4A8E82B4D21