Batavia Illinois – The 5th Ward

Guest Matters & Commissioner Comments

Because no members of the public stepped forward during the guest matters period, the board transitioned to commissioner updates, where community feedback was shared.

• The Park District Commissioner addressed the board regarding their weekend efforts canvassing for election petition signatures, noting they only needed seven more to complete their goal.
• The Park District Commissioner highlighted that the canvassing process was incredibly easy because the community holds the park district in high regard.
• The Park District Commissioner relayed that residents specifically praised the district’s art programs, the high-quality upkeep of the local parks, and the daycare services.
• The Park District Commissioner concluded by offering “kudos to everybody all the way down” for their hard work and dedication in making the district beloved by the community.

Consent Agenda & Announcements

The board formally approved routine finances and acknowledged incoming community correspondence before outlining a series of upcoming seasonal events designed to boost community engagement and utilize indoor facilities.

• The board quickly established and approved the consent agenda, which included meeting minutes, paid expenditures, the investment summary, and the income statement.
• The board acknowledged correspondence from the Batavia Chamber of Commerce inviting members to a “Coffee and Commerce” networking event hosted at the Callahan Community Center.
• Staff announced upcoming community events, including the “Pints by the Pond” craft beer festival—featuring 13 local breweries and a steel drum band from Waubonsee Community College—and a space-themed Mom and Son Night.
• Staff highlighted that indoor rental spaces are actively available for the upcoming winter season, specifically noting Shannon Hall, the Peg Bond Center, and the Skyloft.
• Registration for winter basketball is currently open for kindergarten through eighth-grade students and will close in October.

Staff & Departmental Reports

District administrators provided comprehensive updates detailing successful community networking events, the implementation of new financial software, and ongoing park maintenance.

• A District Administrator reported hosting a highly successful Coffees and Commerce event attended by 23 local businesses, featuring a tour of the archive and restoration process led by the Museum Curator.
• The Human Resources Department is actively interviewing for a creative communications specialist and a part-time customer relations advisor, while a new executive assistant with a decade of public sector experience from King County is set to start in October.
• The Finance Department reported that budget entry is wrapping up and detailed the rollout of new technology, including door access controls at the Civic Center and workstations for New Horizons Preschool teachers.
• The Finance Department also highlighted a transition to Tyler Technologies software to facilitate automated clearing house (ACH) payments to vendors, streamlining the accounts payable process.
• The Facilities Department reported that the Horticulturist is renovating the Great Lawn Area turf, and Kids Around the World completed the demolition of the Fox Trail playground as the district awaits permits for its renovation.
• The Riverwalk playground renovation was successfully completed, featuring the installation of durable new “playground grass” turf.

Executive Director’s Report

The Executive Director highlighted successful intergovernmental charity events, environmental sustainability efforts, and significant in-house facility renovations.

• The Executive Director celebrated the “Battle for Batavia” charity softball game, where the park district played against the Batavia Public School District 101 and the Police Department to raise funds for Ronald McDonald Charities.
• The district is partnering with the Batavia Lions Club for the NexTrex recycling challenge, aiming to collect 1,000 pounds of plastic film to be recycled into a composite bench.
• In-house maintenance crews successfully renovated the scenic overlooks on the east side of the Shelby Government Center.
• The district will be recognized for 30 years of commitment to the local business community at an upcoming Chamber Cheers event hosted at Sturdy Shelter.
• The Mom and Son Night Out has been completely overhauled from its previous iteration at West Main Community Park to an indoor space-themed event.

Enterprise Fleet Management Proposal (New Business)

The board extensively debated a proposed partnership with a third-party fleet management company to replace the district’s outdated vehicles through an open-ended equity leasing model, aiming to reduce escalating maintenance costs and modernize safety features.

• A District Administrator and a Representative from Enterprise Fleet Management presented the proposal, noting the district’s current fleet of 26 vehicles has an average age of 13.5 years.
• Under the current model, the district purchases roughly one vehicle per year, leading to sporadic budget spikes, high maintenance costs, and a lack of modern safety features like backup cameras and auto-braking.
• The proposed partnership would implement an open-ended equity lease structure, targeting a five-year replacement cycle for light-duty vehicles and a ten-year cycle for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
• The Representative clarified that the district would retain all equity in the vehicles, face no mileage or wear-and-tear restrictions, and could apply the resale value of leased vehicles as a down payment on future replacements.
• The district would continue to handle all routine vehicle maintenance, fuel, and insurance in-house, while leveraging Enterprise for direct-to-manufacturer acquisition, licensing, and eventual resale.
• The board reached a consensus to advance the contract for attorney review, with formal approval readings expected at the October board meetings.

Entities Mentioned

The following entities and organizations were discussed during the meeting:

• Government & Civic Entities: Batavia Park District, King County, Batavia Public School District 101, Police Department, Fire Department
• Private Companies & Contractors: Tyler Technologies, Rec Technologies, Enterprise Fleet Management, Enterprise Mobility, National, Alamo, Callahan Center Records, Sturdy Shelter
• Non-Profits & Community Organizations: Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Ronald McDonald Charities, Batavia Lions Club, NexTrex, Kids Around the World
• Educational Institutions: Waubonsee Community College, New Horizons Preschool

Author: Jim Fahrenbach

Pints by the Pond