Jericho-Underhill Park District

The meeting covered several operational and management topics. Key discussions included the Park Visitors TrafX Report for February, approval of the finalized 2026 Reservations Policy document, and an evaluation of simplifying the treasurer's role by contracting out QuickBooks duties, including approval for a one-time QuickBooks evaluation service. The board agreed not to attempt to schedule rain dates for summer concerts. The 2026 mowing bid language was reviewed, with a suggestion to specify two weekly mowings in May and June, and a strong recommendation surfaced to potentially not award future bids to the current mowing contractor due to invoicing issues. A motion passed to pay EcoPixel for outstanding invoices totaling $780.30 despite pending website fix requests. Management addressed handling a reservation payment for an event scheduled in 2028 and planning for an EV/E-Fair event. Informational topics included confirming that dog policies are working effectively and deciding not to pursue resurrecting a past dog training event. Updates included scheduling the Spring Work Date, progress on the Riparian Buffer Grant Project, and reporting that boundary signs installation is scheduled to commence on March 21st. Updates were also provided regarding the Contingency Pedestrian Bridge Project, awaiting a cost estimate for the bridge plan.

The JUPD Business Meeting included a public comment regarding plans for reserving the front lawn for the No Kings 3.0 event scheduled for March 2026. The Board approved the financial report, which included a review of Budget vs Actual expenses, Balance Sheet, and Expenses by Vendor analysis. A slate of officers was elected for a one-year term, including a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, contingent upon developing a plan to offload bookkeeping duties. Discussions continued regarding updates to the Reservations Policy for 2026, with one board member managing the reservation process. Specific concerns were raised regarding safety, parking, and liability for the No Kings 3.0 event reservation request, and the event representative agreed to relay these concerns back to their planning group. Informational topics included confirming no price increase for the 2026 soccer season usage fees. Update topics covered the status of boundary signs, EcoPixel invoices, bird signs placement, follow-up needed on mowing invoices, expected announcement of the RTP grant decision for trail accessibility, and the purchasing of material for the Riani Memorial Bench. The Board also discussed planning for summer concerts and researching Venmo transaction accounting.

The business meeting included requests to discuss the 2026 Farmers Market, silica gel packs for people counters, unclaimed property, missing invoices for mowing services, and the bookkeeping search. Key agenda items involved reviewing visitor counter data, which showed a period of lost counts at the bridge due to a battery issue, and updating the Reservation Policy and Procedures to streamline communication using a dedicated email address. The board decided against raising 2026 reservation prices and scheduled the 2026 Spring Tasks work date. Other topics covered included updates on the RTP grant application for trail accessibility, paying a partial amount of EcoPixel invoices, and addressing unclaimed money held by the state. The board also discussed following up on mowing invoices for the previous season.

Discussions included a review of board member terms of office for Jericho and Underhill representatives, noting upcoming re-elections. The board reviewed a proposal from Ecopixel for website improvements, covering topics such as meeting minutes management, an iNatural app, digital trail maps, and communication modules. A motion to spend up to $3,000 for these improvements did not pass due to budget concerns and board bandwidth limitations. Revisions to the Park Reservations Policy and Procedures were recommended, focusing on clearer date placement, contact fields, and clarifying service fees. Planning for the Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026, was initiated, with one member agreeing to moderate if necessary. Guidance on board spending allowances and expenditure refunds was reviewed. Updates were provided on the approval of the Riparian Grant, the status of interpretive signs, and the assembly of the Riani Memorial Bench.

The proceedings included an Annual Meeting followed by a Business Meeting. During the Annual Meeting, the election of a moderator, acceptance of the Trustees' annual report, unanimous authorization for the Trustees to borrow money for temporary district needs, and the unanimous adoption of a budget totaling $116,665 for the fiscal year were conducted. The subsequent Business Meeting addressed adjustments to the agenda regarding community outreach and communication via a dedicated Front Porch Forum (FPF) account. The finance report was reviewed, noting outstanding mowing invoices and higher-than-expected invoicing from Ecopixel. Park management discussions involved updates to the Park Reservations Policy and Procedures. Informational topics included developing a Playing Fields Reservations Policy and Procedures, planning for the election of 2026 officers, and investigating the option of hiring a contract accountant since the current Treasurer plans to relinquish the role. Updates were also provided on securing testimonial letters for the RTP grant for trail accessibility, approval of the Riparian Buffer Grant, and assembly plans for the Riani Memorial Bench.