Naperville want to explore partnership with parks

Naperville city councilmen want the city and park district to conduct a joint study of whether the two can form a better partnership before any further discussion of dissolving the park district.

The debate was prompted by a request from councilmen Richard Furstenau, Grant Wehrli and Doug Krause that city staff explore whether incorporating the park district into the city would save significant taxpayer dollars.

"When the numbers come home to roost this time around, government needs to do something different or we'll be taxing people something they're not agreeing with," Furstenau said.

Dissolving the park district would ultimately require a taxpayer vote via referendum. But some councilmen Monday said they would rather look at improving the partnership between the city and park district.

Park district attorney Steve Adams was an advocate of partnerships as well and said if parks and recreation were under the city's umbrella it would be competing for resources. He pointed out the district's successes as its own entity.

"The park district of this city has consistently provided best in class park district services and currently exercises professional and cost-effective management and stewardship of over 2,600 acres in this city, including 139 parks," he said.

However, the park district has also been plagued by a board known for its inability to get along and trouble keeping executive directors. It has had eight in the past 12 years including interim directors. Current Executive Director Daniel Betts is on a leave of absence after less than four months in the district, and it is not known why or whether he will return.

Councilman Kenn Miller said the issue is with park district management, not its operation, and a referendum to dissolve the park district isn't necessarily the way to make changes.

"The ultimate referendum is at the election this spring when your councilmen will be up for election or your commissioner will be up for election," Miller said. "That's the ultimate referendum."

He suggested the city and park district set up a committee with staff members and two elected officials from each body to look at their partnership more closely.

The council voted 4-2 in favor of doing so. Miller, Wehrli, Furstenau and Robert Fieseler approved while Mayor George Pradel and Councilman Darlene Senger voted no. Pradel wanted a joint workshop with more people involved and Senger wanted to get the school district involved. Krause and Councilmen James Boyajian and John Rosanova were absent.

After the committee studies the issue the city may have a town-hall meeting to let residents voice their opinions. It could also decide to hold an advisory referendum to get input. The earliest it could do so would be the April 7, 2009, election.

If residents want to dissolve the park district, thousands of signatures would be needed to put a binding referendum on the ballot. Then, two-thirds of voters would have to approve. If approved, the park district's money would go to the school districts and the city would have to explore how to convey park property.

Parks; Councilman says issue is management, not operation