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O'Fallon parks advisory board approves agenda, hears updates on hires, turf project and event attendance
Summary
The O'Fallon Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Feb. 10 approved the meeting agenda and January minutes, heard that the parks department is fully staffed with two new hires, learned the Ozzie Smith turf contractor resumed work after snow, and reviewed Celebration of Lights attendance and ticketing figures for 2023–2025.
The O'Fallon Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Feb. 10 approved its agenda and January meeting minutes and heard operational updates from parks, recreation and tourism staff.
Parks staff reported two new hires — Jacob Podmore and Noah Howard — and said park operations are “completely fully staffed.” The department noted multiple staff placements and competition results at the Missouri Parks and Recreation rodeo, and said contractor work resumed this week at Ozzie Smith Park after recent snow, with crews currently moving dirt on Field D. Parks staff also said a time-lapse video of the site is being recovered and may be shown in March.
Board members asked about the turf project schedule and tournaments; staff said the first tournament is expected in the second week of April and that the contract includes weather contingency days.
The board reviewed Celebration of Lights attendance and ticketing data presented by recreation staff. Reported totals were: 2023 — 27,651 total tickets sold with 3,071 not scanned; 2024 — 25,645 sold with 3,340 not scanned; and 2025 — 25,569 sold with 2,841 not scanned. Staff explained the “not scanned” category reflects tickets purchased but not used (including a small number of complimentary or staff tickets) and said weather affected some year-to-year differences.
Recreation staff also previewed program schedules: Big Shots basketball sessions sold out, tumbling and Tae Kwon Do sessions will start a new session next week, and summer camp information will be posted Feb. 15 with registration beginning March 7 for Renaud members/residents and March 16 for others.
Tourism and festivals staff said vendor applications for the season are being processed; Whiskers & Wags is scheduled for May 2. Heritage & Freedom Fest’s rock-night headliner was confirmed as Kansas; vendor applications for the festival open March 2 and parade applications on April 6. Staff noted one vacancy after a recent departure and that a job posting went live to recruit a replacement.
Votes at a glance - Agenda approval — Motion by Miss Wilson; second Miss Williams; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approval of Jan. 13, 2026 minutes — Motion by Miss Wilson; second Miss Williams; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Adjournment — Motion by Miss Wilson; second Mr. Elder; outcome: approved (voice vote).
The board also learned that long-time city employee Bob Dierduff will retire March 27; parks staff said they plan to post the position and attempt overlap so a successor can train with him. The meeting closed after a brief “good of the order” discussion that included praise for the city snow and road crews.
