City of Olivette Parks Foundation to consider independence, approves officers and executive director

The City of Olivette Parks Foundation on May 26 approved a full slate of officers and formally named City Manager Jennifer Yackley as the foundation's executive director, while directing staff to draft a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and present options for making the foundation more active or independent at an August work session.

The board voted on a single slate of officers after the slate was displayed on the meeting screen and a motion to approve was moved by the clerk and seconded by Chairman Pro Tem Sean Hellman. A roll-call poll recorded affirmative votes from the directors present and the motion passed.

Clerk moved, "I'd like to make a motion to name city manager Jennifer Yackley as the executive director per article 7 of the bylaws," and the board approved the appointment by poll.

In a staff presentation, the staff member summarized the foundation's brief history and its intended role as a 501(c)(3) created to accept donations and maximize grant opportunities. "The idea of a foundation had been something previous city councils had talked about ... it really sort of took legs in March 2018," the staff member said, outlining the foundation's formation in late 2022, the board's first meeting in March 2023, receipt of an IRS tax-exempt determination in March 2024 and establishment of a bank account in October 2024.

The board heard three structure options from staff: remain passive (option 1); adopt an MOU allowing the council to remain the board while city staff perform foundation work and fundraising (option 2); or move to an independent public board with an MOU outlining city services (option 3). Staff emphasized that an MOU would need clear accounting and labor tracking so city staff time and services used for foundation activities are properly recorded.

The finance presenter reviewed the foundation's finances, reporting the trivia night fundraiser netted $2,731, initial net position around $65,000, and cash on hand roughly $34,700 after expenditures such as soccer goals and an InBody scanner. The presenter said a $250 reporting error had been identified and would be corrected in the audit.

Several board members said they were inclined toward option 3 (an independent foundation) or a phased approach that begins with an MOU and moves to independence later. Chairman Pro Tem Sean Hellman said he favored a public board with at least one council member, a parks commission member and a public representative, while other members raised concerns about staff workload and where the line should be drawn between city budget responsibilities and foundation-funded projects.

Staff recommended returning with a draft MOU and more detail in August so the board could have a full work-session discussion. "We can bring you sort of a draft of an MOU for you guys to think about and talk about and have staff concerns," the staff member said.

The board also approved two sets of past meeting minutes and set a target of late summer or fall 2026 for the next Parks Foundation meeting, with a work session on the foundation structure expected in August.

Votes at a glance: the board approved (1) the slate of officers (motion moved by the clerk; seconded by Chairman Pro Tem Sean Hellman; recorded poll: Director Jurgel yes; Director Solomanov yes; Vice Chair Sean Hellman yes; Chairman Lewis yes), (2) the designation of City Manager Jennifer Yackley as executive director (moved by the clerk; seconded; poll recorded in favor), and (3) approval of the July 8, 2025 and Aug. 5, 2025 minutes (moved by Director Jurgiel; seconded; poll recorded in favor).

The foundation meeting adjourned after the actions above. Staff and board members indicated further discussion will occur at an August work session where the MOU and the governance options will be explored in more detail.