Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1/16/2013 - Parks and Recreation Committee PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING �.. Wednesday,January 16,2013 Aldermen's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m. In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Peterson, Alderman Glab and Alderman Schaefer. Absent: None. Also in Attendance: Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Superintendent of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt, Athletic Program Coordinator Lunkenheimer and City Clerk Jones. Public in attendance: None Chairman Alderman Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Public Inqut No one participated in Public Input. Discussion Regarding Recreation Center Facilitv Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel reiterated to the Committee that discussion regarding the Recreation Center Facility was last before the Committee at the September 12, 2012 Parks & Recreation Committee meeting. The Committee directed Staff to price out � athletic field houses in surrounding municipalities and to make an effort to determine the availability of vacant commercial buildings in the City of McHenry for possible renovation. Director Merkel provided the Committee with a breakdown of basic costs for athletic field house facilities constructed by local park districts and high schools. He noted that the facilities are all free-standing buildings, with the exception of the addition to the Richmond High School gym. Staff searched for vacant local commercial buildings that could be considered for renovation. Director Merkel provided a list of five structures, which had a wide variety of location, size of building and type of structure. Director Merkel stated that he had the Parks & Recreation staff assemble a current list of program registrations in an effort to illustrate the need for types of facilities to accommodate the activities unique to the City of McHenry. The list is broken down by types of activities: • Indoor athletics; • Classroom/Multi-purpose; and • Special events. The largest number of registrations and participation are activities that would require classroomimulti-purpose type facilities. Director Merkel noted that many of the activities that utilizc grade school size gyrnnasiums could be accommodated in a large multi-purpose �. room. He• advised that the interior design of the building should be able to accommodate a Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting January 16, 2013 Page 2 �' wide variety of programs and be able to provide space for not only existing programs but allow for added programs in the future. Staff is seeking direction from the Committee regarding whether building a new facility, behind the Municipal Center (south of Knox Park) or purchasing an existing commercial building and renovating would be the best option for a community recreation center. Responding to an inquiry from the Committee, Director Merkel stated there is currently $4,000,00(1 in the Recreation Center Fund. Athletic P-ogram Coordinator Lunkenheimer stated that the department needs a recreation center that can accommodate dance, City use for programs and multi-purpose. Alderman Glab opined that what the Committee is seeking is something that could be utilized long term. He suggested using the money available in the Fund to establish a core and information gathered previously that is currently archived as a starting point. He noted he does not support the use of an existing structure. Alderman Schaefer concurred with Alderman Glab and suggested that along with looking at old data, look at current recreation centers that are successful in surrounding communities. He opined that he would consider the use of an existing structure. �'' Alderman Glab suggested dedicating the next Parks & Recreation Committee meeting to a workshop to look at previous plans for the recreation center. He stated that the Committee needs to find out what the community wants. Chairman Alderman Peterson requested details regarding what the Staff of the Parks & Recreation Department felt they needed. Assistant City Administrator Hobson suggested a facility that could be used year round, rather than seasonally. It is the consensus of the Committee to revisit the topic once additional information has been provided. Discussion Regarding Fox Ridge Park(West) Plan Revision Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel informed the Committee that a proposed development plan was completed for the Fox Ridge Park (west parcel) in conjunction with a proposed District 15 elementary school. The plan allowed for a 5-acre school site to be located on the southwest corner and the balance of the property was to be completed by the City of McHenry as an athletic area for youth sports. A cooperative agreement was executed that stipulated that if the school was not built within a 15-year period the property would revert back to the City. The corner property was returned to the City of McHenry in January 2012. � Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting January 16, 2013 Page 3 �' Now that the site has been returned to the City, a revised plan can be developed with consideration for use of the additional turf area and a solution to the parking issues experienced at this Park. Director Merkel suggested a future plan should also take into consideration the potential for acquisition of additional park acreage to the north. He noted that the 50-acre Levy property was donated to the City after the original plan for the area was developed. Staff woul�i like to review the site plan and seeks recommendations from the Committee as to the future use of the site. Director Merkel noted numerous requests from youth sports organizaticns for use of this 5-acre parcel for team practices and games. Director Merkel stated that parking is currently the major issue. Superintendent of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt stated that there are a lot of wetlands surrounding the property. Athletic Program Coordinator Lunkenheimer indicated that Field No. 2 is used most frequently. Responding to an inquiry from Alderman Glab, Director Merkel stated that he has access to information about the soil which he can provide to the Committee. Alderman Glab suggested a feasibility study be performed to ascertain who uses the City of McHenry field. �'' Alderman Schaefer suggested Staff look into the cost of another parking lot. Alderman Glab concurred with Alderman Schaefer. He opined that if the fields are to be active there must be adequate parking. Staff was directed to provide the Committee with an idea about how much parking is required and what the cost would be. Staff Reports to Committee A. Fort McHenry Proiect Uadate Director Merkel informed the Committee that the contract documents have been completed and Staff has begun working with Leathers & Associates on the planning process for the renovation. A down payment of 10% to 15% is required for work to begin on the project. B. Do�Park Development Uadate Director Merkel informed the Committee that the fences are in at the Dog Park. The shelter has been completed. Everything is ready to go with the exception of the gate. Staff is looking into a solar powered system. The entry gate needs to be configured and installed. Signage is the final thing to be installed. Director Merkel stated that an earl y summer opening is anticipated. Deadline for the naming is February 18, 2013. � Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting January 16, 2013 Page 4 �" C. 2013 Meetin�Schedule Director Merkel proposed the following dates in 2013 for Parks and Recreation Committee meetings, with additional meeting dates and/or agenda items assigned by the Chairman or as requested by the Mayor and City Council: • Wednesday, January 16, 2013 • Wednesday, February 20, 2013 (Athletic League Meeting) • Wednesday, March 13, 2013 • Wednesday, April 10, 2013 D.50/50 Tree Plantin�Program Su��erintendent of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt reiterated to the Committee that this program was last discussed on October 17, 2012. Revisions to the program have been made pursuant to the Committee's suggestions. Staff would like to present the program to full Council at a meeting in February. New Business The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Alderman Conference Room. Tentative topics for discussion are: • Recreation Center • Park Capital Program � • Fox Ridge Park Plan Revision(former school site use) Responding to an inquiry from the Committee, Superintendent of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt stated that the Emerald Ash Borer is rampant in the City of McHenry. He opined that it is likely within 5 years there will be no ash trees in the City. Adi ournment Motion by Peterson, seconded by Glab, to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 pm. Aye: Peterson, Glab, Schaefer. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Resggctfu s m' , , .� � Jr Robert J. Peterson, Chairman �