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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 3/18/2009 - Parks and Recreation Committee (2) PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING � Wednesday,March 18, 2009 Aldermen's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m. In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Peterson, Alderman Santi, and Alder nan Schaefer. Absent: None. Also in Artendance: Assistant City Administrator Hobson, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Director of Finance Black, Superintendent of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt, Superinteiident of Parks Maintenance Kittl, Park Foreman Jeff Friedle and City Clerk Jones. Public in attendance: Tom Cichowski —Kiwanis Club Chairman Alderman Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Public Innut No one spoke during the time set aside for public input. Discussion: 2009 Gvasv Moth Control Program Superintendent of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt informed the Committee that the City has received a proposal from the County regarding the spraying of certain blocks within the City. He stated the proposed spraying is for six blocks consisting of 203 acres at a cost of � $10,000. Superintendent Schmidt noted that the County is in the final stages of developing the aerial spray program for 2009. Should the City determine that the cost is excessive and wish to downsize the covered area, the City must notify the County by the end of the month of alternative areas. Responding to an inquiry from Alderman Schaefer, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel informed the Committee that $3,000 has been budgeted based on the aerial spraying of 58 acres in 2008, at a cost to the City of$1,400. Responding to an inquiry from Chairman Alderman Peterson, Superintendent Schmidt noted that the spraying can be done on the ground, but is less expensive when done by air. He noted that the spraying in a control measure not an eradication. Alderman Santi suggested rating the six areas by priority. Assistant City Administrator Hobson agreed, suggesting the neighborhoods with houses and acreage could be prioritized over a 3-year period. Chairman Alderman Peterson opined that perhaps if there were homeowner associations in the designated areas they could, perhaps, provide matching funds. Alderman Santi requested additional information. A brief discussion ensued. Assistant City `— Administrator Hobson informed the Committee that he would confer with Finance Director Black and obtain additional information regarding the proposal. Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting March 18, 2009 Page 2 � Discussion: Emerald Ash Borer Ouerational Plan Superintencient Schmidt outlined the Emerald Ash Borer Operational Plan (the "Plan") to the Committee. The Plan included the following headings: • Plar Purpose • Plar Administration • Conimunication • Pre-Emerald Ash Borer Infestation � Identification of Emerald Ash Borer � Biology and life cycle � Identification of Ash tree species � Ash tree symptoms � The threat of Emerald Ash Borer to the City and the cost associated with Emerald Ash Borer � Responding to citizen questions • Protocol for Potential EAB Site • Protocol for Confirmed EAB sites • Wood Disposal • Tree Replacement �' • Private Tree Removal Superintendent Schmidt informed the Committee that Administration will disseminate the information to make certain everyone receives the same information sheet. Chairman Alderman Peterson suggested a notification in the City newsletter. He opined he would like to see information on the City's website with a link providing access to additional information. Additionally, Chairman Alderman Peterson stated he would like Staff to fine tune the Plan and obtain resource material for distribution to the public A discussion ensued. Following the discussion, Superintendent Schmidt noted that the City is the only community that does not have some type of program to assist residents with reforestation. Staff Reuorts A. Disc Golf Course Park Chairman Alderman Peterson informed the Committee that, unfortunately, Tom Chrisman was unavailable to attend tonight's meeting. Chairman Alderman Peterson introduced Tom Cichowski of the Noon Kiwanis Club. Mr. Cichowski provided the Committee with the following summary: • There are potentially twelve committed hole sponsors � Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting March 18, 2009 Page 3 � • liifteen groups of young adults are committed to assisting with the clean-up �>roject Mr. Cichowski provided the Committee with a rough map, indicating that the actual posirions of the holes would be determined as the project takes place. Director MerKel noted there are some restrictions due to wetlands. A d�scussion took place regarding where the parking lot might be placed. It was noted that ComEd owns the access property. Assistant City Administrator Hobson informed the Committee that the City has a good working relationship with ComEd. He r,tated, however, that ComEd is requesting additional information regarding a precise plan prior to considering park access. A gravel lot was suggested. Chairman Alderman Peterson stated he liked the idea regarding the gravel lot. He opined maintenance would be less stressful on the Parks and Recreation employees. Mr. Cichowski informed the Committee that the Kiwanians are excited about the project and would like to move forward before a loss of interest, volunteers and sponsors occurs. He noted that the Kiwanis Club was looking at May 2009 to begin the project. � In response to an inquiry, Assistant City Administrator Hobson indicated that if there are specific standards for disc golf those standards should be complied with. Also, of consideration is the cost of park maintenance to the City. Director Merkel suggested continuing to move forward with the project and a follow- up with ComEd regarding the access. Additionally, Staff will ascertain the cost to excavate the road among additional costs and return to the Committee with information at its May meeting. Alderman Santi opined that the park needs to provide more than one purpose. He requested an estimate of future weekly, monthly and annual maintenance costs. B. Dog Park Development Status Assistant City Administrator Hobson informed the Committee that Staff is still waiting for the representatives from the real estate group to come out and peruse the property. At this time, Staff is continuing to look at some alternative sites. It was noted that a key component to the project is parking lot accessibility. Chairman Alderman Peterson stated he has concerns regarding the current economic climate and inquired whether the dog park could fund itself. He suggested it might be opportune to table the matter until some point in the future. � Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting March 1$, 2009 Page 4 � Director Merkel noted that initially the dog park would entail a lot of maintenance. He itoted that even if the project was approved this year it would likely not come to fruit ion for 2-2 '/z years. Aldf�rman Schaefer stated he was not in favor of halting the process, but noted that if the 1�ity does not have sufficient Staff to support additional parks it might be a good idea to table the project temporarily. Foll��wing a brief discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to determine the parking situation and bring the discussion back to the Committee at its May meeting. C. Petersen Park Fietd No. 2 Renovation (Pre-Construction Meeting Report) Assistant City Administrator Hobson informed the Committee that the park renovation is progressing nicely. He stated that the lights will be moved on Thursday, March 19, 2009 and the fencing should be completed on Friday, March 20, 2009. The first game will likely be played on the field on April 6. Assistant City Administrator Hobson noted there is a great deal of excitement from the��arious teams regarding playing under the lights. D. 2009 Jaycees Fireworks Display � Director Merkel informed the Committee that proposals have been sent to three vendors. The Requests for Proposals ("RFQ") are due on April 3, 2009. Responding to an inquiry from Assistant City Administrator Hobson regarding why not more than three RFQ's were sent out, Director Merkel responded that there are a limited number of vendors in this field. Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel informed the Committee that the fireworks display would be held on Saturday, July 4, 2009. New Business Alderman Schaefer opined that fees are frequently waived, or requests are received for fees to be waived, from a number of organizations. He opined that fees should be charged for certain events whether they are not-for-profit or otherwise. Assistant City Administrator Hobson noted that the McHenry Area Soccer Federation is coming before Council on March 30, 2009 with a request that fees be waived for their event. After due consideration, Staff has recommended that the fees not be waived for the park rental and police security. Alderman Schaefer suggested criteria should be established for fee waivers. Part of the criteria should include whether or not a contribution comes back to the City from the � requesting organization. He requested that Staff submit some recommendations regarding guidelines. Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting March 18. 2009 Page 5 � Adiournment Motion by Schaefer, seconded by Santi, to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 p.m. Aye: Peterson, Santi, Schaefer. Na y: None. Absent: None. Motion ca�ried. Respectfully submitted, Robert J. Peterson, Chairman � �