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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 6/11/2008 - Parks and Recreation Committee PARKS AND RECREAT'ION COMMITTEE MEETING `.. Wednesday, June 11,2008 Aldermen's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m. In Attenda�nce: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Peterson, Alderman Santi, and Aldernian Schaefer. Absent: None. Also in Atlendance: Assistant City Administrator Hobson, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Si�perintendent of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt, Superintendent of Parks Maintenan�;e Kittl, Park Foreman Jeff Friedle and City Clerk Jones. Public in at tendance: None Chairman ,�lderman Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. It was determined that Item No. 2 on the Agenda would be discussed last to provide Superintendent Witt an opportunity to present the Parks and Recreation Revenue Policy, which she prepared. � Public Input No one spoke during the time set aside for public input. Discussion Regarding Disc Golf Development Program � Director Merkel informed the Committee that in addition to being approached by the McHenry Noon Kiwanis Club regarding the development of a disc golf program, Staff was contacted �n May 30, 2008 by the same group of young men who had approached the City two years ago about the development of a Disc Golf Course. The group of young men has expressed an interest in assisting with the design, development and fundraising efforts for the project. StafF recommends setting a meeting for the interested groups to gather and potentially partner together on the project. It was suggested that a preliminary meeting could be scheduled sometime in 7une to consider moving forward with the project. Should strong interest be expressed by both groups, an additional planning meeting could be scheduled to prepare a plan, identify a potential site and prepare a budget. Director Merkel suggested a recommendation could be prepared and ready for presentation to the Parks and Recreation Committee at its September 10, 2008 meeting. Chairman Alderman Peterson informed the Committee that Dr. Dan Jannotta would be the contact person for the Kiwanis Club. Chairman Alderman Peterson opined that Cold Springs Park has rough terrain and would require a lot of maintenance; Althoff Park has inadequate soil for the project. Petersen Park has too many people already using the premises and would not be a good choice. Alderman Schaefer concurred with Chairman Alderman Peterson regarding his assessment of Petersen Park. Director Merkel suggested the following dates for the proposed meeting: June 23, `' 7une 24 or June 25, 2008. Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting June 11, 2008 Page 2 � Following �� brief discussion regarding various sites, Chairman Alderman Peterson stated he would be c pen to alternative locations. Additionally, he indicated he was pleased to have outside assistance from individuals who potentially have experience with the game itself. Assistant City Administrator Hobson opined that Cold Springs Park appears to have a good layout and��vould present the best opportunity for a good course. Alderman Schaefer suggested the back east portion of Fox Ridge Park. He opined the rough setting mig�t provide a competitive setting. Discussion Regarding Grand Illinois Trail Proiect Director Merkel informed the Committee that the City has been working with the Illinois Department: of National Resources ("IDNR") for many years on the development of the Grand Illinc�is Trail Project. On May 28, 2008, an open house program on the Miller Road renovation was held at the Municipal Center. Staff from the IDNR we in attendance to review the project and its impact on the trail connection between the McHenry County Prairie Trail and Moraine Hills State Park. Messrs. George Bellovics, Grand Illinois Trail Coordinator and Greg Kelly, Site Superintendent of Moraine Hills State Park, expressed interest in the road improvements and any future trail connections. � Staff will review the proposed trail connection and potential financial assistance that could be provided through various state and federal grant programs for a potential trail connection between the prairie path and the state park through Knox Park and Municipal Center Drive. Director Merkel noted that any improvements must be ADA compliant. Responding to an inquiry from Alderman Santi regarding initiation of the discussions with Mr. Pacini, the owner of the property, Director Merkel indicated the City would initiate the discussions. Staff Reuorts A. Dog Park Development—Access Report Director Merkel provided the Committee with a brief report regarding the potential use of an adjoining parking lot for the proposed Petersen Farm site. Director Merkel informed the Committee that Ryan Schwalenberg indicated that parking at Staples would not be an issue, but permission must be received from the owner of the propeity. Responding to an inquiry, Assistant City Administrator Hobson stated Rubloff was only�the developer and the property has since been sold to another entity. The Committee concurred that parking is a definitive issue. Responding to an inquiry � from Alderman Schaefer regarding whether a public facility, such as the dog park, � Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting June 1 l, 2008 Page 3 � must have access for emergency vehicles, Director Merkel assured the Committee he woiild find out if this is a requirement. Superintendent Kittl informed the Committee that a number of acres in Petersen Park were under water on the previous Saturday and Sunday, noting there was no access to the property from the Historic Petersen Farm side. Responding to an inquiry by Alderman Santi regarding the viability of Riverside Hollow as a site for the dog park, Director Merkel noted that there was too much residential use in the area. It v�-as the consensus of the Committee to direct Staff to obtain a proposal from 3D Design for a dog park at the Petersen Park site and that Staff should return with the pro��osal at the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting scheduled in September 2008. B. McCullom Lake Fisheries Report Director Merkel provided the Committee with a copy of the IDNR Division of Fisheries survey results for 2007. He noted the survey was completed in the fall of 2007 to assess the Northern Pike population. � Dirc�ctor Merkel informed the Committee that the IDNR is not doing electro-shocking eveiy year, but he stated they will be doing a general survey of McCullom Lake this year. Director Merkel provided the Committee with data from the Division of Fisheries noting that the abundance of Yellow Bass is a concern. He stated that Yellow Bass are a competitive fish that might have to be killed offin the next 2-10 years. Discussion Regarding Parks and Recreation Revenue Policv Director Merkel announced that Superintendent of Recreation Witt is involved assisting with Geneva Red's harmonica program, currently taking place in the Council chambers and that she would be unable to participate in tonight's meeting. Director Merkel stated that Superintendent Witt completed an evaluation of the Parks and Recreation Department's fee structure and fee policy as part of her Masters Program at Aurora University. He indicated that Parks and Recreation Staff would be working with Finance Director Black to facilitate development of a comprehensive revenue policy as a guideline to determine appropriate fees and charges for City programs and facilities. A draft of the policy and recommendations will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Committee at the September 10, 2008 meeting, with a final copy of the revenue policy completed for review at the November 12, 2008 Committee meeting. It is anticipated that a � revenue po icy would be approved and adopted by full Council for implementation in the Fiscal Year 2009/2010 budget. Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting June 11, 2008 Page 4 L Director Merkel noted this timeline would permit Staff to establish fees and charges for the Summer 2C�09 program session and project revenues for the Fiscal Year 2009/2010 budget. Alderman Schaefer opined that the data presents a good baseline. Alderman Santi concurred with Alderinan Schaefer. Responding to an inquiry from Alderman Schaefer regarding the number of responses received in accumulation of the information, Director Merkel stated approximately thirty responses were received from municipalities between McHenry and Rockford. Reports to Committee C. NISRA Video Presentation Director Merkel presented a video highlighting the scope of the agency's programs and activities available through 1VISRA. New Business Chairman Alderman Peterson inquired whether anyone else had read the article regarding the phosphorous ban in fertilizers, which was recently in the paper. He opined it is something the City might want to look into for future preservation of waterways and lakes. Alderman Santi inquired about how Staff was dealing with the large amounts of rainfall '�-- recently in the area. Director Merkel informed the Committee that Staff continues to experience issues with the northern area of Petersen Park. Adiournment Motion by Santi, seconded by Schaefer, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Aye: Peterson, Santi, Schaefer. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Res full �ub ' d, / Robert J. Peterson, irman �