HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12/14/2006 - Parks and Recreation Committee PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday,December 14, 2406
Aldermen's Conference Room, 7:30 p.m.
``- In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Peterson, Alderman Santi.
Absent: Alderman Schaefer.
Also in Attendance: Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Management Assistant for
Community Relations Hobson, City Clerk Jones, Park Maintenance Superintendent Schmidt.
Chairman Alderman Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Picnic PolicY Revisions
Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel stated the City schedules family, organizational and
company picnics in the three major parks each year. He noted past policy has been that any
picnic larger than 250 participants requires rental of both picnic shelters in Petersen Park. This
policy prevents overbooking the park facilities.
Director Merkel noted large corporate picnics are great events for the community, but have
outgrown the limited picnic area and parking facilities available in the wooded picnic area at
Petersen Park. StafF is recommending a change in the picnic rental policy. The new policy would
require that all large group picnics (more than 250 participants} would be scheduled only at the
new Petersen Park Waterfront picnic facility. If approved, the change in policy would be
implemented beginning January 2, 2007.
Motion by Santi, seconded by Peterson, to direct Staff to schedule all picnics expected to have
�, more than 250 participants at the new Petersen Park Water&ont picnic facility effective January
2, 2007.
Voting Aye: Santi, Peterson.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: Schaefer.
Motion carried.
Urban Forestry Reuort and Recommendation
Park Maintenance Superintendent Schmidt outlined three proposed options for the 2007 Urban
Forestry Program as follows:
1. Design project with limited scope, targeting a neighborhood within the community;
2. Develop a cost share tree planting program available to all City residents;
3, Develop a comprehensive community-wide forestry program for the City.
Superintendent Schmidt noted the success of the 2006 cost-share program. The community really
welcomed the opportunity to participate in a tree planting program. He noted the fluctuations in
the past with forestry programs. He opined there would be more consistency in participation is
some type of program is implemented each year. Superintendent Schmidt noted Tree City USA
recommends a minimum be expended each year of$2/resident in order to qualify for Tree City
USA status. 11TcHenry currently averages approximately $4/resident.
� Adoption of Emalovee Background Check Policy
Director Merkel reminded the Committee discussion occuned at its March meeting regarding the
establishment of a policy requiring criminal background checks on all Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
December 14, 2006
Page 2
�-- Department employees. He noted the City does not currently have a policy requiring background
checks of part time employees. Citing the recent passing of State laws requiring background
checks of Illinois Park District employees and School District employees, it is Staff's
recommendation a policy be implemented requiring background checks on Parks and Recreation
employees, even though, technically, not required by State Statute.
Management Assistant for Community Relations Hobson noted the Police Department has
purchased new electronic fingerprinting equipment which would cut down the time required to
obtain results Results should be ready in one week. The cost is also cut in half from that
previously required when securing results from the State fingerprint lab. The fingerprinting
machine will arrive in early January.
Motion by Santi, seconded by Peterson, to accept Stai�s recommendation to implement a
mandatory criminal background check and fingerprinting of all Parks and Recreation employees,
subject to review and approval of written policy by City Attorney McArdle.
Voting Aye: Santi, Peterson.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: Schaefer.
Motion carried.
2007 Parks and Recreation Committee Meetin�Schedule
�,, Motion by Santi, seconded by Peterson, to approve the 2007 Parks and Recreation Committee
Meeting Schedule as follows, subject to change and/or modification:
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 7 p.m.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 7 p.m.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007 7 p.m.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 7 p.m.
Voting Aye: Santi, Peterson.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: Schaefer.
Director's Reuort
Director Merkel described a potential land donation from the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources.
Director Merkel noted the Jaycees may only have the capacity to donate $5,000 toward the 2007
fireworks di splay. Director Merkel suggested the Jaycees pursue corporate
donations/sponsorships. The 2007 Jaycees Day and Fireworks are proposed for Saturday, June
30, 2007.
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Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
December 14, 2006
Page 3
� New Business
Chairman Peterson stated he takes issue with placement and expenditure of Veterans Park
Christmas decorations. He suggested Staff evaluate this project and investigate how sunounding
communities handle this issue.
Adiournment
Motion by Sanii, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 p.m.
Voting Aye: Santi, Peterson.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: Schaefer.
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
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Robert J. Peterso hairman
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