HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2/2/1999 - Parks and Recreation Committee �
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES
February 2 , 1999
Parks Committee Members : Chairman Alderman Baird, Alderman Glab,
Alderman Murgatroyd
Others Present : Mayor Cuda, City Clerk Althoff
Parks and Recreation Chairman Alderman Baird called the meeting
to order at 7 : 05 p.m.
RECREATION CENTER DISCUSSION
Director Merkel reported preliminary program statements and
budget were received from architectural consultants, Sente and
Rubel . The information was compiled based on the committee' s
recommendations regarding desirable recreational facility
components and accessories identified at the last Parks and
Recreation Committee Meeting. The committee should review and
revise the budget and program statement prior to architectural
� consultants, Sente and Rubel, proceeding with a Recreational
Center rendering, floor plan and site layout . Director Merkel
noted topographical maps and utility information have been
previously provided to Sente and Rubel .
Parks and recreation Chairman Alderman Baird expressed concern
with the Site Work Costs and requested City Inspector Marcinko
review the proposed cost/sq. foot totals . Noting the $1, 000, 000
plus cost for the proposed gymnasium he suggested this line item
might be an area where expenses can be reduced. He also
suggested a field house construction be considered, reducing the
cost of building materials . Architectural consultants, Sente and
Rubel, have also recommended requiring specific building
materials as a means to reduce the total cost of the proposed
Recreational Center building. Some discussion followed.
Director Merkel explained flooring was the most expensive
component in gymnasium construction.
Citing public benefit, Chairman Alderman Baird suggested the City
of McHenry consider contributing some monies to offset the
projects total cost . However, Chairman Alderman Baird also
stated lack of community support for construction and operation
of a Recreational Facility should result in a reallocation of
monies toward the Recreational Master Plan Projects .
A lengthy discussion ensued. Alderman Murgatroyd expressed
�, concern regarding operating expenditures . He opined an operating
Parks ana Recreation Committee Meeting
February 2, 1999
�- Page Two
deficit would place an unfair burden on the City' s General Fund
monies . The Committee also discussed the merits of a referendum.
Mayor Cuda suggested consideration of a utility tax allocating
all collections toward the Recreational Center. He stated the
City of Woodstock imposed a 5o telephone tax and amassed
significant dollars . The committee considered allocating all
monies collected, from any successful Recreational Center
referenda question, to its initial operating costs, not to the
center' s construction. The proposed allocation would be stated
in the referenda question.
Further discussion followed regarding proposed funding of the
Recreational Facility. Alderman Murgatroyd noted $1, 000, 000 of
developer donation monies has been allocated toward the
construction and operation of a Recreational Facility. Possible
refinancing of the City of McHenry' s 1990 General Obligation
Bonds will result, potentially, in an additional $1, 500, 000 .
Mayor Cuda also suggested once the 1990 bonds are redeemed, the
City of McHenry cease abating these tax dollars and utilize these
monies for the construction and operation of the Recreational
Center. Director Merkel noting the significant increase in
single family home construction over the past year, opined the
developer donation fund will also provide additional revenues for
� the construction and operation of a Recreational Center.
Chairman Alderman Baird recommended architectural consultants,
Sente and Rubel, be directed to proceed with a pictorial
rendering and site layout plan. He directed staff to review the
site work costs and suggested careful review of specified
building materials. Chairman Alderman Baird also requested
estimated operational costs for the proposed Recreational
Facility as currently designed be obtained. Mayor Cuda, citing
similar construction and operating parameters, suggested McHenry
Elementary School District #15 Superintendent Dodds and/or
Assistant Superintendent for Operational Services O' Connell be
utilized as a resource for comparable recreational center
operational expenses .
PARK MOWING AND MAINTENANCE RECONII�IENDATION
Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel referencing the mowing
report previously distributed to the committee, explained the
report enumerate how additional staffing can accommodate the
mowing of public properties, as well as how additional staffing
can support parks maintenance in the areas of landscape
improvements, natural resource management (wetlands) , forestry
programs, park safety issues and ADA accessibility compliance .
He noted previous committee and council consideration regarding
an increase in staffing resulted in lengthy discussion and no
�. action. The principal reservation expressed was the lack of a
consistant workload, specifically during the winter season. A
lengthy discussion followed.
Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
February 2, 1999
`.. Page Three
In response to committee inquiry, Director Merkel noted the
largest park areas were not mowed by a private contractor, but by
the Parks Department Staff . Typically each of the parks;
Petersen, Knox, Veterans and William H. Althoff require a minimum
of two mowing per week. Director Merkel opined the purchase of
new larger commercial turf care lawn equipment will reduce the
amount of time currently required to mow these park areas .
Director Merkel opined a reduction by one-third or one-fourth of
total mowing man-hours . The new equipment could be purchased on
a lease purchase agreement over several years . The committee
expressed reservations regarding the Park Department' s ability to
mow all the parks and public properties with only two additional
staff personnel even with the purchase of new equipment . The
committee recommended the Park Department budget for two
additional personnel and focus on all other aspects enumerated in
the report, ie : landscape improvements, natural resource
management, forestry programs, park safety issues and ADA
accessibility compliance.
Citing time constraints, Aldermen Murgatroyd and Glab also noted
the potential difficulty of initiating a complete in-house mowing
program this year. Alderman Glab recommended the committee
� consider phasing, over several years, the mowing of public
properties by the Parks Department .
In conclusion, Director Merkel recommended all volunteer
Beautification activities be significantly reduced and
reallocated to the parks Department Staff . He also requested the
committee develop a job description for the forestry position and
address inequities between the Public Works Department and Parks
Department supervisory positions . The committee instructed
Director Merkel to develop and present a job description for the
forestry position and provide specific information regarding the
discrepancy between the Public Works and Parks Department
supervisory positions . The committee also suggested forestry
expert, Thomas Schmidt, be involved in the coordination and
supervision of the City' s tree-trimming program. The committee
expressed extreme concern with current City efforts .
Director Merkel noted the Parks and Recreation Department was
awaiting copies of the final inspection report conducted by City
of McHenry Risk Management personnel . Preliminary comments
suggest electrical upgrades and removal and replacement of all
City playground with sand ground cover.
ARCHITECTUR.AL SERVICES FOR THE PETERSEN PARK MAINTENANCE BUILDING
Director Merkel informed the committee $10, 000 was allocated in
� the 1998-99 budget for architectural services for the expansion
of the Petersen Park Maintenance Building. The initial design of
this building allowed for future expansion to the west . The
addition would be utilized as a garage and equipment storage
facility. The services of an architect will be needed to prepare
Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
February 2 , 1999
�. Page Four
cost estimates, drawings and bid documents for the proposed
addition. It was the recommendation of the committee to develop
a Request for Proposal and obtain two or three proposals for
comparison. The proposals can be brought to full council as an
agenda item. Director Merkel noted a new, larger furnace may be
necessary to accommodate the expansion.
ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR PETERSEN PARK BEACH
Director Merkel reported $10, 000 was allocated in the 1998-99
budget for engineering services for preparation of cost estimates
for the Petersen Park Beach improvements . The developmental plan
was prepared in 1997 by Ecologic Planning. The plan includes
improved waterfront accessibility, road improvements, shelter
installation, path development and landscaping. In order to
properly plan for the development of this area cost estimates are
required. The project may require phasing.
Director Merkel noted grant funds are available for this type of
development from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources .
Boat Access Area Development Grants provide up to 1000 of the
projects cost . South Riverfront Park, soon to be Miller
� Riverfront Park, was developed with funds from this grant
program. These grants are not cumulative like the Open Space
Land Acquisition Development grant monies .
Some discussion followed. Director Merkel reminded the committee
consideration restricting horsepower on McCullom Lake should be
addressed prior to the initiation of boating season.
The committee instructed Director Merkel to proceed and obtain an
engineering services agreement with Smith Engineering for this
project .
SZTMMER CONCESSION PROGRAM PROPOSAL
Director Merkel reported last year the committee considered a
request by Ed Burley of Julie Ann' s Frozen Custard to sell frozen
desserts in City parks . The service would compliment and not
compete with items sold in the City' s concession sites at Knox,
Petersen and Althoff Parks . Previous attempts to privatize
concession operations has meet with no interest . Some discussion
followed. The committee directed staff to contact Mr. Burley and
ascertain his interest in operating the concessions stands as
well as selling frozen custard.
PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR' S REPORT
Youth and Adult Athletic League Meeting- Director Merkel
� reported the league meeting will be scheduled sometime toward the
end of this month. The new Boy' s Baseball League President is
Vic Freund. The Girl' s Pigtail League has yet expressed interest
in contributing toward the purchase and installation of lights at
one of the Petersen Park fields . The Boy' s League has also
Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
February 2, 1999
L. Page Five
offered to construct a score booth at Petersen Park. They
have requested electrical assistance from the City. Some
discussion followed regarding the donation of a new scoreboard by
the Boys Baseball League and the availability of advertising
space . In conclusion Director Merkel stated the Petersen Park
dugouts need repair and should be addressed along with any score
booth construction efforts . The committee instructed Director
Merkel to contact the Ball League Presidents and coordinate these
projects keeping the committee apprised of developments .
NISRA Report- Director Merkel reported the Village of
Barrington has recinded their request for withdrawl . Potential
new members include Algonquin, Huntley and Lake-in-the-Hills .
NISRA is also considering relocating corporate offices to McHenry
Avenue in Crystal Lake .
Knox Park Pool/Spring Equipment Purchase- Director Merkel
reported staff is soliciting bids for pool lockers, a deck
canopy, and diving boards in an effort to accomodate equipment
delivery and installation prior to Knox Park Pool opening day.
NEW BUSINESS
� Fort McHeriry volunteer coordinators, Debra Glick and Debbie
Hessler h�ive expressed an interest in hosting a five year
anniversai�y celebration for Fort McHenry. The committee stated
their support for the idea and directed staff to invite the women
to a regu].arly scheduled council meeting. The women should
present a proposal for celebration activities, etc .
Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Glab, to adjourn the meeting at
8 :45 p.m.
Voting Aye : Baird, Glab, Murgatroyd
Voting Nay: None
Absent : None
Motion carried.
The meeting was a 'ourned at 8 :45 p.m.
��,� ,
William Baird, Chairman
�