HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1/28/1997 - Parks and Recreation Committee � PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES
January 28, 1997
Parks Committee Members : Bill Baird, Chairman; Andy Glab, Steven
Murgatroyd
Others Present : Mayor Steven Cuda, City Administrator Lobaito,
City Clerk Althoff, Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel
Parks and Recreation Chairman Alderman Baird called the meeting
to order at 7 : 30 p.m.
Chairman Baird stated as the committee had viewed and obtained
valuable information from the two presentations by the
architectural firms of Sente and Rubel, Inc . and Burnidge Cassell
Associates discussion should occur regarding the next phase of
the recreational facility feasibility study. He noted $20, 000
remained in the 1997-98 budget earmarked for recreational concept
development plans . Once a concept plan is developed, estimates
of operational and construction expenses can be determined.
Chairman Baird suggested the committee review the City of
�. McHenry' s recreational program and determine what type of
facility components would best support our current needs .
City Administrator Lobaito drew the committee' s attention to a
floor plan of the 56, 000 square foot Wheeling, Illinois
recreation center built in 1993 at a cost of $5, 600, 000 . Some
discussion followed regarding project phasing . The committee
suggested any indoor or outdoor water facility be considered for
a later phase . City Administrator Lobaito suggested looking at
other recreational facility' s basic components including
gymnasiums, locker rooms, office areas, multi-purpose rooms,
fitness rooms, aerobic/dance rooms, arts/crafts rooms, and pre-
school/daycare rooms . He suggested the committee consider a 40-
50, 000 square foot building initially. Once a concept plan is
established, community input can then be solicited.
City Administrator Lobaito informed the committee it would be
staff' s recommendation to hire the architectural firm of Sente
and Rubel to develop the recreational concept plan. In response
to committee inquiry City Administrator Lobaito stated staff felt
Sente and Rubel had more experience, specifically in the area of
operational and construction cost analysis . In response to
further committee inquiry, City Administrator Lobaito noted the
final recreational center design and subsequent construction
would certainly be bid.
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Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
� January 28 , 1998
Page Two
The committee instructed City Administrator Lobaito to obtain the
final cost figure for the City of Mundelein' s recently
constructed recreational facility. It was noted Mundelein' s
population was approximately 26, 000 .
Some discussion ensued regarding community involvement and the
possibility of corporate and/or individual contributions toward
the recreational center. Alderman Glab recommended this
committee or the finance committee allocate specific funds and
revenues for the recreation center. He cited the anticipated
Meyer Material annexation as an example as well as 1998 developer
donation monies .
Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Glab, to recommend to full
council the development of a Request for Proposal for the
development of a recreational center concept plan to be sent out
to a minimum of three architectural firms including Sente & Rubel
and Burnidge Cassell with a not to exceed budget amount of
$20, 000 .
Voting Aye : Baird, Glab, Murgatroyd
Voting Nay: None
Absent : None
�. Motion carried.
Staff was directed to have the Request for Proposal completed and
placed on the regularly scheduled February 11, 1998 council
meeting for council review and action.
Alderman Glab suggested potential recreational center site
locations be discussed, particularly in light of the proposed
temporary road construction on the Municipal Building property
during Bull Valley Arterial construction. Alderman Glab also
suggested timeframes be developed outlining the anticipated
length between concept development, public input, bid
specification development, bid openings, groundbreaking, etc .
Some discussion followed regarding the Backhaus school site
location along the extension of Dartmoor Road. Staff was
directed to determine if Elementary School District #15 was still
interested in this site .
Alderman Murgatroyd suggested the allocation of revenue and funds
be reviewed during 1998-99 budget discussions . He recommended
the Park Developer ponation Funds be segregated into two
subaccounts; (a) existing park projects and (b) recreational
center project .
� Alderman Glab suggested the finance committee recommend staff
thoroughly investigate the availability of funds to begin the
Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes
� January 28 , 1998
Page Three
developmer,t and construct a recreational center in the near
future .
ATHLETIC LEAGUE PLANNING MEETING
Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel provided the committee
with a brief background regarding the scheduling of City field
usage between the various ball leagues . He noted scheduling has
become easier over the past year and recommended staff be
authorized to process scheduling requests under Park and
Recreation Chairman Baird' s supervision. Some discussion
followed. A group ball league meeting will be scheduled
regarding field usage . Council will be informed of the date,
place and time . Any committeeman or aldermen wishing to attend
may do so.
1998 COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
Director Merkel distributed a tentative meeting schedule for the
balance of the 1998 calendar year.
Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Glab, to adopt as a tentative
Parks and Recreation Committee 1998 schedule, the following
dates :
L., Tuesday, February 24 , 1998
Tuesday, March 24, 1998
Tuesday, May 26, 1998
Tuesday, August 25, 1998
Tuesday, October 27, 1998
Tuesday, November 24, 1998
Voting Aye : Baird, Glab, Murgatroyd
Voting Nay: None
Absent : None
Motion carried.
PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Director Merkel reported the Brookside grant contracts had been
executed and returned to Springfield for procssing. All expenses
from this date forward can be expensed through this grant .
Previous engineering services are not eligible . A project
schedule is currently under development and will be distributed
for council review. Projects will go out to bid as soon as
approved. Director Merkel noted the grant terms stipulate
project completion within eighteen (18) months .
Director Merkel also reported an ad had been placed in the
Northwest Herald advertising for part-time summer help. Many of
� thesse jobs are key summer positions including a pool and beach
manager.
Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes
� January 2� , 1998
Page Four
The Villace of Barrington has stated their intention to terminate
in 1999 tr.eir association with the Northern Illinois Special
Recreatior. Association. They have cited the expense and lack of
village participates as the cause . Some discussion followed
regarding the dues structure of NISRA.
Director Nerkel also noted the Twin Cities/Chicago Aids Ride has
changed its name to Twin Cities/Wisconsin/Chicago Aids Ride in
response to comments from the state of Wisconsin. A request to
utilize City of McHenry parks for the 1998 ride will be made to
full council sometime in February. Director Merkel also noted
the originators of this event are scouting the area for a larger
site. Each year since it' s inception the participants of this
event grow.
The City of McHenry has obtained its TREE CITY USA designation
for the 1998 year from the State of Illinois .
Motion to adjourn at 8 : 55 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 :45 p.m.
� Respectfully submitted,
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William Baird, Chairman
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