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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 10/15/1996 - Parks and Recreation Committee � ' Cit of McHenr y y . �. ��. � 333 South Green Street 3�* w� �'"�'�� McHenry, Illinois 60050-5642 —T—_ C `a"��1' �.�' —--- —�' �. _— —�_ c :��'��'��- .. _ . r � _ - .�----. MCHENRY PARKS 8t RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARK COMMITTE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1996 7:00 PM Members Present: City Administrator Jordan, Park Director Merkel, Park Committee Chairman Bates, Alderman Bolger Members Absent: Alderman Lawson Others Present: Departmental Secretary Kathy Quick, Reporter Kimberly Palmiero from the Northwest Herald The meeting started at 7:05 pm. � 1. BROOKSIDE PARK Park Director Merkel informed the committee that he had received notification from the IDNR that the City was once again turned �own for the grant for Brookside Park. Alderman Bates and Bolger both inquired as to what revisions could be made to help receive the grant if the City apply again. The next time applications would be accepted is ]uly 1, 1997. Director Merkel stated that there are four possible options to consider: Option 1: Develop the park as planned using area contractors and not apply for any additional state funding. Option 2: Complete ail infrastructure at city's cost and apply to IDNR for 50% funding of all recreational amenities on the site. Option 3: Considering scaling back the size and scope of the development or plan several phases to be completed over a specified number of years. � Option 4: Do not develop the park as planned. Site can remain in a natural state until funding becomes availabie. Clerk's Office and Administration Public Works, Parks and Police (815)363-2100 Building and Zoning Recreation (Non-Emergency) FAX: (S15) 363-211E (815) 363-2170 (815)363-2160 (815)363-2200 Director Merkel informed the committee that local groups have donated items such as soccer goals, nets and bleachers for this park site. Alderman Bolger agreed that the site could be left in it's natural state but inquired �-' if soccer fields could possibly be set up at the land behind the McHenry Municipal Center. RECOMMENDATION: Chairman Bates recommended that staff ineet with Administrator ]ordan and Public Work Director Batt as to what will be done at this location. 2. FT. MCHENRY WASHROOM Director Merkel reported to committee that the volunteer effort to coordinate the construction of the washrooms at Ft. McHenry has not materialized due to the fact that the person who originally committed to this project is no longer involved. A meeting was held on September 5th with Debbie Heisler and Debbie Glick to discuss the status of the projects. It was the decision of the volunteer group to secure prices from local contractors to find out the cost of construction. Proposais were sent out to local contractors to provide two options. Costs were submitted by two area contractors and presented to the committee. � Option 1: Provide material, equipment and labor for concrete foundation, floor and masonry work as specified. Option 2: Provide material, equipment and labor to complete the washroom building as specified on architectural drawing. Alderman Bates inquired if the Ft. McHenry group was planning to use the remainder of the money left in their fund to complete this project. Director Merkel noted that $10,000 had been put in the 1996/97 budget plus the balance in the group's fund was $17,000. They do not want to drain the fund totally due to the fact that yeariy maintenance needs to be done on the playground. RECOMMENDATION: Committee recommended that this item be brought before the City Council and that formal bids be sent out to complete this project by area construction companies. 3. FREIIND FIELD 10E HOCKEY AREA In the FY 1996/97 budget, $15,000 was budgeted for the development of the Freund Field tennis court area into an ice hockey rink. The conversion of this area for winter skating requires the purchase of a liner, fencing revisions and new light fixtures and control panel. Director Merkel reviewed the bids that were received for �, each of the above items. Alderman Bolger inquired about the liner at the Fox Ridge Park ice rink. He wanted to know how much damage is actually done to the liner each year and if the liner � could be repaired. Director Merkel informed him that there are repair tape kits for these type of liners. RECOMMENDATION: Committee recommended that staff put this item on the October 30th agenda for City Councii to approve the improvements at Freund Field Tennis Courts. 4. ]AYCEE PARK EOlI1PMENT PIIRCHASE In 1992, the McHenry Area ]aycees committed money for the development of facilities sin t he 5 acre park located in the Trails of Winding Creek subdivision. There is a $7,432.99 balance in this account for work to install sidewalks within the park. If the sidewalks were deemed unnecessary, the balance of the money donated would be used for the purchase of additional play equipment. A price quotation and illustration for play equipment to match the materials and color of the existing unit was made available. The McHenry Area Jaycees have approved the purchase of this equipment as per Kevin Kutz, Jaycee Park Chairman. Alderman Bolger inquired about putting warning signs at all park sites regarding the fact that children should be supervised at all times while on the play equipment. Director Merkel will be looking into this for the next Park Committee Meeting. �.. RECOMMENDATION: Committee was in favor of the purchase of additional play equipment and recommended that this go before the City Council for their approval. 5. PETERSEN PARK ADDITION/PLANNING PROPOSALS Funds were aliocated in this year's budget for park planning services for four park sites. On Wednesday, October 2, Director Merkel met with three different planning firms to discuss creation of a site plan for the Petersen Park Waterfront area. Proposais were received from three different firms: EcoLogic Planning, Inc., Harvard, IL, Burnidge Cassell 8L Assoc., Elgin, IL and Thomas Graceffa 8z Associates, Inc., Rockford, IL. After some discussion of qualifications and costs, the committee agreed on EcoLogic Planning, Inc. RECOMMENDATION: Alderman Bates 8T Bolger agreed that we should recommend using EcoLogic Planning, (nc. and bring this recommendation before the City Council on the October 30th agenda. . � 6. UIRECTORS REPORT A. �gle Scout Project - Director Merkel was approached by David Reid to �' work on this Eagle Scout Project. David has requested putting a kiosk along the proposed bike trail at either Petersen Park or Whispering Oaks Park. The City would provide all materials for this project while the labor would be provided by the scouts. This project will be coordinated with the installation of the regional bike path in the Summer of 1997. B. Nursery/Tree Donation Renort - A local landowner had offered to the City trees on one of this farm properties that had been abandoned by a commercial nursery company. Director Merkel had previously discussed with his landowner regarding the moving of trees in the fall. In July we were notified that the trees would no longer be available for donation. A landscape design and construction company has leased this property and will continue to operate it as a nursery landscape. C. Twin Cities Aids Ride - Director Merkel has been contacted by the Twin Cities Aids Ride group regarding the 1997 Ride. They were looking to use the park on ]uly 10-12. `-- Since the July 1 1-12th weekend is the start of Fiesta Days, Alderman Bates 8t Bolger instructed Director Merkel to notify the organizers that these dates would not be available due to this conflict. Alderman Bolger noted that we might suggest Glacial Park for an alternate site. D. ILLINOIS DEPT. OF PllBLIC HEALTH - Director Merkel and Recreation Supervisor Lorene Marcinek attended a meeting in Fox Lake, Illinois regarding new rules regarding bathing beach codes. The code was revised for the 1996 season and many of the new regulations caused problems at facilities throughout the state. This meeting was held to obtain feedback from licensed beach operators in Northern Illinois. � . . . E. LAKELAND PARK NEW ROOF - Director Merkel informed the committee that the maintenance department has been doing repairs to Lakeland Park Community Center. While replacing the fascia on the building, employees �-' noticed that the roof on the building was in need of repair.. The roof on the building is the original material from the mid 1960's. Proposals were received from two different local roofing companies at the request of Park Maintenance Supervisor, Bill Oeffling. RECOMMENDATION: Committee recommended that the proposal from Pilot Roofing to replace the roof at Lakeland Park Community Center be placed on the October 30th City Council agenda for approval. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm. Submitted by: �� Greg Bates Parks 8t Recrea ' n Committee Chairman �.. �