HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 6/22/1994 - Parks and Recreation Committee PARKS AND RECREATION COI�IITTEE � '„�.,r,,,
•� ru
MINUTES �q � �
June 22, 1994 � �
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chairman Alderman Bates
� at 7:35P.M. In attendance were Committeemen David Lawson and Bill
Bolger, Mayor Cuda, City Administrator Peterson, City Clerk Althoff,
Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Intern Sheila Roy, Officers
of the McHenry Pigtail League, Lorie Porter of the JayCees and
Marilyn Hamilton a Whispering Oaks resident.
A] A presentation was made by the officers of the Pigtail League
regarding scheduling difficulties at Petersen Park with the Boy's
Little League Association. Discussion centered on the overlapping
of field use and the increasing needs of the growing league rosters.
Alderman Lawson presented a plan sketch of field availability
throughout the summer. Lawson's plan outlined how each league could
share the same facilities by increasing the length of the summer
season. It was the concensus of the Park Director and the committee
to work with the leagues involved and invite representatives of each
league to the November Park Committee Meeting to formulate a
schedule for 1995.
B] A tour of the newly purchased park facility and horse barn was
taken by city staff and officials. Potential future usage of
thefacility was then addressed by City Administrator Peterson and
Director Merkel.
C] Marilyn Hamilton of Whispering Oaks made a presentation to the
committee about her idea for a learning garden in the Whispering
Oaks Park. Suggestions included planting fall bulbs, a community
� Christmas Tree Lighting and carols. Continuing care of the park was
a concern. Mrs. Hamilton has approached the beautification
committee and Boy Scout Troops for help. The Whispering Oaks Garden
Club will also help with suggestions and supervision of workers, but
cannot committ to the care of the pro3ect. Tom Carl has expressed
an interest in helping and suggested the environmental club would be
willing to help.
D] Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel gave an update on various
park projects:
BROOKSIDE PARK development grant is being written and will
be submitted in July. The grant will cover landscaping, seeding and
potentially a parking lot.
RIVERFRONT PARK hasn't been opened to the public as yet.
Care of the landscaping and grass must be given before cars are
allowed entrance. Spring 1995 is the target date for opening.
PURCHASE of the horse barn and surrounding lands should be
finished in four to six weeks.
FIESTA DAYS and the Park Department involvement was
discussed. The River Run, open track meet for boys and girls as
well as other activities for young people were mentioned.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 P.M.
�..
Greg Bates
PARKS AND RECREATION I�ETING
MINUTES �
July 20, 1994 � ' � $
1�....
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chairman Bates at 6:35
� P.M. In attendance were committeemen Lawson and Bolger, City
Administrator Peterson, Parks and Recreation Director Merkel, and
Recreation Supervisor Lorene Marcinek.
The purpose of this meeting was to review the Parks and Recreation's
Fall Brochure of programs.
Brochures were distributed to the Parks' committee members for their
review on July 12th. Lawson ob3ected that originally aldermen were
given twenty-four hours for review and input. Merkel explained the
time constraint was due to the business of the season and that this
was the first time the committee required a review.
Discussion produced the following comments:
Lawson asked how program fees were established. Marcinek
replied that any material costs, rental fees, insurance and salaries
were all taken into consideration. Lawson felt the fees for the
dance program were too high and the program would attract more
registrations if the fee was lowered to $95.00. Discussion on
profitability of the program followed. Bolger suggested a $98.00
fee keeping the cost below $100.00. The committee decided to use
the �95.00 fee and see if the lower amount attracts more
registrations.
Bates and Lawson expressed concern that the Parks
department aclrnowledge cooperation with the school districts and
� fees were ad3usted according to the new agreement established within
the taxing bodies. Merkel explained the brochure was written before
the agreement was finali2ed. It will be possible to ad�ust the fees
at registration time.
Overall comments on the brochure were favorable and
recommendation was made to send the brochure to the printer.
Bates asked about advertising in the brochure and was informed by
Director Merkel that only two businesses took out ads in the fall
brochure. Bates questioned the method of solicitation. Marcinek
stated a letter went out to all Chamber members informing them of
the opportunity.
The meeting was ajourned at 7:25 P.M.
Greg Bates
�
PARKS & gECREATION CO1rIlKITTEB MEETING
WBDI�BSDAY, JUNE 14, 1995
7:30 PM - BOOM 234
�
COMMITTEE MEMBEBS PBESENT: Park Director Merkel, Alderman Bates, Alderman
Bolger, Alderman Lawson
OTHERS PRESEPT: City Administrator Peterson, Barbara Gilpin, Kay Bates,
Debbie Heisler, Debbie Glick, Kathy Quick
The meeting started at 7:40 pm. Alderman Bates arrived at approximately 7:45
pm.
1. BROOKSIDE PARK GRANT - Discussion took place regarding the Brookside
Grant. Park Director Merkel informed the committee that Kenneth Fiske
will be hand delivering the grant which is due July 1, 1995. City
Administrator Peterson explained that there were three items that need to
be taken care of.
1. Authorize the resolution supporting the grant at the June 21st City
Council meeting. The committee voted to recommend approval of a
resolution authorizing the City's grant application.
2. The need for underground drainage needs to be addressed. If the
� drainage is not done correctly from the start, it will never be
right. Do we move ahead with drainage installation before we have
notification of the grant? The committee recommended proceeding with
the development of a Request for Proposal to install necessary
drainage and work with a consultant to develop the specifications.
3. Staff questioned whether seeding of the fields should progress after
drainage is insalled prior to any grant award. The committee
recommended to proceed with seeding after drainage installation
regardless of the status of the City's grant application.
Alderman Lawson questioned as to when the fields would be ready for
use. Park Director Merkel anticipates the field would be ready for
use in either the Fall 1996 or Spring 1997. They need approximately
one full year to grow. Director Merkel also noted that we should be
receiving a letter from the Soccer Federation in the near future
because they have shown interest in contributing towards equipment
for this new field. ,
�
Page 2
�
2. RENAMING OF LAKELAND PARK BASEBALL FIELD - Kay Bates addressed the
committee regarding the renaming of Lakeland Park's Little League field.
Several area residents have come to her requesting that the field be
renamed the "Frank Sweeney Field" and a plaque be placed on the field
stating so. Frank Sweeney has been involved with the Lakeland Park Little
League for over 20 years. If this gets approved, could they possibly have
it done by Angust 8th which is the Lakeland Park Little League picnic.
RECOI�Ilr1ENDATIOR: Alderman Bolger made a motion to check with some of the
old-timers in town to verify that they agree with the renaming. Alderman
Lawson made a motion to rename the field to the "Frank Sweeney Field".
Alderman Bolger seconded the motion. A recommendation will be brought
before the City Council.
3. WHISPERING OAKS PARK - WASHROOM FACILITY - Park Director Merkel informed
the committee that at the last City Council meeting the council approved
the washrooms at Whispering Oaks Park. The next step is to have an
architect draw up a concept sketch of the washroom building. Discussion
took place regarding where in the park the washroom would be located.
City Administrator Peterson noted that 4 things need to be addressed: 1)
What type of design? 2) Where will it be located? 3) Will we go out to
bid or will this be a Pro�ect Playground decision and 4) What happens if
it exceeds the $19,000, who will pay for it? Alderman Lawson asked Debbie
Heisler and Debbie Glick if they felt comfortable contacting an architect
� to get pro�ect going. Debbie and Debbie both agreed with help from Barb
Gilpin they felt OK about starting the pro�ect. Barb knows Dennis
Wonderlick and will be contacting him regarding the plans as he is well
informed regarding ADA requirements for washrooms. City Administrator
Peterson questioned the type of structure they were contemplating: cinder
block, wood to match the playground, brick, etc. Administrator Peterson
suggested that the Playground Committee meet with Fred Batt and Pete
Merkel regarding the utilities.
Debbie Heisler and Debbie Glick also requested that they be added to the
Wednesday, June 21st City Council meeting so they could present the
Council with the Governor's Home Town Award Plaque.
RECOI�IIKEftDATIOft: The Parks and Recreation Committee recommended the
following actions:
1) Temporary porta potties be installed with decorative fencing on three
sides.
2) The playground committee members retain the services of an architect
to design permanent washrooms facilities at the northwest corner of
the parking lot.
3) Further discussion take place when costs are obtained.
�
Page 3
� 4. MCCULLOM LAKE SWINIlKING BEACHES - UPDATE - Park Director Merkel informed
the Park Committee that the beach has been closed due to the severity of
calls that were received in the Park office. There is no real test for
the parasite that is causing swimmers itch.
Administrator Peterson informed the committee that a leading researcher
from Vermont is here checking into the milfoil disappearance. They feel
that there is a weevil that has bored into the plants and has killed them
naturally. They feel this is great news for the lake.
Alderman Bates suggested that when the beach reopens that admission should
be free for the month of July to really try to promote it.
BECOIrII�NDATION: The committee decided to offer free admission to the
beach for the month of July.
5. RECREATION CENTER VISITS TO BE SCHEDULED - Three recreation center were
visited during the month of April - Park Ridge, Mt. Prospect and Dundee.
The committee would like to visit approximately three more centers.
BBCONIl�NDATIOft: The Park Committee will bring this before the City
Council at the June 21st meeting to see what day of the week is good for
everyone.
� /0109K
�