HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 4/18/1995 - Parks and Recreation Committee MIPUTES FBOM PABK & B.BCBEATIOH
CO1rIlKITTEB MEETING
TUBSDAY, AP$IL 18, 1995
7:30 PM — BOOM 234
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r�EBS PBESEPT: City Administrator Jerry Peterson, Alderman Greg Bates,
Alderman Bill Bolger, Parks & Recreation Director Pete Merkel, Department
Secretary Kathy Quick, Mayor Steven Cuda & Barb Gilpin
MEMBBBS ABSEPT: Alderman Dave Lawson
The meeting started at 7:45 pm. Barb Gilpin arrived at 7:50 pm and Mayor
Steven Cuda arrived at 8:00 pm.
1. Knox Park Divina Boards
This discussion was regarding whether or not to remove the high dive from
Knox Park Pool. City Administrator Peterson explained that in the past we
have had two claima from in�uriea off the high dive. One claim was for
approximately $15,000 and the other one was over $100,000. The following
suggestions were made regarding the diving board situation.
1) Take the high dive out completely and replace it with a low dive
board.
2) Take the high dive out and maybe replace it with some type of water
slide.
3) Take the high dive out so as to leave 2 lanes open for lap swimming.
`-- 4) Leave boards in this year and make a decision next year.
RECONIl�NDATION: Committee did not decide on a recommendation.
Barb Gilpin asked to speak before the Park Committee at this time rather than
wait until the end of the meeting due to the fact that she had a Landmark
Commission Meeting to attend. �
An�v and all business that can be brouAht before the committee
Barb Gilpin came before the committee as a representative for the Friends
of the Playground group. She said that this is a perfect situation for
the City Council to take the "bull by the horns" and do something positive
for the community. There have been many requests to have a bathroom
building erected at the Fort McHenry site. Barb has been contacted by the
Order of the Raccoons that they would be willing to contribute the
manpower to build it plus a donation and that there is still money left in
the Fort McHenry account to pay for the building. She said that children
have actually been urinating along the fence. They felt that with the
McHenry Learning Garden being put in that there will be plenty of people
at the park who would be utilizing this washroom facility.
Alderman Bates informed Barb that he had told the citizens that a bathroom
building would never be built and that he was sticking to it. He
requested that Barb and the Friends of the Playground get together with
him and have a meeting regarding this. Alderman Bolger felt that a
� washroom facility is definitely needed at this location.
Park & Recreation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 18, 1995
Page 2
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2. Park Closinr� Policv
Park Director Merkel informed the committee that there is nothing in the
ordinance book stating when parks actually close. The committee reviewed
a list of all parks attached to their agenda packet. Three parks were
added to the list to be closed at 10:00 pm: Neumann, Webers and Rotary
Park. Many of the city parks close at dusk.
RECONIlKENDATION: Park Director Merkel was asked to presenf a list of park
closings and then present it before the City Council.
3. Namina of Park Addition to Petersen Park
The committee discussed what to name the Mass Farm Property addition to
Petersen Park. Everyone agreed it should be Petersen Park with the
building and pond having the potential to be named at a later date.
RECONIMENDATION: To incorporate the Mass Farm property purchase as part of
Petersen Park and name it as such.
4. Annezation and Land Bsch nQe of Petersen Park Addition
Alderman Greg Bates felt we should contact the Village President of
� McCullom Lake, Lois Parenti to see if she would be willing to exchange the
piece of property in their ownership for the property ad�acent to the Mass
Farm. If that did not work out, we could possibly purchase the property
outright. City Administrator Peterson felt we should contact the
Department of Conservation to inquire as to any stipulations on the
property.
RECONIMENDATION: Park Director Merkel was instructed to contact the
Department of Conservation regarding the stipulations of the land's use
and then present it to the City Council.
5. Herbicide Avvlication on McCullom Lake
City Administrator Peterson informed the committee Bob Kirschner from
Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission went out to McCullom Lake with
the contractor who was going to be applying the herbicide and they could
not find any milfoil. Bob cannot figure out why the milfoil has not taken
over the lake. Bob Kirschner will be making a report to the City Council
on these findings in the near future.
Park Director Merkel also informed the committee about the beach sampling
for the 1995 aeason. He asked the committee membera if all three beache�
should be sampled this year. The overall consensus was yes. Total amount
will be $600.00.
Visa/Mastercard CharAe
`' Park Director Merkel went over the Recreation Visa/Mastercard usage since
it has been in operation in the Park Department. Everyone gave the go
ahead to keep the machine in use. City Administrator Peterson will be
looking into getting a dedicated line installed so we have a faster
response time on the machine.
Parks & Recreation Department
Tuesday, April 18, 1995
Page 3
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SDecial Event Staffinit
Alderman Locke had inquired about the overtime that was paid out for
special events in the Parks & Recreation Department. He requested that
more salaried employees work these events. Park Director Merkel explained
to the committee that there are only two salaried employees in the
department and that we also use many volunteers at these events.
Meetin� With School District 15
Park Director Merkel explained to the committee that he and City
Administrator Peterson will be meeting with Dr. Dodds regarding some of
the problems we have been having with the schools. We have not been
receiving enough notice when being bumped from a facility and having to
cancel classes. Alderman Bates felt that we should be in constant contact
with Dr. Dodds and keep him abreast of the problems.
Basketball Court Maintenance
Alderman Bates has received some complaints from residents stating it
would be nice if there were some type of nets at the basketball courts at
Petersen Park. There were also complaints regarding the bent rims on the
basketball courts. Park Director Merkel will forward the information to
Director of Public Works, Fred Batt to have the raetal chain nets put np at
the various basketball courts. They will also try to replace the bent
� rims.
The meeting ad�ourned at 9:55 pm.
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