Park Board Minutes 2006 08-21-06 UNITED CITY OF YORKVHXE
YORKV J,E PARKS&RECREATION DEPARTMENT BOARD MEETING
Parks&Recreation Administrative Office Riverfront Building
Thursday,August 21,2006
AMiTTES
CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting was called to order by Chris Rollins at 7:00p.m.
ROIL-CALL:
Ci uy Golinski,Debbie Horaa,Kelly Sedgwick,Van Truman, Ken Koch
GUESTS/CTPY-OFFIGIALS/S-TAFF:
David Mogle Executive Director
Sue Swithin, Superintendent ofRecreation
Patrick Hughes-Senior Vice President of Ocean Atlantic, Chicago Region
Travis Miller
OLD BUSINESS:
i Nesibury village Follow Up
This is a follow up to the July 27h meeting,Dave Mogle provided a handout that was
given out at the City Council meeting, as well as a drift of the current agreement,
questions were raised as to the amount of land being designated to parks.Patrick Hughes
then made a presentation explaining why of the 66 acres required by the Land Cash
Ordinance there could only'lye.approximately 27 acres(with-the possibility ofmaking:it
29/30 acres.inthe future)devoted to parks.Patrick stated that the rest ofthe open land
wasnotdevelopmental land.due to:the fact that it was landfill, quarries, etc. He went on to-
explain how the golf course and the clubhouse building of the development were central
fbeal points for the development.He said he could see the public parks perspective;but
with 240 acres devoted to lakes/golf course and I5-17 acres for clubhouse that no land
was left to'give to parks, and that Ocean Atlantic feels that by putting in the clubhouse and
golf course that they would be reducing burdens placed on the city. Though the amenities
provided by Westbury would be private and available to its residents only,they would be
willing to set up a program for the first five years giving Yorkville residents a discount,
making it available for city events,and starting a golf academy at the course,which would
be available to the public for use at a fee.
Chris Rollins pointed out that he did not see much change-being madeby Ocean Atlantic,
and Patrick Hughes responded that his partners were not willing to make amenities public
and insisted that they were reducing a burden placed on the city. Chris Rollins, said that
he felt that there was still pressure on city parks, and that the city was losing ground on
open water recreation, After much discussion between the Committee and Patrick Hughes,
the Committee came to a unanimous agreement, Ocean Atlantic did not give a compelling
enough argument to go against the Land Cash Ordinance . It was agreed that it was not a
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wise expenditure for the city to grant Ocean Atlantic credit for amenities that were
designated for private use.That by allowing these private amenities to receive credit
would be asking the residents ofthe city to use their tax dollars for programs not everyone
could use.Also,pointed out was the fact that developments such as Grand Reserve and
Heartland did not receive funding/credit for their clubhouses, so if it was granted to
Westbury it would be setting bad precedent for future developers. W Rollins also added'
that these amenities were limited and seasonal, that not everyone is a swimmer or a golfer
and these amenities would not be utilized everyday.That there was a greater need for
more soccer,baseball and softball fields,even a field house,not another golf course that"
would only be available for prh awuse. So it was-decided unaniumusly by the committee
to not make any exceptions to Yorkville's Land Cash Ordinance. 1
Additional Business
O'Keeje Property, Water Park
The committee unanimously agreed that a water park for Yorkville was a great idea,and
tbat the city should not let this plan get away. Sue Swithin did raise some concerns about
cost to the citizens as far as making it affordable for people to go.It was suggested and
agreed upon that it should be put in a contract between the city and sponsorsho give a
discounts on passes to Yorkville residents and to provide some kind of sponsorship
program for residents of lower income brackets to receive passes.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:30pm when Gary Golinski motioned to adjourn the meeting,
the motion was seconded by Van Truman. The motion was unanimously approved.
Minute Faker-Brittney Kot
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