Park Board Minutes 2003 04-14-03 Yorkville Parks &Recreation
Park Board Meeting
April 14, 2003
Minutes APPROVED BY THE
COMMITTEE/BOARD
ON:
Call to Order:
Chris Rollins called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Roll Call :
Present: Chris Rollins, Dave Cathey, Ken Koch, Van Truman,Heather Fiala
Guests/City Officials/Staff:
Tom Small,MPI
Mike Schoppe, City Planner
John Vann,Land Planner-Schoppe Design
Paul James,Alderman
Laura Brown, Park and Recreation Director
Sue Swithin,Park and Recreation Superintendent
Visitor Communication:
Megan and Steve Spemmet, of Fox Hill, asked for a variance to their back property line to allow a
backyard play structure to remain partially on undeveloped park land. Other property owners told the
board they were assured,by the developer at time of purchase, that the open space was forest preserve
property and would remain undeveloped. Chris explained how the open space came to be park land. Paul
James briefly explained the process for developing public park space.
When questioned about trees planted by a resident on park land,Laura explained that the trees do not
comply with the city's Landscape Ordinance. Responding to a question on how the city plans to manage
maintenance of the growth in the community, Chris explained the Open Space Standards and Land-Cash
Ordinance that are in place. She noted that decisions on what the park space will be used for has not been
determined. In response to a question concerning the detention area,Laura explained that the City and the
Parks Department do not maintain the detention area. Any landscaping around the detention area would be
part of a concept plan. The plan would be developed, shared with the neighbors, and then public input
would be invited from the whole subdivision. She said there are no immediate plans for this.
Paul restated the three primary concerns of the neighbors: (1)What is going to happen to the park space,
(2)Problem of teenagers hanging out around the current park, and (3)Property lines in question. Laura
said she will share comments from tonight's meeting with the Building and Zoning Dept., as well as with
the city attorney. A recommendation will be developed and presented to the board at the April 28 meeting.
The homeowners asked to be kept informed of any actions or decisions with regard to their concerns.
Developer Presentation:
Mike Schoppe and John Vann presented plans of the types of parks to be installed in the Grand Reserve
development,which will also serve as prototypes for future parks. A public hearing will take place on
April 29, at Beecher Center at 6:30 p.m., regarding the Annexation Agreement with MPI.
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Park Board Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2003
Page 2
Schoppe presented an overview of the Grand Reserve project which contains ten parks . The city is doing
design of the parks . MPI is providing the land for the ten parks in the project, as well as a significant
amount of money to go toward funding and construction of the parks . The park plans presented serve as
prototypes for the kind of parks that will go into the development.
The ten parks include one regional park, two community parks (one being a combined school/park, and the
remaining eight will be neighborhood parks . There will also be a trail system connecting all parks and a
link along Blackberry Creek connecting to Blackberry Creek Trail, a regional trail. Laura noted the
prototypes will also become a part of the parks Master Plan. Mike mentioned that following the park board
review and input, they will meet with MPI to share the board's ideas, and gather MPI' s input. If revisions
need to be made, they will be made and ready for the public hearing.
John reviewed details of the four prototypes, noting sports fields, playgrounds, parking, trails, washrooms,
shelters, skate park space, an ADA ramp, etc. He then reviewed the Parks and Open Space Master Plan,
park by park. Laura' said John will bring a final draft of the revised Master Plan to the April 28th board
meeting.
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Laura recommended that discussion of the Park Naming Policy be tabled until the April 28 meeting.
Approval of Minutes :
Minutes of the March 24 meeting were unanimously approved following a motion by Heather. Dave
seconded.
Bills Review:
Following discussion Ken moved to approve the bills for payment, as submitted. Dave seconded. A roll-
call vote was taken: Chris, yes; Dave, yes; Ken, yes; Van, yes; Heather, yes .
Reports :
There were no questions or comments on the Recreation Dept. or Parks Dept. reports .
Old Business :
Laura invited questions or comments on City Council action. Paul reported the City Council approved
the purchase of two vehicles, subject to approval of next year' s budget.
Laura reported that she was notified by Parfection Park of their desire to increase rent from $ 1 per month
to $500 per month. She said that staff investigated two options : ( 1) Relocating the park immediately to
New Life Church, to be operated by the church as a public skate park, and (2) remove the equipment and
put it in storage. Laura said the board's recommendation will go first to the Committee of the Whole prior
to it going to City Council . The board will recommend that they favor following Option 1 set forth in
Laura' s April 8 memo concerning the status and relocation of the skate park, with more specific language
regarding fees for use, and detailing what is expected of the church, as well as responsibilities of the Parks
Department.
Park Board Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2003
Page 2
Laura explained the proposal to hire Charles H. Schrader & Associates, as Grant Coordinator, to head the
grant process for the department as well as the city. Chris asked Paul to pass on the board' s thanks for
City Council' s swift action on this issue.
Laura reported that the Annexation Agreement with Highlands has been amended, giving them an extra
acre from the park location, where there will always be a water tower, for a water treatment plant. The
Parks Dept. will have access to the storage areas and washrooms at that water treatment plant.
Dave reported that many city employees have approached the Mayor on Laura' s behalf with comments on
her expertise. The Mayor signed off on the evaluation in early March. The Mayor also felt that it is time
to move ahead on developing a contract for Laura.
Laura reported there is excess (unbudgeted) money in parks capital . She said Scott would like to go out to
bid for a small pickup utility cart to help transport staff to various locations . She noted the cost would be
about $ 12,000, through a state purchase. The purchase would require City Council ' s approval.
Dave moved that the Board recommend that Scott be given permission to get bids on a 2003 ,2-wheel drive
pickup truck, with specs attached, not to exceed $ 13 , 000 . A roll-call vote was taken: Chris, yes ; Dave,
yes; Ken yes; Van es ' Heather, es .Y > Y > Y > Y Approval was unanimous .
Adjournment -
The meeting adjourned at 10 : 09 p .m. , following a motion by Dave and second by Heather. Approval was
unanimous .
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Respectfully submitted,
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Judy Rice
Recording Secretary
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Next meeting 7:00 p.m. April 28, 2003, in the Austin Room of Beecher Community Center.
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