Park Board Minutes 2004 08-23-04 i
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Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department
Board Meeting j
August 23, 2004
MINUTES
APPROVED BY THE
COMMITTEE/BOARD
Call to Order - Ohl: __Ck 0
President Rollins called the meeting to order at 7 : 03 p.m.
Roll Call -
Chris Rollins, Ken Koch, Richard Korinek, Bob Pilmer
Absent: Heather Fiala, Tammy Smock, Van Truman, Alderman Paul James
Guests/City Officials/Staff -
Mike Schoppe, Shoppe Design
Mark Harrison, Shoppe Design j
Laura Brown, Executive Director
Scott Sleezer, Parks Foreman l
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Public Comment -
Gary Golinski (502 Redhorse, Rivers Edge) asked if there are any plans to place signage on
Poplar in front of the park to help slow traffic. Sleezer said signage and crosswalks will be
installed.
Golinski also stated concern that a roadway right-of-way is planned along the eastern edge of
Rivers Edge subdivision along the tree line behind his and other homes . He suggested that a
conservation easement be considered to preserve the tree line, and move the right-of-way to the
other side of the tree line. Rollins clarified that the park board is a recommending body only, but
expressed a willingness to consider making such a recommendation. Brown will investigate and
ask the city attorney how conservation easements play into road right-of-ways .
Approval of Minutes -
Minutes of the August 9, 2004 meeting were unanimously approved following a motion by
Pilmer. Koch seconded the motion.
Bills Review -
During a review of current bills, Rollins questioned a fuel cost of $28 . Brown explained that the
city' s total fuel cost is divided among all departments, and that is the Parks and Rec share .
Brown called attention to two additions to the bills list. Korinek made a motion to approve
payment of bills as submitted. Koch seconded. A roll-call vote was taken: Rollins, yes; Koch,
yes; Korinek, yes; Pilmer, no.
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New Business -
Rollins called attention to a petition from neighbors in the Rivers Edge subdivision. Brown
reported that city engineer, Joe Wywrot, reminded the developer of a split-rail fence to be
installed along the north property line (also the south property line of the conservation area).
Rollins invited public comment.
Barry Maywer (225 Windham Circle) represented homeowners expressing their opposition to the
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fence, saying they feel it would be unattractive and unnecessary. They want to preserve their
view of the natural area behind their homes. Maywer said the developer is agreeable to
reallocating money for the fence toward the playground.
Rollins addressed a concern for possible encroachment, present and future, into the common
area, stating the split-rail fence was a recommendation from the Illinois Dept. of Natural
Resources, which the Board was acting upon. Cerise Escobedo (221 Windham Circle) noted that
recent encroachments by neighbors had been addressed and is no longer a problem.
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Jim Boe (231 Windham Circle) gave examples of how they have tried to be good neighbors to
the city in caring for the area in question.
Rollins further explained the importance of having some way to mark the property line, and
asked for suggestions. Maywer suggested a 3 ft. cedar post behind each home that would blend in
with the forest.
Maywer also expressed the neighbors willingness to work with the city and construct the park
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that is planned in the reserve themselves. Rollins said the Board would have no objection if the
city were to oversee the work. He suggested that homeowners coordinate their efforts with
Brown, and agree on a schedule and means to accomplish it.
Old Business -
The Board reviewed the park liaison assignments identified at the August 9 meeting.
Brown reported that IDNR notified the city that funding for the park on West Hydraulic, which
had previously been cut is one of six projects (6 out of 63 ) that will be funded after all. The
amount of $ 100,000 for this project is expected in the next few weeks.
Brown reported that OSLAD funding, which had previously been put on hold by the Governor, t
has been appropriated at a lesser level as of October 1 , allowing construction of the front portion
of Cannonball Ridge Park to move forward.
Sleezer reported that plans for the riverfront shelter have arrived, but he has not yet seen them.
Due to an error on the original drawings, they had to be redrawn which caused a six-week delay.
Completion of the project is expected yet this year.
Reporting on Rivers Edge Park, Sleezer said the grades were found to be incorrect and had to be
redone. Schoppe Design will prepare a new site plan. Brown noted that the Park Development
Standards are currently being updated, and will require developers to give the city "as built"
survey information for the land at the developer' s cost.
Sleezer reported that he received a punch list from the playground rep and from staff for Country
Hills Park, and that final grade work will be done this week.
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New Business -
Schoppe explained that the new concept plan for River Front Park incorporates IDNR' s dam
modifications, which will also allow the city to apply for additional funding. Harrison walked the
Board through IDNR' s plans, which include a fish ladder on the north side of the dam, and a
rafting area on the south side separated from the dam by an island. Harrison said the city will
work with IDNR to coordinate improvements, with the city providing access to the rafting area t
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and additional parking among others. The project will be completed in phases between 2005 and
2007 . Brown said that IDNR would like to have city approval of the plan so they can proceed
with final engineering. Following discussion the Board unanimously consented to make a
positive recommendation to City Council to move forward with the plan. Koch made the motion.
Korinek seconded.
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Brown called attention to an invitation from the city to residents of the Countryside Subdivision
for an open dialog meeting on August 30 to discuss options for the open space in that
development.
Additional Business
Sleezer thanked the Board for sending him to Resource Management School, which he found to
be very beneficial.
Rollins briefly reviewed miscellaneous correspondence and published articles.
At 9 : 01 p.m. the meeting adjourned following a motion by Pilmer, seconded by Korinek.
Respectfully submitted,
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Judy Rice
Recording Secretary
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The next meeting of the Board is scheduled on Monday, September 13, at 7 p.m. at the
administrative office on West Hydraulic St.
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