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Park Board Minutes 2002 09-23-02 • Yorkville Parks&Recreation Department Park Planning&Development Meeting Minutes • September 23,2002 Call to Order— Rollins called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call: Rollins, Cathey,Scherer,Wedge, Koch Absent: Alderman Paul James Staff.Brown,Hebreard,Swithin,Reisinger Absent:Dhuse Guests and/or City Officials— Local resident,Richard Scheffrahn, spoke to the board regarding his desire for the development of a bike/pedestrian trail linking the communities of Oswego,Yorkville,Plano and/or Morris. He proposes extending the Fox River Trail west,about ten miles,from Oswego along the old rail line and ComEd easement to Plano High School,or going south into Morris. He invited the board to spearhead this effort, by calling a special meeting for Monday, September 30,to determine the level of interest/support among neighboring communities. Scheffrahn offered to call ComEd and ask if they would consider a permit for trail development along their easement. If not,there would be no point in having a meeting. He will then contact Laura Brown with the result,and to determine whether a meeting will be called. Before moving ahead with the agenda, Swithin made introductions of staff--Barb Reisinger, full-time Administrative Assistant;Dan Hebreard,Program Supervisor;and Laura Brown,Director of Parks and Recreation.The board then introduced themselves to staff. Approval of Minutes— Minutes of the September 9 meeting were unanimously approved following a motion by Wedge, seconded by Scherer. In order to bring the minute book up-to-date, and to comply with the city's Internal Procedures for Public Meetings, Swithin asked for copies of missing Executive Session minutes. Board members will provide those copies. Bills Review- Current bills were reviewed and approved for payment following a motion by Scherer, seconded by Wedge. A roll-call vote was taken:Rollins,yes;Cathey,yes; Scherer,yes;Wedge,yes;Koch,yes. Park Inspection Reports— Rollins: Jaycee Pond Park is heavily littered. Prairie Park and Beecher Park look ok. Pool grounds—Rollins has been asked by residents about the care of this park. He pointed out that the park is not a city park,and is no longer being maintained by the Parks Department..It is the responsibility of the YMCA. Scherer: Town Square Park looks good. The Farmer's Market has done well this summer. Skate Park—The sign needs to be straightened. Swithin will take care of it. Wedge: River Front Park looks pretty good Fox Hill—The punch list is not yet completed. Dhuse,Director of Public Works will be asked to provide an updated list. P r Cathey: Purcell Park No problems when last visited. Van Emmon—The park looks good,but noticed the shoulder is weedy. Koch: Cobb Park—Benches need repair. Greenbrier Park—Some of the trees have been damaged by initials being carved in the bark. Scherer asked that a letter from the Greenbrier residents'newsletter be read into the minutes. "We have had a suggestion that a fence be built around the park so the bikes and the bike rack,the benches and the most important,our children,will stay away from the pond. It is hard to watch the kids all of the time and if they start running towards the pond and you have another child at the park,it is to close to the road. So you are going in two directions. A fence would keep the children in. It should have at least 4 gates and be self-closing. Many residents say if a pool has to have a gate or a fence around the top of the pool,why not the ponds? Many want the park open and a fence put up around the ponds.Even the community pools have a gate and a lifeguard,per the city rules. Questions from the residents. Do we have to wait until one of our children drown? Then why the strictness on the pools in our own back yards"? Scherer pointed out that residents have made no formal presentation to the Park Board. Wedge suggested any further comment or questions from homeowners in the Greenbrier subdivision be directed to the city. Old Business— Rollins shared a letter from Bill Inman,Hitchcock Design Group,asking the status of the contract for a landscape architect. Hitchcock made a presentation to City Council,submitted a contract for their first assignment,but has heard nothing further. Rollins noted the Mayor asked that any retainer be passed on to the developer. He said this matter needs to be high on the list of goals and objectives. The board then discussed goals and objectives needing the attention of the new Director,Laura Brown. They include: - Review of budget - Parks master plan - Completion in 6 months to a year - Developer packet - Include trail standards(to be prepared by Mike Schoppe) - Land cash in proportion to population of each development - Management of customer relations - Parks and Rec representation at necessary meetings - Investigate reorganization of the Parks and Recreation Dept. - Cathey asked that Brown make a recommendation on the reorganization,considering the relationship between the two sides—recreation and parks. - Policies and procedures - Begin with a review of what is in place. Rollins asked for Brown's recommendations. Mayor Prochaska arrived at 8:44 p.m. He asked for park board representation at an October 9 public hearing on the Moser development. Cathey raised the issue of the relationship between the Yorkville Youth Baseball/Softball Association and the Recreation program. Scherer asked that they be invited to the October meeting for further discussion. Wedge questioned a bid presented from Parks from Tru Green/ChemLawn for over$5,004,pointing out that such expenses over$5,000 require three bids. He suggested that Dhuse seek two additional bids, including local companies. The Mayor asked if the Board approved of the renewal of the contract for the Salvation Army nutrition program to continue at Beecher Center. The board offered its approval for renewal of the contract. Prochaska will forward a copy of the contract to the park board once finalized. Mayor Prochaska noted that the agreement for a pool study by Burbach Aquatics has been signed and executed. Koch noted the next Administration meeting—referencing priority list is made where budget adjustment for the city. Swithin will share them with Brown and let her make a decision. Mayor encouraged park board representation at the meeting. Koch suggested that Dhuse also be asked for his department's needs. Rollins read a policy statement,drafted by Swithin,disallowing the practice of program discounts to city employees. Scherer moved that the policy be accepted. Wedge seconded. A roll-call vote was taken: Rollins,yes; Cathey,yes; Scherer,yes;Wedge,yes;Koch,yes. The board continued previous discussion on the reporting structure for the Executive Director. Rollins pointed out that it is important to note how the park board was established,and to seek further advice from IPRA counsel. Brown will contact IPRA. Adjournment- The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m. following a motion by Scherer. Cathey seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Judy Rice Next meeting 7 p.m.,October 7,in the Austin Room of the Beecher Community Building. T17 PjVWC & BE 14 . SIGN-IN, PLEASE (If you have a business card,please leave one on the table—Thank You) y 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.