Park Board Minutes 2002 06-24-02 Yorkville Parks& Recreation
Park Planning& Development Meeting
['ark Board Minutcs
June 24,2002
Call to Order—
Rollins called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m.
Roll Call-
C'hris Rollins, Dave.C'athcy, Ken Koch
Absent: Lisa Scherer, Bill Wedge
Staff:
Absent: Sue Swithin, Eric Dhuse, Alderman Paul James
City Officials: Mayor Prochaska, Alderman Rose Spears,City Planner Mike Schoppe
Approval of Minutes-
Minutes of the June 10 meeting were not approved. Approval to he done July K meeting.
Bills Review-
No current bill% were presented for approval.
Board Action—
Item 1 of Board action dealt with the Hopkins Corner development. Len Dreas and Dick Stanchuc
representing Hopkins Corner addressed the Board regarding an easement issue in their project. At the
April 22 Park Planning Meeting, the Board had asked for a 15' easement along the western edge of the:
development for continuation of a grail. At that time,the Board had concerts about removal of healthy
trees in the easement. The developer documented the cat'ernent area and brought to the Board a drawing
showing all the trues and which trees would have to be removed. To provide a trail would mean the loss
of a fair number of healthy trees. The Board was concerned with this and after a lengthy discussion
among;the developer, Schoppe, and the Board, the following recommendation was made.
Using t.hc existing easement, a 10' trail would run from the NW corner continuing south to an area
between lots I 1 & 12. The trail would travel cast between these lots in an casement.area of 30' or greater
until it reaches the sidewalk where it would turn south again. Being that the trail become,one with the
sidewalk,the Board desires the sidewalk to be 8' wide this point. The sidewalk/trail would then travel to
the south entrance of the subdivision.
This recommendation will result in some trees being removed at the north end but saves a large number of
others. Also the area bc(wecn lots 11 & 12 allows a transition of the trail from 10' to 8' in width.
Item 2 of Board action dealt with Fox Highlands subdivision_ No one showed and Schoppe informed the
Board that this subdivision was going for final plat.
Item 3 of Board action dealt.with Heartland Circle subdivision. Developers Richard&Clayton Marker
were present. This was the second time Heartland Circle came before the Board. The newly proposed
plan featured removing the commercial space in the center of the development and replacing it with a 2.8-
aerc park. This development still incorporates 2 miles of trails and 19.28 acres of open space. Marker is
asking;for 50%,credit toward the open space portion. Marker reiterated to the Board that he doesn't have
to donate toward parks or schools, but that he chooses to do so on his own.
I
C'athey suggested that the trails through the center of Elie park should be moved to the perimeter of the
park area.
Koch brought to the attention of the Roard that originally the Board decided that a 5-acre park was
reconunendcd and felt strong that this should be retained. Schoppe added his support and the Board was
in agreement. Koch also raised the issue of responsibility of the trails and open space areas. Marker
insisted that this would he maintained through a homeowners association_
Schoppe viewed his concerns that (he Board needs to settle on a park size and credit amount for open
space in this development. Schoppe and Rollins stressed that this area of Yorkville is starved for park
space and that the opportunities for such are dwindling away as the area gets built up.
At this point,the Board decided to allow the general public in attendance voice some concerns.
--A citizen was concerned with the number of homes using the trails and that the park size was not
adc.quatc in sizr.. Koch mentie.nt;d tha(r if the park were to small, citizens would use open space areas for
activities creating possible problems for adjoining homeowners.
Rollins also agreed claiming that children need an appropriate area for hitting a baseball, practicing
soccer, or perfonninb other recreational activities that need space.
—Several other citizens also voiced their feelings on the park space issue.
—Mayor Prochaska added that if Marker could readjust some homes,2 or 3 large open space areas could
be easily added to create the larger park.
--Alderman Spears mentioned that in the Countryside subdivision where she lives,there have been
problems with sharing open space and that if they had a park,possibly these issues wouldn't have conic.
up.
—A citizen raised traffic concerns regarding the park area. According to Marker,parking along the street
would suffice. The citizen mentioned that in a circle scheme,parking,would be along curves creating
safety issues. C:athey agreed that parking could present a problem.
--A citizen stated lie was against homes added along the south side of the development._ This was an issue
with Marker and the change he made.
--A citizen wanted it in the record that the Plan Commission was very concerned with the park Board's
recommendation and that it should be honored.
--A citizen stressed how happy he was with the Board's awareness in saving tree lines and was wondering
if the Board could help in Hcurtland Circle.
Rollins stated that the Board is not in position in this area to have any official action. As a private citizen.
he favors the.trees in question. The Board can only consider helping saving the tree line if the conditions
would be appropriate.
Mayor Prochaska and Schoppc suggest the Board bring this concept plan, dated 5/7/02, up for a motion to
approve the plan to the City Council. Koch made motion. Cathey seconded it.
A roll-call vote was taken: Rollins. no; C:athey, no;Koch, no. Motion not approved.
The Board did offer its recommendation to Marker for consideration.
The Board recommends a 4-6 acre park site, centrally located, and would accept 50%credit for the trail
system with 10' open space trails located on the perimeter of the area.
Additional Board Business—
Rollins called the Board's attention to a revised ordinance of the Park Board Membership Amendment..
Rollins clarified the changes to the ordinance with Mayor Prochaska and Alderman Spears. The changes
were the striking of the 1.5-mile residency rule and the addition of verbiage stating that Board members
can not be included within any other municipality.
Mayor Prochaska inforrried the Board on an ulxlatc of tl'e aquatic center issue. After consulting with Dan
Kramer, it was Iclt that some.rewording; of the contract was oecdcd stating that Presently the Board was
only having, the task 2 item performed. Also the Board was questioned regarding if thc.Board went out
fir open bid when selecting a consultant. The Board responded that this consultant was selected duc to a
previous working; relationship on this matter. At this Point Mayor Prochaska submitted a second proposal
that lie was given alter a newspaper article aired the Board's ir'tcnti<.ms. William,, Architects supplied
Board members with a brochure and claimed they would do the task 2 work at no charge il'they would be
given consideration regarding this project.
One final Board continent to Mayor Prochaska and Alderman Spears was mg;arding the tine.job Mike
Schoppe is doling. Calhey mentioned that tile city should be.proud of the professionalism SChoppe puts
into his work and how important he is to this park Board. Rollins and Koch agreed.
Liaison report.-Tabled
Park Report -Tabled
Recreation report-Tabled
Old Business—
Mayor Prochaska asked the Board shout the status Of thcc,pending job descriptiom, for city council action
June 25. The descriptions were being, looked over by the city labor attorney and haven't conic. back as of
yet. The Mayor. Alderman Spears,and the Board seemed to feel that tile.descriptions were.acceptable. but
the city hasn't scc-.n a 'clean' copy as of yet. Mayor Prochaska informed the Board that il'council doesn't
have then', Ihis issue would have to be tabled.
Aldern-um Spears informed [lie.Board that she is finishing a salary survey and would like to be put an the
agenda at a future meeting to share the results with Board members.
New lousiness—
Mayor Prochaska stated to the Board that tic would like to sec; future 130.117(1 reCo Mmondations submitted
to the city clerk by the next day if possible,allowing for better communication_ Tim ad hoC Comrr'i(tec is
currently working,coil this.
Adjournment—
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. following a motion by C'athey, seconded by Koch.
The motion was unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted.
Ken Koch
Temporary Recording Secretary
Next meeting 7.00 p.m.July 8 in the Austin Room of the Beecher Community iiuilding.