Park Board Minutes 2000 08-28-00 Yorkville Parks & Recreation
Park and Planning Meeting —Park Board Minutes
Aug. 28, 2000
CALL TO ORDER:
John Bradstreet called the meeting to order at 7:05p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Lisa Scherer, Dave Cathey, John Bradstreet, Bill Wedge. Staff-Sue Swithin,Alderman -Tom Sowinski—
present. J.T.Johnson -absent, Chris Rollins—absent.
GUESTS AND/OR CITY OFFICIALS:
Bob Allen—City Treasurer
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
John motioned to approve the minutes from the Aug. 14, 2000 meeting. Dave C_seconded. Motion passed.
REVIEW OF BILLS.
Sue is to check on the maintenance vehicle account. Bill motioned to accept the bills as presented, Lisa
seconded. Dave-yes, John-yes. Bill-yes, Lisa-yes. Motion passed.
BOARD ACTION:
None
OLD BUSINESS:
Beecher Update:
None
Safety Town Update:
Tabled for J.T.
Ball Field Groomer tabled.
Handicap Swing tabled; sidewalk for Beecher Playground, tabled
Fox Hill—status—play surface is down, but not finished.
Bill brought up the issue of the stabic of parks in general, are they in working order? Riverfront Park
especially. Bill stated he is not pleased with the"looks"of the Riverfront Park. The grass gets cut, but the
fishermen leave garbage, etc... "If we want to make the city presentable, it needs to get done".
More discussion tabled for J.T. regarding the fountain.
Skate Park Update:
Sue stated the park is open and operating very well. There will be a report at the next rueeting. Lisa
questioned the sidewalk issue on Rt. 47. She said she is aware of kids too close to the road with bikes. Sue
will mention it at a dept. meeting.
Discussion regarding more land:
A plan needs to be created regarding population and where to locate the next soccer, gall fields, etc..
When soccer expands and more fields are needed for games,where should they be located?
Bob Allen mentioned land North on Rt. 47, by the Forest Praserve land. He asked if it was appropriate for
soccer fields? The Board thought that for now the location was too far north.
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Trail System:
Chris is working on a presentation, as well as Sue who is finishing the standards_ Lisa will be contacting St.
Charles and Aurora. Lisa did mention that Aurora is replacing their 8 ft. trails with 10 ft. trails. There will to
discussion at the next meeting.
REVISION OF THE MASTER PLAN:
Sue asked the Board to divide up the sections of the plan and have each member revise their section as to
current numbers and parks, etc... Sue stated that in order to apply for any grants the comprehensive plan
needs to be revised first. John said"the Board will take care of it within the next meeting".
Sue will also contact a grant writer who is familiar with park district/recreation grants. Sue will ask about a
yearly contract. Chris will discuss the idea with Jay Tovian at the school district. Many of the grants would
apply to the playgrounds and recreational activities.
BECOMING A PARK DISTRICT:
Discussion took place regarding what it would take to become a district. Sue mentioned that the first
agreement would be for the city to turn over all of the parks and facilities, and equipment with exception of the
Beecher Building. There is a"Will'and an agreement on the building and it probably would have to be
leased.
The park board would begin discussion and research as to boundaries, and the taxing issue. After all of the
research is done, the Board would have to educate the community and at the end, a referendum. Sue stated
that she would begin to contact other departments that have changed to districts. Chris Rollins should begin
discussion with the School District regarding boundaries, toxcs, and get an idea of what the revenue would
be. The city would have to show a minimal reduction in city taxes.
NEW BUSINESS:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Lisa motioned to adjourn at 8:40 p.m_ Dave seconded. Motion passed.
_. pec sub itted,
C
Sue Swithin
Next meeting Sept.25. 2000 in the Austin Room of the Beecher Community Building.
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