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Park Board Packet 2005 05-23-05Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department Board Meeting Park and Recreation Administrative Offices Riverfront Building 301 E. Hydraulic Street Yorkville, IL 60560 / 630.553.4341 AGENDA/ May 23, 2005 Call to Order: Roll Call: Chris Rollins, Ken Koch, Van Truman, Heather Fiala, Richard Korinek, Tammy Smock, Alderman Paul James Introduction of Guests and/or City Officials, Staff: Park and Recreation Director— Laura Brown Superintendent of Park— Scott Sleezer Public Comments: Approval of Minutes: Minutes May 9, 2005 Minutes May 9, 2005 town meeting regarding Rivers Edge Park Il Bills Review: Cash Analysis Bill List Developers Presentation Del Webb / Pulte Concept Plan Old Business: Senior Service Ad-hoc Meeting —update Park Maintenance facility— pending should have a report and recommendation in June New Business: City council action items relating to Park and Recreation Park Naming application from Rotary Club for Park E OSLAD Grant acceptance Department Head re-appointments Other Summary of Town Meeting — Sunflower Park concept design and recommendation Cannonball Ridge Park Equipment Selection Park Tour— June 11 schedule and agenda Reports Park Department Report Additional Business: Correspondence: Miscellaneous Correspondence Adjournment Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department Town Meeting for Rivers Edge Park II May 9, 2005 MINUTES Call to Order- Laura Brown, Executive Director for Park and Recreation called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Yorkville Park and Recreation Board invited residents of Yorkville to a Town Meeting for input and comments regarding the park development on the corner of Stony Creek Lane and Windham Circle. Flyers were directly mailed to all the residents within a five block radius. In addition, a notice was posted in the local papers. The following residents attended to the town meeting on May 9, 2005 at 6:00 pm. Robert Dauwalder 333 Popular Drive Dolly Dauwalder 333 Popular Drive Sylvia Mayworm 225 Windham Circle Mary Kermeen 211 Windham Circle Deb Kermeen 211 Windham Circle Jennifer Rerch 297 Windham Circle Chuck Brooks Park Board Members Ken Koch, Tammy Smock The concept drawing was presented by Park and Recreation Executive Director Laura Brown. Overall, residents in attendance expressed support the concept plan as presented. There was discussion regarding Crawford Park in the Rivers Edge development and the possibility of exploring interest in developing a landscape labyrinth. Brown expressed that this could be looked at during the Park Board tours of the parks. The Town Meeting concluded at 6:50 p.m. with a recommendation to make no changes to the concept plan and to proceed to the Park Board Meeting for recommendation to proceed with development schedule. z - TOWN MEETING SIGN IN DATE U LOCATION kror\-A NAME ADDRESS obERT 111UkbecCiDER amu t,,fptLiDE s'yLvri ntq ywo,2M 44, eTy i e )L 6f1 r` Eo car o United City of Yorkville Memo 800 Game Farm Road EST. 1836 Yorkville, Illinois 60560 Telephone: 630-553-4350 Fax: 630-553-7575 kLE %•'‘' Date: May 4, 2005 To:Laura Brown From: Liz D'Anna CC: Subject: Park Planning Meeting for May 23, 2005 The following development has been scheduled for review at the above referenced meeting: 1. Del Webb/Pulte Concept Plan - GarritanoBrummel Property 10 plans attached) If you need anything else, please call me. CANNONBALL RIDGE PARK-EQUIPMENT SUMMARY 1 SELECTION MANUFACTURE Playground N a V Budget N E °'a, a y - x C9 L 0 g 5 rn N. C u v E U a)c tea) 0 m v Q y " i _c0 amount 0 o 25 °_' v c, o 4 a) a) 4 ao 0 v v N d- E 4 b0 eo ua v u3. o r`N Co o N _E N t > + E v, -0 o c c 3 N N E ,,, -O n v vi42,857 u0 3 u, m e- a Uw Nv 0 a tr) -ami vwUmt C7 CD o0Umio 0 Zm EA- Playcraft Zenon Co. $44,287 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yesc c Litchfield Theme concept is Swings 4,225 v 16,877 excellent E - o o48512 v o 7 5- V cd . 7 5 V fd L U la .S a. a U a .S as Park& Recreation Miracle Option I 45,260 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes $2,715 Yes 36,050 88,086 Swings 4,061 Rec Ramp) Cedar Forest 49,321 Option 2 45,240 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 84,005 (No swings) Swings Does not meet spec Landscape 42,297 Yes Yes NO Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Skateware Yes American 2-5 Thunderhead climber Structures 4,677 1,065 20,105 is excellent Swings 46,974 68,144 Lets Go Play 46,828 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Huna Yes 13,620 53,860 (Shelter not Swings 4,912 2120 Wood included)custom panels 51,740 Does not meet included stand alone units spec rock blocks climbing wall &twist climber Parkreation Inc One manufacture Little Tikes discount- $5,825 Option I 52,373 Yes Yes Yes NO Yes Yes Yes Yes $3,599 Yes Icon Shelter Great surface&elevated Swings 4,443 Ramptech) 17,990 play in option#2 56,816 78,495 option#1 Option 2 51,427 Yes Yes (No- Yes Yes Yes (No- Yes 77,459 option#2 Swings 4,443 96'deck) 72' 55,870 deck) Reese Recreation $40,000 Yes Yes No (no 48 NO Yes NO Yes NO NO BID NO BID 24,080 Innovative climbing wall Big Toys N/A Does not or 96) Poligon feature Swings meet spec 64,080 No skate park Recreation NO NO No (no NO Yes No Yes Yes $4,256 Concrete $26,687 2-5 Playground has nice Concepts 30,408.59 72) Spohn Grind Box RCP Shelters features Game Time 4,600.39 Ranch 65,951.98 Swings 35,008.98 Recommendations: Option I — Accept Playcraft with swings as the low bidder for the Playground, skate park and Gazebo (Litchfield) for a total project budget of$65,389. Option 2— Accept Landscape Structure with swings for$46,974; Landscape structures skatewave $1,065 and Litchfield gazebo for$16,877 for a total project budget of$64,916. Option 3 — Accept Lets Go Play structure for$46,828; Playcraft Swings for$4,225; Landscape structures skatewave$1,065 and Litchfield gazebo for$16,877 for a total project budget of$68,995. Option 4 - Accept Parkreation Inc, Option I structure for$52,373' playcraft swings for$4225; Landscape structures skatewave $1,065 and Litchfield gazebo for$16,877 for a total project budget of$74,540 ($8,826 OVER BUDGET) Option 5 — Accept Parkreation Inc., Option I structure and swings for$56,816; Ramptech skate park$3,599 and Icon Shelter for$17,990 and receive a one manufacture discount of-$5,825 for a total project budget of 72,580 ($6,866 OVER BUDGET). yORKvlLLE 1-51"/: PARKS A RECREATION/ Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department Board Meeting Beecher Community Building 908 Game Farm Road * Yorkville, IL 60560 630.553.4357 630.553.4360 fax Agenda/Park Tours June 11, 2005 9:00 am Call to Order: Roll Call: Chris Rollins, Ken Koch, Van Truman, Heather Fiala, Richard Korinek, Tammy Smock, Alderman Paul James Introduction of Guests and/or City Officials, Staff: Land Planner- Schoppe Designs - Mike Schoppe Park and Recreation Director—Laura Brown Parks Foreman— Scott Sleezer New Business: Review schedule and goals for the tours Park Tours of existing Parks and Planned Park Locations(attached schedule) Additional Business: Adjournment: For the park tours please bring your copy of the Park Master Plan. We will be discussing the recommendations as stated in the Master Plan and adding to the recommendations. During the park tours we will be looking at the overall condition and amenities of the park, suggesting changes or improvements, and making recommendations for priority for the next fiscal year budgets and development schedules. Please spend some time reviewing the master plan prior to the tours, so you are familiar with each site and the previous suggestions. We will try to stay as close to the tour schedule as possible. We will meet the Beecher Community Building and begin promptly at 9:00 am. Dress accordingly. Park Tour Schedule 9:00 Beecher Community Building 9:20 Cannonball Ridge Park (summer construction) 9:30 Kimball Hill (Whispering Meadows) / OSLAD Grand application 9:50 Menards (Prairie Meadows) (future park development) 10:00 Grande Reserve Park E (Rotary Park) 10:20 Grande Reserve Park D (future park development) 10:30 Grande Reserve Regional Park 10:30 Grande Reserve Trail 10:50 Heartland Circle (future park development) 11:00 Sleezer Park (Heartland) 11:15 Gilbert Park (future park development) 11:30 Rivers edge Parks (3 sites) / Rice Park/Crawford Park and Rivers edge II 12:00 Price Park (Greenbriar) 12:10 Sunflower Park (future park location) 12:20 Raintree (Park location and bike trails) 12:30 Wyndett Ridge (park location and bike trails) 12:45 Country Hills Park 1:00 Return to Beecher Community Building and adjourn meeting Till PARKS S RECREATION Yorkville Parks & Recreation Dept. 908 Game Farm Rd. Yorkville, IL 60560 630.553.4357 630.553.4360 fax e-mail:yorkrecdep(c aol.com Administration Office: 301 E. Hydraulic St. Yorkville, IL 60560 630.553.4341 630.553.4347 fax United City of Yorkville Vandalism Report Yorkville Recreation Department Date of Report: l 0 Location of Damage: FO X77 /1 f it'aAY Estimate of date damage occurred: ' (- Property Damaged: Ogre,s S-e 07 ern/h/', e..0-K.e4 c.c v-y. eAialf7.0 hY 62A r ef}' I saw lay i‘cCS r Cost Estimate to Repair(including man-hours): Person Reporting Damage: \) 5 a - —7_2 Supervisor Signature: 65"ti- " C n" c-4 ke Original attached to Facility Report Copy to: Supervisor, Director United City of Yorkville Vandalism Report Parks Department Date. Location of Damage. r ) Property Damaged. Cost Estimate to Repair. Person Reporting Damage. Supervisor Signature. Page 1 of 1 Laura Brown From: ARTPAVER@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 12:13 PM To:brown@yorkville.il.us Subject: Thanks, labyrinth, american trails Hi Laura, Thank you for a nice meeting on Monday, It is good to know we have such a wonderful park district here in our own community! Here is the link to the American trail website that we spoke about, http://www.americantrails.org/about.html. I hope that you find it helpful. Also I have some photo's for you of the mound labyrinth,that we talked about as a possibility for down in Crawford Park. It would be a wonderful way to raise awareness about labyrinths, would be maintenance free and would cost very little. Yorkville could be known for having several labyrinths for the people of their community to find some peacefulness in their busy lives! Wouldn't it be nice to be a part of leaving something like that behind for our community? Especially with today's news as it is,so much violence and confusion in this world, what ever we can do to help people improve their life in a positive way! I will give the photo's to Tammy Smock this week and she can bring them to the next meeting. Have a great week! Debi Kenneen Labyrinths in Stone A Division of Artistic Pavers, Inc. 211 Windham Circle Yorkville, IL. 60560 630-553-5305 www.labyimthsinstone.com. 5/18/2005 Laura Brown From: Lisa Dabbs[Idabbs@caresys.net] Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2005 2:34 PM To: brown@yorkville.il.us Subject:Frisbee golf Laura, I was talking with Art Prochaska this week about the lack of activities in Yorkville for older children. There are plenty of playgrounds and the park department does a good job of offering classes for young children, however, once they pass about 7th grade there is not much in Yorkville to do other than just hang out. The problem compounds once school and school associated activities are finished for the year. I have many teenagers through my home and am constantly reminded that Yorkville is lame for teens. I hate to say it, but I have to agree. The best thing around here would be a public pool. I have heard all the delays and reasons I need on that matter. No tax base, etc. . . When Oswego put in the civic center, there was no tax base there either, but I know this is not your matter. Anyway, my intent on contacting you under Arts suggestion was the possibility of the Yorkville Parks Department installing a Frisbee (or disc) gold field. This could not be a very expensive venture and would bring a lot of positives from the youth here. If you are not familiar with, it consists of poles with baskets attached that are large enough to throw a Frisbee type disc into. There are 9 hole or 18 hole courses. Currently many of the teens in Yorkville go to Oswego, Montgomery or Aurora to play. Almost on a daily basis. On behalf of many teens here in Yorkville I would ask that you consider this. If it would be beneficial, a group of teens would be more than willing to attend a parks department meeting. Thank you. Lisa Dabbs RN, CCM P-553-1334 0-553-2865 800-553-1921 F-866-870-0040 ldabbs@caresys.net Confidentiality Notice. This information is intended for the indivdual(s) mentioned above. If you have received this fax in error, please notify the sender by phone. Thank you. 1 PARK BOARD TERMS AND OFFICES Date Joined Term Date Officers Chris Rollins 1998 2005 President 2003-04/ 04-05 / 05-06 reappointment 2000 Dave Cathey 1998 2008 Vice President 2003-04 / 04-05 reappointment 2003 resigned 7/04 Ken Koch 2001 2006 Vice President 04-05 / 05-06 Heather Fiala 2003 2004 Secretary 2003-04/ 04-05 /05-06 re-appointment of five year term 4/30/09 2009 Date Joined Term Date Officers Van Truman 2003 (fill in) reappointment 2003 2008 Richard Korinek 2003 2007 Bob Pilmer 2003 2005 Not seeking reappointment School District Liaison Paul James re-election 2003 2007 City Council Liaison Tammy Smock 7/2003 replacement 2008 for Dave Cathey PARK BOARD 2005—2006 Park Liaison Assignments Riverfront Park Heather Fiala Beecher Park & concession stand Tammy Smock Purcell Park (Cannonball) Ken Koch Price Park(Greenbriar) Ken Koch Hiding Spot Park ( formerly Prairie Park) Chris Rollins Cobb Park Ken Koch Jaycee Park Chris Rollins Sleezer Park (Heartland) Richard Korinek Fox Hill (east and west Park sites) Tammy Smock Van Emmon Park Van Truman Rivers edge Parks (3 sites) / Rice Park Tammy Smock West Hydraulic greenway Van Truman Town Square Van Truman Gilbert Park Heather Fiala Country Hills Park Heather Fiala In the planning / construction Grande Reserve Park E (Rotary Park) Chris Rollins Grande Reserve Park D Richard Korinek Grande Reserve Regional Park Chris Rollins. Grande Reserve Trail Richard Korinek Sunflower Park Ken Koch Cannonball Ridge Park Chris Rollins Menards (Prairie Meadows) Richard Korinek Kimball Hill (Whispering Meadows) Ken Koch Future Developments Heartland Circle Raintree Wyndett Ridge Autumn Creek Anderson Farm Aspen Ridge Bristol Bay Caledonia Challey Farm Evergreen Farms Steward Farm (Preswick) Cornerstone Lee Farm Rob Roy Falls Bailey Meadows Westbury Village Tanglewood Trails Swanson Lane Estates MPI South WYNSTONE Yorkville parks more than slides, sandboxes By Allecia Vermilion STAFF WRITER lm - t yati 3 fr' YORKVILLE —In the midst of an a ' ' – t unheralded park expansion, Yorkville is qm - - A tempering the traditional slide-and-swingset 9 y design at area playgrounds with themes that l reflect some element of the park's vocation. 4 ,- k A Two such parks are in the works that will let 4 kids get into farm life and play on train- themed equipment. 3 HEATHER EIDSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Following the examples of towns like Rice Park, near Yorkville's River's EdgeBolingbrookandCarmel, hid., Yorkville has miniature subdivision, awafeatures a miniature roadway, mock gas pump, created its own trend by working such shrunken street signs and even a fanciful themes into some of the new parks working traffic light that city engineers programmed to switch sprouting up across the city. colors every seven seconds. Plans for the latest parks are still subject to feedback from neighborhood meetings, but as the surrounding subdivisions fill up, its occupants "are desperately waiting for a park," said Parks and Recreation Director Laura Brown. When the Sunflower Estates subdivision park opens this summer, children will climb around on a red, barn-shaped play structure, complete with a slide coming out of a silo. Seats will take the shape of large tractor tires, and arriving kids will push through a swinging red barn gate with a cheery wooden cow peeking over the top. There are also plans for a small orchard and even some crops that children can plant and local garden clubs can maintain. Brown brought the themed parks idea with her when she took over the parks department in 2002, said Park Board member Tammy Smock. The concept "is probably just starting off' in most places, Brown said. Trains and traffic Yorkville has an opportunity to make themes a centerpiece of the park program, she said. By the end of the year, the city will have 20 parks with 22 more planned for 2006. With Yorkville growing and trying to create identities in all these new subdivisions, I thought it was a great opportunity," Brown said. Another future park in the Whispering Meadows subdivision backs up to the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks near Cannonball Trail and Faxon Road. Plans call for playground equipment in the shape of a blue and red train, with different cars offering different climbing and swinging possibilities. The accompanying pavilion will have the long, peaked roof of traditional whistle-stop train stations and a working clock will keep time. In lieu of actual railroad ties, park staff members are looking into concrete pathways stamped with a pattern of tracks. To date, the city has one traffic-themed park complete and three more under construction, in addition to the farm and train parks unveiled this week. A future park site near a planned fire station at Kennedy and McHugh roads will have a firehouse-inspired playground. The playground at Grande Reserve Regional Park will have a baseball stadium theme to reflect the nearby ballfields; and a park being constructed this summer on Cannonball Ridge will boast a Civil War and fort theme. Children take notice Aim Langbehn can vouch for the success of the first themed play area the city completed. Her home in the River's Edge subdivision backs up to Rice Park, which features a miniature roadway, mock gas pump, shrunken street signs and even a working traffic light that city engineers programmed to switch colors every seven seconds. A working parking meter is on the way, taken down to a child's height. Langbehn's three children use the park daily when the weather is nice, she said. And the theme is not lost on the swarms of kids she sees out of her kitchen window. They play," she said. "They'll be on their bikes and go to the gas station and then they'll have snacks and really play drive-through" at the park's mock fast-food window, which has a working talk tube for placing imaginary orders. The family chose their home on Kelly Drive largely because of the park, Langbehn said. "It's more than just a gathering spot for the women. You'll see a lot of dads there, too," she said. Although the park's design predated its name, Virgil Rice was a longtime Yorkville resident who owned a filling station. Our goal is to have all of our parks be themed," Brown said. The 11 existing parks will all eventually be replaced with a theme, she said. We have so many people coming from other areas," Brown said. "We want to make sure we have elements of Yorkville that are unique from anywhere else." 5/16/05 i:... a ; being constructed this summer on r rt YORKVILLEYo:rkvillè From page AI Children take notice 9 ' i The concept;;"is probably just Aim Langbebn can vouch for the parks re a 7,4 starting or in most places,Brown success of the first themed play area j said. the city.completed..Her home in the Trains and traffic River's Edge subdivision backs up 1 ( j to Rice Park, which features atans1l.leS i Yor Tile has an opportunity to miniature roadway, mock gaskwpPtYy make themes a centerpiece of the pump, shrunken street signs and park program,she said.By the end even a working traffic light that citysandbowe. w of the year, the city will have 20 engineers programmed to switch parks with 22 more planned for colors every seven seconds. A 2006. working parking meter is on the Newthe s planned.With Yorkville growing and way,taken down to a child's height trying to create identities in all these Langbehn's three children usePlaygroup `mught evoke k:new subdivisions,I thought it was a the.park daily when the weather is agriculture;railroads great opportunity,"Brown said.nice,she said.And the theme is not , Another future park in the lost on the swarms of kids she sees ByAllecia Vermilion y i,,,:,1 Whispering Meadows subdivision. .-out of her kitchen window. a • backs up to: ,the Burlington "They play,"she said."They'll be STAFF WRITER Northern Railroad tracks near on their bikes and go to the gas YORKVILLE = In')•the :`m'id'st :hof":a Cannonball Trail and Faxon Road. station and then they'll have snacks unher'alde'd par'kexpansion, Yorkville iS Plans califorplayground equipment and really play drive-through"at the tempering the;,traditionalshdeLand'swingset is ' intheshape of:ablue and red train, park's mock fast-food window, design at;area:playgrounds.with'.themee,,that v with different cars offering different which has a working talk tube for reflect someelement of the park's'location;r- climbing and swinging possibilities. placing.imaginary orders. Two such'.parks are m:the works_thafwilllet I ' The accompanying pavilion:will. The'family chose their home on kids get into farm life and play on tram themed have the long,.peaked,roof:of.,. Kelly Drive largely because of the equipment. ,\traditional whistle stop train park,::Langbehn said. "It's more F'ollo*ing the`,exainpleslof,:townsliie stations and a working;clock;will.i.„:„than just a gathering spot for.the Bolingbrook'andCarmel,Ind1,,Yorkville:has keep.tune.In•heu-of actual railroad ` women./You'll see a lot•of dads created its owntrend by,working such'fanciful, , ties,park'stnff members are looking there,•too, she said. themes into someof the.new!parks sprouting. ' into concrete pathways stamped Although the park's design IP,across the city with-a-pattern.,of tracks.:, predated its name,Virgil Rice was..a.. Plans for thelatest parks are,still subject to To date,the city has'one traffic longtime Yorkville resident'who • eedback from neighborhood,meetings,but as themed park complete and three owned a`filling station: he;surroundin subdivisions fill u its ,1 more.,,under ,,c.onstruction,::.,in . :Our:goal is:,,to,:haveall.of.our:•-.: c`ciipants"are d ¢eratelytivaitiii 4or a park" '.. addition`to the farm andtrain parks ;parks bethemed,'Brown said. aid Parks and'Recreation Director Laura Brown{ '' unveiled this week The 1. existing parks will all .. When:the Sunflower Estates subdivision Afuture park site near`a planned s eventually be`>replaced with a ark opens this summer, children.will;climli fire station at Kennedy and theme,she said a. iround on a red,:barn'.Sliaped.play;structure, ,d McHugh Nroad , will .have',a, ' y;"We ,have so ,many people omplete with a slidecoming out of'a silo.Seats firehouse-mspiredplayground,, . `coming from:other areas,,".Brown vill take the shape-jiff large tractor tires,and The p:laygfound,.at,4G,ran'de ,said, i rivin kids will ush throe h aswinin 'red Reserve Regional Parkwill have'a ' `"Weant to make'1sure'we havegpg ' g'' ' ;baseball;stadium themeto reflect' sel.emen'ts of Yorkville that areiarngatewithacheerywoodencow,peeking. Iver the top. the nearby;ballfields,and a;park , t.inique,from;anywhere else" There are also plans for a;small orchard`and` yen some crops that children can plant and si ocal garden clubs can'inaintaui x Brown',brought tlie.themed parks idea witlV ler when she•took over;tlie;parks department +; n,2002, said Park Board memb'erTammy, i mock. 1'urn'to-YORKVILLE;A2,-2 7--:-.:..--1:::--:::_-_-: ,::• c,...,,,„,......_„..,,,,-..,•,. - - -• ., ,, 7.!-C x t.'..._.4,‘,<1.-„ -^q..,..--.,,,,...-..._--„,,,, _,.. A, it .'-4•-,..,-, - ,.-''‘ T-P_11-..'"".1- %,,-..7,-.. "'•' it', ,',' +--,P6 • ' "*.-',Mk.: .? , -, ,,,,,.-.-• ----'s '—`,,.' ...-. i t 1,'. ''' ' ''''''''.''''''''"N“.••e' ' ' P,<1 g ,.`r..'",1!i '' p,,,tA 4,- ,i.,--..--------,, - „Lc...A •,-- 2-. t"--i •t11,` 1111' il'i+s 4 1 132" "/?t!',. ‘4., kti-. 1., 4:111:1A...1 Ii.. Z.:'''''•1111,1 , ''1.!-''77: N.- "..."7"^ri.0420.4rs.14... ‘ M".4**,, i:.p,-,,,---......-.0,,,r,„- -- ..,3-,-,;.„,-,,,,,* r 17,-.tr.,1—,,,..5,1?'.40,11,. . s'.....-- r.it..t.., .,s,.,t,,,.... t.,, .,,,;•.'A t t,,,„t•,0, P,,,Z1V,P,P4.4,4..tat 1 1 l''' t ,..3r., ''.1',•r' 4, 7, V HEATHERE1DSON:/STAFFPHOTOGRAPHER, RiCe Park',near YOlinille!spiver'S Edge subdivi- sion, features iminiature roadway,mock gas-,..,,• pump,shrunkenstreefilgneaud:even9ework-,._ ingtraffiC light that city engineers programmed to switch colors every seven•secon s. 1 Yorkville ounce proposalsdivisive Power struggle: added that"any kind of ordinance that dis- seminates unequality among aldermen is dis- Aldermen discuss turbing,"and that one person should equal one vote. idea of more input Alderman Joe Besco proposed hiring a staff assistant to the City Council who would assem By Allecia Vermillion ble their voluminous packets for city meetings STAFF WRITER and handle the variety of informational re quests aldermen make every week YORKVILLE—Several aldermen have The money,he said,could come from re- proposed changes they say would bring more ducing the deputy city clerk's position to a authority to City Council. parttime,stipend job similar to the city clerk Other council members say these measures "So this is the office spy,"queried a frustrated I are injecting personal dislikes into a balanced Alderman Paul James.He said"to hire some- and fair system of government one and give them eight bosses"would be a Next month,the City Council will discuss waste of taxpayer money. further controversial proposals to give mem- Prochaska said he was concerned that the hers control over appointing committees and job would be'the same man hours as before, to bring in an attorney and an administrative but more work" assistant to work specifically with the eight al- Burd also proposed hiring a legislative at-t., dermen. torney to advise the City Council occasionally Alderman Valerie Burd said these would when its opinion differs from the mayor.She allow us to do our job as alderman without suggested a lawyer or law firm could have a fear of recrimination." 5,000-fee cap,about 33 hours of work,and be Burd is one of the longest-serving council called-orb/when needed. members.She and Alderman Rose Spears `There are times when the city attorney is have served since 1998.Burd told Mayor Art looked at as the mayor's attorney,"she said. Prochaska and the rest of City Council Tues- "I have gone to the state's attorney for ad- day night that she feels silenced and slighted vice,and it has been in direct violation of what when she disagrees with the city administra- we've received,"Spears added. lion. Under current city law,Yorkville retains an Aldermen who have served a long time attorney, appointed by the mayor and ap- deserve some respect,"she said.`These(pro- proved by the council, who advises both posals)would help foster a better working re- groups.lawyers specializing in labor,environ- lationship."mental issues or other specialties are called in The mayor did not select Burd or Spears to on specific issues when necessary. head any of the city's four standing commit- James and Prochaska both praised City At tees when he made his recommendations last torney John Wyeth and denounced the idea week These selections are subject to council that he would ever bias his opinions toward approval. one portion of the government over the other. Burd's proposal states that committees All these topics will be discussed in more should be created by aldermen and based on detail at an all-council committee meeting seniority.Longer-serving members would get next month. more votes. Prochaska said the proposals were"totally Prochaska said his choices are based on out of the blue"to him."I still go back to the wards and experience and that"all but one al- question,what is wrong?"he said."What in derman got their first or second choice."He the city is not functioning?"