Parks Commission

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 25, 2025 7:00 p.m. A. Call meeting to order: Attendance: Superintendent Ben Strepka, Commissioners: Maureen Buxton, Hugo Destapado, Eric Lapointe, Ashley Ziemba B. Minutes of last meeting: August 14, 2025 and September 8, 2025 Motion to approve minutes - Commissioner Lapointe, seconded by Commissioner Destapado C. Approval of Bills: Warrants dated August 29th, September 5th, and September 19th Motion to approve minutes - Commissioner Ziemba, seconded by Commissioner Lapointe D. Public Input: Each speaker is asked to direct their comments to the Chair and keep their remarks to 5 minutes. E. Communications: 1. Pride in the Park - June 13th -Motion to approve- Commissioner Ziemba, seconded by Commissioner Destapado F. Maintenance Report: 1. Parks Labor Force: Current Park openings: (1) 6L – Public Works Craftsman, (4) 5L – MEO/Laborer, (1) 4L – Laborer, all other positions are filled. G. Recreation Report: 1. Adult Rec Programs: Tang Soo Do Korean Martial Arts 2. Adult Rec Leagues: Volleyball – Meetings September 22nd - Games should start within the next week 3. Youth Rec Leagues: Youth Soccer – Games on-going. Suburban Basketball – Tryout pre registration. 4. Youth Rec Programs: Tang Soo Do Korean Martial Arts. Gold Star Zoo – On-going. 5. Events: Kanes Krusade 5K – October 18th. Spooktacular – October 23rd. Thriller 5K – October 25th. 6. Recreation openings: Recreation Supervisor, Basketball Scorekeepers, Basketball Referees, Gym Supervisors. H. Old Business: 1. Bemis Pond Dam Removal – Planning and permitting for Phase II. 2. Szot Master Plan – Phase I – Preparing bid package. Review of draft report. 3. CDBG Project – Sarah Jane Splash Pad. Removal going to bid. 4. PARC Grant – Sarah Jane Park Improvements. Construction beginning. 5. Dulchinos Field Dugouts – Ordered. Scheduling installation. - Best case it will be ready for the season, worst case scenario - everything will be complete except the concrete slab Will order a new plaque for the spring season. 6. Youth Basketball – Suburban and Rec • Uniforms- Will look into nicer uniforms, sublimation, and maroon/gold/blue. o Ally Garcia from Andre Sports • Confidentiality - Park Commissioners and Park Workers should not be communicating information regarding our decisions within the committee until its public knowledge. It negates the integrity of our decision process and causes mistrust within the community. 7. Clean up the softball dugouts at Szot - need to be power washed. 8. Szot Park pool clean up - will be removed soon. I. New Business: 1. Park Maintenance Projects • Outdoor Rink at Brooks - City council concerned that we are not flooding and utilizing this rink. The weather needs to be consistently cold and we are ready to flood it, however, it is up to mother nature. o Brooks is also eligible for a park grant soon and will be looking to update the rink so it will be able to be used for various activities. • Pickle ball courts - Are available at - Williams, Szot and Fairview o Tennis courts, with pickleball lines o Szot plan - will have 2 separate courts designated for tennis and pickleball o 2 Tentative spots could be ray ash, or garrity (pending the Barry School update) • Look to ask the Boys and Girls club to utilize the gym for practices • Question to outsource some park work because there are concerns with openings, and work isn't always able to get done. There are also some major concerns over field conditions. • Szot looks worse at the beginning of the sports season due to the Fourth of July. Need to think about how to protect or fix something. • Ben will ask Liz or John to be at our next meeting. J. Meeting adjourned: Motion to adjourn at 8:01 - Commissioner Lapointe, seconded by Commissioner Destapado K. Next Meeting: ___________10/30/2025 ____________________ Minutes Submitted by: Ashley Ziemba