City Council

MINUTES OF THE STREATOR PARKS & OPEN SPACES BOARD COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL OFFICE 204 S BLOOMINGTON STREET STREATOR, IL 61364 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Wheeler called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M ROLL CALL Members present: Afton Caulkins, Natalie Henderson, Tim Martin, Nora Sedlock, Doug Snell, and Chairman Gary Wheeler. Staff present: Mayor Bedei, Jeff Long, Public Works Director, and Patricia Henderson, City Clerk. MINUTES – Approve minutes of the special meeting on November 8, 2023. Chairman Wheeler requested a motion and second to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2023 meeting. MOTION: Snell made a motion to approve the minutes; seconded by Caulkins. ROLL: Ayes: Caulkins, Henderson, Martin, Sedlock, Snell, and Chairman Wheeler. Absent: Tyne. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. DISCUSSION ITEMS INTRODUCE NEW BOARD MEMBER – Chairman Wheeler introduced the new board member, Natalie Henderson, replacing the term for Robert Oberholtzer. 1. COM ED GREEN REGION GRANT – Grant has been submitted and s/b awarded by July. This grant would be used to install lamp posts in Central Park. We could hopefully begin this project in the fall. 2. OSLAD GRANT – Marilla Park Pond. This grant will be used to improve the Marilla Park pond. The funds will be used to build a fishing ramp on the south side and pave the parking lot. 3. MARILLA PARK – Upper Road road closure. Jeff Long, Public Works Director, reported the road at Marilla Park was closed because of weather off and on all winter. He also reported they are still working on electrical at Marilla Park. 4. IDNR GRANT – Additional Canoe Launch on the Fire Department training property. Chairman Wheeler wants a canoe launch on Tenth Street and said the Fire Chief is all in on the idea. 5. SIDEWALK UPDATE There was not a sidewalk update. Long reported the Dog Park needs another fence to separate big and little dogs and also needs a moveable gate and moveable fencing, to keep grass growing. Long also reported he did a walk downtown to identify trees that need to be replaced. 6. STRATEGIC PLAN STATUS – MAYOR BEDEI Mayor Bedei created a Strategic Plan for the Park Board to review. Gary told the board members to review the plan and send comments and order of priorities to Patricia Henderson, City Clerk. Chairman Wheeler also commented we could use the next OSLAD Grant to work on some priorities identified in the Strategic Plan. He also reminded Long that when the 1 trail was built there were plans for an extension of the trail to follow through to Golf Road. Page COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS Caulkins – Commented if we are not going to open restrooms in the parks for events, we need to order port-a-potties. Martin – Commented that the tents are back on the trail again. Sedlock – Suggested the board meet monthly. She asked what amount was in the budget for the Park Board and Long replied there is no extra money this year. A discussion ensued regarding using the Keen property lot for sculptures for Streator High School. They are running out of room on campus. Chairman Wheeler reminded the board members to review the Strategic plan and send their comments to Patti Henderson. ADJOURNMENT AT 6:31 Chairman Wheeler requested a motion and second to adjourn the meeting. MOTION: Sedlock made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Snell ROLL: Ayes: Caulkins, Henderson, Martin, Sedlock, Snell, and Chairman Wheeler. Absent: Tyne. ______________________________________ Patricia L. Henderson City Clerk 2 Page