Parks & Recreation Commission

MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION October 10, 2023 City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER – PARK TOUR B. ROLL CALL: A roll call was taken and Chairman McCleary determined a quorum was present. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Jason Cohen, Donna Fischer, Pete Riis and Chairman Mike McCleary. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Shannon Jackson. OTHERS PRESENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Recreation Director Dave Zinnen, Public Works Director Brent Aymond, Interim Superintendent John Mecklenburg, and Clerk Nicole Lewakowski. C. FLOOR DISCUSSION: 1. Public Comments: None. 2. Commission Comments: None. D. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Chairman McCleary inquired about the placement of the Santa Hut for the coming season. B. Aymond responded and explained the hut will be parked in front of the clock tower on the Square in the corner of Benton St. and Van Buren St. Chairman McCleary voiced concerns about pedestrian traffic safety at that location. B. Aymond explained the hut will be accessible from the sidewalk; not from the street side. B. Aymond noted the Rotary funded and implemented a new design and improvements. D. Fischer questioned if a new proposal, with the requested parking amendments, was received for the Intergenerational Playground. B. Aymond answered that he has not seen a new proposal yet. P. Riis asked if Crush is applying to be an approved user group as it relates to the future agenda items. D. Zinnen replied yes and explained Rawlings organization has decisions to make that may influence future discussions. D. Zinnen, J. Cohen and P. Riis discussed the number of teams, non-resident participants versus resident participants and fees, and what that might look like. D. Zinnen expressed there’s more to come and confirmed that any applications for approved user groups will go before the Commission. Motion by D. Fischer, second by J. Cohen, to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2023 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Ayes: J. Cohen, D. Fischer, P. Riis and  Parks & Rec Commission 06/14/23 Page 2 of 3 Chairman M. McCleary. Nays: None. Abstentions: None. Absentees: S. Jackson. Motion carried. E. TRANSMITTALS: The following items have been transmitted to the Commission for information and there is no discussion expected or action recommended. 1. Recreation Department Report for September 2023 D. Zinnen briefly reviewed the report. D. Zinnen mentioned all time high membership numbers and highlighted pool usage demand is exceeding availability. He referenced an email from Recreation Center member, Ms. Lewandowski, who expressed that water aerobics classes are too full and participants don’t fit in the shallow end. D. Zinnen explained he agreed, but that staff can’t alter schedules of other user groups to accommodate more classes. D. Zinnen discussed leasing Commit Fitness at Prairie View Apartments. He described amenities including pools, locker rooms, sauna, etc., but expressed all were in disrepair. D. Zinnen said he is still vetting the option and has further evaluations of mechanicals pending with industry professionals, including Woodstock Heating and Cooling and Arvidsson’s. Chairman McCleary confirmed with D. Zinnen that Commit Fitness is not currently in use. D. Zinnen expressed staff is excited about the possibility and potential for this satellite site. J. Cohen asked if exclusive use of Commit Fitness would be given to the City of Woodstock/Rec Center. D. Zinnen confirmed; with the possibility of a corporate rate for Prairie View Apartment residents, but that a membership would be required. Chairman McCleary voiced that patrons of the Rec Center should continue, and be encouraged, to bring further shortcomings to the attention of Council to encourage future funding for Rec Center improvements. D. Zinnen discussed the Mayor’s ideas for a retractable roof on the existing Aquatic Center at Emricson Park as a future possibility. D. Zinnen made comparisons in pricing, referencing concepts previously discussed including expanding Woodstock’s existing aquatic center, versus purchasing the SEDOM building or leasing Commit Fitness, and how the costs compare to the City of McHenry’s Recreation expansions. P. Riis questioned how McHenry is funding their improvements. D. Zinnen was not certain on how it will be financed. D. Fischer questioned if the long-term plan is to keep current Rec Center location. D. Zinnen expressed Council knows a plan is needed, but is still exploring how to proceed and when, as well as considering the undecided PARC grant and how that may influence changes. Overall, he did not think staying at the current location was a viable long-term goal. P. Riis asked about the status of the consulting firm project. D. Zinnen advised the project is still in the information gathering stage. 2. Parks Division Report for September 2023 J. Mecklenburg reviewed the Parks Report including the addition of ten pickleball courts, a visit to Wrigley Field and added that new field maintenance practices will be implemented. P. Riis asked about how staff will apply state of the art maintenance practices demonstrated at Wrigley on City of Woodstock’s aging fields. J. Mecklenburg clarified dragging field practices will be altered and that no new  Parks & Rec Commission 06/14/23 Page 3 of 3 equipment would be utilized. D. Zinnen added new practices will allow applied materials to last longer. P. Riis asked if watering maintenance practices were learned. J. Mecklenburg responded that watering specifically would not be altered, but that watering later in the day could be explored. D. Zinnen suggested user groups be empowered to water down fields prior to play. F. OLD BUSINESS: None. G. NEW BUSINESS: None. H. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Tentative agenda items identified by Administration a. Discuss Melissa O’Leary Splashpad Project b. Comprehensive Review of Park Policies & Practices 2. Requested by Commission: Any member may suggest an item to be considered by the Commission at a future meeting but must be approved by a majority of the Commission to be included as a future agenda item. I. ADJOURN: Motion by P. Riis, second by J. Cohen to adjourn the regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Ayes: J. Cohen, D. Fischer, P. Riis and Chairman McCleary. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: S. Jackson. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:32PM. Respectfully submitted, Nicole Lewakowski Clerk