Parks & Recreation Commission

MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION April 9, 2024 City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL: A roll call was taken and Chairman McCleary determined a quorum was present. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Pete Riis, Donna Fischer, Shannon Jackson and Chairman Mike McCleary. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Jason Cohen. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Frank O’Sullivan. STAFF PRESENT: Recreation Director Dave Zinnen, Public Works Director Brent Aymond, and Clerk Nicole Lewakowski. C. FLOOR DISCUSSION: 1. Public Comments: None. 2. Commission Comments: P. Riis congratulated D. Zinnen for his 27.5 years of service and extended him well wishes. P. Riis inquired about what is proposed, by way of parks, as part of the Riverwoods development plans. B. Aymond expressed a neighborhood park is anticipated, but cautioned the City won’t influence what that entails and that the City won’t take ownership of said park; rather the Riverwoods Home Owner’s Association (HOA) will. Chairman McCleary asked about impact fees associated with the same development. B. Aymond couldn’t confidently confirm what impact fees will, or won’t be collected. P. Riis indicated the developer doesn’t want to pay any impact fees. Chairman McCleary is concerned about lack of impact fees imposed upon the developer and expressed hopefulness that City Council highlight similar consternation. The Commission would like to see any further detailed Riverwoods development plans, when available, on the Parks and Recreation agenda in the future. Chairman McCleary explained that the Commission can make requests to influence and further secure the interests of the City upon review. D. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Motion by D. Fischer, second by S. Jackson, to accept the minutes of the March 12, 2024 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Ayes: D. Fischer, P. Riis, S. Jackson and Chairman McCleary. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: J. Cohen. Motion carried.  Parks & Rec Commission 04/09/2024 Page 2 of 4 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 March 2024 D. Zinnen provided an update on PARC grant-related improvements; stating that staff is preoccupied and focused on Opera House OSLAD grant improvement work and planning. Further developments will reside with Mark Pentecost, the newly hired Parks and Recreation Director, who will be onboarded beginning Monday, April 15, 2024. P. Riis, Chairman McCleary and D. Zinnen discussed M. Pentecost’s qualifications and prior park and recreation experience. P. Riis asked about the status of the Prairie View/Commit Fitness purchase discussions. D. Zinnen explained that the owner is not allowed to sell due to bond restrictions. Staff is discussing a lease to own option to continue pursuing the facility to assist during impending Recreation Center renovations. Chairman McCleary inquired about the possibility of Crystal Lake’s Healthbridge as an alternative. D. Zinnen attested that Healthbridge is for sale, although he is not aware of the price or current status, and that Crystal Lake’s Park District doesn’t intend to pursue the acquisition. 2. Parks Division Report for March 2024 B. Aymond presented the Parks division report providing information about the removal of trees at Sunnyside Park and reiterated path improvements at Emricson Park and Merryman Park to include crack sealing, skip patching, and sealcoating. P. Riis and B. Aymond discussed options for possible tree replacements at Sunnyside Park and Citywide. B. Aymond expressed that no affirmed plans currently exist nor a tree replacement policy, but confirmed the City’s Arborist will be consulted for recommendations. F. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Discuss Request by Midwest Cricket Conference to Become an Approved User Group Chairman McCleary and D. Zinnen discussed a one-month trial period approval for play at Davis Road Park in which the user group will need to provide and haul any required equipment. Play will be expected to leave no trace. P. Riis would like to know dates and times of said trial period. D. Zinnen confirmed play will happen on Saturdays, but staff have yet to establish dates. Chairman McCleary confirmed no play shall be permitted in inclement weather to prevent turf damage and questioned who will monitor play to ensure the user group adheres to restrictions and rules during this trial period. B. Aymond expressed he couldn’t commit staff to monitor nor provide any enforcement. P. Riis asked for D. Zinnen’s recommendation of fees. D. Zinnen explained that for the discussed trial period, Midwest Cricket will pay nonresident, non-approved user group fees of $70 per game. B. Aymond recommended they pay fees associated for the required two fields for play, $140 per game. P. Riis would like Midwest Cricket to come back before the Commission following the trial period, if the City intends to allow further, regular play. The Commissions’ consensus is to allow and proceed with a trial period of play.  Parks & Rec Commission 04/09/2024 Page 3 of 4 G. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Discuss User Fees for Adult Baseball League Mr. Frank O’Sullivan, representing the Northern Illinois Men’s Baseball League, requested the Commission defer the 2024 increase in fees due to late notification, resulting in lack of time to properly prepare for the added expenditure. Last year the group paid $90 for first games and $15 for each additional game, per day. The approved increases for 2024 would require the group to pay fees of $90 per first games and $90 for each additional game, per day. The Commission inquired about the necessity for the fee increase. B. Aymond would like to consult staff prior to providing justification, but expressed ultimately the decision is that of the City Manager. D. Zinnen and B. Aymond expressed fees need to be increased to recoup costs and bring to a comparable, competitive market level, stressing that fees had not been raised since 2008. D. Zinnen discussed that tournament fee increases are deferred and supports the deferment of league fees too. S. Jackson and D. Fischer voiced agreement that due to late notice and lack of time to plan, deferment is appropriate. B. Aymond advised Mr. O’Sullivan that he should anticipate and plan for 2025 fees, which will be announced in August. Motion by P. Riis, second by D. Fischer, to defer the fee increase, and payment of the same, until 2025 and instead allow the Northern Illinois Men’s Baseball league to continue paying fees in line with 2023’s pricing. Ayes: D. Fischer, P. Riis, S. Jackson and Chairman McCleary. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: J. Cohen. Motion carried. H. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Tentative agenda items identified by Administration a. Discuss Melissa O’Leary Splashpad Project b. Annual 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. D. Zinnen recapped current Commission seat statuses including anticipated expirations and renewals of present Commission members. D. Fischer announced she will be resigning; May will be her last meeting. P. Riis intends to extend and pursue another term. S. Jackson intends to continue and pursue a new full term as well. Chairman McCleary inquired about the proposed art installation in the roundabout, specifically with regard to maintenance and ownership, expressing concern about insurance given the cost estimates of the proposed piece and its potentially hazardous location. B. Aymond advised of a breakaway component that will be required, given vehicular traffic in the roundabout and collision potential, and that consideration is being given with regard to safety-related costs and the location. Lastly, Chairman McCleary again thanked D. Zinnen for his contributions to the City. Notably, the Recreation Center and Woodstock Water Works.  Parks & Rec Commission 04/09/2024 Page 4 of 4 I. ADJOURN: Motion by D. Fischer, second by S. Jackson, to adjourn the regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Ayes: D. Fischer, S. Jackson, P. Riis and Chairman McCleary. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: J. Cohen. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM. Respectfully submitted, Nicole Lewakowski Clerk