Parks & Recreation Commission

MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION September 10, 2024 City Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order by Chair M. McCleary at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. B. ROLL CALL: A roll call was taken and Chairman McCleary determined a quorum was present. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Pete Riis, Shannon Jackson, Jason Cohen, Karen Gutierrez and Chairman Mike McCleary. STAFF PRESENT: Recreation Manager Alan Dunker, Public Works Director Brent Aymond and Parks Supervisor John Mecklenburg. At that time, all those present left the Council Chambers to begin their annual tour of City parks. The Commission reconvened at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers and a Roll Call was taken. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Pete Riis, Shannon Jackson, Jason Cohen, Karen Gutierrez and Chairman Mike McCleary. STAFF PRESENT: Recreation Manager Alan Dunker, Public Works Director Brent Aymond, Parks & Streets Supervisor John Mecklenburg, and Clerk Nicole Lewakowski. C. FLOOR DISCUSSION: 1. Public Comments: None. 2. Commission Comments: None. Staff reported that a Parks Tour had occurred prior to the meeting with staff and Commission members present. Parks visited included Emricson Park, Woodstock Water Works, Banford Park, Olson Park, Sonatas Park and Sesquicentennial Park. D. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Motion by J. Cohen, second by K. Gutierrez, to accept the minutes of the August 13, 2024 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Ayes: P. Riis, S. Jackson, J. Cohen, K. Gutierrez and Chairman McCleary. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.  Parks & Rec Commission 09/10/2024 Page 2 of 3 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 August 2024 P. Riis inquired about the status of negotiations for a second recreation center location. A. Dunker reported no change in status. Negotiations are ongoing and the deadline for a decision has not been established. A. Dunker informed the Commission that Nurture will conduct an onsite review at the Recreation Center on September 17, 2024 to review and discuss visions and expectations as it relates to improvement recommendations in accordance with the previously awarded Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) grant. A. Dunker believes that the PARC grant conditions mandate project completion by March 2026. Chairman McCleary inquired about Nurture’s scope of work and purpose. N. Lewakowski referenced M. Pentecost’s explanation that the project will be completed in two phases; planning and construction, citing that Nurture will provide consulting on planning. Subsequently, staff intends to solicit bids for construction. 2. Parks Division Report for August 2024 J. Cohen asked the anticipated completion date for Intergenerational Inclusive Playground and J. Mecklenburg said end of October. N. Lewakowski expressed an understanding that an unveiling will likely occur in spring 2025. P. Riis sought clarification on the Park in the Square electrical improvements. B. Aymond confirmed upgrades include new smart panels, additional ground boxes and new conduit to accommodate outlets on the interior side of the perimeter wall. Furthermore, he added that staff intends to increase holiday lighting in 2025 given the improvements and increased capacity. J. Cohen inquired about the addition of wind screens at Emricson Park on the new pickleball/tennis courts. B. Aymond expressed staff are looking into remedies for wind interference. Chairman McCleary asked that Olson be considered too. E. OLD BUSINESS: 1. None. F. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Review and Discussion of the Draft Parks Master Plan Chairman McCleary expressed concern with regard to the quick turnaround requested of the Commission with regard to the Parks Master Plan that the Commission is to review, provide feedback and recommend approval for adoption at the next regularly-scheduled Commission meeting on October 8. This would be followed by the City Council adoption slated for October 15. P. Riis too questioned whether staff and Design Workshop could make any requested changes so quickly. Staff advised the Commission to submit comments, questions, and concerns to N. Lewakowski as well as complete the provided online survey. N. Lewakowski explained that the consultants expressed the survey results will be documented in the appendixes to provide  Parks & Rec Commission 09/10/2024 Page 3 of 3 a historical record. G. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Tentative agenda items identified by Administration a. Annual Review of Park Policies & Practices b. Recommendation to Council to Approve Parks Master Plan 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. P. Riis mentioned his intentions to keep winter activities on the agenda for future discussions. H. ADJOURN: Motion by J. Cohen, second by S. Jackson, to adjourn the regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Ayes: S. Jackson, P. Riis, J. Cohen, K. Gutierrez and Chairman McCleary. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 PM. Respectfully submitted, Nicole Lewakowski Clerk