McHenry Times

Cary Park District Board of Park Commissioners Committee of the Whole met February 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Board Members Present: Stanko, Howell, Hauck, Frangiamore, and Renner.

Under Policy 1-005j, Remote Attendance at Board/Committee Meetings, Commissioner Howell joined the meeting remotely via telephone at 7:00 pm.

Staff Present: Jones, Krueger, Kelly, Rogus, Raica, Hughes, and Lee.

Renner called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

There were no items from the Public or Staff.

Under Direction Items, Update(s) and Review – Action Plan from Comprehensive Master Plan Update 2016 was discussed.

Jones explained that Steve Konters from Hitchcock Design Group was present to lead a discussion amongst the Board pertaining to the past, present, and future of the Action Plan of the 2016 Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP). After a few discussions with the Board, he felt it would be beneficial for Konters to come back and explain the reasoning behind the 2016 CMP.

Konters explained tonight’s purpose is to assist the Board with how to move forward with Action Plan items by providing an overview of the data, the process, milestones, and key outcomes of the process performed in 2016.

Konters reviewed how data was collected for the CMP process and provided a breakdown of that data. He discussed the park’s inventory including number of park sites and acreage present compared to state and national standards. Overall, 95% of the community is served by parks and open spaces of the Park District.

Konters reviewed results of the Community survey that was sent out in 2016 and how those results shaped the outcome of the CMP.

Konters explained in the Action Plan, the Park District is currently in Quarter 4 of FY2017-2018 and provided actions and target dates of items currently listed in the plan. He then evaluated priorities such as an indoor recreation center, pool replacement, and the Senior Center and Preschool Facilities.

Konters then stated he would like to start to lay the groundwork on how to update the Action Plan. He emphasized that this isn’t to recreate the Action Plan, but rather how to adjust the current plan to meet priorities.

Frangiamore stated he first would like to focus on what has been accomplished by staff since the approval of the CMP. He stated staff has done a tremendous amount of work to get Kaper and Lions Parks to the point they are at now. He explained the grant for the trail extension to route 31 has been submitted six months ahead of schedule. He also explained that Hampton Park is in the process of being replaced as well as the disc golf course set to open around August of 2018.

Jones explained that everything has been accomplished on the Action Plan except the annexation of Cary-Grove Park. Discussion has also been held on the indoor recreation facility at Cary-Grove Park, so that item has been discussed and reviewed.

Renner stated that the tennis courts have been removed from Veterans Park as well and Jamesway Park has been replaced in accordance with the Action Plan. He stated he feels it is appropriate to stop and review the action plan items and their prioritization.

Stanko stated he would like to look at this in a different way. The direction of the Action Items items is very clear and is under the Park District’s control. He feels it’s important to note that the Park District needs to focus on its strengths and prioritize Action Items that way.

Hauck explained that she wasn’t part of the 2016 CMP process so she can’t comment on what has changed, but feels the current political climate can impact what is to be done with the plan.

Howell stated he wasn’t part of the original process, but is proud of what has been accomplished by the Park District over the last 12-18 months. He feels that what the community desires has shifted since the CMP was done.

Konters next asked what has changed since 2016. Hauck stated the indoor recreation center will be a big commitment even if done in phases. She feels each Commissioner visions the building as something different, so that has been a challenge. She feels the Park District needs to see what the real needs of the community are before moving forward, especially with the current political climate focused on taxes and government spending.

Frangiamore stated that it comes down to the plan being well done, and it was followed well in 2016 in accordance to the community needs. He explained that the Park District has a budget of $8,000,000 to build a facility that will cost double that budget. He wants to know what the highest need of the community is that can be financed through the Park District, and if the priority is more than the Park District can afford, what other options are there, and will the Board be willing to go to a referendum. He also wants to know what the payback on projects will be for the Park District.

Renner talked about the availability of funds to build the recreation center that is truly desired by the community and not something smaller than the original vision. He wants to know the potential to buy a building that will meet the needs of the preschool and seniors and preforming renovations. He also mentioned possibly reprioritizing an outdoor aquatic facility and indoor recreation center.

Stanko stated what’s changed is the Park District has learned a lot such as the indoor recreation center is much larger than the financial ability for the Park District to accomplish. Also learned is there are things going on outside of the Park District that are now coming to the front that will affect the Park District’s plan in the future. He also stated the community wants tax relief so the Park District needs to relook at what is being done and find something that will satisfy the needs of indoor programming. He sees the budget available and he feels the pool needs to be prioritized over the recreation center. He also feels administrative space issues need to be reviewed as well.

Stanko also discussed the preschool and how it’s a great program, but there is a lot of change in the community where preschool is now readily available. This is an item he would like to discuss in the future. He feels $8,000,000 can accomplish a lot with a pool and other priorities of the Park District.

Howell agreed with the statements already made about maximizing what the Park District already has available. Since 2016 there seems to be a definitive end of the road to the youth baseball/softball at the Maplewood property. The Park District can’t absorb the need of the group when those ball fields go away, and that is something he would like reviewed. He then mentioned the preschool and how it is filling a significant need of the community due to the capacity always being full even if there are other options available.

Howell asked if the CMP community survey was done through online means, and Konters stated that it was available online, on the phone, and mail. Konters then stated that Howell feels priorities are with the ballfields being taken away at Maplewood as well as a building being purchased for the use of seniors and the preschool. Howell explained he would rather address several smaller items over one big item.

Konters asked if priorities need to be adjusted. Hauck, Frangiamore, Renner, Stanko, and Howell all agreed that priorities need to be adjusted in the current 2016 CMP Action Plan.

Konters recapped stating that the anticipated cost of items has changed which will have a big influence moving forward. He stated that there are third party influences that could play a role in items getting accomplished. When looking at the $8,000,000 should one big project be done or several smaller ones be done and how would that affect public approval. There needs to be a determination on what the highest priority and need is for the Park District. There are also new priorities such as purchasing a building for preschool and senior programs. The question of a pool vs. indoor recreation center needs to be revisited. Athletic fields also needs to be re-examined with the current community needs.

Konters then asked how the Board would adjust the priorities moving forward through 2021.

Renner stated that whatever decision is made, it has to be sensitive to what the community wants. He asked if the community would be happier if smaller items were done that were lower priorities, or if the community would want a priority addressed even if it is only one item being completed. Renner also stated the Board always assumed funds would be available for the items in the Action Plan, but that isn’t necessarily the case anymore due to costs being greater than anticipated.

Konters asked what the Board would like answered at the next meeting. He stated he will come back at another meeting to discuss how to adjust priorities moving forward through 2021.

Stanko stated that 3% of the community utilizes the preschool according to the CMP study, but what percentage of the total preschoolers in the community does the Park District serve. He asked the same with the ET program and senior programming. As the population of seniors continues to grow, he feels that is a priority that needs to be addressed. He also wants clarification on public approval and what it means when it comes to funding, taxes, etc. As long as improvements are made and needs continue to be met, he feels there will be public approval with the tax resources available.

Frangiamore stated that he wants to emphasize finances and prioritize it based on the funding available. He also feels that to gauge public approval is through referendum. He also wants to look at other options through a budgeting standpoint and if there is another way to meet needs. Reprogramming existing spaces is important as well as what it would cost to not only purchase a new building but also include the cost to renovate the building.

Hauck feels the action plan is strong and with new resources becoming available it might be better to tackle a few projects. She doesn’t want to wait and to build funds. The momentum needs to move forward.

Howell stated what would be helpful would be if the Board could be provided a list of priorities and the cost to accomplish those needs. That can help prioritize what is financially possible moving forward.

Jones stated the next meeting could occur as soon as February 22 with a Committee of the Whole occurring after the regular Board meeting. He then explained that from a staff perspective there are facility items that need to be addressed such as the preschool, senior center, and pool.

Konters stressed that the Action Plan is a living document that is intended to be revisited throughout time. It is a standard practice to revisit and review what has been accomplished and great progress was made this evening.

Stanko moved to adjourn the meeting; second by Frangiamore.

Voice vote: All voting yes. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.

https://www.carypark.com/rccms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/020818cowminutes.pdf