Cary Park District Board of Commissioners met March 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
I. Call To Order
President Renner called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
II. Roll Call
Upon roll call the following Commissioners answered present: Mr. Howell, Mr. Stanko, Mrs. Hauck, Mr. Frangiamore, and Mr. Renner.
Staff-
Staff present: Dan Jones, Executive Director; Vicki Krueger, Director of Finance and Administration; Sara Kelly, Superintendent of Recreation; Paul Rogus, Superintendent of Park and Facility Maintenance; Katie Hughes, Director of Communications and Marketing; and Megan Lee, Recording Secretary.
Public
III. Pledge Of Allegiance To The Flag
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.
IV. Matters From The Public
None.
V. Items From Commissioners
None.
VI. Consent Agenda
President Renner asked if any items were to be removed from the Consent Agenda.
No items were requested for removal.
Stanko moved to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: VI.A.1. – Approval – Minutes Regular Board Meeting dated February 22, 2018; VI.A.2. – Approval – Minutes Committee of the Whole Meeting dated February 22, 2018; VI.A.3. – Approval – March 16, 2018, Disbursements in the Amount of $143,888.54; VI.A.4. – Acceptance – Treasurer’s Report dated February 28, 2018. Second by Frangiamore.
Roll call vote: Yes – Hauck, Frangiamore, Howell, Stanko, and Renner. No – None. Motion carried.
VII. Business Items
VII.A. Any Items Removed From Consent Agenda
None.
VII.B. Action Items
VII.B.1. Accept – IPRA Environmental Report Card
Jones explained that this item was discussed at the Administrative, Finance, and Personnel (AFP) Committee Meeting on March 8 due to the lack of a quorum in the Operations Committee. Jones stated that there is no Committee recommendation on the item, however discussion amongst the AFP members was supportive. The IPRA Environmental Report Card is an item that is to be completed every 3 years by staff to see how well the Park District is doing to conserve natural resources and protect the environment. The Environmental Report Card is an item that will be reviewed as part of the Distinguished Accreditation Review in May.
Hauck suggested that the Park District host a community cleanup day on the same day as the Village spring clean-up that occurs each year in the Village. She explained she has seen this done in other communities and feels it would be a good option for youth in the community or youth sport groups to help clean up local neighborhood parks.
Frangiamore moved to accept the updated and completed IPRA Environmental Report Card dated 2018. Second by Stanko.
Voice Vote: Yes – 5. No – None. Motion carried.
VII.B.2 – Update of CMP Action Plan
Jones explained that on February 8 and 22, Steve Konters of Hitchcock Design Group was present and lead discussion with Board members on performing modifications to the existing Action Plan of the 2016 Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP). He stated some updates in the Action Plan for FY2018-19 include an analysis of major initiatives including an indoor recreation center and an outdoor aquatic facility. Previously, the Action Plan only listed the indoor recreation facility. There is also a baseball/softball field analysis that will be completed. After each analysis is done, a year from now, the Board will be able to look at the different information provided and be able to make a decision on what path to pursue. The analysis of the Indoor Recreation Center and Outdoor Aquatic Facility will focus on program development, capital costs, operational costs, and schematic design.
Frangiamore asked if there was a date to receive money for the Multi-use Trail Grant through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP). Jones stated it could be as early as April, when the Park District might find out if it was awarded a grant, but there is no set date for release of the funds to agencies with successful grant requests.
Jones continued that the Ball Field analysis will focus on capacity for both the future and present, participation data and projections, loss of Maplewood School, and options for alternative playing surfaces.
Jones then reviewed other changes to the Action Plan such as moving the annexation of Cary-Grove Park to FY2019-2020 and evaluating Knotty Pines Park playground from the standpoint of replacement of the playground or removing the playground from this property.
Stanko asked about Knotty Pines and if anything would be communicated to the community members who live around that park about future changes to the site. Jones explained that when the time came to discuss the future of Knotty Pines, the Park District would encourage community members to provide feedback as part of a larger evaluation process.
Stanko stated that an argument could be made for a used/projected needs analysis for soccer fields since football, soccer, and lacrosse are also changing and increasing in terms of the youth involved in those sports. He asked if a field analysis should be done for all sport fields instead of just focusing on baseball/softball fields.
Jones explained that the development of the 2016 CMP Action Plan was from the premise that the Park District would initially address existing athletic field spaces and improve upon them, rather than building new field spaces. Several youth athletic groups that participated in the CMP 2016 stated they were not as concerned about more space, but rather were more interested in improving the space that was already available to them. When the site master plan was updated for Cary-Grove Park in 2017, new athletic field spaces were considered for future development at that site. The Lions Park project currently underway, improves existing ballfields and football/lacrosse practice spaces considerably. He asked if the Board desires to have an evaluation done of all athletic field space, would this be information the Board would take action on now to build new spaces, or would it be for informational purposes only? If the evaluation was for informational purposes only, it may not be worth the investment of time and resources to do it now.
Stanko asked what if, at the end of the baseball/softball field analysis, it is determined more fields are needed. He would like to know how that will affect the other sport fields utilized by soccer, lacrosse, and football.
Frangiamore explained that from the beginning of the development of the CMP, youth sport groups were included in the CMP process. The groups did not express the need to build new fields based on need but were interested in improving the existing athletic field spaces. He stated that the baseball/softball field assessment should be removed from the draft Action Plan in 2018-19. Ball fields will not be developed before Maplewood closes, and there is existing capacity for CGYBS to absorb the loss of those fields both in Cary and Fox River Grove.
Howell emphasized that his purpose wasn’t to suggest building fields, but rather gathering input from youth sport coaches instead of the administration of those organizations. There seems to be different information floating around from both sides, so he would like a study done to show clearly what is occurring and what capacity is versus utilization.
Renner stated the baseball/softball field assessment should be removed.
Frangiamore moved to remove baseball/softball field assessment from 2021+. Second by Stanko.
Howell explained there is one other item he would like to talk about briefly, and that is in reference to the Hoffman Park property for sale along route 31. He stated the property on Route 31 owned presently by Meyer Material will be handed over to the Village of Cary by the end of 2018. From an appearance standpoint, would the Hoffman Park parcel the Park District has discussed selling in the past now become more attractive to potential buyers. He wanted to know if this should be looked at sooner than 2021+ (as is shown in the 2016 Action Plan).
Frangiamore explained the property, if sold, could be used to fund future projects.
Jones explained that over time he has spoken with several realtors who deal with both commercial land as well as farm land. The informal feedback provided by those professionals is that the land may be difficult to sell due to lack of resources on the property such as water and sewage connections. Past practice has been to touch base with the Board a few times per year and inquire if there is a change desired to present approach.
Frangiamore stated he would like to have the sale of the property examined annually.
Renner stated that a real estate expert should come in and tell the Park District the best use of the property. There are a lot of pieces of the puzzle that need to come together for a sale and if the property should be rezoned by the Park District to make it more attractive.
It was the consensus of the Board that a sale of Hoffman Park property on Route 31 be evaluated annually and included as such in the Action Plan. Renner suggested it be added to Q4 19/20 and 20/21.
Frangiamore withdrew his previous motion.
Frangiamore moved to remove the ball field analysis from 2018-19 and add an athletic field assessment for all fields to 2021. Second by Stanko.
Voice Vote: Yes – 5. No – None. Motion carried.
Stanko moved that the item pertaining to the sale of frontage along Route 31 on page 151 be listed on the 19/20 and 20/21 action plan for community parks in Q4. Second by Hauck.
Voice Vote: Yes – 5. No – None. Motion carried.
Frangiamore stated he would like to keep pursuing an Indoor Recreation Facility and not stop. He would like to know what the Park District’s availability is to fund that project at this current point in time. He would like to incorporate all parts of the items being looked at including the preschool, senior center, gymnasium, and how ultimately that impacts the current Community Center and the availability for office staff. He is concerned that there is no room for Administrative Staff. He feels that the main focus should be an Indoor Recreation Facility that incorporates all those needs either in the center itself or changes to the current Community Center to meet the needs in addition to the recreation center.
Renner stated that what happens to the current Community Center is not clearly defined in the Action plan. He asked Frangiamore if there was something he would like seen changed, but Frangiamore explained he just wants it to be all inclusive and not lose the fact that administrative office space is needed.
Frangiamore made a motion to include all areas of need with the feasibility study for an Indoor Recreation Facility including current and future programming and office space needs. Second by Stanko.
Frangiamore moved to amend it to include use of the existing Community Center. Second by Stanko.
Voice Vote on Amended Motion: Yes – 5. No – None. Motion carried.
Frangiamore asked if Speer Financial was going to be brought in to explain financial abilities of the Park District. Jones explained that once the feasibility studies are complete and the Board gets closer to deciding what to build, Speer would be brought in during that process to speak with the Board.
VIII. Executive Director Report
Jones explained the summer brochure went out in the mail today to all residents of the Park District. He next stated that the Park District received its PDRMA Accreditation plaque, and that it will be placed in the lobby. Lastly, the Jaycee Easter Egg Hunt will be at 10 am on Saturday at Lions Park.
At 8:15 pm, a motion was made by Frangiamore to enter Closed Session for the purpose of A. Review of Closed Session Minutes (5 ILCS 120/2 (21) and B. Acquisition, Purchase or Lease of Land Action. Second by Stanko.
Voice Vote: Yes – 5. No – None. Motion carried.
IX. Closed Session Summary and Action
Renner reconvened open session at 8:35 pm.
Renner summarized Closed Session as follows: The minutes of February 22, 2018 meeting were reviewed and approved, and discussion was held regarding the acquisition, purchase or lease of property.
There was no action taken as a result of Closed Session.
Motion by Stanko to adjourn. Second by Hauck.
Voice vote: Yes – 5. No – None. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.
https://www.carypark.com/rccms/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/0318minutes.pdf
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